Voted most beautiful car of the year from its launch in 1989 and named best European car the following year, the Citroën XM was marketed in France until 2000. The brand with the chevrons calls on the Italian coachbuilder Bertone for the design of this car, which boasts sharp lines and excellent aerodynamics.
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Gearbox broken? We help you identify and order your model
Unfortunately for the XM, design problems hampered its reliability in the early years of its launch. Although electrical in nature, these problems were to have a lasting effect on sales, as the model struggled to find its audience.
As for the gearbox a robust part of your car designed to last. Even so, it's not immune to breakdown. What should you do when the first signs of wear appear? And how best to prevent them? Follow our tips for stress-free maintenance.
Good driving habits for a healthy gearbox
Simple everyday gestures
The most popular Citroën CX model is equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox. To preserve it as much as possiblethere are a number of simple things you can do while driving:
- Apply full pressure to the clutch pedal and keep a firm grip on the gearshift lever. Engaging the clutch too early brings the gearbox's internal components into contact, thus wear and tear ;
- Similarly, keep your hand away from the gearshift lever when you're driving. this simple pressure is enough to generate friction between the sprockets and the drive shaft;
- Anticipate the road and its obstacles as much as possible to save unnecessary manipulations the transmission system;
- Avoid downshifting by producing a large gap between gear ratios (from fifth to second, for example);
- Favour the shift into neutral for frequent stops, such as at traffic lights or in traffic jams. This not only relieves the clutch system, but also your foot!
The automatic gearbox: a special case
Equipped with four gears on the Citroën XM, the automatic gearbox is easier to maintain, as it eliminates the need to use the clutch pedal. To avoid damaging the transmission system, however, you must be careful: never engage another gear (reverse or park) when the vehicle is not at a complete standstill.
Changing gearbox oil for a healthy transmission
Whether manual or automatic, Citroën's Citroën XM gearbox XM gearbox requires transmission oil to operate correctly. This essential element ensures proper lubrication and dissipates the heat generated during driving. It also has detergent properties by removing particles and other residues.
Over time, the oil becomes saturated and can no longer perform its function. It's time to change the gearbox oil. The dipstick in the reservoir will tell you the quality of the oil: if it's black, it's time to change it. Pay close attention to the visual markings on the dipstick to ensure that there's enough oil in the tank.
As the Citroën XM is a fairly old model, it's advisable to pay particular attention to the health of the transmission oil, regardless of the type of gearbox. Check its condition every 10,000 kilometers and change it whenever necessary.
Finally, be careful not to not to confuse gearbox oil with engine oilwhich has a different viscosity and different properties.
Simplified gearbox repair
Although effective in improving the life of your gearbox, changing the transmission oil is not enough to solve every problem. In this case, don't hesitate to consult a professional mechanicwho will be able to give you a precise diagnosis of the cause of the malfunction.
Unfortunately, some breakdowns are too complex to be repaired directly in the garage. In these cases, you'll need to complete replacement of the gearboxThese parts are rare and expensive.
We've got the solution! Entrust us with your box: we'll dismantle it, piece by piece, to thoroughly clean it and replace any unserviceable parts. After reassembly, the system is rigorously tested. A one-year one-year warranty gives you peace of mind!
For more information, contact us It's fast and without obligation !
