2002.5 Peugeot 406 Owner's Manual

29-07-2002
Automatic operation
Automatic changing of thefour
gears :
 Select function Din the gate.
The gearbox always selects the
most suitable gear on the basis of
the following parameters:
– driving style,
– road characteristics,
– the vehicle's load.
The gearbox operates in autoadap
tive mode without any action on
your part.
Moving off
With the engine running, to move off
with the selector lever in position
P:
 It is essential to press the brake
pedal to exit position P (shift
lock),
 Select the required function (R, D,
3 , 2 or 1)then gradually release
the pressure on the brake pedal;
the vehicle will move off
immediately.
You can also move off with the
selector lever in position N:
 Release the handbrake with your
foot on the brake,
 Select the required function (R,D ,
3 , 2 or 1)then gradually release
the pressure on the brake pedal;
the vehicle will move off
immediately.
DRIVING YOUR 406 147
When the engine is idling,
with the brakes not
applied, if function R,D, 3,
2 or 1is selected, the
vehicle will move even if you are
not accelerating.
For this reason, do not leave
children unsupervised inside
the vehicle, when the engine is
running.
When maintenance operations
need to be carried out with the
engine running, apply the hand
brake and select function P.
Never select function Nwhen the
vehicle is moving.
Never select functions Por R
unless the vehicle is stationary.
Do not change from one position
to another to improve braking effi
ciency on a slippery surface.
With the selector lever in position
P, it will be impossible to change
to another position if your battery
is flat.
Remarks
To obtain maximum acceleration
without touching the gear lever,
press the accelerator pedal down as
far as it will go (kickdown). The gear
box will change down automatically
or stay in the gear selected, up to
maximum engine speed.
When braking, the gearbox changes
down automatically so as to provide
efficient engine braking.
If you take your foot off the accelera
tor suddenly, the gearbox will not
change up, so as to improve safety.

DRIVING YOUR 406
148
Sport and Snow programmes
In addition to the autoadaptive pro
gramme, you have a choice of two
specific programmes. The pro
gramme selected is displayed on the
instrument panel.
Sport Programme Press button S, once the vehicle
has started and function D has
been selected.
The gearbox automatically favours
dynamic driving.
Snow programme
This programme favours starting
operations and drive to improve
traction.  Press button , once the vehicle
has started and function Dhas
been selected.
The gearbox adapts to driving on
slippery roads.
Note: you can return to the auto
adaptive programme at any time.  Press button Sor again to
cancel the programme selected. Difficulties in operation
Any disruption of the system is sig
nalled by the alternate flashing of the
Sport and Snow lights on the instru
ment panel.
In this case, the gearbox will operate
in downgrade mode (locked in 3rd
gear). You may feel a substantial
knock when reverse is selected fromP
to Ror from Nto R (without any
risk of damage to the gearbox). Do
not exceed 60 m.p.h. (100 km/h),
speed restrictions permitting.
Contact a PEUGEOT dealer without
delay.
MANUAL GEARBOX
Reverse
To change to reverse gear, lift the
ring under the gear lever knob and
push the gear lever to the left then to
the front.
Reverse gear can only be
engaged when the vehicle is sta
tionary with the engine idling.
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DRIVING YOUR 406
148
Sport and Snow programmes
In addition to the autoadaptive pro
gramme, you have a choice of two
specific programmes. The pro
gramme selected is displayed on the
instrument panel.
Sport Programme Press button S, once the vehicle
has started and function D has
been selected.
The gearbox automatically favours
dynamic driving.
Snow programme
This programme favours starting
operations and drive to improve
traction.  Press button , once the vehicle
has started and function Dhas
been selected.
The gearbox adapts to driving on
slippery roads.
Note: you can return to the auto
adaptive programme at any time.  Press button Sor again to
cancel the programme selected. Difficulties in operation
Any disruption of the system is sig
nalled by the alternate flashing of the
Sport and Snow lights on the instru
ment panel.
In this case, the gearbox will operate
in downgrade mode (locked in 3rd
gear). You may feel a substantial
knock when reverse is selected fromP
to Ror from Nto R (without any
risk of damage to the gearbox). Do
not exceed 60 m.p.h. (100 km/h),
speed restrictions permitting.
Contact a PEUGEOT dealer without
delay.
MANUAL GEARBOX
Reverse
To change to reverse gear, lift the
ring under the gear lever knob and
push the gear lever to the left then to
the front.
Reverse gear can only be
engaged when the vehicle is sta
tionary with the engine idling.
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The ESPsystem offers
increased safety during
normal driving, but should
not incite the driver to take
risks or to drive at high speed.
The operation of the system is
assured to the extent to which the
recommendations of the manufac
turer regarding the wheels (tyres
and wheel rims), the braking com
ponents, the electronic compo
nents and the assembly and repair
procedures within the PEUGEOT
network are respected.
After an accident or impact, have
the system checked by a
PEUGEOT dealer.
DRIVING YOUR 406
150
TRACTION CONTROL (ASR)
AND DYNAMIC STABILITY
CONTROL (ESP)
These systems are linked and com
plement the ABS.
The ASR system optimises drive to
prevent the wheels skidding, by act
ing 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 tra
jectory 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.
Operation of the ASR and ESP
systems
When one of these two sys
tems is operating, this light
flashes. Handbrake
Applying
When parking, pull the handbrake to
immobilise your vehicle.
W
arning: when parking on a slope,
direct your wheels towards the pave
ment and apply the handbrake.
Releasing
Pull the handle and press the button
to release the handbrake.
Disarming the ESP / ASR systems
In certain conditions (vehicle stuck in
mud or snow, or on loose ground...),
it could prove useful to disarm the
ASR system to make the wheels
spin and regain grip. 
Press the switch "ESP OFF", sit
uated to the left of the steering
wheel.
The switch lights up and the indicator
lights come on, accompanied by the
message '' ASR/ESP deactivated''
on the multifunction display: the
ESP and ASR systems no longer
affect the operation of the engine or
the brakes.
They engage again: automatically when the ignition is
switched off,
 manually by pressing the switch
again.
Operating check When a system malfunction
occurs, the switch light
flashes and the indicator
light comes on.
Contact a PEUGEOT dealer to
check the system.

