2017 RENAULT ALASKAN 4WD

•
Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead
drive either straight up or straight down the
slopes. Off-road vehicles can tip over side-
ways much more easily than they can forward
or backward.
• Many hills are too steep for any vehicle. If you
drive up them, you may stall. If you drive down
them, you may not be able to control your
speed. If you drive across them, you may roll
over.
• Do not shift ranges while driving on downhill
grades as this could cause loss of control of
the vehicle.
• Stay alert when driving to the top of
ahill. At
the top there could be adrop-off or other haz-
ard that could cause an accident.
• If your engine stalls or you cannot make it to
the top of
asteep hill, never attempt to turn
around. Your vehicle could tip or roll over.
Always back straight down in R(Reverse)
range. Never back down in N(Neutral) or with
the clutch pedal depressed (MT model) using
only the brake, as this could cause loss of
control.
• Heavy braking going down
ahill could cause
your brakes to overheat and fade, resulting in
loss of control and an accident. Apply brakes
lightly and use alow range to control your
speed.
• Unsecured cargo can be thrown around when
driving over rough terrain. Properly secure all cargo so it will not be thrown forward and
cause injury to you or your passengers.
• To avoid raising the centre of gravity exces-
sively, do not exceed the rated capacity of the
roof rail (where fitted) and evenly distribute
the load. Secure heavy loads in the cargo area
as far forward and as low as possible. Do not
equip the vehicle with tyres larger than speci-
fied in this manual. This could cause your ve-
hicle to roll over.
• Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steer-
ing wheel when driving off-road. The steering
wheel could move suddenly and injure your
hands. Instead drive with your fingers and
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
• Before operating the vehicle, ensure that the
driver and all passengers have their seat belts
fastened.
• Always drive with the floor mats in place as
the floor may became hot.
• Lower your speed when encountering strong
crosswinds. With
ahigher centre of gravity,
your vehicle is more affected by strong side
winds. Slower speeds ensure better vehicle
control.
• Do not drive beyond the performance capabil-
ity of the tyres, even with 4WD engaged.
• Do not attempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to any drive
or reverse position with the engine running.
Doing so may result in drivetrain damage or unexpected vehicle movement which could
result in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
• Do not attempt to test
a4WD equipped ve-
hicle on a2-wheel dynamometer or similar
equipment even if the other two wheels are
raised off the ground. Make sure you inform
test facility personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with 4WD before it is placed on a dynamometer. Using the wrong test equip-
ment may result in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could result
in serious vehicle damage or personal injury.
• When
awheel is off the ground due to an
unlevel surface, do not spin the wheel exces-
sively.
• Accelerating quickly, sharp steering manoeu-
vres or sudden braking may cause loss of con-
trol.
• If at all possible, avoid sharp turning manoeu-
vres, particularly at high speeds. Your vehicle
has
ahigher centre of gravity than aconven-
tional passenger car. The vehicle is not de-
signed for cornering at the same speeds as
conventional passenger cars. Failure to oper- ate this vehicle correctly could result in loss
of control and/or arollover accident.
• Always use tyres of the same type, size, brand,
construction (bias, bias-belted or radial), and
tread pattern on all four wheels. Install tyre
chains on the rear wheels when driving on
slippery roads and drive carefully.
Starting and driving 5-7

•
Whenever the Stop/Start System is deactivated
the indicator light ➀on the Stop/Start OFF
switch illuminates. In this condition the Stop/
Start System cannot prevent unnecessary fuel
consumption, exhaust emissions, or noise dur-
ing your journey.
• If the Stop/Start System is malfunctioning, the
indicator light
➀on the Stop/Start OFF switch
illuminates.
NOTE
The Stop/Start System ON or OFF messages dis-
played for afew seconds in the vehicle informa-
tion display when the Stop/Start OFF switch is
pressed. See “Stop/Start System display” earlier
in this section. WARNING
• Do not attempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to any drive
or reverse position with the engine running.
Doing so may result in drivetrain damage or
unexpected vehicle movement which could
result in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
• Do not attempt to test
a4WD equipped ve-
hicle on a2-wheel dynamometer or similar
equipment even if the other two wheels are
raised off the ground. Make sure you inform
test facility personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with 4WD before it is placed on a
dynamometer. Using the wrong test equip-
ment may result in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could result
in serious vehicle damage or personal injury.
CAUTION
• Do not drive the vehicle in the <4H> or <4LO>
position on dry hard surface roads. Driving on
dry, hard surfaces in <4H> or <4LO> may
cause unnecessary noise, tyre wear and in-
creased fuel consumption.
If the Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) warning light
turns on when driving on dry hard surface
roads:
–i
nthe <4H> position, shift the 4WD mode
switch to <2WD>. –i
nthe <4LO> position, stop the vehicle and
shift the transmission lever to the N(Neu-
tral) position with the brake pedal
depressed and shift the 4WD mode switch
to <2WD>.
If the 4WD warning light is still on after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by an approved dealer or quali-
fied workshop as soon as possible.
• The transfer case may be damaged if you con-
tinue driving with the 4WD warning light blink-
ing.
See “On-road and off-road driving precautions” ear-
lier in this section for other precautions.
PART TIME 4WD SYSTEM
The part time 4WD system provides three drive
modes: <2WD>, <4H> and <4LO>. The desired
drive mode can be selected using the 4WD mode
switch according to the driving conditions. JVS0445X
4WD mode switch
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)
(where fitted)
5-26 Starting and driving

