2008 Citroen C8 Owner's Manual

52 II
A U T O M A T I C G E A R B O X
Park
Do not engage until the
vehicle is completely sta-
tionary.
To avoid any movement of the
vehicle when parked, select
position P and apply the handbrake
irmly. Check that the selector is
in the position to ensure that the
driving wheels are locked.
Before leaving the vehicle, make
absolutely certain that the PARK
or P position is selected.
For safety:

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II
A U T O M A T I C G E A R B O X
Starting the vehicle
To start the vehicle from position P :
- apply the brake pedal to exit position P,
- select function R, D or M, then
gradually release pressure on
the brake pedal; the vehicle
immediately starts moving. Equally you can start from position
N
:
- Release the handbrake, foot on the brake pedal,
- select function R, D or M, then
gradually release pressure on
the brake pedal; the vehicle
immediately starts moving. WARNING
With the engine idling, brakes
released, if function
R, D or M is
selected, the vehicle moves even
without any acceleration.
For this reason, never allow unsu -
pervised children inside the vehi-
cle when the engine is running.
For any maintenance operation
to be carried out with the engine
running, apply the handbrake and
select position P.

54 II
Operation in automatic mode
Automatic changing between the
4 or 6 gears.
Selector on
D.
The gearbox always selects the
gear best adapted to the following
parameters:
- style of driving,
- route proile,
- vehicle load.
The gearbox then operates in
automatic mode, without requiring
any action on your part.
Notes:
When braking, the gearbox
shifts down automatically to offer
effective engine braking.
The gearbox also enhances
your safety by not changing up
when you lift your foot from the
accelerator abruptly.
To obtain maximum acceleration
without touching the lever, press
rapidly down on the accelerator
pedal (kick down). The gearbox
will automatically change down or
maintain the selected gear up to
maximum engine speed. A U T O M A T I C G E A R B O X
Warning:
- Never select N function if the
vehicle is moving.
- Never select P or R if the vehicle
is not stationary.
- Do not change from one function to another to try to improve
braking on a slippery surface.
If, while the vehicle is moving,
function N is engaged inadvertently,
let the engine idle before engaging
a function that is appropriate. Snow programme
In addition to the automatic
programme, you have this special
programme which facilitates
starting and traction when road
grip conditions are poor.
Press button
, after you have
have started the vehicle and
selected function D;
The gearbox adapts to driving on
slippery roads.
Note:
You can return to the automatic
programme at any time:
Press button
once more to
deactivate the programme en-
gaged.
-speed gearbox (diesel engine):
when the vehicle is stationary
with the gear lever in position
D
(drive), a vibration limiting device
is activated when pressing the
brake pedal.

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II
Operation in sequential mode
Manual changing between the 4
or  gears.
- Selector on M,
- push the selector towards the “+” sign to engage a higher
gear,
- pull the selector towards the “-”
to engage a lower gear.
A shift from D (automatic mode) to
M (sequential mode) is possible at
any time.
After selecting a gear, do not leave
your hand resting on the selector
for more than ten seconds ; risk of
cancelling the sequential function -
this is signalled by a lashing on
the instrument panel.
Consult your CITROËN dealer Note:
Changes from one gear to
another are only achievable when
conditions of vehicle speed and
engine speed allow. If they do not,
then the laws governing operation
of automatic gearboxes come into
play.
When you are stationary or moving
at very low speed, the gearbox
automatically selects irst gear.
The programme “
” (Snow)
does not apply in manual mode. Operational anomaly
Any operational disturbance is
signalled by a lashing in the
display.
In this case, the gearbox will
operate in emergency mode (third
gear is blocked). You will feel a
snatching when shifting from
P to
R and from N to R; this snatching
does no harm to your gearbox.
Do not exceed 100 km/h (approx.
0 mph).
Consult your CITROËN dealer
A U T O M A T I C G E A R B O X

5 II
Handbrake
The handbrake is operated by pulling the lever irmly up - pressing
the
footbrake will reduce the effort required to apply the hand brake.
The handbrake is capable of holding the vehicle on all slo pes likely to be
encountered but increased effort will be needed on steep sl opes.
In all circumstances, as a precautionary measure, engage irst gear. F or
vehicles equipped with an automatic gearbox, ensure that the parking
position (P) is selected.
On steep slopes, turn the steering towards the kerb.
To release the brake, pull the lever lightly up, press the bu tton on the end of the lever and return the lever to the
fully down position.
The warning lamp will come on if the handbrake is on or not fully released.
To position the parking brake lever horizontally along the loo r (Rotating the driver’s seat: see “Front seats”):
With the parking brake applied, pull the end A of the lever forwards. The lever lowers to horizontal to permit rotation
of the seat. In this coniguration, the warning lamp remains o n provided the brake remains applied.
To revert to normal operation, pull the lever upwards until t he ratchet comes into play.
Handbrake released , the lighting of this warning lamp together with the STOP warning lamp, accompanied
by a message on the multifunction display and by an audible signal, indicates that the brake luid level is
too low or that the brakeforce distribution is malfunctioning .
It is essential to stop the vehicle.
Contact a CITROËN dealer as soon as possible. B R A K E S

