Citroen C8 2008.5 1.G Owner's Guide

Instruments and controls
READY TO SET OFF
2
35
Wait for the engine to cool before
topping up the level.
The cooling system is pressurised.
In the event of a breakdown and in
order to avoid any risk of scalding,
unscrew the cap two turns to allow the
pressure to drop.
When the pressure has dropped,
remove the cap and top up the level.
Contact a CITROËN dealer .
COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
In zone A , the temperature is correct.
In zone B , the temperature is too high.
The central STOP warning light and
the maximum coolant temperature
warning light 1 come on, accompanied
by an audible signal and the message

"Engine coolant temp. too high" on
the display.

You must stop immediately.

With monochrome screen

With colour screen
INSTRUMENT PANEL
DISPLAY
After switching on the ignition, three
functions are shown in succession:
- service indicator,
- engine oil level indicator
(see corresponding section),
- total distance recorder (total and trip distances).
It also displays the automatic gearbox
positions and programmes selected
(see opposite).
The total and trip distances are
displayed for thirty seconds, when
the ignition is switched off, on
opening the driver’s door as well as on
locking and unlocking the vehicle.

Instruments and controls
36
Service indicator
The display, located in the control
block, informs you when the next
service will be due in accordance
with the "Manufacturer’s" servicing
schedule indicated in the servicing
booklet. This information is determined
in relation to the distance travelled
since the previous service. A few seconds after the ignition is
switched on, the oil level is displayed,
then the total distance recorder
resumes normal operation showing the
total and trip distances.
The distance remaining before the next
service is less than 500 miles/1 000 km
Each time the ignition is switched on
and for a few seconds, the spanner
fl ashes and the number of miles/
kilometres remaining is displayed: A few seconds after the ignition is
switched on, the oil level is displayed,
then the total distance recorder
resumes normal operation and the
spanner remains lit. This indicates that
a service should be carried out shortly.

The service is overdue
Each time the ignition is switched on
and for a few seconds, the spanner
fl ashes and the excess distance is
displayed.
With the engine running the
spanner remains lit until the
service has been carried out.

Example: 4 800 miles/km remain
before the next service is due. When
the ignition is switched on and for a
few seconds, the display shows:
Refer to the list of checks in the
servicing booklet which was given
to you on delivery of the vehicle.
Operation
A few moments after the ignition
has been switched on, the spanner
indicating a service operation lights
up; the display for the total distance
recorder tells you (in round fi gures)
the distance remaining before the next
service.
The points at which a service is due
are calculated from the last indicator
zero reset.
The point at which a service is due is
determined by the distance travelled.

Instruments and controls
READY TO SET OFF
2
37
Zero re-set
Your CITROËN dealer carries out this
operation after each service.
However, if you carry out the service
yourself, the re-set procedure is as
follows:
- Switch off the ignition,
- Press and hold the trip recorder re-set button,
- Switch on the ignition.
The display begins a countdown.
When the display shows "= 0 " , release
the button; the spanner disappears.
Engine oil level indicator
When the ignition is switched on, the
engine oil level is indicated for a few
seconds, after the service information. Oil level correct
Lack of oil
Flashing of
"OIL" ,
linked with the
service warning light,
accompanied by an
audible signal and a message on the
display, indicates a lack of oil which
could damage the engine.
If the lack of oil is confi rmed by a check
using the dipstick, it is essential that
the level is topped up.
Oil level gauge fault
Flashing of "OIL --"
indicates a malfunction
of the engine oil level
gauge.
Consult a CITROËN dealer. Dipstick

A = maximum, never exceed
this level as a surplus of oil
may damage the engine.
Contact a CITROËN dealer
without delay.

B = minimum, top up the level
via the oil fi ller cap, using
the type of oil suited to your
engine.
Trip recorder zero
reset button
With the ignition on, press
the button until the zeros
appear.
Lighting rheostat
With the lights on, press
the button to vary the
intensity of the lighting
of the instruments and
controls. When the lighting reaches
the minimum (or maximum) setting,
release the button then press it again
to increase (or reduce) the brightness.
As soon as the lighting is of the
required brightness, release the button.
The level read will only be correct
if the vehicle is on level ground
and the engine has been off for
more than 15 minutes.
After this operation, if you wish to
disconnect the battery, lock the
vehicle and wait for at least fi ve
minutes, otherwise the zero re-set will
not be registered.

