NZ Polaris 6 Gen 1 - Vehicle Manual

This article is the operator's manual for the Polaris 6 Gen1 Mercedes motorhome - New Zealand Self Contained (JUCY / Star RV). It covers keys, fire extinguisher, smoke alarm and gas alarm, starting the vehicle, windows and vents, entry door, outdoor step, seatbelts, the 240-volt and 12-volt electrical systems, microwave, fresh water, grey water, water pump, hot water heater, toilet use and cassette, gas bottle, stove top and grill, heater, fridge, lights, television, bed conversion, awning, diesel fuel, jack and spare tyre, and additional information.

Need-to-know

• Fuel type: Diesel only. The fuel cap is marked "DIESEL" and is unlocked using the vehicle diesel key. If filled with unleaded, water, or AdBlue - do not start the engine. Call STAR RV Roadside Assistance immediately.
• 240-volt: Required for microwave and power points. Two circuit breakers located outside the motorhome. Plug in every second night. You will know 240-volt is working when the microwave turns on and shows the time.
• 12-volt panel: Located on the side wall just above the domestic switches. Digital gauge displays voltage as a blue number.
• Water pump: Push the PUMP switch down on the switchboard. Must be on for tap, shower, and toilet flush. Turn off when not in use. Do not run empty. Do not drink tap water unless boiled first.
• Hot water: Gas bottle on driver's side panel. Left-hand rocker switch for gas, right-hand rocker switch for electric. Both can be used simultaneously for faster heating.
• Heater: Gas-powered with dial operation. Requires domestic battery charge and gas in bottle.
• Fridge: 12-volt and 240-volt. Domestic switch must be on. Automatically switches to 240-volt when plugged in.
• Gas bottle: Located in LP gas locker. Can be refilled at LPG stations or swapped. Never drive with gas bottle open.
• Toilet cassette: Must be emptied and cleaned before returning to the depot.
• Smoke alarm: Powered by a replaceable 9V battery. Do not disconnect.
• Gas alarm: Located behind the rear cabin seats. If it beeps and shows a red light, open all windows and move to fresh air.
• Emergency contact: STAR RV Roadside Assistance - call for wrong fuel, overheating, or any red dash light.

1. Description of keys

Ignition key: Turn the key in the ignition barrel and release once the engine starts.








  

Side entry door key: Lock/unlock the vehicle's side entry door.











Toilet cassette compartment key: Lock/unlock the toilet cassette compartment (key has THETFORD engraving).

External storage compartments key: Use this key to lock or unlock the vehicle’s external storage compartments. 

Please note: This key applies to the LP Gas compartment on the rear driver’s side, the storage compartment on the rear passenger’s side, and small storage compartment beside the driver’s cabin door.
 


Water tank key: Use the small round silver key to lock/unlock the vehicle's freshwater filling point.

2. Vehicle equipment

Fire extinguisher

Each vehicle is equipped with a dry chemical fire extinguisher, selected to address both Type B fires (grease and liquids) and Type C fires (electrical). A fire extinguisher is attached to the interior of the vehicle, behind the back seats.

To deploy the extinguisher:

1. Grasp the ring at the top of the bottle.
2. Direct the nozzle towards the base of the flames.
3. Press the lever down firmly.
4. Guide the nozzle from side to side across the base of the flames.

Smoke alarm

Each vehicle is furnished with a smoke alarm powered by a replaceable 9-volt battery. If a replacement is needed during your rental, purchase a new battery, retain the receipt, and reimbursement will be arranged upon vehicle return.

Do not disconnect the smoke alarm. It must be connected at all times for your safety.

Gas alarm

Each vehicle has a harmful gas alarm located behind the rear cabin seats. If harmful gas levels are detected, the alarm will beep and a red light will illuminate. When this happens, open all windows and move to fresh air immediately.






 

3. Starting the vehicle

The gear stick must be in PARK and your foot on the brake pedal in order for the vehicle to start. Start the vehicle using the ignition key.

Gear stick in parking mode

With your foot still on the brake pedal, pull the gear stick down into the 'D' position. The dashboard will display a 'D' indicating drive.

Gear stick in driving mode

Handbrake: Located on the left, beside the driver's seat.

• To disengage: Pull up slightly with the button held. The handbrake will start to move down.
• To engage: Pull the button towards you. A white light will appear.

Note: Do not forget to disengage the handbrake before you drive.


 

4. Windows and vents

Windows: Turn the handles inwards. Push the window out and click the latch in place. The window has a mosquito net and a sun blackout blind. To use the sun blackout blind, pull the blind up using the handle indents.