JVS0447X
4WD mode indicator
Starting and driving5-27

4WD mode
switch Wheels driven Indicator
Use conditions Operation of 4WD mode switch
(See “4WD mode switch operation” later in this section.)
4WD mode <4LO>
<2WD> Rear wheels
m -
For
driving on dry,
paved roads. Shifting between the <2WD> and <4H> drive
modes can be done while driving.
The indicator will change when the drive mode is
changed.
Shifting between the <2WD> and <4H> modes
must be performed at
aspeed below 100 km/h
(60 MPH).
<4H> Four wheels
m -
For
driving on rough,
sandy or snow-
covered roads.
<4LO> Neutral
m Blinking
The
4LO indicator
blinks when shifting
between <4H> and
<4LO>. Shifting between the <4H> and <4LO> drive
modes:
•S
top the vehicle, depress the clutch pedal (MT
models) and the brake pedal and shift the shift
lever to the N(Neutral) position.
•D epress and turn the 4WD mode switch. The
4WD mode switch will not shift between <4H>
and <4LO> if the transmission is not in the N
(Neutral) position or the vehicle is moving.
•W ait for the 4LO indicator to stop blinking and
stay on or off before shifting your transmission into gear or releasing the clutch pedal (MT
models).
Four wheels
m Stay
on*
For use when
maximum power and
traction are required
at low speeds (for
example, on steep
grades or rocky,
sandy, muddy
roads).
*: When the <4LO> position is selected, the
ESP system is disabled and the ESP off
indicator light illuminates. See “Warning lights,
indicator lights and audible reminders” in the
“2. Instruments and controls” section.
5-28 Starting and driving

WARNING
AT model: If the 4WD mode indicator is “OFF” or
the ATP warning light is “ON”, this indicates that
the automatic transmission P(Park) position will
not function and could result in the vehicle mov-
ing unexpectedly, causing serious personal in-
jury or property damage. Always set the parking
brake.
CAUTION
To avoid vehicle damage:
• Do not operate the 4WD mode switch when
cornering, reversing or if the rear wheels are
spinning freely. The vehicle must be moving
straight ahead.
• Do not move the shift lever (AT model) or
release the clutch pedal (MT model) when the
4LO indicator is blinking. Failure to do this
may cause the gears to grind and damaging
the powertrain.
• MT model: Do not accelerate rapidly from a
stopped position when the 4LO indicator is
blinking. Drive straight ahead at
alow speed
until the 4LO indicator is lit. The 4LO indicator
blinks when shifting between <4LO> and
<4H>.
• If the 4WD warning light comes on, perform
the following procedure:
1) Turn off the engine.
2) Start the engine. 3) Check if the 4WD warning light comes on.
If the 4WD warning light is still on after following
the above procedure, have the system checked
and serviced immediately by an approved dealer
or qualified workshop.
The transfer case 4WD mode switch is used to
select either Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) or
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) depending on the driving
conditions. Turn the 4WD mode switch to select a drive mode (<2WD>, <4H> or <4LO>).
To change into or out of 4LO mode:
1. The vehicle MUST BE standing still.
2. Depress the clutch pedal (MT model) and the brake pedal and move the shift lever to N(Neu-
tral).
3. Depress and turn the 4WD mode switch to change into or out of <4LO>. WARNING
• When parking, apply the parking brake before
stopping the engine and make sure that the
4WD mode indicator is on and that the ATP
warning light or ATP warning message is off,
otherwise, the vehicle could unexpectedly
move even if the automatic transmission is in
the P(Park) position.
• The 4LO indicator must stop blinking and re-
main on or turn off before shifting the trans-
mission into gear. The vehicle may move un- expectedly if the shift lever is shifted from the
N(
Neutral) position to any other gear while
the 4LO indicator is blinking.
CAUTION
• Never turn the 4WD mode switch between
<4LO> and <4H> while driving.
• The <4H> drive mode provides greater power
and traction. Avoid excessive speed as it will
cause increased fuel consumption and higher
oil temperatures, and could damage power
train components. Speeds over 100 km/h (60
MPH) in <4H> are not recommended.
• The <4LO> drive mode provides maximum
power and traction. Avoid raising vehicle
speed excessively. The maximum speed is
approximately 50 km/h (30 MPH).
• The 4WD mode switch can be turned between
<2WD> and <4H> while driving straight ahead.
Do not turn the 4WD mode switch while mak-
ing
aturn or reversing.
• Do not turn the 4WD mode switch between
<2WD> and <4H> while driving on steep
downhill grades. Use the engine brake and
low transmission gears for engine braking.
• Do not turn the 4WD mode switch between
<2WD> and <4H> with the rear wheels spin-
ning.
Starting and driving 5-29