CRUISE CONTROL
Cruise control enables the vehicle to
maintain a steady speed pro
grammed by the driver, regardless of
the road characteristics and without
the driver having to touch the accel
erator or brake pedals.
In order for it to be memorised, the
vehicle speed must be greater than
approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) and
fourth or fifth gear must be engaged.
Operation Place switch 1 in the ON position.
A speed can be memorised. Place switch 1 in the OFF position
to cancel.
Memorising a speed
As soon as you reach the chosen
speed, press button 2or 3. This
memorises the speed, which will be
maintained automatically.
Note: It is possible to accelerate
momentarily without disarming the
cruise control. Cancelling the memorised
speed
If you wish to cancel the memorised
speed: 
Press button 4or the brake or
clutch pedal.
Recalling the memorised
speed
After cancellation, press button 4.
Your vehicle will return to the last
memorised speed.
Changing a memorised speed
To memorise a speed higher than
the previous one:  press button 3;
 release it when you have reached
the required speed.
To memorise a speed lower than the
previous one:  press button 2;
 release it when you have reached
the required speed.
Cancelling the cruise control  place switch 1in the OFFposition
or switch off the ignition.
DRIVING YOUR 406 149
Do not use cruise control
on slippery roads or in
heavy traffic. THE ABS
ANTILOCK
BRAKING SYSTEM
When used with approved tyres in
good condition, the ABS increases
the stability and manoeuvrability of
your vehicle, particularly on poor or
slippery road surfaces.
The antilock braking system comes
into operation automatically when
there is a risk of wheel lock.
EMERGENCY BRAKING
ASSISTANCE SYSTEM
In an emergency, this system
enables the optimum braking pres
sure to be reached more quickly,
thus reducing the stopping distance.
It is triggered according to the speed
of activation of the brake pedal. The
effect of this is a reduction in the
resistance of the pedal and an
increase in braking efficiency. The normal operation of the ABS
may make itself felt by slight
vibrations of the brake pedal.
In emergency braking, press
very firmly without releasing
the pressure.
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AIR BAGS
The air bags have been designed to
maximise the safety of the occu
pants in the event of serious colli
sions; they work in conjunction with
the force limiting seat belts.
In the event of a serious collision, the
electronic detectors record and
analyse any abrupt deceleration of
the vehicle: if the triggering threshold
is reached, the air bags inflate
instantly and protect the occupants
of the vehicle.
Immediately after the impact, the air
bags deflate rapidly, so that they do
not hinder the visibility of the occu
pants nor their possible exit from the
vehicle.
The air bags will not be deployed in
collisions which are not serious, for
which the seat belt is sufficient to
provide maximum protection. The
seriousness of the collision depends
on the nature of the obstacle and the
speed of the vehicle at the moment
of impact.
Air bags only operate when the
ignition is switched on.
Note:the gas escaping from the air
bags can be a minor irritant. FRONT AIR BAGS
These are folded in the centre of the
steering wheel for the driver and in
the fascia for the front passenger.
They are deployed simultaneously,
except in cases where the air bag is
disarmed.
Front air bag malfunction
If this warning light comes
on, accompanied by a
buzzer and the message
"Air bag fault" on the multi
function display , contact a
PEUGEOT dealer to have the sys
tem checked.
DRIVING YOUR 406 151
Passenger air bag precautions
For a vehicle fitted with a passenger
air bag disarming switch: disarm the airbag if you install
a rearfacing
child seat on the
front passenger
seat,
arm the air bag for an adult
passenger.
For a vehicle not fitted with a pas
senger air bag disarming switch: do not install a rearfacing child seat on
the front passenger
seat.
Never place your feet or any object
on the fascia.