57
II
ABS - Anti-lock Braking System
This system improves vehicle safety by preventing the wheels from lockin
g under emergency braking or
when braking on surfaces offering poor adhesion. It thus allo ws control of the steering to be retained.
The operational capacity of the various electrical components of the ABS is continuously monitored, both before
and during your journey. On switching on the ignition, th e ABS warning lamp will light up and then should go out
after a few seconds.
If the warning lamp stays on, this means that the ABS has been disconnected because a fault was detected. If
the warning lamp lights up when you are driving, this means t hat the ABS system is not active. In either case, the
normal braking system remains effective, as on a vehicle without ABS. Nevertheless, to restore the additional
safety afforded by correct functioning of ABS, it is recommended tha t the vehicle be taken to a CITROËN dealer
as soon as possible.
On slippery roads (loose stones, snow, ice, etc.), it remains essenti al to drive with caution.
Emergency braking assistance system
This system enables you in an emergency to achieve the optimum braki ng pressure, thus to reduce the stopping
distance. It is triggered by your speed of action on the brake pedal, which reduces its resistance to that action.
Keep the brake pedal pressed until the vehicle comes to a stop. B R A K E S
State of wear of brake discs and drums
For all information relating to checks on the state of wear of brake discs and drums, contact a CITROËN dealer.

5 II
Operation
When either the ESP or ASR system is brought into operation, the ESP/
ASR warning lamp lashes.
Deactivation
In exceptional conditions (vehicle stuck in snow, soft ground, e tc.) it may
prove useful to deactivate the ESP/ASR system to allow the wheels to spin
and thus regain traction.
- press control A.
- The ESP/ASR warning lamp lights up, accompanied by an audible signal
and the message ESP/ASR DEACTIVATED on the multifunction screen.
Then the ESP/ASR systems are no longer active.
The ESP/ASR systems will redeploy:
- automatically if the ignition has been switched off or as soon as the
vehicle reaches approx. 50 km/h (approx. 30 mph),
- manually by a renewed press on the control A.
Operational anomaly
If the system is malfunctioning, ESP/ASR warning lamp lights up al ong
with the SERVICE warning lamp, a beep and the message “ESP/ASR
FAULT” on the multifunction screen.
Consult a CITROËN dealer to have the system checked.
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and Traction Control (ASR)
These systems are closely connected to the ABS and additional to i
t. In
the event of a loss of control of the vehicle by the driver, the ESP system
acts automatically on one or more brakes and also on the engine to bring
the vehicle back on trajectory. The ASR system optimises traction and
prevents wheel spin by acting on the brakes of the driving whe els. It also
improves steering stability during acceleration. E L E C T R O N I C S T A B I L I T Y P R O G R A M M E
Safety recommendations
The ESP system offers increased
driving safety but is not in place
to encourage the driver to take
additional risks or to drive at
excessive speeds.
The functioning of this system is
subject to compliance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations
on wheels (tyres and rims), brake
parts and electronic components,
as well as with CITROËN’s
assembly and repair procedures.
After any collision, have this
system checked by a CITROËN
dealer.

5
II
Complementary to the catalytic converter, this ilter makes an active
contribution to the preservation of air quality
by retaining the unburnt pollutant particles. Black exhaust fu mes are thus no longer emitted.
Clogging of the particle ilter
If there is risk of clogging, a message appears on the multifun ction display, accompanied by a sound signal and
lighting of the SERVICE warning lamp.
This alert tells you that the particle ilter is starting to ill up (in conditions of urban driving of exceptionally long
duration: low speeds, trafic jams etc.)
To regenerate the ilter, it is advised to drive as soon as possi ble, when trafic conditions permit, at a speed of
60 km/h (around 40 mph) or more for at least ive minutes (until the alert message disappears).
If this alert persists, consult a CITROËN dealer.
Observation: After prolonged idling or driving at very low speeds, you may occa sionally notice water vapour being
emitted from the exhaust when accelerating. This is of no conse quence to the running of the vehicle or to the
environment.
Diesel fuel additive level
If the additive level becomes too low, a message appears on the multifunction display, accompanied by a sound
signal and lighting of the SERVICE warning lamp. It is necessary to have the additive level topp ed up. Urgently
consult a CITROËN Dealer. D I E S E L P A R T I C L E F I L T E R