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5
Driving safely
SAFETY
PARKING BRAKE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS
Press this button, the direction indicators
flash.
They can operate with the ignition off.
The hazard warning lamps should only be
used in dangerous situations, when stopping
in an emergency or when driving in unusual
conditions. Applying
Pull the parking brake lever up to immobilise
your vehicle.
Check that the parking brake is applied
firmly before leaving the vehicle. Pull on the parking brake lever,
only
with the vehicle stationary .
Releasing
Pull the lever and press the button to lower
the parking brake lever. In the exceptional case of use of the
parking brake when the vehicle is
moving, apply the brake by pulling gently
to avoid locking the rear wheels (risk of
skidding).
If the parking brake is still on or has not
been released properly, this is indicated
by this warning lamp which comes on on
the instrument panel.
When parking on a slope, direct your wheels towards
the pavement and pull the parking brake lever up.
There is no advantage in engaging a gear after
parking the vehicle, particularly if the vehicle is loaded.
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Driving safely
HORN
Press the centre of the steering wheel.
Anti-lock braking system and electronic brake force distribution
Linked systems which improve the stability
and manoeuvrability of your vehicle when
braking, in particular on poor or slippery
surfaces.
Operation
The anti-lock braking system comes into
operation automatically when there is a risk
of wheel lock.
Normal operation of the ABS may make
itself felt by slight vibration of the brake
pedal accompanied by some noise.
When braking in an emergency, press
very firmly without releasing the
pressure.
Switching off
These systems cannot be deactivated by
the driver.
BRAKING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS
Group of supplementary systems which help
you to obtain optimum braking in complete
safety in emergency situations:
- anti-lock braking system (ABS),
- electronic brake force distribution (EBFD),
- emergency braking assistance (EBA).
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Driving safely
SAFETY
Good practice
The ABS system does not provide shorter
braking distances. On very slippery surfaces
(black ice, oil...) the ABS can extend braking
distances. For emergency braking, press the
brake pedal hard and do not release it, even
on a slipper surface; you will then be able to
steer the vehicle and avoid an obstacle.
When replacing wheels (tyres and
rims), ensure that they conform to the
manufacturer's recommendations. Emergency braking assistance
System which, in an emergency, enables
you to obtain the optimum braking pressure
more quickly, thus reducing the stopping
distance.
Operation
It is triggered by the speed at which the
brake pedal is pressed.
The effect of this is a reduction in the
resistance of the pedal and an increase in
braking efficiency.
Switching off
This system cannot be deactivated by
the driver.
Operating fault
If this warning lamp comes on,
accompanied by an audible signal
and a message in the instrument
panel screen, it indicates a fault with
the anti-lock braking system which could result in
loss of control of the vehicle when braking.
For maximum braking efficiency, a
bedding-in period of around 300 miles
(500 kilometres) is needed. During this
period it is recommended that you avoid
harsh, repeated or prolonged braking. If this warning lamp comes on,
together with the
ABS warning
lamp, accompanied by a message
in the instrument panel screen,
it indicates a fault with the electronic brake
force distribution which could result in loss
of control of the vehicle when braking.
You must stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
In either case, contact a CITROËN dealer or
a qualified workshop. When braking in an emergency, press
firmly without releasing the pressure.
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Driving safely
TRAJECTORY CONTROL SYSTEMS
Switching off
This system cannot be deactivated by
the driver.
Dynamic stability control (DSC)
The electronic stability programme acts on
the brake of one or more wheels and on the
engine to keep the vehicle on the trajectory
required by the driver, within the limits of the
laws of physics.
With the DSC system, maintain course
without trying to countersteer.
Operation
The DSC system is activated automatically
each time the vehicle is started. Operating fault
Illumination of this warning lamp,
accompanied by an audible signal
and confirmed by a message
in the instrument panel screen,
indicates a fault with the DSC system.
Have it checked by a CITROËN dealer or a
qualified workshop. Operation
This system is activated automatically every
time the vehicle is started.
In the event of a problem of adhesion or
trajectory, this system comes into play.
Switching off
In exceptional conditions (starting a vehicle
which is bogged down, stuck in snow,
on soft ground...), it may be advisable to
deactivate the ASR system, so that the
wheels can spin freely and regain grip.
- Press this button, located in the
middle of the dashboard, to deactivate
the system.
Anti-slip regulation (ASR)
Anti-slip regulation (also known as traction
control) optimises traction, avoiding wheel
spin by acting on the brakes of the driving
wheels and the engine.
If the button's warning lamp comes
on, accompanied by a message in the
instrument panel screen, this indicates that
the ASR system is deactivated.
It comes into operation in the
event of a grip or trajectory
problem.
This is indicated by flashing of this warning
lamp in the instrument panel.
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5
Driving safely
SAFETY
Reactivation
The ASR system is reactivated automatically
every time the ignition is switched back on.
- Press this button again to reactivate it manually.
Operating fault If this warning lamp comes on,
accompanied by an audible signal
and a message in the instrument
panel screen, this indicates a fault
with the ASR system.
Have it checked by a CITROËN dealer or a
qualified workshop.
Good practice
The DSC and ASR systems offer exceptional
safety in normal driving, but this should not
encourage the driver to take extra risks or
drive at high speed.
The correct operation of these systems
depend on observation of the manufacturer's
recommendations regarding the wheels
(tyres and rims), the braking components,
the electronic components and assembly
and repair procedures.
After an impact, have these systems
checked by a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop.
