Topping Up C5 Suspension

[C 5 Estate]

I must admit I have not looked at my C5 since buying it in Jan/Feb 2013 other than water/oil tyre pressure checks.

 

I have been slightly disappointed in the ride comfort when compared to the previous Citroens. (GS/BX/Xantia)

 

I finally got around to checking the Hydractive fluid level. With the vehicle on the level I lowered the suspension and removed the cap to find no fluid was showing above the bottom of the filler insert. In my defence I thought the on board computer would have let me know to top things up.

 

I bought a litre of fluid from my local Citroen dealer (it was over £15 but they are just around the corner from me so very convenient)

 

I expected to need to pour in a cup full to bring up the level but it took almost the full litre.

 

The point of my post is that the ride has definitely improved so my worry about needing new spheres at 120K miles seems have groundless, but only to be replaced with the thought that I should have drained and refilled the system and not effectively wasted £15  :(

 

 I now remember Coastline posting up how new fluid improves the ride and am struggling to understand how new fluid actually improves the ride, a master class in fluid dynamics would be much appreciated.

 

Tim

 

2006 2000cc estate with basic height adjuster between front seats. 

[paul.h]

You seem to need a lot of fluid to raise the level a bit since the tank is wide/long. There is about 5 litres of fluid so to drain/refill would be £60 to £75 depending on where it was bought. Possibly new fluid improves the ride if the old stuff degrades a bit.

[coastline taxis]

You service book will tell you to change it every 5 years. Your car is 2006 so the fluid is 8 years old would you be happy if it was your gearbox/engine or brake fluid that was this old

 

You change it a certain intervals because it losses its viscosity and gets contaminated with bits of seals and the reevoir has air in it which in turn has moisture in it and forms water

[C 5 Estate]

Thanks for the help.

 

Looks like a job to get sorted whist the good weather is here.

 

Tim