brakes Citroen C8 2009.5 1.G Owner's Manual

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.

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.