Renault Clio II phase 2: extra gauges without drilling – tray or centre vent
Where can I fit extra gauges in a Renault Clio II phase 2 without drilling?
In two places. In a Clio II phase 2 (2001–2005) a dual pod replaces the tray in front of the clock/temperature display and holds two 52 mm gauges tilted 45° toward the driver. For a single gauge, a pod replaces the grille of the driver-side centre air vent (phase 2, 2001–2006). Both clip in like the original, nothing is drilled or glued. For phase 1 (up to 2001), including the RS 172 phase 1, there is no fitting solution yet.
- Tray pod
- 2 × 52 mm, 45° toward the driver; phase 2 only (2001–2005) incl. RS 172 Ph2, RS 182, Trophy
- Centre vent pod
- 1 × 52 mm, 12° toward the driver; phase 2 (2001–2006), LHD and RHD
- Does not fit
- Clio II phase 1 (up to 2001), incl. RS 172 Ph1
- Gauge depth
- both in variants for 45, 50 and 55 mm
- Material
- ASA or ABS (no PLA), no supports
- Fit
- not tested in a car; dimensions taken from a freely published third-party model
Two gauges: the tray in front of the display
In a Clio II phase 2 the clock/temperature display sits at the top centre of the dashboard, with a small tray in front of it. The tray can be removed, and its opening is the only place where two gauges sit well in view without drilling or gluing anything on the car.
The dual pod replaces the tray and clips in with spring fingers like the original. The insert is symmetrical: it fits either way round, and the gauges always face the driver.
Alternative: one gauge in the centre vent
If you only need one gauge, use the driver-side centre air vent. The pod replaces the vent grille and sits 14 mm deep in the housing like the original, held by crush ribs and four guide tabs. The gauge is turned 12° toward the driver and protrudes 31, 36 or 41 mm depending on gauge depth. The gauge sits in front of the vent; behind it there is only room for the connections (about 15 mm). You lose this vent for airflow. The original grille breaks easily, so lever it out carefully.
Which Clios fit
| Tray pod (2 × 52 mm) | Centre vent pod (1 × 52 mm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 2 (2001–2005/06), RS 172 Ph2, RS 182, Trophy | fits | fits |
| Phase 1 (1998–2001), RS 172 Ph1 | does not fit | probably not (welded slats) |
| Right-hand drive | symmetrical insert | own version (right vent) |
| Position | top centre, in front of the display | driver-side centre vent |
What is tested and what isn’t
To be clear: our pods have not yet been tested in a car.
- Tray pod: flange, opening and clip depth come from a freely published insert (NamEleZzz, Thingiverse 3823317, CC BY) tested on a 2002 Clio II Ph2 1.5 dCi.
- Centre vent pod: outline, depth and tabs come from a reprint fitted in a Clio II (kledolin, Thingiverse 6531197, CC BY-NC); the car’s phase is not stated. The room behind the grille (about 15 mm) is derived from it, not measured.
In both cases we only took over the fit dimensions.
If the spring fingers are too tight, file them down a little. The gauge bore is 52.79 mm (nominal + 0.4 mm); the tolerance test ring shows whether your printer hits it.
Printing
The top of the dashboard gets hot in summer, so use ASA or ABS, no PLA (more in PETG or ASA in a car). The part prints with the cup fronts on the bed and then stands at 45°. Since only the cup fronts touch the bed, use a brim. No supports are needed. The default variant weighs 113 g and takes about 8 hours.
The centre vent pod prints without supports on a keel under the cup, weighs 57 g and takes just under 5 hours.
Pick the variant by your gauge depth (45, 50 or 55 mm); it is in the gauge’s datasheet, or measure the body behind the bezel with calipers.
Fitting the dual (tray) pod in a Clio II phase 2
- Print the tolerance test ring in the final material and test-fit a gauge.
- Print the pod in ASA or ABS (0.2 mm, 4 walls, 20 % infill, brim, no supports).
- Carefully lever out the original tray, ideally with a plastic trim tool, and keep it.
- Feed the cables down through the holes in the insert, fit the gauges, tighten the M3 set screws hand-tight.
- Press the pod into the opening, gauges toward the driver, until the spring fingers click.
FAQ
What fits a Clio RS 172 phase 1?
Not the tray pod: phase 1 (up to 2001) has a different dashboard without this tray. Probably not the centre vent pod either: according to Clio forums the phase 1 slats are welded in, and no removable grille is known. This has not been checked on a phase 1 car.
Is the centre vent pod available for right-hand drive?
Yes. In RHD cars it goes into the right centre vent, in LHD cars into the left one. Both versions come with 45, 50 and 55 mm gauge depth.
Does heater air make the vent pod too hot?
Warm heater air reaches the back of the vent, so print in ASA or ABS, not PLA or PETG. The hazard switch stays within reach.
Can I still see the display?
With the tray pod only partly. The gauges stand about 8 cm tall and hide part of the clock/temperature display behind them, depending on seat position. If you rely on the display, hold a piece of card at that height first to see how much stays visible.
Which gauges make sense?
On the RS 172 and RS 182 (naturally aspirated) usually oil temperature and oil pressure. Boost only makes sense on turbo engines such as the 1.5 dCi. Any gauge with a 52 mm body fits as long as its depth matches the chosen variant.
How do the cables get into the dashboard?
With the tray pod, down through the hollow stands into the tray opening. With the centre vent pod, back into the vent and via the radio slot behind the console; with the radio removed the vent housing is reachable. Connect power and sensors following the gauge maker's instructions, always with a fused supply.
Can I remove the pod without leaving marks?
Yes, as long as nothing gets damaged when levering: nothing is drilled or glued, and the pod clips in like the original tray. The original tray fits back into the opening afterwards.
Is it safe there with regard to airbags?
The passenger airbag sits in the passenger half under the top cover. The pod stays within the footprint of the centre tray and must not be moved or extended toward the passenger side. The Clio II has no knee airbag. Also check that the view through the windscreen stays clear.
Updated: 31 October 2026