Gearboxes and steering wheel
38
GEARBOXES AND STEERING WHEELPark:
position of the lever
when parked.
To immobilise the vehicle or
start the engine.
To park the vehicle
(handbrake on) and start the
engine.

Drive: position of the lever
while driving.
Reverse:
position of the lever
in reverse gear.
To reverse the vehicle.
Neutral: position of the lever
in neutral.
To move the vehicle forwards
in automatic mode.

Manual: selection of the gears
by pressing the gear lever:
- 1 to 4: petrol engine,
- 1 to 6: Diesel engine.
To move the vehicle forwards in
manual mode.
AUTOMATIC GEARBOX
The four-speed (petrol engine) or
six-speed (Diesel engine) "Porsche
Tiptronic-system" automatic gearbox
offers a choice between:
- the comfort of integral automatic
operation , enhanced by a snow
programme,
- or the pleasure of manual gear
changing . Gear selection gate
- Move the lever in the gate to select
a position. Once the position
is selected, the corresponding
indicator light appears on the
instrument panel display.

Gearboxes and steering wheel
READY TO SET OFF
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39
Automatic changing of the four or six
gears .
Moving off
- It is essential to press the brake pedal to exit position P ,
- select position R or D ,
You can also move off from position N .
- gradually release the
pressure on the brake
pedal; the vehicle moves
off immediately.
- With your foot on the brake,
release the
handbrake,
- select position R , D or M ,
- gradually release the pressure on the brake
pedal; the vehicle moves
off immediately. The gearbox always selects the most
suitable gear according to the following
parameters:
- the style of driving,
- the road profi le,
- the vehicle load.
The gearbox is then operating in auto-
adaptive mode, without any action on
your part. For immediate maximum
acceleration without touching the
gear lever, press the accelerator
pedal down as far as it will go to the
end of its travel passing the point of
resistance (kick down). The gearbox
will automatically change down or
maintain the gear selected until
maximum engine speed is reached.
With the engine running, to move off
from position
P .
Automatic mode On a descent, the gearbox will
automatically change down in order to
provide effi cient engine braking and
good re-acceleration.
If you take your foot off the accelerator
suddenly, the gearbox will not change
to a higher gear for reasons of safety.
6-speed gearbox (Diesel engine):
when stationary with the gear lever in
position
D (drive), a vibration limiting
device is activated by pressing the
brake pedal.
- Select position D .

Gearboxes and steering wheel
40
- press the lever to the +
sign to change to a higher
gear, from 1 to 4 or from
1 to 6,
- conversely, press the lever to the - sign to change to a
lower gear. You can change from position
D
(automatic mode) to position M
(manual mode) at any time.
Stopping the vehicle, starting
the engine
Reverse gear
- Select position R , with the
vehicle stationary and the
engine at idle.
If the battery is fl at and the lever is
in position P , it will be impossible
to change to another position. - Select position
P to

immobilise the vehicle or
to start the engine , with
the handbrake on or off.
- You can also select position N to park or to

start the engine , with the
handbrake on.
If position N is engaged
inadvertently while driving, allow
the engine to return to idle before
engaging position D to accelerate.
Manual mode
Manual changing of the gears by
pressing.
- Select lever position M , In manual mode, it is only possible to
change from one gear to another if
the vehicle speed and engine speed
permit. If they do not, the vehicle will
operate temporarily in automatic mode.
When the vehicle is stationary or
moving very slowly, the gearbox
automatically selects gear 1.
The
 (snow) programme does not
operate in manual mode.

