Renault Twizy (2018 year). Manual — part 1

1.2

1 Charging cord
2 Electric motor
3 Orange electrical power cables
4 Traction battery
5 12 volt battery

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: introduction

(1/5)

1

5

4

2

3

1.3

Electric vehicles have specific features.

We therefore recommend that you read

these instructions describing your elec-

tric vehicle carefully.

Batteries

Your electric vehicle has two types of

battery:

– a traction battery;

– a 12 volt battery.

“58 volt” traction battery
This battery stores the energy nec-

essary to operate the motor in your

electric vehicle. As with any battery, it

discharges after use, and must be reg-

ularly recharged.
You do not have to wait until the traction

battery hits the reserve level in order to

recharge it.
Using a domestic socket, it takes ap-

proximately 3.5 hours to complete a full

charge.

Your vehicle range will depend on the

charge level of the traction battery, and

also on your driving style.

Please refer to information on “Vehicle

range: recommendations” in Section 2.

12 volt battery
The second battery on your vehicle is

a 12V battery: this supplies the energy

required to operate vehicle equipment

(lights, washer/wipers, etc).
The 12 V battery is charged either:

– when the traction battery is charged;

– when the ignition is on;

– when the ignition is off and peri-

odically, provided there is enough

power in the traction battery.

Please see the information under

“12 volt battery” in Section 4.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: introduction

(2/5)

Special feature
Depending on the country, this vehi-

cle has been approved for the four-

wheel category or for passenger ve-

hicles. It may need to meet special

regulations regarding the type of

driving licence required, the type of

road used, etc. Please ensure that

you comply with the legislation of

your country.

1.4

The vehicle drive system

in an electric vehicle uses

a direct voltage of ap-

proximately 58 volts. This

system can get hot during and after

switching off the ignition.
All interventions or modifications to

the vehicle’s electrical system (com-

ponents, cables, connectors, trac-

tion battery) are strictly prohibited

due to the risks they present to your

safety. Please contact an authorised

dealer.
Risk of fire, burns or electric

shocks which may lead to seri-

ous injury.

A

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: introduction

(3/5)

The A symbol denotes the electrical

elements of your vehicle which may

present health risks.

“58 volt” electrical circuit

The electrical circuit can be recognised

by the orange cables and by the ele-
ments signalled using the

ṑ

symbol.

Noise

Electric vehicles are particularly quiet.

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.
We would therefore recommend that

you are aware of the horn and make

use of it, especially when driving in a

built-up area or when manoeuvring

(please see the information under

“Horn” in Section 1).
As the motor is silent, you will hear

noises that you are not used to hearing

(aerodynamic noises, tyre noise, etc.).
When charging, the vehicle may emit

noises (fan, relays, etc).

Your electric vehicle is

silent, so when you get

out, always check that the

handbrake is engaged and

switch off the ignition.
Risk of serious injury.

1.5

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: introduction

(4/5)

For safety reasons, adapt

your driving to driving condi-

tions and avoid any sudden

turning of the steering

wheel, especially on steep slopes or

slippery surfaces.

Failure to respect these recommen-

dations may lead to a loss of control

of the vehicle.

Risk of accident and serious injury.

Obstructions to the driver

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.

Having a passenger effects

vehicle balance, road hold-

ing and increases the vehi-

cle braking distance.

Adapt your driving to the driving

conditions and avoid any sudden

manoeuvre which could lead to a

loss of control over the vehicle. Risk

of accident and serious injury.

Driving

When you lift your foot off the accelera-

tor pedal, the motor generates electri-

cal current during deceleration, and this

energy is used to recharge the traction

battery. Please refer to the information

on the “Charge meter” in Section 2.
An electric motor generates a greater

engine brake than in a petrol or diesel

engine vehicle.

1.6

Special cases
– At very high exterior temperatures,

a safety mode is triggered. Warning

light



comes on the instrument

panel. This mode reduces vehicle

power and can lead to its immobi-

lisation. We recommend that you

stop and allow the electrical system

to cool down, until the warning light



goes off. The vehicle then re-

covers its performance.

