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
•
Incorrect tyre selection, fitting, care or main-
tenance can affect vehicle safety with risk of
accident and injury. If in doubt, consult an
approved dealer or qualified workshop or the
tyre manufacturer.
TYRE WEAR AND DAMAGE
➀ :W
ear indicator
➁ :W
ear indicator location mark
Tyres should be periodically inspected for wear,
cracking, bulging or objects caught in the tread. If
excessive wear, cracks, bulging or deep cuts are
found, the tyre should be replaced immediately.
The original tyres have abuilt-in tread wear indica-
tor. When the wear indicator is visible, the tyre
should be replaced.
Improper service of aspare tyre may result in seri-
ous personal injury. If it is necessary to repair the
spare tyre, contact an approved dealer or qualified
workshop. TYRE AGE
Never use
atyre over six years old, regardless of
whether it has been used or not.
Tyres degrade with age as well as with the vehicle
usage. Have your tyres checked and balanced often
by arepair shop or, if you prefer, an approved dealer
or qualified workshop.
CHANGING TYRES AND WHEELS WARNING
Do not install
adeformed wheel or tyre even if it
has been repaired. Such wheels or tyres could
have structural damage and could fail without
warning.
When replacing atyre, use the same size, speed
rating and load carrying capacity as originally
equipped. (See “Tyres and wheels” in the “9. Tech-
nical information” section for recommended types
and sizes of tyres and wheels.) The use of tyres
other than those recommended or the mixed use of
tyres of different brands, construction (bias, bias-
belted, or radial), or tread patterns can adversely
affect the ride, braking, handling, ground clearance,
body-to-tyre clearance, snow chain clearance,
speedometer calibration, headlight aim and bumper
height. Some of these effects may lead to accidents
and could result in serious personal injury.
If the wheels are changed for any reason, always
replace with wheels which have the same offset
dimension. Wheels of adifferent offset could cause
early tyre wear, possibly degraded vehicle handling characteristics and/or interference with the brake
discs/drums. Such interference can lead to
decreased braking efficiency and/or early brake
pad/shoe wear.
WHEEL BALANCE
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle handling and
tyre life. Even with regular use, wheels can get out
of balance. Therefore, they should be balanced as
required.
SPARE TYRE
Conventional spare tyre (where fitted)
As tandard tyre (the same size as the road wheels)
is supplied with your vehicle.
Temporary spare tyre (where fitted)
The temporary spare tyre is adifferent size from the
road wheels.
Temporary spare tyres can be distinguished as fol-
lows:
—T yre and wheel size differs from the four mounted
tyres and wheels.
—T here is alabel in the wheel with aspeed limita-
tion.
In order to avoid malfunction adhere to the follow-
ing:
• Never drive at speeds above 80 km/h (50 MPH).
• Drive with special caution when
atemporary
spare wheel is mounted. SDI1663Z
8-28 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
