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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 engines148
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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.
V6 Engine
1.8 litre and 2 litre petrol engines, 2 litre turbo diesel HDI engine
Page 152 of 166

TOWING A TRAILER,
CARAVAN, BOAT ETC.
Only use original PEUGEOT tow bars that have been tested andapproved from the design stage ofyour vehicle. The tow bar must be fitted by a
PEUGEOT dealer.
Your vehicle is basically designed for transporting people and luggage but it
may also be used for towing a trailer. Driving with a trailer subjects the towing vehicle to more significantstress and its driver must be particu-larly careful. Air density decreases with altitude, thus reducing engine performance.The maximum towing load mustbe reduced by 10% for every 1000 metres of altitude. Driving advice Distribution of loads: Distribute
the load in the trailer so that the heaviest items are as close as possi-ble to the axle and the nose weightapproaches the maximum permittedwithout exceeding it. Cooling:
Towing a trailer on a slope
increases the temperature of thecoolant. As the fan is electrically controlled, its cooling capacity is not dependenton the engine speed.
On the contrary, use a high gear to lower the engine speed, and reduceyour speed. The maximum towing speed on a long slope depends on the gradientand the outside temperature. For vehicles fitted with a direct injec- tion petrol engine, after towing or dri-ving at high speed for a long periodof time, the fan may operate forapproximately 6 minutes. In all cases, pay attention to the coolant temperature. If the warning light comes on, stop
the vehicle and switch off the engineas soon as possible. Tyres:
Check the tyre pressures of
the towing vehicle and the trailer,observing the recommended pres-sures. Brakes: Towing increases the brak-
ing distance. Lights: Check the electrical sig-
nalling on the trailer.Side wind: Take into acount the
increased sensitivity to side wind.
MAINTENANCE OF YOUR 406
51