Gearboxes and steering wheel
READY TO SET OFF
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41
Good practice
Never select position N when the
vehicle is moving.
Never select positions P or R unless
the vehicle is stationary.
Never change between positions to
optimise braking on a slippery surface.
When the engine is at idle, brakes
not applied, if position R , D or M is
selected the vehicle moves even
without the accelerator being pressed.
For this reason, do not leave children
unsupervised inside the vehicle,
with the engine running .
Operating abnormality
Any operating abnormality is indicated
by an audible signal, accompanied by
the message
"Automatic gear fault"
on the display and fl ashing of the Snow
snowfl ake on the instrument panel.
In this situation the gearbox operates
in downgrade mode (locked in 3rd
gear). You may feel a substantial knock
when changing from P to R and from N
to R (this will not cause any damage to
the gearbox).
Do not exceed 60 mph (100 km/h),
keeping within the limit of local speed
restrictions.
Contact a CITROËN dealer as soon as
possible.
You can return to the automatic
programme at any time.
- Press button  again to switch off
the programme you are in.
Snow programme
In addition to the automatic
programme, there is a special
Snow programme.
This improves starting
and drive when traction is
poor. The snowfl ake appears on the
instrument panel display.
- Press button  once the
vehicle has been started
and position D selected.
The gearbox adapts to driving
on slippery roads.

Gearboxes and steering wheel
42
STEERING WHEEL HEIGHT AND
DEPTH ADJUSTMENT
When the vehicle is stationary, unlock
the steering wheel by lowering the
lever.
Adjust the height and depth of the
steering wheel, then lock by pushing
the lever fully upwards.
MANUAL GEARBOX
5-speed gearbox 6-speed gearbox
To change gear easily, always press
the clutch pedal fully.
To prevent the mat from becoming
caught under the pedal:
- ensure that the mat is positioned correctly,
- never fi t one mat on top of another.
When driving, avoid leaving your hand
on the gear knob as the force exerted,
even if slight, may wear the internal
components of the gearbox over time. Reverse gear (6-speed)
Raise the collar under the gear knob to
engage reverse gear.
Never engage reverse gear before the
vehicle is completely stationary.
The lever should be moved slowly to
reduce the noise on engaging reverse
gear.

READY TO SET OFF
2
43
Starting and stopping
STARTING AND STOPPING
STOP position: steering lock.
The ignition is off.
Good practice when starting Handbrake
On the version with rotating front seat,
the handbrake can be disengaged.
Pulling the handbrake to immobilise
the vehicle then lowering the lever
does not release the brake, it permits
rotation of the driver’s seat.
Pull the button placed at the end of the
handbrake forwards.
The handbrake lever lowers.
You can now rotate the seat.
To return to normal operation, pull the
lever up until it clicks.
If the handbrake is on or has
not been released fully, this is
indicated by:
- a warning light which comes on on the instrument panel,
- an audible signal,
- a message on the display.
Key
Take care not to place the key in
contact with grease, dust, rain or a
damp environment.
A heavy object attached to the key (key
ring, ...) weighing down on the shaft
of the key in the ignition switch may
cause a malfunction.
Running and accessories position.
Certain accessories can be used.
Starting position.
The starter is operated. Diesel pre-heating warning
light
Turn the key to the Running
position.
In cold weather, wait for this warning
light to switch off then operate the
starter (Starting position) until the
engine starts.
If the temperature is high enough, the
warning light comes on for less than
one second, you can start without
waiting. Good practice when stopping
Minimise engine and gearbox wear
When switching off the ignition, let the
engine run for a few seconds to allow
the turbocharger to return to idle.
Do not press the accelerator when
switching off the ignition.
There is no need to engage a gear
after parking the vehicle.

Steering wheel controls
ERGONOMICS and COMFORT
3
45
Automatic lights
If your vehicle is fi tted
with a brightness
sensor.
Lights off
Dipped beam (green)
Main beam (blue)
DIRECTION INDICATORS
(green flashing)
STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS
Checking by means of the indicator
lights on the instrument panel is
described in the "Instruments and
controls" section of chapter 2. Side lights
LIGHTING CONTROL

Left: downwards.

Right: upwards. Front and rear lights
Selection is by turning ring
A .