Peugeot 306 C (2001 year). Instruction - part 6

102

DRIVING  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

Handbrake

Application
When you have parked the vehicle,
pull up the handbrake to apply it.
To ease application and release of the
handbrake, press the brake pedal and
pull up the handbrake with the engine
running.

Release

Press the button before releasing the
handbrake.

THE ABS ANTI-LOCK

BRAKING SYSTEM*

In conjunction with tyres in good con-
dition and of an approved make, the
ABS system with electronic brake
force distribution improves the stabi-
lity and handling of your vehicle, par-
ticularly on an uneven or slippery
surface. 
The anti-lock braking system comes
into operation automatically when
there is a risk of wheel lock.

Manual gearbox

The positions are indicated on the
gear lever knob.

Reverse gear can only be engaged
from neutral when the vehicle is
stationary, with the engine idling.

In the event of emergency braking,
press very firmly without reducing
the pressure. 
In some conditions the normal oper-
ation of the ABS may be felt as
vibrations of the brake pedal.

* According to specification.

Power steering*

This is a comfort device which offers
the best compromise for parking, and
for driving at high speeds.

103

DRIVING  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

AIRBAGS*

The airbag system has been
designed to maximise the safety of
the occupants in the event of serious
collisions. It works in conjunction with
the seat belts.
The electronic detectors register and
analyse any abrupt deceleration of the
vehicle; if the triggering threshold is
reached the airbags inflate instantly
and come between the occupants and
the vehicle.
Immediately after the impact, the
airbags deflate rapidly, so that they do
not hinder the visibility of the occu-
pants and their exit if necessary from
the vehicle.
The airbags are not deployed in the
case of collisions which are not
serious, for which the seat belt is suf-
ficient to ensure maximum protection.
The seriousness of a collision
depends on the nature of the obstacle
and the speed of the vehicle at the
moment of the collision.
Airbags only operate when the
ignition is switched on.
Note: the gas escaping from the
airbags can be a minor irritant.

FRONT AIRBAGS

These are folded in the centre of the
steering wheel for the driver and in
the fascia for the front passenger.
They are deployed simultaneously
(except in cases where the airbag is
disarmed), for frontal impacts where
there is a risk of injury to the head or
chest.

DISARMING THE

PASSENGER AIRBAG

To ensure the safety of your child,
it is essential to disarm the pas-
senger airbag when you install a
rearwards-facing child seat on the
front passenger seat.
Remove the ignition key, insert it into
the passenger airbag switch 1 and
turn it to the “OFF” position.
– The airbag warning light on the

instrument panel is lit throughout
the disarming process.

In the “OFF” position, the passenger
airbag will not be triggered in the
event of an impact.

104

DRIVING  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

Passenger airbag precautions 

Vehicle fitted with a passenger airbag
disarming switch:

- disarm the airbag

if you install a
rearwards-facing
child seat on the
front passenger
seat,

- arm the airbag

when you trans-
port an adult on
the front passen-
ger seat.

Vehicle not fitted with a passenger
airbag disarming switch:

- do not install a rear

wards-facing child seat 
on the front passenger 
seat.

Never place your feet or any object
on the fascia.

Operating check

This is by an indicator light on
the instrument panel. 

If the passenger airbag is armed (pas-
senger airbag switch in the “ON” posi-
tion), the light will come on for 
6 seconds when the ignition is
switched on.
If the passenger airbag is disarmed
(passenger airbag switch in the “OFF”
position), the light will stay on.
In any case, if the light flashes,
contact a PEUGEOT dealer.

SIDE AIRBAGS

These are incorporated into the frame
of the front seat back on the door side.
They are deployed independently of
each other depending on which side
the collision occurs, in collisions which
could cause injury to the chest, the
abdomen or the head.

This is by a light on the instrument
panel.
It comes on for 6 seconds, each time
the ignition is switched on.

Operating check

If the indicator light:

– does not light up when the ignition

is switched on, or,

– does not go out after 6 seconds or,
– flashes for 5 minutes then stays on,

contact a PEUGEOT dealer.

