79
Rear suspension
ERGONOMICS and COMFORT
3
Metal suspension
This equipment adopts long movement limiters
which make it possible to guarantee stable
behaviour both when loaded and when empty.
No action on your part is required except to
ensure that maintenance is carried out and that
the authorised loads are complied with. On board, the increasing or lightening of the
load on the vehicle's platform is detected by
two height sensors. When all of the doors
are closed, the sensors trigger the automatic
compensation and determine the optimum
height of the sill for the vehicle's driving
conditions.
Deactivation of the automatic correction
The control which permits deactivation of the
automatic control is located on the right-
hand side, at the rear of the vehicle.
Two types of suspension are offered.
You must deactivate the automatic
correction manually in the following
situations:
- when working underneath the vehicle,
- when changing a wheel,
- when the vehicle is being transported by lorry, train, ferry, boat, ...
Rear suspension with pneumatic compensation
If fitted on your vehicle, this type of
suspension regulates the variations in the
height of the rear platform of your vehicle
irrespective of the weight of the load, within
the limit of the authorised values. Two functions
1. Automatic correction
2. Manual correction
1 - Automatic correction of the height of the rear sill
The pneumatic suspension automatically
regulates the variations in the height of the
rear platform of your vehicle.
The automatic compensation is temporarily
inactive:
- if a door/the tailgate is open,
- when braking or when stopped at a red
light (brake pedal pressed). With the vehicle stationary:
- press and hold,
- release the control.
Deactivation is confirmed by
the diode which is lit. It remains lit for
approximately 30 seconds.
Return to automatic correction
With the vehicle stationary:
- press and hold,
- release the control.
Return to automatic correction is
confirmed by the diode which is switched off.
According to the configurations, a bleep may
be heard during these operations.
A red warning light on your
i n s t r u m e n t p a n e l fl a s h e s i f t h e
height is not at its optimum level and
requires correction, drive slowly until
this warning light is switched off.
81
Rear suspension
ERGONOMICS and COMFORT
3
Deactivation of the manual correction Good practice
When stationary and with the ignition key
removed, excessive use of the system
consumes battery charge. Parking for a long duration
Avoid parking for a long duration on ground
which could present a potential obstacle as
your vehicle could lower.
Following a long period out of use,
the height of the platform may change due to
the automatic compensation on unlocking or
on opening one of your vehicle's doors.
With the vehicle stationary:
- press and hold,
- release the control.
Deactivation is confirmed by
the diode which is lit. It remains lit for
approximately 30 seconds.
Return to manual correction
You must deactivate the manual
correction in the following situations:
- when working underneath the vehicle,
- when changing a wheel,
- when the vehicle is being transported by lorry, train, ferry, boat,... Driving with the height of the rear platform:
- too low, risks damaging the technical
components underneath the vehicle,
- too high, risks unstable driving.
If you start and the warning light flashes, to
switch it off:
- correct the position of the manual control which is still at the lower or
upper limit,
- or drive slowly at above 6 mph (10 km/h), until the compensation
returns to automatic mode. Warning light
Refer to the "Instruments and controls"
section of chapter 2.
With the vehicle stationary:
- press and hold,
- release the control.
Return to manual correction is
confirmed by the diode which is switched off.
According to the configurations, a bleep may
be heard during these operations.
85
Driving safety
SAFETY
4
HANDBRAKE When parking on a slope, direct your wheels
towards the pavement and pull the handbrake.
There is no advantage in engaging a gear
after parking the vehicle, particularly if the
vehicle is loaded. HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS
Press this button, the direction indicators
flash.
They can operate with the ignition off.
The hazard warning lights should only be
used in dangerous situations, when stopping
in an emergency or when driving in unusual
conditions.
DRIVING SAFETY
Applying
Pull the handbrake to immobilise your
vehicle.
Check that the handbrake is applied firmly
before leaving the vehicle. If the handbrake is still on or has
not been released properly, this is
indicated by this warning light which
comes on on the instrument panel.
Releasing
Pull the handle and press the button to lower
the handbrake.
ABS
ABS
Driving safety
SAFETY
4
HORN
Press the centre of the steering wheel.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS - EBFD)
The ABS and EBFD (electronic brake force
distribution) systems improve the stability
and manoeuvrability of your vehicle on
braking, in particular on poor or slippery
surfaces.
The ABS prevents locking of the wheels,
the EBFD provides control of the braking
pressure wheel by wheel.
Good practice
The anti-lock braking system comes into
operation automatically when there is a risk
of wheel lock. It does not reduce the braking
distance.
On very slippery surfaces (ice, oil, etc...)
the ABS may increase the braking distance.
When braking in an emergency, do not
hesitate to press the brake pedal firmly,
without releasing the pressure, even on a
slippery surface, you will then be able to
continue to manoeuvre the vehicle to avoid
an obstacle.
Normal operation of the ABS may be felt by
slight vibration of the brake pedal.
When changing wheels (tyres and rims),
ensure that these are recommended by
CITROËN. If this warning light comes on,
together with the brake and STOP
warning lights, accompanied by
an audible signal and a message
on the display, it indicates a malfunction of
the electronic brake force distribution which
could result in a loss of control of the vehicle
on braking.
Stop immediately.
EMERGENCY BRAKING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM (EBA)
In an emergency, this system enables the
optimum braking pressure to be reached
more quickly, press the pedal firmly without
releasing it.
It is triggered by the speed at which the brake
pedal is activated.
This alters the resistance of the brake pedal
under your foot.
If this warning light comes on,
accompanied by an audible signal
and a message on the display, it
indicates a malfunction of the ABS
which could result in a loss of control of the
vehicle on braking. In both cases, contact a CITROËN dealer.
