Your new vehicle was designed to be used primarily
to carry passengers and luggage.
Towing atrailer will place additional loads on your
vehicle’s engine, drive train, steering, braking and
other systems. The towing of atrailer will exagger-
ate other conditions such as sway caused by cross-
winds, rough road surfaces or passing trucks.
Your driving style and speed must be adjusted ac-
cording to the circumstances. Before towing a
trailer, see an approved dealer or qualified work-
shop for an explanation about the proper use of tow-
ing equipment.
OPERATING PRECAUTIONS
• Avoid towing
atrailer during the running-in pe-
riod.
• Before driving, make sure that the lighting sys-
tem of the trailer works properly.
• Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer
operation.
• Avoid abrupt starts, accelerations and stops.
• Avoid sharp turns and lane changes.
• Always drive your vehicle at
amoderate speed.
• Follow the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
• Choose proper coupling devices (trailer hitch,
safety chain, roof carrier, etc.) for your vehicle
and trailer. These devices are available from an
approved dealer or qualified workshop where
you can also obtain more detailed information
about trailer towing. •
Never allow the total trailer load (trailer weight
plus its cargo weight) to exceed the maximum
set for the vehicle and the coupling device. See
an approved dealer or qualified workshop for
more information.
• The trailer must be loaded so that heavy goods
are placed over the axle. The maximum allowable
vertical load on the trailer hitch must not be ex-
ceeded.
• Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
the intervals specified in
aseparate maintenance
booklet.
• Trailer towing requires more fuel than under nor-
mal circumstances because of
aconsiderable
increase in traction power and resistance.
While towing atrailer, check the engine coolant
temperature indicator to prevent the vehicle from
overheating.
TYRE PRESSURE
When towing atrailer, inflate the vehicle tyres to the
maximum recommended COLD tyre pressure (for
full loading) indicated on the tyre placard.
Do not tow atrailer when the vehicle is installed with
at emporary spare tyre or acompact spare tyre.
SAFETY CHAINS
Always use asuitable chain between the vehicle
and trailer. The chain should be crossed and should
be attached to the hitch, not to the vehicle bumper
or axle. Be sure to leave enough slack in the chain
to permit turning corners. TRAILER BRAKES
Ensure that trailer brakes are installed as required
by local regulations. Also check that all other trailer
equipment conforms to local regulations.
Always block the wheels on both the vehicle and
trailer when parking. Apply the hand brake on the
trailer where fitted. Parking on
asteep slope is not
recommended.
If parking on asteep slope is unavoidable, place the
shift lever in the P(Park) position (Automatic trans-
mission model), or in an appropriate position
(Manual transmission model), and turn the front
wheels towards the kerb.
TRAILER DETECTION (where fitted)
When towing atrailer with agenuine RENAULT tow
bar electrical kit and the turn signal switch is used,
the electrical system of the vehicle will detect the
additional electrical load of the trailer lighting. As a
result, the direction indicator tone will be different.
TRAILER TOWING
5-48
Starting and driving
When leaving your vehicle unoccupied:
• Always take the key with you
-even when leav-
ing the vehicle in your own garage.
• Close all windows completely and lock all doors.
• Always park your vehicle where it can be seen.
Park in
awell lit area during the night.
• If the security system is equipped, use it
-even
for ashort period.
• Never leave children or pets in the vehicle unat-
tended.
• Never leave valuables inside the vehicle. Always
take valuables with you.
• Never leave the vehicle documents in the ve-
hicle.
• Never leave articles on
aroof rail. Remove them
from the rack and keep and lock them inside the
vehicle.
• Never leave the spare key in the vehicle. WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned off while
driving, the power assist for the steering will not
work. The steering will be much harder to oper-
ate.
The power assisted steering is designed to use a
hydraulic pump driven by the engine, to assist steer-
ing.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you will
still have control of the vehicle. However, greater
steering effort is needed, especially in sharp turns
and at low speeds. The brake system has two separate hydraulic cir-
cuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still have
braking ability at two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the ve-
hicle by depressing the footbrake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the footbrake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle. The stopping distance
will be longer.
