DS 3: Driving / Automatic gearbox (EAT8)

Automatic 8-speed gearbox with a push selector. It also offers a manual mode with gear changes via control paddles located behind the steering wheel.

Gearbox selector positions

P. Park

For parking the vehicle: the front wheels are blocked.

R. Reverse gear

N. Neutral

For moving the vehicle with the ignition off, or to allow it to free-wheel.

For more information on Changing to freewheeling, refer to the corresponding section.

D. Driving in automatic mode

The gearbox manages gear changes according to the style of driving, the road profile and the vehicle load.

M. Driving in manual mode

The driver changes gear using the steeringmounted controls.

Push selector

1. Button P

   To put the gearbox into Park mode.

2. Unlock button

   To unlock the gearbox and come out of P or to change to R, with the foot on the brake pedal.

   Press and hold this button before pushing the selector.

3. Button M

   To change from mode D to permanent manual mode.

   (Depending on version: with DS PARK PILOT, the manual mode is accessed via the DRIVE MODE control)

4. Gearbox state indicator lamps (R, N, D)

• Move the selector by pressing it forwards (N or R) or rearwards (N or D) once or twice, passing the point of resistance if necessary.

The push selector returns to its initial position when released.

For example, to change from P to R, while pressing Unlock, push forward twice without crossing the point of resistance or push once crossing the point of resistance:

• In the first case, the gearbox goes from P to N, then from N to R.
• In the second case, the gearbox goes directly from P to R.

Steering-mounted controls

In mode M or D, the steering-mounted control paddles can be used to change gear manually. They cannot be used to select neutral or to engage or disengage reverse gear.

• Pull the "+" or "-" paddle towards you and release to shift up or down a gear, respectively.

Displays on the instrument panel

With the ignition on, the status of the gearbox is displayed in the instrument panel:

P: park.

R: reverse.

N: neutral.

D1...D8: automatic mode.

S: Sport programme

M1...M8: manual mode.

-: instruction not accepted in manual mode. If the driver's door is opened with the ignition on, a message is displayed asking you to put the gearbox into mode P.

The state of the gearbox is displayed in the instrument panel for a few moments after switching off the ignition.

Operation

With the engine running, if it is necessary to press the brake pedal and/or the Unlock button in order to change mode, an alert message is displayed in the instrument panel.

Only appropriate attempted changes of mode are accepted.

With the engine running and the brakes released, if R, D or M is selected, the vehicle moves off, even without pressing the accelerator pedal.

Never press the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time - risk of damage to the gearbox!

In the event of a battery failure, you must place the chock supplied with the vehicle tools against one of the wheels to immobilise the vehicle.

Unlocking the gearbox

• From mode P:
  • Fully depress the brake pedal.
  • Press the Unlock button.
  • While continuing to press the brake pedal and the Unlock button, select another mode.
• From neutral N, at a speed below 3 mph (5 km/h):
  • Fully depress the brake pedal.
  • While continuing to depress the brake pedal, select another mode.

Engaging reverse gear

• Slow down until you come to a stop.
• Depress the brake pedal, then press the Unlock button.
• While maintaining the presses, select mode R.

Permanent manual mode

Entering the mode:

With EAT8 without DS PARK PILOT button:

• With mode D initially selected.
• Press button M; the green indicator lamp in the button comes on.

With EAT8 and DS PARK PILOT button:

• Press the DRIVE MODE control.
• Select "Manual" mode, which is displayed on the instrument panel.

Exiting the mode:

• Push forwards once to return to D.

or

• Press button M; the indicator lamp in the button goes off.

or

• Select another mode using the DRIVE MODE control.

Switching off the ignition

To switch off the ignition, the vehicle must be stationary.

Changing to free-wheeling

For more information on Changing to free-wheeling, refer to the corresponding section.

If you open the driver's door while mode N is engaged, an audible signal will sound. It will stop when you close the driver's door again.

Special aspects of automatic mode

The gearbox selects the gear that offers optimum performance, taking account of the outside temperature, the road profile, the vehicle load and the driving style.

For maximum acceleration, press the accelerator fully down (kick-down). The gearbox changes down automatically or holds the selected gear until the maximum engine speed is reached. Steering mounted controls allow the driver to temporarily select a gear, if the vehicle speed and engine speed conditions permit.

Special aspects of manual mode

The change from one gear to another takes place only if the road speed and engine speed permit.

Starting the vehicle

From mode P:

• Fully depress the brake pedal.
• Start the engine.
• Maintaining pressure on the brake pedal, press the Unlock button.
• Push once or twice rearwards to select the automatic mode D, or forwards to engage reverse R.

From neutral N:

• Fully depress the brake pedal.
• Start the engine.
• Maintaining pressure on the brake pedal, push rearwards to select the automatic mode D, or forwards, while pressing the Unlock button to engage reverse R.

Then, from D or R:

• Release the brake pedal.
• Accelerate gradually to automatically release the electric parking brake.

The vehicle moves off immediately.

Automatic gearbox

Never try to start the engine by pushing the vehicle.

Switching the vehicle off

Regardless of the current gearbox mode, mode P is immediately engaged automatically when the ignition is switched off.

However, in mode N, mode P will be engaged after a delay of 5 seconds (time to enable free-wheeling mode).

Check that mode P has been engaged and that the electric parking brake was applied automatically; if not, apply it manually.

The corresponding indicator lamps on the gear selector and the electric parking brake control must be on, as well as the indicator lamps on the instrument panel.

Operating faults

Gearbox malfunction

This warning lamp comes on, accompanied by an audible signal and the display of a message.

Go to a dealer or a qualified workshop.

Do not drive faster than 62 mph (100 km/h), keeping to the speed limit.

Switching of the gearbox to back-up mode

Mode D locks in third gear.

The paddles on the steering wheel do not work and mode M is no longer accessible.

You may feel a significant jolt on engaging reverse gear. This will not damage the gearbox.

Selector malfunction

Minor malfunction

This warning lamp comes on, accompanied by the display of a message and an audible signal.

Drive carefully.

Go to a dealer or a qualified workshop.

In some cases, the selector indicator lamps may no longer come on, but the gearbox state is still displayed on the instrument panel.

Major malfunction

This warning lamp comes on, accompanied by the display of a message.

You must stop the vehicle.

Stop as soon as it is safe to do so and switch off the ignition.

Contact a dealer or a qualified workshop.