As soon as you remove the rear-
wards-facing child seat from the front
passenger seat, turn the airbag switch
to the “ON” position, to arm the airbag
and thus ensure the safety of your
passenger in an impact.

* According to specification.

105

DRIVING  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

WARNING

For the front and side airbags to be fully effective, observe the following safety rules:

• Wear a correctly adjusted seat belt.

• Sit in a normal upright position.

• Do not leave an accessory, or any other object between the occupants of the front seats and the airbags. It could 

hamper the operation of the airbags or injure the occupants.

• All work on the airbag system is strictly forbidden unless it is carried out by qualified personnel of the PEUGEOT

network.

• After an accident or if the vehicle has been stolen or broken into, have the airbag systems checked.
• The airbag systems have been designed to be fully operational for 10 years after the vehicle has been registered.

Have them replaced by a PEUGEOT dealer after this period.

• Front airbags

• Do not drive holding the steering wheel by its spokes or resting your hands on the centre part of the wheel.

• 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.

• Side airbags

• Never put covers on the front seats.
• Do not fix or glue anything to the front seat backs. This could cause injury to the chest or arms when the side airbag

inflates. 

• Do not sit with the upper part of the body any nearer to the door than necessary.

104

DRIVING  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

Passenger airbag precautions 

Vehicle fitted with a passenger airbag
disarming switch:

- disarm the airbag

if you install a
rearwards-facing
child seat on the
front passenger
seat,

- arm the airbag

when you trans-
port an adult on
the front passen-
ger seat.

Vehicle not fitted with a passenger
airbag disarming switch:

- do not install a rear

wards-facing child seat 
on the front passenger 
seat.

Never place your feet or any object
on the fascia.

Operating check

This is by an indicator light on
the instrument panel. 

If the passenger airbag is armed (pas-
senger airbag switch in the “ON” posi-
tion), the light will come on for 
6 seconds when the ignition is
switched on.
If the passenger airbag is disarmed
(passenger airbag switch in the “OFF”
position), the light will stay on.
In any case, if the light flashes,
contact a PEUGEOT dealer.

SIDE AIRBAGS

These are incorporated into the frame
of the front seat back on the door side.
They are deployed independently of
each other depending on which side
the collision occurs, in collisions which
could cause injury to the chest, the
abdomen or the head.

This is by a light on the instrument
panel.
It comes on for 6 seconds, each time
the ignition is switched on.

Operating check

If the indicator light:

– does not light up when the ignition

is switched on, or,

– does not go out after 6 seconds or,
– flashes for 5 minutes then stays on,

contact a PEUGEOT dealer.

As soon as you remove the rear-
wards-facing child seat from the front
passenger seat, turn the airbag switch
to the “ON” position, to arm the airbag
and thus ensure the safety of your
passenger in an impact.

* According to specification.

105

DRIVING  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

WARNING

For the front and side airbags to be fully effective, observe the following safety rules:

• Wear a correctly adjusted seat belt.

• Sit in a normal upright position.

• Do not leave an accessory, or any other object between the occupants of the front seats and the airbags. It could 

hamper the operation of the airbags or injure the occupants.

• All work on the airbag system is strictly forbidden unless it is carried out by qualified personnel of the PEUGEOT

network.

• After an accident or if the vehicle has been stolen or broken into, have the airbag systems checked.
• The airbag systems have been designed to be fully operational for 10 years after the vehicle has been registered.

Have them replaced by a PEUGEOT dealer after this period.

• Front airbags

• Do not drive holding the steering wheel by its spokes or resting your hands on the centre part of the wheel.

• 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.

• Side airbags

• Never put covers on the front seats.
• Do not fix or glue anything to the front seat backs. This could cause injury to the chest or arms when the side airbag

inflates. 

• Do not sit with the upper part of the body any nearer to the door than necessary.

24

MAINTENANCE  OF  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

1

Power steering fluid reservoir*.

2

Engine oil filler cap.

3

Air filter.

4

Brake fluid reservoir.

5

Battery.

6

Engine oil dipstick.

7

Oil filter.

8

Coolant reservoir.

9

Screenwash reservoir.