Intelligent Traction Control
System to improve traction on slippery
surfaces (snow, black ice, mud...)
This system checks for situations of difficult
surface adhesion that could make it difficult
to move off or make progress.
In these situations, Intelligent Traction
Control takes over from the ASR system,
by transferring drive to the wheel with the
best grip on the ground to provide the best
traction and trajectory control.
Load inertia control
The true total weight of a commercial vehicle
can vary considerably depending on the load
carried. As a result, the centre of gravity of
the vehicle can move, both longitudinally
and in height.
All such variations have an effect on braking,
traction, the behaviour of the vehicle when
cornering and the tendency to overturn.
Load inertia control estimates the true
total weight of the vehicle by analysing its
behaviour under acceleration and braking.
This system then adapts the operation of
the DSC and ASR systems according to the
weight distribution in the vehicle. In critical
situations, your vehicle than remains more
securely on its intended trajectory.
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SAFETY
Airbags
GENERAL POINTS ON AIRBAGS
The airbags have been designed to optimise
the safety of the occupants in the event of
a serious collision; they work in conjunction
with the force limiting seat belts.
In the event of a serious collision, electronic
detectors record and analyse any abrupt
deceleration of the vehicle:
- in the event of a serious collision, the airbags are deployed instantly and
contribute towards better protection of
occupants of the vehicle; immediately
after the impact, the airbags rapidly
deflate so as to not hinder visibility or
the possible exit by the occupants,
- in the event of a less serious impact, an impact to the rear and in certain
conditions of rollover, the airbags are not deployed; the seat belts alone contribute
towards providing protection in these
situations.
Airbags only operate when the ignition is
switched on. Front airbags
These are fitted in the centre of the steering
wheel for the driver and in the dashboard
for the front passenger. They are deployed,
except the passenger's airbag if it has been
deactivated.
Deployment of the airbags is
accompanied by a slight discharge
of smoke and a noise, resulting from the
activation of the pyrotechnic charge included
in the system.
This smoke is not harmful but may be an
irritant to sensitive persons.
The noise of the detonation may result in a
slight loss of hearing for a short time. Operating fault
If this warning lamp comes on,
contact a CITROËN dealer to
have the system checked.
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5
SAFETY
Airbags
Good practice
If your vehicle is fitted with front, lateral
and curtain airbags, in order for these to
be fully effective, observe the following
safety rules:
Wear a correctly adjusted seat belt.
Sit in a normal upright position.
Do not leave anything between the
occupants and the airbags (child, animal,
object...).
This could hamper the operation of the
airbags or injure the occupants.
All work on the airbag systems must be
carried out by a CITROËN dealer or a
qualified workshop.
After an accident or if the vehicle has been
stolen or broken into, have the airbag
systems checked.
Front airbags
Do not drive holding the steering wheel
by its spokes or resting your hands on the
centre part of the wheel.
Passengers must not place their feet on the
dashboard.
Smoke as little as possible; deployment of
the airbags can cause burns or the risk of
injury from a cigarette or pipe.
Never remove or pierce the steering wheel
or hit it violently.
Lateral airbags
Fit only approved covers on the front seats,
compatible with the deployment of lateral
airbags. For information on the range of
covers suitable for your vehicle, contact a
CITROËN dealer.
Do not fix or attach anything to the front seat
backs. This could cause injury to the chest
or arms when the lateral airbag is deployed.
Do not sit with the upper part of the body
any nearer to the door than necessary.
Curtain airbags
Do not fix or attach anything to the pillars or
the roof. This could cause injury to the head
when the curtain airbag is deployed.
Do not remove the bolts from the grab
handles installed on the roof, they play a
part in securing the curtain airbags.
11 7
6
Transport solutions
ACCESSORIES
Distribution of loads: distribute the load in
the trailer so that the heaviest objects are as
close as possible to the axle and the nose
weight is close to the maximum authorised
without, however, exceeding it.
Driving advice
A towed vehicle must free wheel: gearbox in
neutral.
Cooling: towing a trailer on a slope
increases the coolant temperature.
As the fan is electrically controlled, its
cooling capacity is not dependent on the
engine speed.
On the contrary, use a high gear to lower the
engine speed and reduce your speed.
In all cases, pay attention to the coolant
temperature. Tyres: check the tyre pressures of the
towing vehicle and of the trailer, observing
the recommended pressures.
Fitting a towbar
We recommend the use of genuine
CITROËN towbars and their harnesses,
which have been tested and approved from
the design stage of your vehicle and that
the fitting of this equipment is entrusted to a
CITROËN dealer.
These genuine towbars are compatible with
the operation of the rear parking sensors
and the reversing camera, if fitted to your
vehicle.
If this equipment is not fitted by a CITROËN
dealer, it must be fitted in line with the
manufacturer's instructions.
Good practice
In certain cases of particularly arduous
use (towing the maximum load up a steep
slope in high temperatures), the engine
automatically limits its power. In this
case, the automatic cutting off of the air
conditioning allows the engine power to be
recovered.
If the coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on, stop the
vehicle and switch off the engine
as soon as possible.
Refer to the "Checks - Levels and
checks" section.
Brakes: towing increases the braking
distance. Drive at a moderate speed,
change down early and brake gradually. Side wind: sensitivity to side wind is
increased. Drive smoothly and at a
moderate speed.
ABS: the system only controls the vehicle,
not the trailer.
Rear parking sensors: the system does not
operate while the vehicle is towing.
Refer to the "Technical data -
Identification markings" section.