
ABS
ABS
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Driving safely
Berlingo-2-VU_en_Chap05_Securite_ed02-2015
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 EBF
d  provides control of 
the braking pressure wheel by wheel. If this warning lamp comes 
on, accompanied by an 
audible signal and a message 
in the screen, it indicates a 
malfunction of the ABS which 
could result in a loss of control of the 
vehicle on braking.
If this warning lamp comes 
on, together with the brake 
and STOP warning lamps, 
accompanied by an audible 
signal and a message in the 
screen, it indicates a malfunction of 
the electronic brake force distribution 
which could result in a loss of control of 
the vehicle on braking.
EMERGENCY  BRAKING  
ASSIST
ANCE  (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 pressed down.
This alters the resistance of the brake 
pedal under your foot.
To maintain operation of the 
emergency braking assistance system: 
keep your foot on the brake pedal.
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.
o
n 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 listed by 
CITROËN for the vehicle. Stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
In both cases, contact a CITR
o Ë n  
dealer or a qualified workshop.  

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Driving safely
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ANTI-SLIP REGULATION  (ASR) 
AND
  DYNAMIC   STABILITY
 
CONTROL (DSC)
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.
Use the 
d SC 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 
d SC 
system automatically acts on the 
engine and the brake of one or more 
wheels, in order to put the vehicle back 
on course.
Deactivation
In certain exceptional conditions 
(starting the vehicle when stuck in mud 
or snow, or on loose ground...), it could 
prove useful to deactivate the 
a
SR and 
DSC systems to make the wheels spin 
and regain grip.
Operating fault
Good practice
The ASR/DSC 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 are observed.
After an impact, have these systems 
checked by a CITROËN dealer or a 
qualified workshop.
Operation
The warning lamp flashes 
when operation of the a SR or 
DSC is triggered.
They engage again:
-
 
automatically above 30 mph 
  
(50 km/h), When a malfunction of the 
systems occurs, the warning 
lamp and the LED come on, 
accompanied by an audible 
signal and a message in the 
screen.
Contact a CITR
o Ë n  dealer or a 
qualified workshop to have the system 
checked.
The warning lamp may also come on if 
the tyres are under-inflated. Check the 
pressure of each tyre.
-
 
Press the button or turn 
the dial to the 
d SC  o FF 
position (depending on 
model).
-
 
The LED comes on: the 
 ASR and 
DSC systems no longer come into 
play.
-
 
manually by pressing the 
button again or by turning 
the dial to this position 
(depending on model). 
SAFETY
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Driving safely
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different modes are available:
Normal (ESC)
ESC OFFSnow
This mode allows the vehicle 
to adapts its strategy to the 
conditions of grip encountered 
for each of the two front 
wheels, on moving off.
When moving, the system optimises 
wheelspin to provide the best 
acceleration possible for the grip 
available.
Off road
(mud, wet grass, ...)
 When moving off, this 
mode allows considerable 
wheelspin on the wheel 
with the least grip to favour 
clearing of the mud and 
regain "grip".
At the same time, the wheel with the 
most grip is controlled in such a way as 
to transmit as much torque as possible.
When moving, the system optimises 
wheelspin to meet the driver's 
requirements as fully as possible.
Sand
This mode allows a little 
wheelspin on the two driving 
wheels at the same time to 
allow the vehicle to move 
forward and reduces the risk 
of getting stuck in the sand.
Do not use the other modes on sand 
as the vehicle may become stuck.
This mode is calibrated  
for a low level of skidding, 
based on different conditions 
of grip encountered on the 
road.
When the ignition is switched off,  
the system returns automatically to 
DSC mode.
This mode is only suitable 
for specific conditions 
encountered when moving  
off or at low speed.
Above 30 mph (50 km/h) 
the system returns to DSC mode 
automatically. 
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Driving safely
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Operation
When your vehicle is too close to or 
approaches the vehicle ahead too 
quickly the system automatically 
applies the brakes to avoid a collision.
You are then alerted by the display of a 
message.
The brake lamps on your vehicle come 
on to warn other road users.
The collision can be avoided 
automatically if the difference in speed 
between your vehicle and the vehicle 
ahead does not exceed 9 mph  
(15 km/h).
Above this threshold, the system will 
do what is possible to avoid or reduce 
the accident by lowering the speed of 
impact.
The automatic braking may bring 
the vehicle to a complete stop if the 
situation requires it.
In this case, the vehicle is held 
stationary temporarily (for about  
1.5 seconds) to allow the driver to take 
back control by pressing the brake 
pedal.The triggering of the system may 
cause the engine to stall, unless 
the driver depresses the clutch 
pedal quickly enough during 
automatic braking.
During automatic braking, the 
driver can always obtain a higher 
rate of deceleration than that 
controlled by the system, by pressing 
firmly on the brake pedal.
After an impact, the system is 
automatically put out of service: it 
no longer operates.
You must go to a CITROËN dealer or a 
qualified workshop to have the system 
made operational again.
Operating limits
The system only detects vehicles that 
are stationary or moving in the same 
direction as your vehicle.
It does not detect small vehicles 
(bicycles, motorcycles), 
pedestrians or animals, nor  
non-reflective stationary objects.
The system is not triggered or is 
interrupted if the driver:
-
 