* According to specification.

1.6 litre petrol engine

1

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1.8 litre and 2 litre 16 valve petrol engines

25

MAINTENANCE  OF  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

1

Power steering fluid reservoir*.

2

Engine oil filler cap.

3

Engine oil dipstick.

4

Brake fluid reservoir.

5

Battery.

6

Air filter.

7

Oil filter.

8

Coolant reservoir.

9

Screenwash reservoir.

* According to specification.

1

9

7

6

5

4

8

2

3

MAINTENANCE  OF  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

26

CHECKING THE LEVELS

Engine

Checking the oil level
Check the level regularly and top
up between changes (maximum
consumption is 0.5 litres per 
600 miles (1,000 km).
The oil level should be checked with
the vehicle level, engine cold.
There are two marks on the dipstick:

A = maximum.

B = minimum.

Oil change: according to the manu-
facturer’s servicing schedule.
– Dipstick. Never fill past the

maximum mark A.

– Oil level gauge on the instrument

panel.

Viscosity selection
In all cases, the oil selected must
meet the manufacturer's require-
ments.

Oil filter
Change the filter regularly in accor-
dance with the maintenance schedule.

Used oil
Prevent used oil from coming into pro-
longed contact with the skin.
Do not dispose of used oil into drains
or into the ground.
To maintain the reliability of engines
and emission control systems, the use
of additives in the engine oil is pro-
hibited.

Brake fluid reservoir

– The level should always be above

the DANGER mark on the reser-
voir.

– If the level drops substantially,

contact a PEUGEOT dealer imme-
diately.

Fluid change
– must be carried out according to

the manufacturer’s schedule.

– use fluids approved by the manu-

facturer, which fulfil DOT4 stan-
dards.

Coolant reservoir
Use the fluid approved by the manu-
facturer.
When the engine is warm, the tem-
perature of the coolant is controlled
by the engine fan: because this fan
can operate with the ignition key
removed, and because the cooling
system is pressurised, wait for at least
one hour after the engine has stopped
before carrying out any work.
If necessary, in a breakdown, slacken
the cap to the first notch to release
the pressure to prevent any risk of
scalding. When the pressure has
dropped remove the cap and top up
the level.

A

B

A

B

MAINTENANCE  OF  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

27

Power steering reservoir
Open the reservoir, with the engine
cold.  The level should always be
above the MINI mark, close to the
MAXI mark.

Windscreen and headlamp wash
reservoir*
For best quality cleaning and for your
safety, we recommend that you use
products approved by PEUGEOT
(capacity 4,4 litres or 6 litres with
headlight wash).

Battery
At the start of winter, have your
battery checked by a PEUGEOT
dealer.

Air filter
Regular replacement of the filter
element is essential. If you drive in
very dusty conditions, change it twice
as often.

Brake pads
Brake pad wear depends on the style
of driving, in particular for vehicles
which are used in town or for short
journeys or which are driven in a
sporty manner. It may be necessary to
check the thickness of the pads even
between services.

Manual gearbox
This does not need an oil change.
Check the level according to the man-
ufacturer’s service schedule.

Autoadaptive automatic gearbox
This does not need an oil change:
have the level checked by a 
PEUGEOT dealer according to the
manufacturer’s service schedule.

Only use products
approved by Automobiles
PEUGEOT.
To ensure best perfor-

mance from components as impor-
tant as the power steering and the
braking system, PEUGEOT selects
and offers quite specific products.

Fuel supply cut-off*
In a serious collision, a system pre-
vents fuel from reaching the engine.
To re-establish the fuel supply, press
the switch on the angle of the front
left-hand suspension assembly, under
the bonnet.

* According to specification.

MAINTENANCE  OF  YOUR  306  CABRIOLET

27

Power steering reservoir
Open the reservoir, with the engine
cold.  The level should always be
above the MINI mark, close to the
MAXI mark.

Windscreen and headlamp wash
reservoir*
For best quality cleaning and for your
safety, we recommend that you use
products approved by PEUGEOT
(capacity 4,4 litres or 6 litres with
headlight wash).

