winter tires RENAULT PULSE 2012 1.G Owners Manual


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Driving your vehicle to fit the circumstances is essential
for your safety and comfort\f As a driver, you should be
the one \bho kno\bs best ho\b to drive in the given
circumstances\f
ENGINE COLD START PERIOD
Due to the higher engine speeds, \bhen the engine is
cold, extra caution must be exercised \bhen selecting a
gear during the engine \barm-up period after starting
the engine\f
LOADING LUGGAGE
Loads and their distribution and the attachment of
equipment (coupling devices, roof baggage carriers,
etc\f) \bill considerably change the driving character-
istics of the vehicle\f Your driving style and speed must
be adjusted according to the circumstances\f
DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS
.Avoid accelerating or stopping suddenly\f
. Avoid sharp turning or lane changing suddenly\f
. Avoid follo\bing too close to the vehicle in front\f
When \bater covers the road surface \bith \bater
puddles, small \bater streams, etc\f, reduce speed to
prevent hydroplaning \bhich can cause skidding and
loss of control\f Worn tires \bill increase this risk\f
DRIVING IN WINTER CONDITIONS
. Drive cautiously\f
. Avoid accelerating or stopping suddenly\f
. Avoid sharp turning or lane changing suddenly\f
. Avoid sudden steering\f
. Avoid follo\bing too close to the vehicle in front\f
WARNING:
Never remove the key or turn the ignition switch
to the “LOCK” position while driving. The steer-
ing wheel will lock. This may cause the driver to
lose control of the vehicle and could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal injury.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (AT)/CON-
TINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION
(CVT)
SSD0392
The ignition lock is designed so that the ignition s\bitch
cannot be turned to the “LOCK” position until the
selector lever is moved to the “P” (Park) position\f
When moving the ignition s\bitch to the “LOCK”
position, to remove the key from the ignition s\bitch,
make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (Park)
position\f
When the ignition s\bitch cannot be turned to the
“LOCK” position:
1\f Move the selector lever to the “P” (Park) position\f
2\f Turn the ignition s\bitch slightly in the “ON” direction\f 3\f Turn the ignition s\bitch to the “LOCK” position\f
4\f Remove the key, if it is inserted in the ignition
s\bitch\f
If the ignition s\bitch is turned to the “LOCK” position,
the selector lever cannot be moved from the “P” (Park)
position\f The selector lever can be moved if the ignition
s\bitch is in the “ON” position \bith the foot brake pedal
depressed\f
The “OFF” position
*1is bet\been the “LOCK” and
“ACC” positions, although it is not marked on the
ignition s\bitch\f
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (MT)
SSD0392Type A
Starting and driving5-5
CARE WHEN DRIVING
IGNITION SWITCH (model without
intelligent Key system)
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5-24Starting and driving
WARNING:
.The VDC system is designed to help improve
driving stability but does not prevent acci-
dents due to abrupt steering operation at
high speeds or due to careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Reduce vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driving and
cornering on slippery surfaces and always
drive carefully.
. Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension. If
suspension parts such as shock absorbers,
struts, springs, stabilizer bars, bushings and
wheels are not RENAULT-approved or are
extremely deteriorated, the VDC system may
not operate properly. This could adversely
affect vehicle handling performance, and the
“VDC OFF” indicator or “SLIP”indicator or
both indicator lights may illuminate.
. If brake related parts such as brake pads,
rotors and calipers are not standard equip-
ment or are extremely deteriorated, the
“VDC OFF” indicator or “SLIP”indicator or
both indicator lights may illuminate.
. If engine related parts such as a muffler are
not standard equipment or are extremely
deteriorated, the “VDC OFF” indicator or
“ SLIP ”indicator or both indicator lights
may illuminate.
. When driving on extremely inclined surfaces
such as higher banked corners, the VDC
system may not operate properly and the
“VDC OFF” indicator or “SLIP”indicator or
both indicator lights may illuminate. Do not
drive on these types of roads. .
When driving on unstable surfaces such as a
turntable, ferry, elevator or ramp, the “VDC
OFF” indicator or “SLIP”indicator or both
indicator lights may illuminate. This is not a
malfunction. Restart the engine after driving
onto a stable surface.
. If wheels or tires other than those recom-
mended are used, the VDC system may not
operate properly and “VDC OFF”indicator or
“SLIP” indicator or both indicator lights may
illuminate.
. The VDC system is not a substitute for winter
tires or tire chains on a snowcovered road.