Vents: Stand facing the driver's cabin. Grip the middle handle and twist so the hooks move out of the lock. Push towards the driver's cabin until it stops. To close, twist and pull until it closes completely.

5. Entry door

To open the door from outside: Pull the door handle outward.

To open the door from inside: Pull the door handle downwards and apply slight pressure to the door. When the door is locked, neither the inside nor outside door handle can be operated.

To lock from outside: Turn the key anticlockwise towards the lock symbol on the entry door lock.

To unlock from outside: Turn the key clockwise towards the unlock symbol on the entry door lock.

6. Outdoor step

The motorhome is equipped with a manual side doorstep. Grip the middle of the step and pull out until it locks into place. To close, push it towards the cabin until it clicks back into place.

Note: Do not leave the step out while driving as this may cause damage to the cabin exterior, step, or surrounding objects.

7. Seatbelts

It is the law in New Zealand that all passengers in a motorhome must be properly restrained with seatbelts. Vehicles are equipped with both lap and shoulder belts. Only seats fitted with seatbelts can be occupied while the vehicle is moving. Insert the belt tongue into the correct buckle until you feel it click and latch.

The two anchor points for baby seats are located behind the large back squab. There is no ISOFIX available.

Note: The table must always be removed while passengers are sitting at the dinette seats while in transit.

8. 240-volt electrical system

To run the microwave, power points, and to recharge the house battery, connect the motorhome's 15AMP electricity cord to a 240-volt external power source. These devices will only work when connected to 240-volt power. It is recommended that every second night the vehicle is charged at a powered outlet. You will know the 240-volt is working when the microwave turns on and shows the time.


The motorhome connects to powered outlets at caravan parks.







 

Circuit breakers: The 240-volt outlets and appliances are protected by two circuit breakers located outside the motorhome. If a power surge trips the circuit breakers, locate them and switch back to the ON/UP position. Overloading the system can cause circuit breakers to trip.

Troubleshooting: If the 240-volt is not working:

1. Check that the 240-volt cord is connected properly to both the power site and the motorhome.
2. Make sure the circuit breakers on both the power site and the motorhome have not tripped.
3. If still not working, try a different 240-volt cord (usually available to hire at the campsite) or try an alternative power site.
4. If none of the above work, call the Star RV helpline.

9. 12-volt electrical system

The motorhome has two batteries - one in the engine compartment and one under the passenger's seat (the auxiliary battery).

The auxiliary battery operates the TV, water pump, fridge, interior lights, extractor fan, and toilet. It is charged by both the alternator when the vehicle is being driven and by the 240-volt system when plugged into mains power.

The 12-volt electrical panel is located on the side wall, just above the domestic switches. The digital gauge displays the voltage as a blue number. The more appliances you use, the faster the battery will drain.

10. Microwave

The microwave operates via 240-volt power only. The vehicle must be plugged into a powered site at a caravan park or campground.

Do not put the following in the microwave:

• Paper bags (except purpose-designed microwave bags such as popcorn bags)
• Aluminium foil
• Dishes with metal rims
• Plastic containers
• Wire ties from bread and metal utensils
• Styrofoam plates and cups
• Glass jars

Safe to use in the microwave:

• Microwave-approved glass, ceramic plates, and bowls
• Microwave browning dishes
• Microwave plastic wrap, wax paper, paper towel, and napkins
• Paper plates and cups

Troubleshooting:

• Microwave has no display: 240-volt power is not plugged in. Check the vehicle is connected to mains power and the powered outlet is working.
• Microwave has power but is not heating food: Microwave may be broken. Call the Star RV on-roads team for assistance.
• Sparks when the microwave is turned on: A metal object is in the microwave.

11. Fresh water tank

The vehicle has an onboard freshwater system consisting of a water pump and freshwater tank. The water tank has a 120L capacity and is located on the passenger side of the vehicle. This water is for the sink, shower, and toilet flush.

The motorhome comes with a freshwater hose to fill up the tank. When the tank is full, the water will overflow out of the water inlet.

Please note: You can check the water level on the domestic switchboard by pressing the test button. The green light will indicate how full the water is.

12. Grey water tank

The grey water holding tank collects wastewater from the kitchen, bathroom sink, and shower. You can see the level on the domestic panel switchboard - this is labelled "waste". Note: the grey water level indicator may give an inaccurate reading and show 100% even when empty. Empty the grey water tank as regularly as possible.






