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
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
The radiator is fitted with
apressure cap. To prevent
engine damage, use only aGenuine RENAULT ra-
diator cap or its equivalent when replacement is
required.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir when the
engine is cold. If the coolant level is below the
level ➁,a
dd coolant up to the
➀.If
the reservoir is empty, check the coolant level in the
radiator when the engine is cold. If there is insuf-
ficient coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator with
coolant up to the filler opening and also add it to the
reservoir up to the
ighten the cap
securely after adding engine coolant.
If the cooling system frequently requires coolant,
have it checked by an approved dealer or quali-
fied workshop. CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
Contact an approved dealer or qualified workshop if
replacement is required.
Major engine cooling system repair should be per-
formed by an approved dealer or qualified work-
shop. The service procedures can be found in the
appropriate Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced heater per-
formance and engine overheating.
WARNING
• To avoid being scalded, never change the
coolant when the engine is hot.
• Never remove the radiator or coolant reser-
voir cap when the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure fluid es-
caping from the radiator.
• Avoid direct skin contact with used coolant. If
skin contact is made, wash thoroughly with
soap or hand cleaner as soon as possible.
• Keep coolant out of reach of children and
pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly. Check
your local regulations. CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on
alevel surface and apply the
parking brake.
2. Start the engine and warm it up until the engine temperature reaches the normal operating tem-
perature (approximately 5minutes).
3. Stop the engine.
4. Wait at least 10 minutes for the engine oil to drain back to the oil pan.
5. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. 6. Reinsert the dipstick all the way.
7. Remove the dipstick and check the oil level. It should be within the range ➀.
8. If the oil level is below ➁,r
emove the oil filler
cap and pour the recommended oil into the open-
ing. Do not overfill ➂.
When filling the engine oil, do not remove the
dipstick. JVM0528XZ
M9T 2.3DCI engine JVM0535XZ
M9T 2.3DCI engine
ENGINE OIL
8-6 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
If you have
aflat tyre, see “Flat tyre” in the “6. In
case of emergency” section.
TYRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Periodically check the pressure of the tyres, includ-
ing the spare. An incorrect tyre pressure may ad-
versely affect tyre life and vehicle handling. The tyre
pressure should be checked when tyres are COLD.
Tyres are considered COLD after the vehicle has
been parked for 3ormore hours, or driven less than
1.6 km (1 mile). COLD tyre pressures are shown on
the tyre placard.
Insufficient pressure can lead to an overheating of
the tyre and subsequent internal damage. At high
speeds, this could result in tread separation and
even bursting of the tyre.
TYPES OF TYRES
CAUTION
When changing or replacing tyres, be sure all
four tyres are of the same type (that is, summer,
all season or snow) and construction. An ap-
proved dealer or qualified workshop may be able
to help you with information about tyre type, size,
speed rating and availability.
Replacement tyres may have alower speed rating
than the factory equipped tyres, and they may not
match the potential maximum vehicle speed. Never
exceed the maximum speed rating of the tyre. All season tyres
RENAULT specifies all season tyres on some mod-
els to provide good performance all year, including
snowy and icy road conditions. All season tyres are
identified by ALL SEASON and/or M&S on the tyre
sidewall. Snow tyres have better snow traction than
all season tyres and may be more appropriate in
some areas.
Summer tyres
RENAULT specifies summer tyres on some models
to provide superior performance on dry roads. Sum-
mer tyre performance is substantially reduced in
snow and ice. Summer tyres do not have the tyre
traction rating M&S on the tyre sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, RENAULT recommends the use of snow
or all season tyres on all four wheels.
Snow tyres
If snow tyres are needed, it is necessary to select
tyres equivalent in size and load rating to the original
equipment tyres. If you do not, it can adversely af-
fect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tyres have lower speed ratings than
factory equipped tyres and may not match the po-
tential maximum vehicle speed. Never exceed the
maximum speed rating of the tyre. If you install snow
tyres, they must be the same size, brand, construc-
tion and tread pattern on all four wheels.
SDI1839Z
Vanity mirror light (where fitted)
TYRES AND WHEELS
8-26 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
•
In case of emergency ... 6-2
(Flat tyre, engine will not start, overheating, towing)
• How to start the engine ... 5-2
• How to read the meters and gauges ... 2-2
• Maintenance and do-it-yourself ... 8-2
• Technical information ... 9-2
QUICK REFERENCE