If the engine is not running or is turned off while driv-
ing, the power assisted brakes will not function.
Braking will be harder. WARNING
Do not coast with the engine stopped.
Using brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the footbrake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brake linings/pads faster, and increase fuel con-
sumption.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the brakes
from overheating, reduce speed and downshift to a
lower gear before going down aslope or long grade.
Overheated brakes may reduce braking perfor-
mance and could result in loss of vehicle control.
VEHICLE SECURITY
POWER STEERING SYSTEM BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-49
While driving on
aslippery surface, be careful when
braking, accelerating or downshifting. Abrupt brak-
ing or acceleration could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through wa-
ter, the brakes may get wet. As aresult, your brak-
ing distance will be longer and the vehicle may pull
to one side during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at asafe speed
while lightly depressing the footbrake pedal to heat
up the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to nor-
mal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds until
the brakes function correctly.
Parking brake running-in
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened or
whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums/
rotors are replaced, in order to assure the best brak-
ing performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle service
manual and can be performed by an approved dealer
or qualified workshop.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is
asophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent accidents
resulting from careless or dangerous driving
techniques. It can help maintain vehicle control during braking on slippery surfaces. Remember
that stopping distances on slippery surfaces will
be longer than on normal surfaces even with ABS.
Stopping distances may also be longer on rough,
gravel or snow covered roads, or if you are using
tyre chains. Always maintain
asafe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately, the driver
is responsible for safety.
Tyre type and condition may also affect braking
effectiveness.
• When replacing tyres, install the specified size
of tyres on all four wheels.
• When installing
aspare tyre, make sure that it
is the proper size and type as specified on the
tyre placard. (See “Vehicle identification” in
the “9. Technical information” section.)
• For detailed information, see “Tyres and
wheels” in the “9. Technical information” sec-
tion.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard brak-
ing or when braking on slippery surfaces. The sys-
tem detects the rotation speed at each wheel and
varies the brake fluid pressure to prevent each wheel
from locking and sliding. By preventing each wheel
from locking, the system helps the driver maintain
steering control and helps to minimise swerving and
spinning on slippery surfaces. Using system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. Depress
the brake pedal with firm steady pressure, but do
not pump the brakes. The ABS will operate to pre-
vent the wheels from locking up. Steer the vehicle to
avoid obstacles. WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may re-
sult in increased stopping distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and acomputer. The
computer has abuilt-in diagnostic feature that tests
the system each time you start the engine and move
the vehicle at alow speed in forward or reverse.
When the self-test occurs, you may hear a“clunk”
noise and/or feel apulsation in the brake pedal. This
is normal and does not indicate amalfunction. If the
computer senses amalfunction, it switches the ABS
off and illuminates the ABS warning light on the
instrument panel. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance. If the ABS
warning light illuminates during the self-test or while
driving, have the vehicle checked by an approved
dealer or qualified workshop.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 5to10km/h (3
to 6M PH). The speed varies according to road con-
ditions.
5-50 Starting and driving
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels are
close to locking up, the actuator rapidly applies and
releases hydraulic pressure. This action is similar to
pumping the brakes very quickly. You may feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal and hear anoise from
under the bonnet or feel avibration from the actua-
tor when it is operating. This is normal and indicates
that the ABS is operating properly. However, the
pulsation may indicate that road conditions are haz-
ardous and extra care is required while driving.
When the differential lock (where fitted) is engaged,
the ABS warning light illuminates. This indicates that
the anti-lock function is not fully operating. (See
“Rear differential locking system (where fitted)” ear-
lier in this section for the rear differential lock func-
tion.) WARNING
• Whatever the condition, drive with caution.
Accelerate and decelerate with great care. If
accelerating or decelerating too fast, the drive
wheels will lose even more traction.
• Allow more stopping distance in cold weather
driving. Braking should be started sooner than
on dry pavement.