accelerates strongly
-
 
or turns the steering wheel 
suddenly (avoiding manoeuvre). In difficult weather conditions (very 
heavy rain, snow
, fog, hail...), 
braking distances increase, which 
can reduce the ability of the system to 
avoid a collision.
The driver must therefore remain 
particularly vigilant.
Never leave accumulations of 
snow or any object projecting 
above the bonnet or in front of 
the roof: this might fall into the field of 
vision of the sensor and generate a 
detection. 
SAFETY
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Good practice
Sit in a normal upright position.
Wear a correctly adjusted seat belt.
d
o not leave anything between the 
occupants and the airbags (a child, 
pet, object...). This could hinder the 
operation of the airbags or injure the 
occupants.
a
fter an accident or if the vehicle has 
been stolen or broken into, have the 
airbag systems checked.
All work on the airbag system is strictly 
forbidden unless it is carried out by 
qualified personnel at a CITROËN 
dealer or a qualified workshop.
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 airbag is 
deployed 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. Lateral airbags
Only put recommended covers on 
the seats. These will not hinder 
inflation of the lateral airbags. Contact 
a CITROËN dealer or a qualified 
workshop.
Do not fix or attach anything to the seat 
backs. This could cause injury to the 
chest or arms when the lateral airbag 
inflates.
d
o not sit with the upper part of the 
body any nearer to the door than 
necessary.
Front airbags
d
o not drive holding the steering wheel 
by its spokes or resting your hands on 
the centre part of the wheel.
d
o not allow passengers to place 
their feet on the dashboard, they risk 
serious injury if the airbag is deployed.
Smoke as little as possible as 
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.
Airbags only operate when the 
ignition is switched on.
This equipment only operates once. 
If a second impact occurs (during the 
same or a subsequent accident), the 
airbag will not operate.
The deployment of an airbag or airbags 
is accompanied by a slight discharge 
of smoke and a noise, due to the 
activation of the pyrotechnic cartridge 
incorporated in the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but 
sensitive individuals may experience 
some irritation.
The noise of the detonation may result 
in a slight loss of hearing for a short 
time.
The passenger's front airbag must 
be deactivated if a child seat is 
installed rearward facing.
Chapter 5, "Child safety" section. 
SaFETY
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airbags  

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Front airbags
Deployment
They are deployed, except the 
passenger's front airbag if it has been 
deactivated, 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 airbag inflates between the 
front occupant of the vehicle and the 
dashboard to cushion their forward 
movement.Deactivating the passengers front 
airbag
o
nly the passenger's front airbag can 
be deactivated.
-  
W
 ith the ignition switched off, 
insert the key into the passenger's 
front airbag deactivation switch.
-  T urn it to the "OFF" position.
-
 
Remove the key keeping the switch 
in the new position.
The passenger's front airbag
 
warning lamp in the instrument 
panel remains on while the 
airbag is deactivated. If the two airbag warning lamps 
are on continuously, do not install 
a rearward facing child seat and 
contact a CITR
o Ë n  dealer or a 
qualified workshop.
Front airbag fault
To ensure the safety of your child, 
it is essential to deactivate the 
passenger's front airbag when you 
install a rearward facing child seat on 
the front passenger seat. Otherwise, 
the child would risk being killed or 
seriously injured if the airbag were 
deployed. Reactivation
In the "OFF" position, the passenger's 
front airbag will not be deployed in the 
event of an impact.
As soon as the child seat is removed, 
turn the passenger's front airbag switch 
to the "ON" position to reactivate the 
airbag and thus ensure the safety 
of your passenger in the event of an 
impact.
If this warning lamp comes 
on, accompanied by an 
audible signal and a message 
in the screen, consult a 
CITR o Ë n  dealer or a 
qualified workshop to have 
the system checked.
The front airbags are fitted in the 
centre of the steering wheel for the 
driver and in the dashboard for the 
front passenger(s). 
SaFETY
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airbags  

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Towing a trailer
Berlingo-2-VU_en_Chap06_accessoire_ed02-2015
For more information about 
weights and towed loads, refer to 
chapter 9, "Weights" section.
TOWING  A TRAILER ,  A CARA VAN ...
Distribution of loads
d
istribute 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.
Cooling
Towing a trailer on a slope increases 
the coolant temperature.a s the fan is electrically controlled, its 
cooling capacity is not dependent on 
the engine speed.
You should therefore use a high gear 
to lower the engine speed and reduce 
your speed.
In all cases, pay attention to the 
coolant temperature.
Driving advice
A towed vehicle must free wheel: 
gearbox in neutral. 
ACCESSORIES
6  

 119
Towing a trailer
Berlingo-2-VU_en_Chap06_accessoire_ed02-2015
TOWBAR  WITH   SWAN   NECK   
T
OWBALL , 
LOCKABLE AND   QUICKLY  DETACHABLE
Presentation
This swan neck towbar, delivered 
assembled, can be removed and fitted 
easily. No tools are needed.
Instructions for fitting and before 
every use
Check that the swan neck is correctly 
locked by verifying the following points:
-
 
the green mark on the locking 
wheel is visible
-
 
the safety lock on the locking wheel 
is directed toward the rear
,
-
 
the safety lock is closed and the 
key removed; the locking wheel can 
no longer be operated,
-
 
the swan neck must no longer 
move at all in its carrier
.
When hooking up the trailer, don't 
forget to connect the trailer harness.
Fitting 
ACCESSORIES
6