– After a maximum charge for the trac-

tion battery and during the first few

miles when driving the vehicle, or

during very low outside tempera-

tures, the engine brake is tempora-

rily reduced. Please adapt your dri-

ving style accordingly.

The engine brake should

under no circumstances be

used as a substitute for the

brake pedal.

Bad weather, flooded roads:

Do not drive through

floods if the depth of

water is above the

lower edge of the wheel

rims.

If a water level reaches

the vehicle floor, do not re-

charge the vehicle. Please

consult an authorised

dealer.
Risk of electric shock and a risk to

life.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: introduction

(5/5)

1.7

IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS

Please read these instructions carefully. Failure to follow these instructions may lead to a risk of fire, burns or elec-

tric shock and serious injury.

In the event of an accident or impact to the vehicle

In the event of an accident or an impact to the underside of the vehicle (e.g.: striking a post, raised kerb or other street furni-

ture), this may damage the electrical circuit or the traction battery.

Have the vehicle checked by an authorised dealer.

Never touch components or orange cables which are exposed and visible inside or outside the vehicle.
In the event of serious damage to the traction battery, leaks may occur:

– never touch the liquids (fluids, etc.) coming from the traction battery;

–

in the event of contact with the body, wash the affected area with plenty of water and consult a doctor as soon as possible.

In the event of fire

In the event of fire, make everyone evacuate the vehicle immediately and contact the emergency services, informing them that

this is an electric vehicle.

Only use extinguishing agents ABC or BC that are permitted for use with electrical fires. Do not use water or other extinguish-

ing agents.

In the event of damage to the electrical circuit, please call an authorised dealer.

All towing operations

Please refer to the information on “Towing, breakdowns” in Section 5.

Washing the vehicle

Never wash the vehicle while it is charging.

Never wash the vehicle or the traction battery with a high-pressure jet.

Do not wash the vehicle in a roller car wash.

This risks damaging the electric circuit.

Lifting

Using a lifting tool (jack, etc.) directly under the traction battery to lift the vehicle is prohibited. To replace a wheel, please go

to an authorised dealer.

1.8

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: charging

(1/5)

Charging schematic diagram
1 Wall socket or, depending on the ve-

hicle, charging terminal
2 Charging cord

If you have any questions regarding the equipment needed for charging, please

ask an authorised dealer.

1

2

1.9

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: charging

(2/5)

Important recommendations for charging your vehicle

Please read these instructions carefully. Failure to follow these instructions may lead to a risk of fire, burns or elec-

tric shock and serious injury.

Installations on domestic sockets
Have a qualified professional check that each socket you intend to use with the charging cord complies with the standards and

regulations in force in your country, and especially that they have:

– a Type A 30 mA residual current differential device;

– a device to protect against overvoltage (16A fuse or circuit breaker for the socket used);

– protection against overvoltage relating to lightning in exposed areas.

You are recommended to test the residual differential current device every month.

You are recommended to regularly check the domestic plug socket or wall-mounted socket. In the event of any damage (cor-

rosion, discolouration, etc.), do not use it.

Charging
Never wash the vehicle while it is charging.

Never wash the vehicle or the traction battery with a high-pressure jet.

Always check that the socket is clean, dry and shows no signs of rust before plugging in. Risk of serious injury and/or electric

shock which may endanger life.

In the event of the presence of water, signs of corrosion or foreign bodies in the charging cord socket, do not charge the ve-

hicle. Fire hazard.

Do not attempt to introduce objects into the socket of the charging cord.

Never plug the charging cord into a multiple socket or an extension lead.

Do not remove or modify the charging cord. Fire hazard.

Take care of the cord: do not stand on it, do not get it wet, only pull it gently, do not drive over it, do not allow anything to hit it

and keep it away from heat sources.

If the blue (or orange) protective sleeve, depending on the vehicle, is damaged, do not use it. Please see an authorised dealer

to replace them.