•
Do not drive the vehicle in <4H> or <4LO>
mode on dry, hard surfaced roads. This may
cause unnecessary noise and tyre wear.
RENAULT recommends driving in 2WD under
these conditions.
• It is not possible to shift the 4WD transfer
case between <4H> and <4LO> at low ambi-
ent temperatures when the engine is cold. Do-
ing so may cause the 4LO indicator to blink.
Wait until the 4WD transfer case has reached
operational temperature (after driving for a
while) before using the 4WD mode switch to
change between <4H> and <4LO>.
When driving on rough roads
• Set the 4WD mode switch to <4H> or <4LO>.
• Drive carefully and according to the road surface
conditions.
If the vehicle gets stuck
• Place stones or wooden blocks under the tyres
to free the vehicle.
• Set the 4WD mode switch to <4H> or <4LO>.
• If it is difficult to free the vehicle, drive the vehicle
forwards and backwards to increase the mo-
mentum. If the vehicle is stuck deep in mud, tyre
chains may be effective.
CAUTION
• Do not spin the wheels excessively. The
wheels will sink deep into the mud and it will
be difficult to free the vehicle from the mud. •
Avoid shifting gears with the engine running
at high speeds as this may cause
amalfunc-
tion.
4WD MODE SWITCH OPERATION
• Set the 4WD mode switch to <2WD>, <4H> or
<4LO>, depending on driving conditions.
• You may feel
aslight vehicle movement if the
4WD mode switch is operated while making a
turn, accelerating or decelerating, or if the igni-
tion switch is placed in the “OFF” position while
the 4WD mode switch is set to <4H> or <4LO>.
This is normal.
CAUTION
• The 4WD mode switch can be turned between
<2WD> and <4H> while driving straight ahead.
Do not turn the 4WD mode switch while mak-
ing
aturn or reversing.
• Do not operate the 4WD mode switch while
driving on steep downhill grades. Use the en-
gine brake by setting
alow transmission gear. •
Do not operate the 4WD mode switch with the
rear wheels spinning.
• Before turning the 4WD mode switch to <4H>
from <2WD>, make sure that the vehicle
speed is less than 100 km/h (60 MPH). Fail-
ure to do so can damage the 4WD system.
• Never turn the 4WD mode switch between
<4LO> and <4H> while driving.
4WD MODE INDICATOR
The 4WD mode indicator is displayed in the vehicle
information display.
While the engine is running, the 4WD mode indica-
tor will illuminate the position selected by the 4WD
mode switch.
• The 4WD mode indicator may blink while shift-
ing from one drive mode to the other. When
the shifting is completed, the 4WD mode indi-
cator will come on. If the indicator does not
come on immediately, make sure the area
around the vehicle is safe, and drive the ve- JVS0445X
JVS0447X
5-30 Starting and driving