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Operating check
This is confirmed by an indi
cator light, accompanied
by an audible signal and a
message on the multifunction dis
play.
With the ignition on (2nd notch), illu
mination of this warning light accom
panied by an audible signal and the
message "Passenger air bag dis
armed" on the multifunction display,
indicates that the passenger air bag
is disarmed (switch in the "OFF"
position).
DRIVING YOUR 406
152
Disarming the passenger
air bag*
To ensure the safety of your child,
it is essential to disarm the pas
senger air bag when you install a
rearfacing child seat on the front
passenger seat. With the ignition switched off, insert
the key into the passenger air bag
disarming switch 1, turn it to the
"OFF" position, then remove the
key keeping the slot in this position.
The air bag warning light on the
instrument panel is lit throughout the
disarming process.
In the "OFF" position, the passenger
air bag will not be triggered in the
event of an impact.
As soon as the child seat is removed,
turn the air bag slot to the "ON"posi
tion to reactivate the air bag and
thus ensure the safety of your pas
senger in the event of an impact.
* According to destination. SIDE AIR BAGS
The side air bags are incorporated
into the backs of the front seats, on
the door side.
They are deployed independently of
each other, on whichever side the
collision occurs.
Operating check
This is confirmed by an indicator
light, accompanied by an audible
signal and a message on the multi
function display.
If this indicator light comes
on, accompanied by an
audible signal and the mes
sage "Air bag fault" on
the multifunction display,
contact a PEUGEOT dealer to have
the system checked.

29-07-2002
For the front and side air bags to be fully effective, observe the following safety rules:
• Wear a correctly adjusted seat belt.
• Sit in a normal upright position (passengers must not place the ir feet on the fascia).
• Do not leave any accessories, objects or pets between the occupa nts and the air bags. It could hamper the operation
of the air bags or injure the occupants.
• All work on the air bag system is strictly forbidden unless it is ca rried out by an approved PEUGEOT dealer.
• After an accident or if the vehicle has been stolen or broken into, have the air bag systems checked.
• The air bag systems have been designed to be fully operation al for 10 years from the date of registration of the vehicle.
Have them replaced by a PEUGEOT dealer after this period.
Front air bags
• Do not drive holding the steering wheel by its spokes or resti ng your hands on the centre part of the wheel.
• Smoke as little as possible; deployment of the air bags can cau se burns or the risk of injury from a cigarette or pipe.
• Never remove or pierce the steering wheel or hit it violently.
Side air bags
• Do not fix or glue anything to the backs of the front seat s. This could cause injury to the chest or arms when the side
air bag inflates.
• Do not sit with the upper part of the body any nearer to the door than necessary.
• Only put approved covers on the seats. Contact your PEUGEOT deale r.
DRIVING YOUR 406 153