• Keep at
agreater distance from the vehicle in
front of you on slippery roads.
• Wet ice (0°C, 32°F and freezing rain), very cold
snow and ice can be slick and very difficult to
drive on. The vehicle will have
alot less trac-
tion or grip under these conditions. Try to
avoid driving on wet ice until the road is salted
or sanded.
• Watch for slippery spots (glaring ice). These
may appear on an otherwise clear road in
shaded areas. If
apatch of ice is seen ahead,
brake before reaching it. Try not to brake while
actually on the ice, and avoid any sudden
steering manoeuvres.
• Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
• Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gas under
your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around your vehicle. BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may freeze
and damage the battery. To maintain maximum effi-
ciency, the battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see “Battery” in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
ENGINE COOLANT
If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-freeze,
drain the cooling system, including the engine block.
Refill before operating the vehicle. For details, see
“Engine cooling system” in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
TYRE EQUIPMENT
1. If you have snow tyres installed on the front/rear
wheels of your vehicle, they should be of the
same size, loading range, construction and type
(bias, bias-belted or radial) as the rear/front tyres.
2. If the vehicle is to be operated in severe winter conditions, snow tyres should be installed on all
four wheels.
3. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tyres may be used. However, some countries, prov-
inces and states prohibit their use. Check local,
state and provincial laws before installing stud-
ded tyres.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow
tyres, on wet or dry surfaces, may be poorer
than that of non-studded snow tyres.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-51
The hazard warning flasher switch operates regard-
less of the ignition switch position except when the
battery is discharged.
The hazard warning flasher is used to warn other drivers when you have to stop or park under emer-
gency conditions.
When the hazard warning flasher switch is pushed,
all turn signal lights will flash. To turn off the hazard
warning flasher, push the hazard warning flasher
switch again. If you have
aflat tyre, follow the instructions in this
section.
STOPPING VEHICLE WARNING
• Be sure to apply the parking brake firmly.
• Be sure to move the shift lever to the
P(Park)
position (automatic transmission model).
• Be sure to move the shift lever to the
R(Re-
verse) position (manual transmission model).
• Never change tyres when the vehicle is on a
slope, ice or slippery area. This is hazardous.
• Never change tyres when the oncoming traf-
fic is close to your vehicle. Call for profes-
sional road assistance.
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flasher lights.
3. Park on alevel surface.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Automatic transmission model:
Move the shift lever to the P(Park) position.
Manual transmission model:
Move the shift lever to the R(Reverse) position.
6. Turn off the engine. 7. Open the bonnet:
• To warn other traffic.
• To signal professional road assistance per-
sonnel that you need assistance.
8. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle and stand in asafe place, away from other traffic and
clear of the vehicle.
CHANGING FLAT TYRE (for models
with spare tyre)
Preparing tools
For Double Cab model
The tool storage compartment is located under the
rear seats. SIC2574Z
JVE0201XZ
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
SWITCH FLAT TYRE
6-2 In case of emergency
CAUTION
When storing the wheel, be sure to mount the
wheel horizontally. Securing awheel that is in a
tilted position as illustrated may cause looseness
and dropping of the wheel while driving. Lower
the wheel on to the ground again, and make sure that the hanging plate is properly set. Hang the
wheel again and make sure that the wheel is
held horizontally, then store the wheel.
Blocking wheels WARNING
Be sure to block the appropriate wheel to pre-
vent the vehicle from moving, which may cause
personal injury.
Place suitable blocks ➀at both the front and back
of the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tyre j
Ato
prevent the vehicle from moving when it is jacked
up.
Removing tyre WARNING
• Be sure to read and follow the instructions in
this section.
• DO NOT GET UNDER
AVEHICLE THAT IS
SUPPORTED BY AJACK. •
Never use
ajack which was not provided with
your vehicle.
• The jack, which is provided with your vehicle,
is designed only to lift your vehicle during a
tyre change.
• Never jack up the vehicle at
alocation other
than the jack-up point that is specified.
• Never lift the vehicle more than necessary.
