Most codes instant

Renault Clio radio code from your serial

On most Clio radios up to about 2012, holding buttons 1 and 6 shows a short code: a letter and three numbers. Type it in for your Renault Clio radio code straight away.

Where do I find it?
Know your radio type? Choose it

Free check · No account needed · Help finding your serial · Send us a photo instead

  • Years we cover: 1990–2012
  • Serial: 1 letter and 3 numbers, like A123
  • Where: on the screen: hold 1 and 6
  • Code: in seconds, worked out from your precode
Radios we cover
  • Tuner List
  • Update List
  • Cassette radios
  • Philips
  • £9.99one price per code
  • Freeserial check before you pay
  • Under 30 secondshow long a code actually took, measured on our own orders
  • Money backif the code doesn’t work

Which radio is in your Renault Clio?

The Clio has had 4 sets of radios since 1990, from the Philips-made Renault radios to the MediaNav and R-Link touchscreens. Find yours by year below, but go by the serial: radios get swapped, and the free check reads it for you.

YearsRadiosSerialCode
1990–1998First Clio Philips-made Renault radios 14 letters and numbers starting RN, on the label Instant
1998–2012Second Clio Tuner List and Update List radios A letter and 3 numbers, like A123 Instant
2005–2012Third Clio Tuner List and Update List radios A letter and 3 numbers, like A123 Instant
2012 onFourth Clio on MediaNav and R-Link touchscreens No precode Not availableFrom about 2012 most have touchscreen radios (MediaNav or R-Link) whose code is linked to the vehicle, not the radio, so there is no precode to work from. A Renault dealer can help with those.

How to find your Renault Clio radio serial number

Quickest way

On the screen

  1. Switch the radio on.
  2. Hold buttons 1 and 6 together for about 5 seconds.
  3. The screen shows a letter and 3 numbers (like A123). That is your precode.
  4. Nothing shows? Check the separate screen on top of the dashboard, or look for "PRE CODE" on the radio’s label.
DISPLAY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!A123!!!!!!123456BUTTONS 1–6
Hold the lit buttons with the radio on.
If the screen shows nothing

On the label

The serial is also printed on a label on the top or side of the radio. It comes out with a pair of radio removal keys. Which keys, and where they go: how to remove a car radio.

Photograph the label rather than copying it by hand — 0 and O, 1 and I are easy to mix up.

RADIOPush both keys in until they click, then pull the radio forward

Tips for your Renault Clio

  • Hold buttons 1 and 6 for about 5 seconds with the radio on.
  • Some Clios show the precode on a separate screen on top of the dashboard.

What your serial looks like

  • A123 Renault precode1 letter and 3 numbers Instant
  • RN279FY1234567 Renault Philips (1989–1997)14 letters and numbers starting RN Instant

How to enter your Renault Clio radio code

DISPLAY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!0000!!!!!!123456BUTTONS 1–6
Press button 1 twice for 2, button 2 five times for 5, button 3 eight times for 8, button 4 four times for 4, then hold button 6 for about 5 seconds to confirm.
  1. Use buttons 1, 2, 3 and 4 to set each number.
  2. Hold button 6 for about 5 seconds until the radio beeps.

If your Renault Clio radio says LOCKED, WAIT or SAFE

RadioWhat to do
Renault precodeWAIT or ERROR — leave the radio on for 30–60 minutes and try again.
Renault Philips (1989–1997)Each wrong try adds a longer delay. Keep the radio powered while it counts down.

What LOCKED, WAIT and SAFE mean, and how long to wait →

Renault Clio radio code questions

How do I get the precode from my Clio radio?

Switch the radio on and hold buttons 1 and 6 together for about 5 seconds. A letter and 3 numbers appear, like A123. That is all we need.

My Clio radio says WAIT.

Too many wrong tries. Leave the radio switched on for 30 to 60 minutes and it will let you try again.

My Clio is a 2014 model.

From about 2012 most have touchscreen radios (MediaNav or R-Link) whose code is linked to the vehicle, not the radio, so there is no precode to work from. A Renault dealer can help with those.

Can you do every Renault Clio radio?

For 1990–1998, 1998–2012, 2005–2012, yes: the code appears on screen as soon as you have paid; for 2012 on, not at the moment. From about 2012 most have touchscreen radios (MediaNav or R-Link) whose code is linked to the vehicle, not the radio, so there is no precode to work from. A Renault dealer can help with those. The free check tells you which yours is before you pay.

Which radio does my Renault Clio have?

It depends on the year. 1990–1998 (First Clio): Philips-made Renault radios. 1998–2012 (Second Clio): Tuner List and Update List radios. 2005–2012 (Third Clio): Tuner List and Update List radios. 2012 on (Fourth Clio on): MediaNav and R-Link touchscreens. Radios were often swapped, so the serial on yours is what counts.

What does the serial look like on a Renault Clio?

1990–1998: 14 letters and numbers starting RN, on the label. 1998–2012: A letter and 3 numbers, like A123. 2005–2012: A letter and 3 numbers, like A123.

Do I have to take the radio out of my Renault Clio?

Usually not: with the radio on, hold 1 and 6 and the serial shows on the screen.

How do I enter the code on a Renault Clio?

Presets 1 to 4 set each digit. Hold preset 6 for about five seconds to confirm.

Another Renault?

Every Renault radio we can unlock is on our Renault radio code page. Close to this one: Megane, Scenic, Laguna, Espace, Twingo, Modus, Trafic, Kangoo.

Updated October 2026