Renault Rafale
- 1.
Electric charging connection
- 2.
12 V battery
- 3.
Orange electrical power cables
- 4.
"High voltage" traction battery
- 5.
Electric motors
- 6.
Combustion engine
The E-Tech plug-in hybrid vehicle system uses electric motors to drive the vehicle.
Electric motors are assisted by the combustion engine if the energy or electrical power is insufficient.
The vehicle may also move in all-electric operating mode without any assistance from the combustion engine. The vehicle uses the energy stored in the "High voltage" traction battery.
There are several ways to recharge the traction battery:
- during the braking or deceleration phases;
- using its combustion engine which can be used as a generator;
- directly on a recharging terminal or a domestic power socket.
Connected services
Your rechargeable hybrid vehicle is equipped with connected services that provide information and/or control:
- your vehicle's charging status with low battery warning;
- the traction battery charging programming, based on certain choices on offer;
- remaining vehicle range;
- ...
You can access these services using:
- external digital devices (mobile phone, tablet, etc.);
- the vehicle multimedia screen.
For more information, refer to the multimedia equipment instructions or contact an Approved Dealer.
tip
You can subscribe to a connected service or extend it at any time by consulting an authorised dealer.
Batteries
The rechargeable hybrid vehicle is equipped with two types of battery:
- a "High voltage" traction battery;
- a 12 volt battery.
"High voltage" traction battery
This battery stores the energy required to operate electric motors. As with any battery, it discharges when used, and must be regularly recharged:
- during deceleration phases;
- with the combustion engine starting automatically, even at idle speed, to act as a generator and maintain the traction battery charging level;
- on a power outlet or a recharging terminal using the charging cable.
You do not have to wait until the traction battery hits the reserve level in order to recharge it.
Charging times vary depending on the type of specific wall unit socket or public terminal you connect to.
Your vehicle range depends on the traction battery charge level as well as your driving style Driving advice, eco-driving and the components consuming energy (air conditioning, heating system, etc.).
In the event of traction battery discharge, the combustion engine alone moves the vehicle until the traction battery is sufficiently recharged.
The vehicle's air conditioning system is used to cool the traction battery. To preserve the lifetime of your traction battery, have your air conditioning system checked by a qualified professional. Especially if you notice a reduction in air conditioning performance.
12 V battery
The second battery on your vehicle is a 12 V battery: this supplies the energy required to operate vehicle equipment (lights, windscreen wipers, braking assistance, etc.).
The A symbol identifies the electrical elements in your vehicle which may present safety risks.
"High voltage" electrical circuit
The "high voltage" electrical circuit can be recognised by the orange cables 7 and parts bearing the
symbol.
warning
The drive system of the rechargeable hybrid vehicle uses a high voltage electrical current.
This system can get hot during and after switching off the ignition. Observe the warning messages on the labels in the vehicle.
All operations or modifications on the vehicle's "high voltage" electrical system (components, cables, connectors, traction battery) are strictly prohibited due to the risks they present to your safety. Call an approved Dealer.
The risk of serious burns or electric shocks can lead to death.
Driving
As with any car with an automatic gearbox, you will have to get used to not using your left foot, and not using this foot to brake.
The hybrid system selects the combustion engine and/or the electric motors, depending on the driving conditions and the driving mode selected.
When driving, if you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal or depress the brake pedal, the motor generates electrical current during deceleration and this energy is used to brake the vehicle and recharge the battery Driving advice, eco-driving.
Bad weather, flooded roads:
| Do not drive through floods if the depth of water is above the lower edge of the wheel rims. |
warning
The engine brake should under no circumstances be used as a substitute for the brake pedal.
warning
Driver obstruction
On the driver's side, only use mats suitable for the vehicle, attached with the pre-fitted components, and check the fitting regularly. Do not lay one mat on top of another.
There is a risk of wedging the pedals
Noise
Rechargeable hybrid vehicles are particularly quiet in all-electric operating mode. You will not yet necessarily be used to it, and neither will other road users. It is difficult for them to hear the vehicle when it is moving.
As electric motors are silent, you will hear noises that you are not used to hearing (aerodynamic noises, tyre noise, etc.)
Each time the ignition is switched off, the ventilation will be switched off after about ten seconds.
warning
As your rechargeable hybrid vehicle is silent, before you get out, switch off the engine with the brake pedal pressed and check that the electronic parking brake is correctly applied.
RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY
Pedestrian horn
The pedestrian horn enables you to warn others of your presence – especially pedestrians and cyclists.
When the engine is started, the pedestrian horn is activated automatically. The sound is triggered when the vehicle speed is below approximately 19 mph (30 km/h).
For further information on the pedestrian horn, refer to the multimedia instructions.
In the event of a fault with the pedestrian horn, the
warning light is displayed on the instrument panel, accompanied by the "Exterior sound fault" message.
Consult an approved Dealer.