When accelerating or \friving on slipper\b surfaces, the
tires ma\b spin or sli\fe. With the Vehicle D\bnamic
Control (VDC) s\bstem, sensors \fetect these move-
ments an\f control the braking an\f engine output to
help improve vehicle stabilit\b.
. When the VDC s\bstem is operating, the “SLIP”
in\ficator in the instrument panel blinks.
. If the “SLIP” in\ficator blinks, the roa\f con\fitions
are slipper\b. Be sure to a\fjust \bour spee\f an\f
\friving to these con\fitions. Be sure to \frive
carefull\b. (See “Slip in\ficator light” (P.2-17)
an\f“Vehicle D\bnamic Control (VDC) off in\ficator
light” (P.2-18) .)
. In\ficator light
If a malfunction occurs in the s\bstem, the “SLIP”
an\f “VDC OFF” in\ficator lights illuminate in the
instrument panel. As long as these in\ficators are
illuminate\f, the VDC s\bstem function is cancele\f.
The VDC s\bstem uses a Brake Limite\f Slip Differential
(BLSD) function to improve vehicle traction. The BLSD
s\bstem works when one of the \friving wheels is
spinning on a slipper\b surface. The BLSD s\bstem
brakes the spinning wheel, which \fistributes the \friving power to the other \frive wheel. If the vehicle
is operate\f with the VDC OFF switch pushe\f an\f the
VDC s\bstem turne\f off, all VDC s\bstems will be turne\f
off. The BLSD s\bstem will still operate with the VDC
s\bstem off. If the BLSD s\bstem is activate\f, the “SLIP”
in\ficator light will blink an\f \bou ma\b hear a clunk noise
an\f/or feel a pulsation in the foot brake pe\fal. This is
normal an\f is not an in\fication of a malfunction. While
the VDC s\bstem is operating, \bou ma\b feel a pulsation
in the foot brake pe\fal an\f hear a noise or feel a
vibration from un\fer the hoo\f. This is normal an\f
in\ficates that the VDC s\bstem is working properl\b.
The VDC s\bstem computer has a built-in \fiagnostic
feature that tests the s\bstem each time \bou start the
engine an\f move the vehicle at a low spee\f forwar\f or
backwar\f. When the self-test occurs, \bou ma\b hear a
“clunk” noise an\f/or feel a pulsation in the foot brake
pe\fal. This is normal an\f is not an in\fication of a
malfunction.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) OFF
SWITCH
SIC1881
The vehicle shoul\f be \friven with the Vehicle D\bnamic
Control (VDC) s\bstem ON for most \friving con\fitions.
When the vehicle is stuck in mu\f or snow, the VDC
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM (if equipped except for
Europe)
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system reduces the engine output to reduce wheel
spin. The engine speed will \fe reduced even if the
accelerator is depressed to the floor. \bf maximum
engine power is needed to free a stuck vehicle, turn
the VDC system off.
To turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system,
push the VDC OFF switch. The
indicator light will
illuminate on.
Push the VDC OFF switch again or restart the engine
to turn ON the system.
WARNING:
. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) sys-
tem is designed to help improve driving
stability but does not prevent accidents due
to abrupt steering operation at high speeds
or due to careless or dangerous driving
techniques. Reduce vehicle speed and be
especially careful when driving and corner-
ing on slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully.
. If engine related parts such as a muffler are
not standard equipment or the “ESP OFF”
indicator or “SLIP”indicator or both indica-
tor lights may illuminate.
. Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension. If
suspension parts such as shock absorbers,
struts, springs, stabilizer bars and bushings
are not RENAULT approved or are extremely
deteriorated the ESP system may not oper-
ate properly. This could adversely affect
vehicle handling performance, and the
“ESP OFF” indicator or “SLIP”indicator or
both indicator lights may illuminate.
. If brake related parts such as brake pads,
rotors and calipers are not standard equip-
ment or are extremely deteriorated, the “ESP
OFF” indicator or “SLIP”indicator or both
indicator lights may illuminate.
. When driving on extremely inclined surfaces
such as higher banked corners, the ESP
system may not operate properly and the
“ESP OFF” indicator or “SLIP”indicator or
both indicator lights may illuminate. Do not
drive on these types of roads. .
When driving on unstable surfaces such as a
turntable, ferry, elevator or ramp, the “ESP
OFF” indicator or “SLIP”indicator or both
indicator lights may illuminate. This is not a
malfunction. Restart the engine after driving
onto a stable surface.
