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6-3
●
The engine can be started in any gear
if the brake pedal is applied. However,
it is recommended to shift into neutral
before starting the engine.
4. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, start the engine by turning the key to
“START”.
If the engine fails to start, release the key, and
then try starting it again. Wait a few seconds
before the next attempt. Each attempt should
be as short as possible, to preserve battery
energy. NOTICE: Do not crank the engine
more than 5 seconds on each attempt, or
starter damage could occur. Wait at least 5
seconds between each operation of the
electric starter to let it cool.
Do not turn the key to the “START” position
with the engine running; otherwise, damage
to the electric starter may result.
TIPFor maximum engine life, never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold!
1RB7A_EE.book Page 3 Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:07 AM
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7-6
Protective structure
The vehicle cage/frame provides a protective
structure that helps limit intrusions by branch-
es or other objects and may reduce your risk
of injury in accidents. The protective structure
will not protect occupants in all rollovers or ac-
cidents.
Body parts outside of vehicle can be struck by
passing objects or crushed during vehicle roll-
over. Do not put your hands or feet outside of
the vehicle for any reason. Do not hold onto
the door, cage/frame or hip restraint. Wear
your seat belt and helmet.
If you think or feel that the vehicle may tip or
roll, do not put your hands or feet outside the
vehicle for any reason. You will not be able to
stop the vehicle from tipping over using your
body. Any part of your body (arms, legs, or
head) outside of the vehicle can be crushed
by the vehicle cage/frame.Seat belts
Seat belts should be worn by both driver and
passenger. Driver must be sure that the pas-
senger is belted before driving.
●
Be sure the seat belt is not twisted, is
close-fitting across the hips and chest,
and is latched securely.
●
Do not wear the lap belt across the abdo-
men or stomach.
●
Do not put the shoulder belt behind the
back.
Failure to use seat belts properly may lead to
an increased likelihood and severity of injury.
1RB7A_EE.book Page 6 Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:07 AM
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7-9
6. Check if the seat belt shoulder positionsuits the size of the driver and passen-
ger.
To lower the belt, insert the belt into the
seat belt height adjuster slot as shown.
To raise the belt, remove the belt from
the height adjuster slot.1. Seat belt height adjuster 2. Seat belt
3. Slot7. To release the buckle, firmly press the re-lease button. Doors
The doors are designed to reduce the likeli-
hood that you will stick your leg out to stop the
vehicle from tipping over or for any other rea-
son in a rollover. The doors may also reduce
intrusion of objects into the occupant area.
Make sure the doors are securely latched be-
fore operation. Do not place your arm or hand
on the door during operation. Your hand or
arm may be struck by objects or crushed
against outside objects or the ground during a
rollover.
1
2
3
1RB7A_EE.book Page 9 Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:07 AM
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7-10
Passenger handholds
Handholds are provided to grip during opera-
tion to maintain proper position and balance.
Holding onto the handholds helps to reduce
the likelihood that the passenger puts a hand
outside the vehicle if the vehicle begins to tip.
There are two handholds on the protective
structure and two handholds on the passen-
ger’s left side, for the right and left hands.
The driver should make sure the passenger is
holding onto the handholds with both hands
before operating the vehicle.1RB7A_EE.book Page 10 Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:07 AM
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7-16
If you think or feel that the vehicle may tip or
roll, keep your body completely inside the pro-
tective structure of the vehicle:●
Brace yourself by pressing your feet firmly
on the floorboards and keep a firm grip on
the steering wheel or handholds.
●
Do not put your hands or feet outside of the
vehicle for any reason. Do not try to stop a
tipover using your arm or leg.Accelerating
With the engine idling in neutral and your foot
on the brake, shift the drive select lever into
low or high.
NOTICE: Do not shift from low
to high or vice versa without coming to a
complete stop and waiting for the engine
to return to normal idle speed – damage to
the engine or drive train may occur. Then
release the parking brake. Press the accel-
erator pedal slowly and smoothly. The centrif-
ugal clutch will engage and the vehicle will
begin to accelerate.
Avoid higher speeds and sudden or hard ac-
celeration until you are thoroughly familiar
with the operation of your vehicle. Avoid sud-
den or hard acceleration in any turn.
1RB7A_EE.book Page 16 Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:07 AM
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7-20
Hills
Choose carefully which hills you attempt to
climb or descend. Avoid hills with slippery sur-
faces or those where you will not be able to
see far enough ahead of you. Use common
sense and remember that some hills are too
steep for you to climb or descend. Use proper
driving techniques to avoid rearward, forward,
or sideways rollovers on hills and slopes.
Drive straight up and down inclines, not
across them. If crossing a hill is unavoidable,
drive slowly. Turn downhill immediately if you
feel the vehicle may tip.
If you think or feel the Rhino may tip or
roll:●
Brace yourself by pressing your feet firmly
on the floorboards and keep a firm grip on
the steering wheel or handholds.
●
Do not put your hands or feet outside of the
vehicle for any reason.
1RB7A_EE.book Page 20 Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:07 AM
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7-22
Downhill
Check the terrain carefully before going
downhill. When possible, choose a path that
lets you drive your vehicle straight downhill.
Choose your path carefully and drive slowly
enough to be able to react to obstacles that
you encounter.
For more traction and control, before going
down steeper and/or rougher slopes, shift into
low gear and select “4WD” or “LOCK”. Engine
braking will help you go downhill slowly. Go as
slowly as possible. If you begin to go too fast,
apply the brakes gently. Avoid hard applica-
tion of the brakes, which could cause the vehi-
cle to slide.If you are sliding or skidding, try to steer in the
direction the vehicle is sliding, to regain con-
trol. For example, if you feel the back of the
vehicle start to slide to your right, steer to the
right.
If you must turn on the hill to avoid an obsta-
cle, do so slowly and carefully. If the vehicle
starts to tip, immediately steer in the downhill
direction if there are no obstacles in your path.
As you regain proper balance, gradually steer
again in the direction you want to go.1RB7A_EE.book Page 22 Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:07 AM
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7-25
Brush or wooded areas
When operating in areas with brush or trees,
watch carefully on both sides and above the
vehicle for obstacles such as branches that
the vehicle might hit, causing an accident.
Watch for brush that might enter the vehicle
as you pass and strike you or the passenger.
Never hold onto the cage/frame. The passen-
ger should always hold onto the handholds
with both hands.
The muffler and other engine parts become
extremely hot during operation and remain
hot after the engine has stopped. To reduce
the risk of fire during operation or after leaving
the vehicle, do not let brush, grass and other
materials collect under the vehicle, near the
muffler or exhaust pipe, or next to other hot
parts. Check under the vehicle after operating
in areas where combustible materials may
have collected. Do not idle or park the vehicle
in long dry grass or other dry ground cover. Encountering obstacles
If you cannot go around an obstacle, such as
a fallen tree or a ditch, stop the vehicle where
it is safe to do so. Set the parking brake and
get out to inspect the area thoroughly. Look
from both your approach side and exit side. If
you believe you can continue safely, choose
the path that will allow you to get over the ob-
stacle and at as close to a right angle as pos-
sible to minimize vehicle tipping. Go only fast
enough to maintain your momentum but still
give yourself plenty of time to react to chang-
es in conditions.
If there is any question about your ability to
maneuver safely over the obstacle, you
should turn around if the ground is flat and you
have the room or back up until you find a less
difficult path.1RB7A_EE.book Page 25 Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:07 AM