1.10

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: charging

(3/5)

Charging cord 2

This cord enables a full recharge of

the traction battery in approximately

3.5 hours.
The cord is located in the storage com-

partment at the front of the vehicle.

Do not use an extension

lead or a multiple socket.

Only use an adapter ap-

proved by the construc-

tor. Please contact an authorised

dealer.
Fire hazard.

2

Avoid charging and parking your ve-

hicle in extreme temperatures (hot or

cold).
Favour charging the traction battery in

mild temperatures.
When the outdoor temperature falls

below zero or is very high, the traction

battery charging time will be longer.

Charging may become impossible

when the temperature is extremely low.
When the vehicle is parked for more

than seven days in temperatures below

about -25°C, charging the traction bat-

tery can become impossible.
When the vehicle is parked for more

than three months with near zero

charge, charging the battery can

become impossible.
To preserve the service life of your trac-

tion battery, avoid parking the vehi-

cle for more than one month with high

charge, especially when the weather is

very hot.

Recommendations
Favour parking and recharging the ve-

hicle in a shaded/covered location.

Wear to the charging cord

protective sleeve.

The charging cord must be

replaced in the event that

the blue (or orange) protec-

tive sleeve, depending on

the vehicle, is damaged. Contact an

approved Dealer.
Risk of serious injury and/or electric

shock which may endanger life.

Always check that the

socket is clean, dry and

shows no signs of rust

before plugging in.

Risk of serious injury and/or electric

shock which may endanger life.

1.11

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: charging

(4/5)

Recharging the traction

battery

Ignition switched off:

– open flap 3;

– take out the entire charging cord 2

located in the storage compartment

at the front of your vehicle, pulling it

by the plug using reasonable force.

The maximum length of the charging

cord is approximately 3 metres;

– plug in the end of the cord to the

power supply (domestic plug socket,

etc);

– make sure that the stretch limiter 8 of

the charging cord 2 is not exceeded

during charging.

NB:

It is not necessary to wait:

– until you reach reserve levels in

order to recharge your vehicle;

– for a full charge of the traction bat-

tery in order to use the vehicle.

3

2

4

5

6

7

When charging, the following informa-

tion is displayed:
– warning light 4. This flashes to indi-

cate that the traction battery is re-

ceiving energy;

– the completed charge percentage 5;
– warning light 6 indicates that the

cord is attached to the power supply;

– the battery 7 indicates the amount of

energy stored in the traction battery.

At the end of a full charge, the instru-

ment panel switches off.

8

2

The vehicle can only be charged

with the ignition switched off.

In the absence of any protection

against overvoltage, you are ad-

vised not to charge the vehicle in

stormy weather (lightning, etc).

1.12

Important: before starting the vehi-

cle, please make sure that the cord

is properly stored in its housing and

that the flap is fully closed.

When charging, make sure that the

charging cord 2 is not overstretched.

Do not pull the vehicle using the

charging cord.

If the stretch limiter 8 is damaged,

please replace the charging cord.

Please contact an authorised dealer.

Precautions to take when removing

from the socket
– Unplug the cord from the power

supply by pulling out the plug. The

instrument panel goes out;

– reposition the cord 2 correctly in the

front storage compartment.

Depending on the vehicle, place the

end of the plug in its housing or the

cord connector facing down;

– close the flap 3. Check that the

bonnet is correctly locked.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: charging

(5/5)

3

2

Special conditions
If it becomes impossible to unplug the

vehicle from the charging terminal (the

plug is mechanically locked), turn the

key as if to start the vehicle, switch off

the ignition, then switch on again.
Attempting to start the vehicle ends the

charging process and unlocks the plug

from the terminal.
Repeat this operation as many times as

is necessary.

8

2

After each charge, it is normal to

hear a fan noise from the vehicle if it

is still plugged in.

1.13

KEY

Key

A Coded ignition-starter key, locking/

unlocking storage compartments.

The key must not be used for any

function other than those described

in the handbook (removing the cap

from a bottle, etc.).

Replacement, requirements for

additional keys
If you lose your key or require an-

other, you can obtain one exclu-

sively from an authorised dealer.