To prolong the operation of the emergency
braking assistance system: keep your foot
on the brake pedal.
ESP
88
Driving safety
TRACTION CONTROL (ASR) AND DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESP)
These systems are linked and complement
the ABS.
The ASR system is very useful for
maintaining optimum drive and avoiding
losses of control of the vehicle on
acceleration.
The 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. acts on the engine and the brake of one
or more wheels, in order to put the vehicle
back on course.
Disarming the ASR/ESP systems
In certain exceptional conditions (starting
the vehicle when 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 button, located on the centre
console.
- The indicator light comes on: the ASR and ESP systems no longer act. Operating check
Good practice
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 fitting and repair
procedures within the CITROËN network are
observed.
After an impact, have these systems
checked by a CITROËN dealer.
Operation of the ASR and ESP systems
The luminous diode flashes when
the ASR or ESP is triggered.
They engage again:
- automatically above 30 mph (50 km/h),
- manually by pressing the button again. 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.
The warning light may also come on if the
tyres are under-inflated. Check the pressure
of each tyre.
Use the ESP to hold your course without
attempting to countersteer.
If there is a variation between the trajectory
followed by the vehicle and that required
by the driver, the ESP system automatically
93
Air bags
SAFETY
4
Good practice
Sit in a normal upright position.
Wear a correctly adjusted seat belt.
Do not leave anything between the
occupants and the air bags (a child, pet,
object...). This could hamper the operation
of the air bags or injure the occupants.
After an accident or if the vehicle has been
stolen or broken into, have the air bag
systems checked.
All work on the air bag system is strictly
forbidden unless it is carried out by qualified
personnel of the CITROËN network. Side air bags
Only put recommended covers on the seats.
These will not hinder inflation of the side air
bags. Consult a CITROËN dealer.
Do not fix or glue anything to the seat backs.
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.
Front air bags
Do not drive holding the steering wheel
by its spokes or resting your hands on the
centre part of the wheel.
Do not allow passengers to place their feet
on the fascia, they risk serious injury if the
air bag is triggered.
Smoke as little as possible as deployment of
the air bags can cause burns or the risk of
injury from a cigarette or pipe.
Never remove or pierce the steering wheel
or hit it violently.
Even if all of the precautions mentioned are
observed, a risk of injury or of minor burns
to the head, chest or arms when an air bag
is triggered cannot be ruled out. In fact, the
bag inflates almost instantly (within a few
milliseconds) then deflates within the same
time discharging the hot gas via openings
provided for this purpose. Curtain air bags
Do not fix or glue anything to the roof. This
could cause injury to the head when the
curtain air bag inflates.
Do not remove the grab handles installed
on the roof, they play a part in securing the
curtain air bags.
95
Air bags
SAFETY
4
Disarming
The passenger's front air bag alone can be
disarmed:
- With the ignition switched off , insert
the key into the passenger air bag
disarming switch,
- turn it to the "OFF" position,
- then remove the key keeping the slot in this position. Front air bags
The front air bags are incorporated in the
centre of the steering wheel for the driver
and in the fascia for the front passenger. Reactivation
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" position to re-activate
the air bag and thus ensure the safety of your
passenger in the event of an impact. To ensure the safety of your child, it
is essential to disarm the passenger
air bag when you install a rear-facing child
seat on the front passenger seat. Otherwise,
the child would risk being killed or seriously
injured if the air bag were to inflate.
The air bag warning light on the
instrument panel is lit throughout
the period of disarming.
Activation
They are deployed simultaneously, unless
the passenger's front air bag has been
disarmed, in the event of a serious front
impact applied to all or part of the front
impact zone
A in the longitudinal centreline
of the vehicle on a horizontal plane directed
from the front towards the rear of the vehicle.
The front air bag inflates between the front
occupant of the vehicle and the fascia to
cushion his forward movement. Front air bag fault
If this warning light comes on,
accompanied by an audible signal
and a message on the display,
contact a CITROËN dealer to
have the system checked.
If the two air bag warning lights are lit
continuously, do not install a rear-facing
child seat. Consult a CITROËN dealer.
93
Air bags
SAFETY
4
Good practice
Sit in a normal upright position.
Wear a correctly adjusted seat belt.
Do not leave anything between the
occupants and the air bags (a child, pet,
object...). This could hamper the operation
of the air bags or injure the occupants.
After an accident or if the vehicle has been
stolen or broken into, have the air bag
systems checked.
All work on the air bag system is strictly
forbidden unless it is carried out by qualified
personnel of the CITROËN network. Side air bags
Only put recommended covers on the seats.
These will not hinder inflation of the side air
bags. Consult a CITROËN dealer.
Do not fix or glue anything to the seat backs.
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.
Front air bags
Do not drive holding the steering wheel
by its spokes or resting your hands on the
centre part of the wheel.
Do not allow passengers to place their feet
on the fascia, they risk serious injury if the
air bag is triggered.
Smoke as little as possible as deployment of
the air bags can cause burns or the risk of
injury from a cigarette or pipe.
Never remove or pierce the steering wheel
or hit it violently.
Even if all of the precautions mentioned are
observed, a risk of injury or of minor burns
to the head, chest or arms when an air bag
is triggered cannot be ruled out. In fact, the
bag inflates almost instantly (within a few
milliseconds) then deflates within the same
time discharging the hot gas via openings
provided for this purpose. Curtain air bags
Do not fix or glue anything to the roof. This
could cause injury to the head when the
curtain air bag inflates.
Do not remove the grab handles installed
on the roof, they play a part in securing the
curtain air bags.