engine Citroen C8 2009.5 1.G User Guide

Gearbox and stearing wheel
READY TO SET OFF
2
39
Automatic changing of the 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 (kickdown). 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.
When stationary with the gear lever in
position D (drive), a vibration limiting
device is activated by pressing the
brake pedal.
- Select position D .

Gearbox and stearing wheel
40
- press the lever to the+ sign to change to a
higher gear, 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.

Gearbox and stearing wheel
READY TO SET OFF
2
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.
There is a risk of damage to the
gearbox:
- if you press the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time,
- if you force the lever from position P to another position in the
event of a battery failure.
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.

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
If your vehicle is fi tted with a
version with a 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
53
SPEED LIMITER "LIMIT"

To resume use of the limiter, simply
reduce the pressure on the accelerator
pedal gradually and return to a speed
below that programmed.
If the vehicle is fi tted with a speed
limiter and cruise control (according
to the country in which the vehicle is
sold and the engine), these functions
cannot be activated at the same time .

The operating actions can be carried
out when stationary, with the engine
running, or with the vehicle moving. Function selected,
displaying of the
"Speed Limiter"
symbol.
Function deactivated,
last programmed
speed - OFF
(example at 65 mph
(107 km/h)).
Function activated
(example at 65 mph
(107 km/h)).
Vehicle speed above
(example at 70 mph
(118 km/h)),
the programmed
speed is displayed
fl ashing.
Operating fault
detected, OFF -
the dashes fl ash.
This speed limiter shows the function
selection status on the instrument
panel and displays the programmed
speed:
"This is the selected speed which the
driver does not wish to exceed".
This selection is made with the engine
running while stationary or with the
vehicle moving. The minimum speed
which can be programmed is 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The speed of the vehicle responds
to the pressure of the driver's foot as
far as the accelerator pedal point of
resistance which indicates that the
programmed speed has been reached.
However, pressing the pedal beyond
this point of resistance to the fl oor
permits exceeding of the programmed
speed.

Steering wheel controls
54
Selecting the function
- Place the dial in the LIMIT position.
The limiter is selected but is not yet
active. The display indicates the
last programmed speed.
Programming a speed
A speed can be programmed without
activating the limiter but with the
engine running.
To memorise a speed higher than the
previous one:
- press the Set + button.
A brief press increases the speed by
1 mph (km/h).
A maintained press increases the
speed in steps of 5 mph (km/h).
Activation/Deactivation (off)
Pressing this button once activates
the limiter, pressing the button again
deactivates it (OFF).
To memorise a speed lower than the
previous one:
- press the Set - button.
A brief press decreases the speed by
1 mph (km/h).
A maintained press decreases the
speed in steps of 5 mph (km/h).

ERGONOMICS and COMFORT
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67
Seats
Memorising seat positions
Two driving positions can be memorised,
using buttons M/1 and M/2 .
These are located on the side of the
seat:

- Place the ignition key in the
"running" position (2nd notch),

- Adjust your seat,

- Press button M , then button 1
for a fi rst driving position within
four seconds.
Repeat the same actions on buttons M
and 2 to store another driving position.
An audible signal confi rms that a
position has been memorised.
Memorising a new position cancels the
previous one.
Activating a memorised driving
position Front heated seat controls
When the engine is running, the front
seats can be heated separately.
Use the adjustment controls located on
the side of each front seat to switch on
and select the self-regulated level of
heating:

1: Low.

2: Medium.

3: High.

0: Off.
After recalling a memorised
position fi ve times in succession,
the function will be cancelled until
the engine is started.
Engine running
- Keep button 1 or 2 pressed down
until the end of setting of the
corresponding memorised position.
Engine off

- Briefl y press button
1 or 2 to recall
the corresponding memorised
position.

SAFETY
93
Driving safety
4
TRACTION CONTROL (ASR)
AND DYNAMIC STABILITY
CONTROL (ESP)
Activation of the ASR and ESP
systems
When the ignition is on, the ASR and
ESP systems are always active. Disarming the ASR/ESP systems
In certain conditions (vehicle stuck in
mud or snow, or on loose ground...), it
could prove useful to disarm the ASR
and ESP systems to make the wheels
spin and regain grip.
- Press the switch, situated under the
steering wheel on the right of the
fascia.
The indicator light comes on
accompanied by a message:
the ESP and ASR systems
no longer act on the engine
operation, but continue to act
on the brakes. Operating check
The ASR/ESP systems offer
increased safety during normal
driving, but should not incite the
driver to take risks or to drive at high
speed.
The operation of these systems is
ensured if the recommendations
of the manufacturer regarding
the wheels (tyres and rims), the
braking components, the electronic
components and the fi tting and repair
procedures within the CITROËN
network are observed.
After an impact, have the system
checked by a CITROËN dealer.