A

Driver’s responsibility

when parking or stopping

the vehicle
Never leave an animal,

child or adult who is not self-suffi-

cient alone on your vehicle, even for

a short time.
They may pose a risk of injury, such

as by starting the engine or activat-

ing equipment.
Risk of serious injury.

1.14

OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOORS

Opening from inside or

outside

Lift handle 1 and pull upwards.

Closing

Lower the door until it locks into place.

1

As a safety precaution,

the doors should only be

opened or closed when the

vehicle is stationary.

For safety reasons:
– Do not press on the door

while it is open when there

is another occupant of the

vehicle;

– make sure that no people or pets

prevent the doors from closing;

– hold the door when opening

when parked on a steep slope.

Risk of serious injury.

Do not drive with the door open.
Risk of unwanted closure.

Driver’s responsibility

when parking or stopping

the vehicle
Never leave an animal,

child or adult who is not self-suffi-

cient alone on your vehicle, even for

a short time.
They may pose a risk of injury, such

as by starting the engine or activat-

ing equipment.
Risk of serious injury.

1.15

ENGINE IMMOBILISER

This prevents the vehicle being

driven by anyone not in possession

of the vehicle’s coded ignition key.
The vehicle is automatically protected

after the engine is switched off.

Any unauthorised work

carried out on the engine

immobiliser (computers,

wiring, etc.) could be dan-

gerous. Work must be carried out

by qualified personnel.

Operating principle

When the engine is started, warning

light 1 remains lit for a few seconds,

then goes out (refer to the information

on “Starting, stopping the engine” in

Section 2).
If the code is not recognised, the warn-

ing light flashes rapidly and the vehicle

will not start.

Vehicle protection tell-tale light
After the ignition has been switched off,

warning light 1 flashes and the vehicle

is protected.

Operating fault warning light
If the warning light continues to flash or

stays lit up permanently following an at-

tempt to start the engine, this indicates

a fault in the system.
In this case, use the second key (sup-

plied with the vehicle). If the fault is still

present, contact your authorised dealer,

as only they are qualified to repair the

engine immobiliser system.

1

When the engine immobiliser

system is activated, the handbrake

cannot be released.

1.16

FRONT SEAT

To move the seat forwards or

back

Lift handle 1 to unlock the seat. Release

the handle once the seat is in the cor-

rect position and ensure that the seat is

fully locked into position.

Access to the rear seats

Lift strap 2 and slide the driver’s seat

forwards.
To replace the seat in the driving posi-

tion, pull strap 2 towards the rear of the

vehicle until you get to the desired po-

sition.

For safety reasons, carry

out any adjustments when

the vehicle is not being

driven.

2

1

Make sure the seat is

locked in place.
No object should be placed

on the floor: such objects

may slide under the pedals during

sudden braking manoeuvres and

obstruct their use.

1.17

For safety reasons, always wear your

seat belt when travelling in your vehi-

cle. You must also comply with the leg-

islation of your country.

Before starting, first adjust your driv-

ing position, then ask all occupants

to adjust their seat belts to ensure

optimum protection.

Adjusting your driving

position

– Sit well back in your seat. This is

essential to ensure your back is po-

sitioned correctly;

– adjust the distance between the

seat and the pedals. Your seat

should be as far back as possible

while still allowing you to fully de-

press the pedals.

Incorrectly adjusted or twisted seat belts may cause injuries in the event

of an accident.

Use one seat belt per person, whether child or adult.

Even pregnant women should wear a seat belt. In this case, ensure that

the lap belt is not exerting too much pressure on the abdomen, but do not allow

any slack.

SEAT BELTS

(1/3)

1

Driver’s side seat belt

Slip your right shoulder under the belt 1.

Do not use the driver’s side

support belt on its own. This

belt is designed to comple-

ment the action of the seat

belt.

1

2

To avoid hampering the

proper operation of the side

support belt, make sure

nothing is positioned be-

tween the back 2 of the front seat

and the belt 1. Risk of injury in the

event of an accident.