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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
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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
Page 332 of 340
FUEL INFORMATION
Diesel engine*
M9T 2.3DCI engine:
Diesel fuel above 50 cetane and with less than 10
ppm of sulphur (EN590) must be used. * If two types of diesel fuel are available, use
summer or winter fuel properly according to
the following temperature conditions.
• Above −7°C (20°F) ... Summer type diesel fuel.
• Below −7°C (20°F) ... Winter type diesel fuel.
CAUTION
• Do not use home heating oil, petrol, or other
alternate fuels in your diesel engine. The use
of those or adding those to diesel fuel can
cause engine damage.
• Do not use summer fuel at temperatures be-
low −7°C (20°F). The cold temperatures will
cause wax to form in the fuel. As
aresult, it
may prevent the engine from running
smoothly.
TYRE COLD PRESSURE
See the tyre placard affixed to the driver’s side
centre pillar. PETROL STATION INFORMATION