 

To empty the grey water tank:

1. Collect the grey water hose from the storage compartment.
2. Connect the hose to the outlet. Make sure it is firmly attached by pulling down the silver levers on each side of the attachment.
3. Place the other end of the hose into a dump station disposal opening.
4. Open the tank by turning the red lever towards you so it is parallel with the pipe. Wait for it to empty.
5. Once the grey water is empty, close the lever, remove the hose, and stow it away in the storage compartment.

13. Water pump

To use water on board the vehicle, ensure there is water in the freshwater tank. On the switchboard, push the PUMP switch down. You will hear the pump quietly start. The pump operates as part of the 12-volt system. When you are not using the water pump, ensure it is turned off.

The water pump must be on to operate the kitchen tap, shower, and toilet flush.

Please note: Avoid running the pump when the water tank is empty. Operating the pump continuously with no water can cause damage.

Caution: Do not drink the water from the tap unless it has been boiled first.

14. Hot water heater

To operate the hot water heater:

1. Turn the gas bottle valve on - located in the side panel on the driver's side. Twist anticlockwise to open and clockwise to close.
2. Turn on the water heater switch.
   
   

Gas operation: Operate the left-hand rocker switch to the ON position. There will be a pre-purge pause of approximately 20 seconds to allow any unburnt gas to leave the flue. A green LED will light upon successful ignition. If there is air in the gas supply line, it may take a few attempts to ignite. If ignition is not satisfactory, the red LED will flash - refer to the troubleshooting guide below.

Electric operation: The water heater is equipped with twin 750W / 230V elements. Operate the right-hand rocker switch to the top position (~) to turn on one electric element. To turn on both elements, operate the right-hand rocker switch to the bottom position.

Note: The electric elements will still operate if the appliance is in gas ignition lock-out.

Gas and electric operation: For faster water heating, both can be used simultaneously. Select gas ON (left-hand rocker switch) and one of the electric settings (right-hand rocker switch).

Switching off: Operate the left-hand gas switch to the centre OFF position (O) and the right-hand electric rocker switch to the centre OFF position (O).

Troubleshooting:

To reset: Press the red Reset button on the bottom of the water tank for 10 seconds. If the lockout condition was identified by 1, 3, or 5 flashes, this will clear it.

15. Toilet use

1. Turn on the water pump on the control panel.
2. Push the blue button on the toilet to fill the base with water.
3. Once finished, adjust the lever on the bottom of the toilet to empty into the cassette.
4. Ensure the lever is in the closed position after use.

16. Toilet cassette

It is highly recommended to regularly empty the toilet cassette. It is mandatory to empty and clean it before returning the vehicle to the depot.

To empty the toilet cassette:

1. Make sure the grey flush lever on the toilet is in the closed position. Lift the blue lever and remove the entire cassette from the vehicle.
2. Head to the dump station and unscrew the blue lid on the toilet cassette.
3. Rinse the cassette thoroughly and repeat the emptying process. Add a toilet chemical along with half to one litre of water.
4. Insert the cassette back into the locker.

Note: It is crucial for the cassette to click back into position to align with the toilet above.

17. Gas bottle

The gas bottle is located on the exterior of the vehicle in a locker marked with an LP Gas Storage label.

Important: Never drive with the gas bottle turned to the open position.

• To open: Rotate the valve fully anticlockwise.
• To close: Turn the valve clockwise until securely tightened.

Gas bottles can either be refilled at gas stations that sell LPG or swapped for a full bottle.


 

If you smell gas:

1. Extinguish all open flames and smoking materials.
2. Do not touch any electrical switches.
3. Shut off the gas supply at the gas bottle valve.
4. Open doors, windows, hatches, and all other ventilation openings.
5. Evacuate the area until the gas odour dissipates.
6. Contact STAR RV for assistance.

18. Stove top and grill

Warning: Do not use cooking appliances for comfort heating. Always have sufficient ventilation when using the stove.

The motorhome is equipped with 1 electric hob, 3 gas hobs, and a gas stove which uses LPG.

To use the gas stove top:

1. Make sure the domestic switch labelled "STOVE IGN" is on.
2. Locate the gas bottle on the outside of the van and turn the valve on top fully to the open position.
3. Lift the glass stove lid so it is fully upright. If the lid is partially open, the burners will not work.
4. Push in, hold down, and turn the burner knob to your desired heat level.
5. While the burner knob is still being pushed in, press the igniter switch until the gas lights. Keep holding down the burner knob.
6. Wait approximately 15 seconds before slowly releasing the burner knob.

Note: If the flame extinguishes, the burner knob may have been released too soon. Start from step 3 and try again.

To use the electric hob: Make sure you are plugged into a powered campsite and that the hob switch next to the stove is on.