They engage again:

automatically above 30 mph (50 km/h),

- manually by pressing the switch again.
Operation of the ASR and
ESP systems
The warning light fl ashes if
the ASR or ESP is activated.
These systems are linked and
complement the ABS.
The ASR system optimises drive to
prevent the wheels skidding, by acting
on the brakes of the drive wheels
and on the engine. It also allows the
directional stability of the vehicle to be
improved on acceleration.
If there is a variation between the
trajectory followed by the vehicle and
that required by the driver, the ESP
system automatically acts on the
engine and the brake of one or more
wheels, in order to put the vehicle back
on course, within the limits of the laws
of physics.
When a malfunction of the
systems occurs, the indicator
light comes on, accompanied
by an audible signal and a
message on the display.
Contact a CITROËN dealer to have the
system checked.

107
Towing a trailer
ACCESSORIES
5
TOWING A TRAILER, CARAVAN, BOAT, ETC...
Refer to the administrative
documents (V5, ...) or to the Petrol
or Diesel "Dimensions, weights
and towed loads" section of
chapter 8.
Distribution of loads: distribute the
load in the trailer so that the heaviest
loads are as close as possible to the
axle and the nose weight is close
to the maximum authorised without,
however, exceeding it.
Cooling: towing a trailer on a slope
increases the coolant temperature.
As the fan is electrically controlled, its
cooling capacity is not dependent on
the engine speed.

Dimension A = 0.96 m
Driving advice
A towed vehicle must free wheel:
gearbox in neutral.

108
Towing a trailer
On the contrary, use a high gear to
lower the engine speed and reduce
your speed.
In all cases, pay attention to the
coolant temperature.
Brakes: towing increases the braking
distance. Drive at a moderate speed,
change down early and brake
gradually. Please contact a CITROËN dealer fi rst
for further information .
Automatic adjustment
For vehicles with Xenon bulbs, and if
the change in load makes it necessary,
this system automatically corrects the
height of the beam after approximately
2 minutes. The driver is then assured
of having optimum lighting and not
causing a nuisance to other road
users.
In certain cases of particularly
arduous use (towing the
maximum load up a steep slope
in high temperatures), the engine
automatically limits its power. In this
case, cutting off the air conditioning
allows the engine power to be
recovered, and therefore the towing
speed to be signifi cantly increased
(approximately 12 mph [20 km/h]
more). Sequential control of the
gearbox may also become unavailable.
Lighting
Bicycle carrier
Refer to the "Identifi cation
features" section of chapter 8. Refer to the "Steering wheel
controls" section of chapter 3.
When using a trailer connection,
you must add a fuse. Refer to
the "Changing a fuse" section of
chapter 7.

If the coolant temperature warning light
comes on, stop the vehicle and switch
off the engine as soon as possible.

Tyres: check the tyre pressures of
the towing vehicle and of the trailer,
observing the recommended pressure.
Side wind: sensitivity to side wind is
increased. Drive smoothly and at a
moderate speed.
Towbar
We recommend the use of original
CITROËN towbars, which have been
tested for endurance from the design
stage of your vehicle.
Towing equipment must be fi tted in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, with particular attention to
the towing capacities of your vehicle,
the load towed, the nose weight and
the electrical connection. As this fi tting
should be carried out by a professional,
we recommend that you entrust the
fi tting of this equipment to a CITROËN
dealer.
In accordance with the general
instructions referred to above, we draw
your attention to the risk connected
with fi tting a towbar or other electrical
accessory which is not recommended
by the CITROËN network. Fitting such
equipment could result in a failure of
your vehicle’s electronic system. Manual adjustment
Adjust your headlamps so as not to
dazzle other road users. Check the
electrical signalling of the trailer.
If you fi t a bicycle carrier on
the tailgate, deactivate the
rear wiper from the display's
confi guration menu.