hicle straight, accelerate or decelerate or
move the vehicle in reverse, then shift the
4WD mode switch.
• If the 4WD warning light comes on or 4WD Er-
ror warning (where fitted) appears, the 4WD
mode indicator turns off.
4WD WARNING
Warning light Warning light
Comes on or
blinks when:
m Illuminates
There
is a
malfunction in the
4WD system
m Blinks
The
difference in
wheel rotation is large
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD mode
indicator turns off.
Al arge difference between the diameters of front
and rear wheels will make the 4WD warning light
blink. Change the 4WD mode switch to <2WD>
and do not drive fast.
CAUTION
• If the 4WD warning light comes on or blinks
during operation for
awhile, have your ve-
hicle checked by an approved dealer or quali-
fied workshop as soon as possible. •
Shifting between <4H> and <4LO> is not rec-
ommended when the 4WD warning light turns
on.
• When the 4WD warning light comes on, the
2WD mode may be engaged even if the 4WD
mode switch is in <4H>. Be especially careful
when driving. If corresponding parts are mal-
functioning, the 4WD mode will not be en-
gaged even if the 4WD mode switch is shifted.
• Do not drive the vehicle in the <4H> or <4LO>
position on dry hard surface roads. Driving on
dry, hard surfaces in <4H> or <4LO> may
cause unnecessary noise, tyre wear and in-
creased fuel consumption.
If the Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) warning light
turns on when driving on dry hard surface
roads:
–i nthe <4H> position, shift the 4WD mode
switch to <2WD>.
–i nthe <4LO> position, stop the vehicle and
shift the transmission lever to the N(Neu-
tral) position with the brake pedal
depressed and shift the 4WD mode switch
to <2WD>.
If the 4WD warning light is still on after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by an approved dealer or quali-
fied workshop as soon as possible. •
The transfer case may be damaged if you con-
tinue driving with the warning light blinking.
Warning indicator
If any malfunction occurs in the Four-Wheel Drive
(4WD) system while the engine is running, awarn-
ing message appears in the vehicle information dis-
play.
If the [4WD system fault] warning appears, there
may be amalfunction in the 4WD system. Reduce
vehicle speed and have your vehicle checked by an
approved dealer or qualified workshop as soon as
possible.
CAUTION
• Do not operate the engine on
afree roller
when any of the wheels raised.
• If the [4WD system fault] warning appears
while driving, there may be
amalfunction in
the 4WD system. Reduce the vehicle speed
and have your vehicle checked by an
approved dealer or qualified workshop as
soon as possible. Be especially careful when
driving.
• The power train may be damaged if you con-
tinue driving with the [4WD system fault] warn-
ing on.
Starting and driving 5-31

TYRE RECOMMENDATION FOR 4WD
CAUTION
• Always use tyres of the same size, brand, con-
struction (bias, bias-belted or radial), and
tread pattern on all four wheels. Failure to do
so may result in acircumference difference
between tyres on the front and rear axles,
which will cause excessive tyre wear and may damage the transmission, transfer case and
differential gears.
• ONLY use spare tyres specified for the Four-
Wheel Drive (4WD) models.
If excessive tyre wear is found, it is recommended
that all four tyres be replaced with tyres of the same
size, brand, construction and tread pattern. The tyre
pressure and wheel alignment should also be
checked and corrected as necessary. Contact an
approved dealer or qualified workshop.
Snow tyres
If you install snow tyres, they must also be of the
same size, brand, construction and tread pattern on
all four wheels.
Tyre inflation pressure
Periodically check the pressures of all tyres, includ-
ing the spare, with agauge while at aservice sta-
tion. If necessary, adjust to the specified pressure.
Tyre pressures are shown on the tyre placard af-
fixed to the driver’s side centre pillar or rear access
door. Tyre rotation
RENAULT recommends that tyres should be rotated
every 5,000 km (3,000 miles).
Snow chains
Snow chains must be installed only on the rear
wheels and not on the front wheels.
Do not drive with snow chains on paved roads that are clear of snow. Driving with chains in such condi-
tions can cause damage to the various mechanisms of the vehicle due to overstress. When driving on
clear paved roads, be sure to change to Two-Wheel
Drive (2WD) mode. The rear differential lock is designed to transmit en-
gine power to the left and right rear wheels equally.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc. or
one wheel is off the ground and the differential lock
is not on, engine power is transmitted to the wheel
with least resistance causing it to spin, leaving insuf-
ficient traction on the other wheel. The rear differen-
tial lock allows the left and right wheels to rotate as
au
nit, enabling your vehicle to free itself.
To lock the rear differential gear:
1) Stop the vehicle completely.
2) Turn the 4WD mode switch to the 4LO position. For operation of the 4WD mode switch, see
“Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) (where fitted)” earlier
in this section.
3) Push the differential lock mode switch to the ON position.
The differential lock indicator light will blink
in the meter and then remains on while the differ-
ential gear is completely locked. JVS0533XZ
REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING
SYSTEM (where fitted)
5-32 Starting and driving