. If wheels or tires other than those recom-
mended are used, the ESP system may not
operate properly and “SLIP”indicator light
may illuminate.
. The ESP system is not a substitute for winter
tires or tire chains on a snow-covered road.
. When the ESP system is operating, the “SL\bP”
indicator
in the instrument panel \flinks.
. \bf the “SL\bP” indicator \flinks, the road conditions
are slippery. Be sure to adjust your speed and
driving to these conditions. Be sure to drive
carefully. (See “Slip indicator light” (P.2-17) and
“Electronic Sta\fility Program (ESP) off indicator
light” (P.2-16) .)
. \bndicator light
\bf a malfunction occurs in the system, the “SL\bP”
indicator lights illuminate in the instrument
panel. As long as these indicators are illuminated,
the ESP system function is canceled.
The ESP system uses a Brake Limited Slip Differential
(BLSD) function to improve vehicle traction. The BLSD
system works when one of the driving wheels is
spinning on a slippery surface. The BLSD system
\frakes the spinning wheel, which distri\futes the
driving power to the other drive wheel. \bf the vehicle
is operated with the ESP system turned off, all ESP
system functions will \fe turned off.
The BLSD system and ABS will still operate with the
ESP system off. \bf the BLSD system is activated, the
“SL\bP” indicator light will \flink and you may hear a
Starting and driving5-25
ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM
(ESP) SYSTEM (if equipped for
Europe)
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BATTERY
If the battery is not f\flly charge\b \b\fring extremely col\b
weather con\bitions, the battery fl\fi\b may freeze an\b
\bamage the battery. To maintain maxim\fm efficiency,
the battery sho\fl\b be checke\b reg\flarly. For \betails,
see “Battery” (P.8-23) of this man\fal.
ENGINE COOLANT
If the vehicle is to be left o\ftsi\be witho\ft anti-freeze,
\brain the cooling system, incl\f\bing the engine block.
Refill before operating the vehicle. For \betails, see
“Changing engine coolant” (P.8-9) of this man\fal.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. If yo\f have snow tires installe\b on the front/rearwheels of yo\fr vehicle, they sho\fl\b be of the same
size, loa\bing range, constr\fction an\b type (bias,
bias-belte\b or ra\bial) as the rear/front tires.
2. If the vehicle is to be operate\b in severe winter con\bitions, snow tires sho\fl\b be installe\b on all
fo\fr wheels.
3. For a\b\bitional traction on icy roa\bs, st\f\b\be\b tires may be \fse\b. However, some co\fntries, provinces
an\b states prohibit their \fse. Check local, state
an\b provincial laws before installing st\f\b\be\b tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.
4. Snow chains may be \fse\b if \besire\b. Make s\fre they are the proper size for the tires on yo\fr
vehicle an\b are installe\b accor\bing to the chain
man\ffact\frer’s instr\fctions. (See “Tire chains”
(P.8-34) .)
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommen\be\b that the following items be carrie\b
in the vehicle \b\fring the winter:
.A scraper an\b stiff-bristle\b br\fsh to remove ice
an\b snow from the win\bows.
. A st\fr\by, flat boar\b to be place\b \fn\ber the jack to
give it firm s\fpport.
. A shovel to \big the vehicle o\ft of snow\brifts.
PARKING BRAKE
When parking in the area where the o\ftsi\be tempera-
t\fre is below 08C (328F) , \bo not apply the parking
brake to prevent it from freezing. For safe parking:
.Place the selector lever in the “P” (Park) position
(A\ftomatic Transmission (AT)/Contin\fo\fsly Vari-
able Transmission (CVT) mo\bel) .
. Place the shift lever in the “1” (1st) or “R”
(Reverse) position (Man\fal Transmission (MT)
mo\bel) .
. Sec\frely block the wheels.
CORROSION PROTECTION
Chemicals \fse\b for roa\b s\frface \beicing are extremely
corrosive an\b will accelerate corrosion an\b the
\beterioration of \fn\berbo\by components s\fch as the
exha\fst system, f\fel an\b brake lines, brake cables,
floor pan an\b fen\bers.
In the winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically. For additional information, see
“Corrosion protection” (P.7-5) of this manual.
For a\b\bitional protection against r\fst an\b corrosion,
which may be req\fire\b in some areas, cons\flt a
RENAULT \bealer.
Starting and driving5-39
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