Battery
At the start of winter, have your
battery checked by a PEUGEOT
dealer.

Air filter
Regular replacement of the filter
element is essential. If you drive in
very dusty conditions, change it twice
as often.

Brake pads
Brake pad wear depends on the style
of driving, in particular for vehicles
which are used in town or for short
journeys or which are driven in a
sporty manner. It may be necessary to
check the thickness of the pads even
between services.

Manual gearbox
This does not need an oil change.
Check the level according to the man-
ufacturer’s service schedule.

Autoadaptive automatic gearbox
This does not need an oil change:
have the level checked by a 
PEUGEOT dealer according to the
manufacturer’s service schedule.

Only use products
approved by Automobiles
PEUGEOT.
To ensure best perfor-

mance from components as impor-
tant as the power steering and the
braking system, PEUGEOT selects
and offers quite specific products.

Fuel supply cut-off*
In a serious collision, a system pre-
vents fuel from reaching the engine.
To re-establish the fuel supply, press
the switch on the angle of the front
left-hand suspension assembly, under
the bonnet.

* According to specification.

ELECTRIC WINDOWS

1. Driver's electric window
Manual mode: press or pull the switch lightly. The window stops as soon as
the switch is released.
Automatic mode: press or pull the switch firmly. One touch completely opens
or closes the window. 
Automatic opening and closing only work when the engine is running.

2. Passenger’s electric window.

3. Left rear electric window.

4. Right rear electric window.

YOUR  306  CABRIOLET  AT  A  GLANCE

8

ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT

OF THE STEERING WHEEL

Push the handle to unlock the
steering wheel.
Adjust the steering wheel to the
desired height and pull the handle
to lock it into position.

96

ELECTRIC MIRRORS

Turn the knob A to the right or to the left to select the 
corresponding mirror.
Move the knob in all four directions to adjust the mirror.

3

4

94

2

A

1

YOUR  306  CABRIOLET  AT  A  GLANCE

9

9

FUEL FILLER FLAP

To open: firmly pull the handle on the floor to the outside of the drivers seat.
To close: from outside, push the flap back and check that it is secured 
correctly.

Filling with fuel 

Switch off the engine.
There is a holder for the fuel filler cap.
A label on the inside of the flap shows which fuels are permitted and which
are not allowed.
The capacity of the tank is approximately 11 gallons (50 litres).

Fuel low warning light

The fuel low warning light indicates that the quantity of
fuel remaining in the tank is approximately 
1.3 gallons (6 litres).

81

Outside the vehicle
Raise the catch 1 and
support the bonnet as it
rises.

OPENING THE BONNET

Inside the vehicle:

Pull the

handle.

88

1

YOUR  306  CABRIOLET  AT  A  GLANCE

10

FRONT - REAR HEAD

RESTRAINT

- Height adjustment: slide them.

- Adjusting the angle: tilt them.

To remove the head restraint, posi-
tion it at maximum height and
press the tab.

82

ADJUSTING THE FRONT SEATS

1

Forwards-backwards adjustment.

2

Seat back angle adjustment.

3

Driver’s seat height adjustment: pull the telescopic handle and
pivot it.

4

Lumbar adjustment.

5

Access to rear seats.

82

1

3

2

5

4

YOUR  306  CABRIOLET  AT  A  GLANCE

11

46

ELECTRIC HOOD

Opening

- Switch on the ignition.
- Unlock and raise the front of

the hood by approximately 
10 inches (25 cm) using the
two side handles 1.

- Press switch 2 until the opera-

tion has been completed.

Closing

- Turn the ignition key to position

M and lower the front windows.

- Press switch 2 until the opera-

tion has been completed.

- Secure the two side handles 1.

1

1

2

YOUR  306  CABRIOLET  AT  A  GLANCE

12

5 - Recirculation of interior air.

VENTILATION/HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING

1 - Air flow adjustment.

2 - Temperature adjustment.

3 - Air distribution.

Windscreen and side windows.

Windscreen, side windows and footwells.

Footwells.

Central and side vents.

4 - Air conditioning on/off.

56

1

2

3

1

2

3

4

5