Page 10 of 166

12YOUR 406 AT A GLANCE
THE AUTOMATIC AUTOADAPTIVE GEARBOX Moving Off
To move off from position P:
It is essential to press the brake pedal to exit position P (shift lock)
Select the required function (R, D, 3, 2or1), then gradually release the pressure on the brake pedal; the vehicle
will move off immediately.
You can also move off from 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.
The four speed automaticgearbox provides the comfort of integral automatic regulation, enhanced by a sport
programme (switch A) and a snow programme (switch B).
Gear selection gate Move the lever in the gate to select one of the functions.
Once it has been selected, the indicator light for that function illuminates on the instrument panel display.
P ark (parking): for parkingthe vehicle and startingthe engine, with the handbrake on or off.
R everse: for reversing. Select this function with the vehicle stationary and the engine at idle.
N eutral: for startingthe engine and for parking, with the handbrake on.
D rive: for driving in auto-adaptive mode (automatic changing of the four gears).
3: for urban driving or driving on winding roads,(automatic changing of the first three gears only).
2: for driving on mountain roads or fortowing a trailer (automatic changing of the first two gears only).
1: for tackling steep gradients (selection of first gear only).
Special feature of the gearbox (1.8 litre, 2 litre petrol and 2 litre turbo diesel HDI) Selection of first gear is by pres- sing switch Cwith the gear lever
in position 2.
To change out of first gear, pressswitch C again or ope-
rate the lever.
V6 engine 1.8 litre, 2 litre petrol and
2 litre turbo diesel HDI engines
148
Page 118 of 166

V6 Engine
1.8 litre and 2 litre petrol engines, 2 litre turbo diesel HDI engine
DRIVING YOUR 406
148
THE AUTOMATIC AUTOADAPTIVE GEARBOX The 4-gear
automaticgearbox provides the comfort of integral automatic reg-
ulation, enhanced by a sport programme (switchA) and a snow programme
(switch B).
Gear selection gate Move the lever in the gate to select one of the functions. Once the position has been selected, the indicator light for that function is dis-played on the instrument panel. P ark (parking): for immobilisingthe vehicle and for startingthe engine, with the
handbrake on or off.R everse: to drive in reverse gear(select this position when the vehicle is sta-
tionary, engine at idle).N eutral: for starting the engine and forparking, with the handbrake on.
D rive: to drive in auto-adaptive mode (with automatic changing of the four
gears).3 : for urban driving or for driving on winding roads(automatic changing of the
first three gears only).
2 : for mountain roads or for towing a trailer (automatic changing of the first two
gears only).
1 : for tackling steep gradients (selection of first gear only).
Special feature of the gearbox (1.8 and 2 litre petrol engines, 2 litre turbo diesel HDI engine) Selection of first gear is by pressing switch C, with the lever in position 2.
To change out of first gear, press switch Cagain or move the selector lever.
Page 121 of 166

The ESP system offers increased safety duringnormal driving, but shouldnot incite the driver to take
risks or to drive at high speed.
The operation of the system isassured to the extent to which the recommendations of the manu-facturer regarding the wheels(tyres and wheel rims), the brakingcomponents, the electronic compo-nents and the assembly and repairprocedures within the PEUGEOTnetwork are respected.
After an accident or impact, havethe system checked by a
PEUGEOT dealer.
DRIVING YOUR 406
152
TRACTION CONTROL (ASR) AND
DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL(ESP) These systems are linked and com-
plement the ABS system.
The ASR system optimises drive to prevent the wheels skidding, by act-ing on the brakes of the drive wheelsand on the engine. It also allows thedirectional stability of the vehicle tobe improved on acceleration. If thereis a variation between the trajectoryfollowed by the vehicle and that
required by the driver, the ESP sys-tem automatically acts on the engineand the brake of one or morewheels,in order to put the vehicle back oncourse.
Operation of the ASR and
ESP systems
When one of these two sys-tems is operating, this lightflashes. Handbrake Applying When parking, pull the handbrake toimmobilise your vehicle.
Warning:
when parking on a slope,
direct your wheels towards the pave- ment and pull on the handbrake. Releasing Pull the handle and press the buttonto 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 theASR system to make the wheelsspin and regain grip.
Press the switch "ESP OFF", sit-
uated to the left of the steering wheel.
The switch lights up and the indicatorlights come on , accompanied by the
message '' ASR/ESP de-activated''
on the multi–function display: the
ESP and ASR systems no longer
affect the operation of the engine orthe brakes. They engage again: automatically when the ignition is
switched off,
manually by pressing the switchagain.
Operating check When a system malfunctionoccurs, the switch lightflashes and the indicatorlight comes on.
Contact a PEUGEOT dealer tocheck the system.