• Never use blocks on or under the jack.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle
is on the jack. The vehicle may move sud-
denly, and this may cause an accident.
• Never allow passengers to remain in the ve-
hicle while the tyre is off the ground.
• Be sure to read the caution label attached to
the jack body before using.
Removing the wheel cap (where fitted):
Remove the centre wheel cap ➀as illustrated. SCE0982Z MCE0001DZ
SCE0139HZ
6-4 In case of emergency
1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle
jA,
position the two vehicles j
Aa ndjBt obring the
batteries into close proximity to each other.
CAUTION
• Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
• If the battery of vehicle
jBe quipped with
the Remote Control Key system is dis- charged, the steering wheel will lock and
cannot be turned with the ignition switch
in the OFF position. Supply power using
jumper cables before pushing the ignition
switch to any position other than the OFF
position and disengaging the steering lock.
2. Apply the parking brake. 3.
Automatic transmission (AT) model:
Move the shift lever to the P(Park) position.
Manual transmission (MT) model:
Move the shift lever to the N(Neutral) position.
4. Switch off all unnecessary electrical systems (headlights, heater, air conditioner, etc.).
5. Place the ignition switch in the OFFposition.
6. Remove the vent caps, where fitted, on the bat- tery.
7. Cover the battery with afirmly wrung out moist
cloth to reduce the hazard of an explosion.
8. Connect the jumper cables in the sequence as illustrated ( ➀,
➁ ,
➂ ,
➃ ).
CAUTION
• Always connect positive
j+t opositive
j +a nd negative j-t obody ground, NOT
to the battery’s negative j
-.
• Be sure that the jumper cables do not
touch moving parts in the engine compart-
ment.
• Be sure that the jumper cable’s clamps do
not contact any other metal.
9. Start the engine of the booster vehicle j
Aa nd let
it run for afew minutes.
10. Depress the accelerator pedal of the booster vehicle j
At orace the engine at about 2,000
rpm. NCE477
M9T 2.3DCI engine models
In case of emergency6-11
11. Start the engine of the jumped vehicle
jBi nthe
normal manner.
CAUTION
Never keep the starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine does not
start right away, place the ignition switch in
the “LOCK” position and wait at least 10 sec-
onds before trying again.
12. After the engine is started, carefully disconnect the jumper cables in the opposite sequence
from that illustrated ( ➃,
➂ ,
➁ ,
➀ ).
13. Remove and dispose of the cloth properly as it may be contaminated with corrosive acid.
14. Replace the vent caps, if removed. Do not attempt to start the engine by pushing the
vehicle.
CAUTION
• Automatic Transmission (AT) model cannot
be started by pushing. Attempting to do so
may cause damage to the transmission.
• Three-way catalyst equipped model should
not be started by pushing. Attempting to do
so may cause damage to the three-way cata-
lyst.
• Diesel Oxidation Catalyst equipped model
should not be started by pushing. Attempting
to do so may cause damage to the catalyst.
• Never try to start the engine by towing. When
the engine starts, the forward surge could
cause the vehicle to collide with the towing
vehicle. WARNING
• Never continue driving if your vehicle over-
heats. Doing so could cause engine damage
and/or avehicle fire.
• Never open the bonnet if steam is coming
out.
• Never remove the radiator or coolant reser-
voir cap while the engine is hot. If the radiator
or coolant reservoir cap is removed when the
engine is hot, pressurised hot water will spurt
out and possibly cause burning, scalding or
serious injury.
• If steam or coolant is coming from the engine,
stand clear of the vehicle to prevent getting
scalded.
• The engine cooling fan can start at any time
when the coolant temperature exceeds pre-
set degrees.
• Be careful not to allow your hands, hair, jewel-
lery or clothing to come into contact with, or
to get caught in the cooling fan or drive belts.
If your vehicle is overheating, or if you feel alack of
engine power, detect unusual noise, etc., take the
following steps:
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard indicator flashers.
3. Apply the parking brake.
PUSH STARTING
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
6-12 In case of emergency