If using a match: Light the match first, hold it next to the burner, then open the burner valve.

Note: If the stove does not ignite there may be insufficient power in the battery. Connect to mains power or use a match. The stove top lid must be in a fully upright position for the hotplate to ignite.

19. Heater

The vehicle is equipped with a heater powered by gas. To operate, make sure you have sufficient charge on the domestic battery and that the gas bottle is on with adequate gas level.

Rotate the top dial clockwise to the flame icon. You might hear a small "whoosh" as the gas ignites. The fan will start blowing air in about 30 seconds; heat should start flowing after 90-120 seconds. Adjust the bottom digital setting to suit your comfort - the heater will cycle on and off to maintain the set temperature.

Troubleshooting:

To reset the heater:

1. Turn the dial to the gas flame position.
2. Switch the heater off and on two times slowly (fan, off, fan, gas flame, repeat).
3. The heater should start working again and the green light should turn on.
4. You can try the reset up to three times. If the heater does not work after the fourth reset attempt, call the Star RV helpline.
    

20. Fridge

The fridge is operated on the domestic battery and 240-volt hook-up. Make sure the domestic switch is on. Once you plug into a powered campsite the fridge will automatically switch to 240-volt.

 
To adjust the temperature, rotate the dial towards the maximum setting to make the fridge colder, or towards the minimum setting for a warmer temperature. For best performance and energy efficiency, keep the dial somewhere in the middle range.

Fault finding:

Please note: If the above action fails, call the Star RV helpline.
 

21. Lights

To use the cabin lights, turn on the light switch on the domestic control panel by holding the power button. Some lights can be individually switched off using switches located on the lights themselves. You can also control a section of lights using the switches located by the cabin door and by the bathroom door.

22. Television

Each vehicle is fitted with a DVD/television. The TV operates on both 12-volt and 240-volt mains power. Television reception may vary in rural areas. Bringing your own DVDs is recommended for use with the built-in DVD player.

23. Bed conversion

The motorhome has three double beds.

Bed 1 - Middle dinette:

1. Remove the tabletop from the wall by pushing the clips down. Fold the leg and store it behind the front passenger seat.
   
    
2. Put aside the middle squab.
   
    
3. Pull out the frames.
   
    

4. Place the tabletop between the seats, then put the middle squabs over the table. Position the long squab over the frames.

   
    

Bed 2 - Rear dinette:

1. Remove the tabletop from the table leg. Store the table behind the driver's seat and the table leg in the cupboard by the cabin door.
   
    
2. Place the squabs over the table.
   

Bed 3 - Overhead bed:

Access the overhead bed using the ladder. The ladder must be connected in the gap provided.

24. Awning

To roll out the awning:

1. Find the awning winder arm in the rear storage unit.
   
    
2. Place the silver knob on the end of the arm into the small insert on the left-hand side of the awning.
   
    
3. Rotate the handle clockwise to open the awning. Ensure nobody is standing directly under the awning when opening, as legs may fall out if not locked correctly.
4. Once open, remove the awning winder arm by pushing upwards and turning the silver knob to a removable position.
5. Release the awning legs and twist to face the vehicle.
   
    
6. Use the knob at the top of the awning leg to loosen and lengthen.
7. Once lengthened, insert the silver piece into the rectangular white inserts located next to the freshwater tank and to the left of the side entrance door.
   

To retract the awning:

1. Disengage the locking clips on both awning arms.
2. Turn the legs clockwise and secure back into place. Ensure the leg is straight and not loose before rolling up.
3. Use the awning winding arm anticlockwise until the awning has fully retracted.

25. Diesel fuel

The vehicle accepts diesel fuel only. Do not refill with any other fuel or fluid. The diesel tank cap is marked with "DIESEL".

The fuel filling location is next to the passenger door. Open the passenger door to access the flap covering the cap, then twist the cap to open.

Once filled, place the fuel cap on the inlet and twist to lock.

Important: If you accidentally fill the vehicle with unleaded fuel, water, or AdBlue - do not start the engine. Call STAR RV Roadside Assistance immediately.



 

26. Jack and spare tyre

The jack is located on the floor in front of the passenger seat. Use a butter knife or similar tool to gently unscrew the compartment cover. The jack tools are inside.


The spare tyre can be found underneath the rear of the vehicle. Use the provided tool to access it. Follow all safety precautions when handling the spare tyre.

27. Additional information

• Tyre size: 205/75 R/16C
• Tyre pressure: 60 PSI
• Oil type: 5W30
• Coolant type: Red coolant (any brand)