Citroen C5 2009 suspension oil level

[Dolfok]

Hi,how can I check the the level of oil (suspension) in my Citroen C5 2009.Tks.....

[Hell Razor5543]

First, bottom out the suspension. Turn the engine off. Now, undo the cap to the LDS reservoir. You will find that there are slots in the neck of the reservoir. The 'tall' slots denote the maximum level, while the 'short' slots are for the lowest level.

[GiveMeABreak]

The level must be between the 'a' and the 'b' marks as shown below on lowest suspension setting as mentioned. Make sure you use Total LDS Fluid or Total Fluide DA only which is an orangey brown colour. Don't use LHM or anything that looks green.

[Dolfok]

Thanks for the reply,now I m concerned,the oil that my mechanic used is green.The oil is this one....https://www.auto-doc.pt/febi-bilstein/1 ... 3XEALw_wcB

[Dolfok]

First, bottom out the suspension. Turn the engine off. Now, undo the cap to the LDS reservoir. You will find that there are slots in the neck of the reservoir. The 'tall' slots denote the maximum level, while the 'short' slots are for the lowest level.

Thanks a lot for the reply.

[GiveMeABreak]

Thanks for the reply,now I m concerned,the oil that my mechanic used is green.The oil is this one....https://www.auto-doc.pt/febi-bilstein/1 ... 3XEALw_wcB

I'd avoid anything like this that is not specifically designed for Citroen Hydractive suspension Systems. The labelling is extremely poor and it does not state what the oil actually is!

[Dolfok]

Thanks for the reply,now I m concerned,the oil that my mechanic used is green.The oil is this one....https://www.auto-doc.pt/febi-bilstein/1 ... 3XEALw_wcB

I'd avoid anything like this that is not specifically designed for Citroen Hydractive suspension Systems. The labelling is extremely poor and it does not state what the oil actually is!

Once again thanks for the reply,concerning the oil I phone my mechanic and he told me that LDS was a sintetique oil,that Citroen start used with Citroens C5...I m really confused now,neverteless tks for all....

[Paul-R]

I phone my mechanic and he told me that LDS was a sintetique oil that Citroen start used with Citroens C5...

Your mechanic is correct. LDS is the correct oil for the C5 (all of them). You may find it badged as Fluide DA but it is the same thing.

They didn't use the oil that you linked to, did they? If they did then the system should be completely evacuated and filled with the correct oil (LDS or DA).

[Dolfok]

I phone my mechanic and he told me that LDS was a sintetique oil that Citroen start used with Citroens C5...

Your mechanic is correct. LDS is the correct oil for the C5 (all of them). You may find it badged as Fluide DA but it is the same thing.

They didn't use the oil that you linked to, did they? If they did then the system should be completely evacuated and filled with the correct oil (LDS or DA).

Thanks for the reply.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, that part is correct - LDS is a synthetic oil but not mineral based like the older green LHM fluid for vehicles earlier than the C5 (BX, CX, Xantia, XM etc). However, please don't get confused with my original answer that I do not believe this oil is equivalent to LDS.

I would personally stick to fluid that states Total LDS or Total Fluide DA - or the equivalent aftermarket fluid that specifically meets the specifications and states that it is equivalent to LDS.

Green fluid is a warning sign to me that it is for the older pre-C5 vehicles and not the later C5 onwards.

[Dolfok]

Yes, that part is correct - LDS is a synthetic oil but not mineral based like the older green LHM fluid for vehicles earlier than the C5 (BX, CX, Xantia, XM etc). However, please don't get confused with my original answer that I do not believe this oil is equivalent to LDS.

I would personally stick to fluid that states Total LDS or Total Fluide DA - or the equivalent aftermarket fluid that specifically meets the specifications and states that it is equivalent to LDS.

Green fluid is a warning sign to me that it is for the older pre-C5 vehicles and not the later C5 onwards.

Tks again ....one thing that confuse me is the mechanic that takes cares of the suspension of my car is a old Citroen worker,he as many years with this cars,he replaced the pump of my car ,the electric Brake and did another things all without any problemes,why he did this simple mystake,tomorrow I while go speak with him again,I found this old quote from Paul R is from 16 jan 2011 in this forum ,he said: "Total LDS from Citroen Dealer is certaninly Red/Orange but the afetermarket LDS (is it from comma) can t remenber is green. " could this be the case ?

[Dolfok]

I phone my mechanic and he told me that LDS was a sintetique oil that Citroen start used with Citroens C5...

Your mechanic is correct. LDS is the correct oil for the C5 (all of them). You may find it badged as Fluide DA but it is the same thing.

They didn't use the oil that you linked to, did they? If they did then the system should be completely evacuated and filled with the correct oil (LDS or DA).

I found this old quote u did in 16 Jan 2011 : " "Total LDS from Citroen Dealer is certaninly Red/Orange but the afetermarket LDS (is it from comma) can t remenber is green. " could this be the case ?

Thanks again for all and sry for so manny questions.

[Paul-R]

I did say that and I think it's still true but that was only from other information sources. I've never brought any so have no personal experience. I think it's a terrible idea colouring it green and would not use it. Besides, the oil you link to doesn't claim any specific use on the C5.

[myglaren]

I have, in an emergency, used the Comma LDS and it is indeed green.
It was only in long enough to get the car to rise to be put on a beavertail.
The longest pipe in the car had worn through on one of the clips. Pipe and LDS replaced a week later when a replacement pipe was delivered from France.

[Paul-R]

Yes, I found your post about that while I was searching for info on green LDS. viewtopic.php?p=748998#p748998

BUT I have been unable find green LDS anywhere else. Specifically Comma LDS is orange NOT green so I don't know what was put in your car! https://www.expressfactors.com/userfile ... mlds1l.pdf

There's a bit more about the green/orange difference here https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... hp?t=34019 especially second to last post. The whole green/orange thing to my mind is based on a misremembered or misinterpreted post somewhere together with non-specialist garages using LHM instead of LDS and then covering their ar$es afterwards.

I now change my stance and state that LDS is always orange and not ever green and apologise unreservedly to Comma.