Hi Alan,

The letter ‘M’ on an automatic gearbox normally means, in a paradoxical fashion, ‘manual’. Many automatics have manual or semi-automatic modes whereby the driver can control up- and downshifts using either a ‘sequential side gate’ to the gearbox (a small slot into which the lever can be moved, in which it can be pushed forward and back to elicit gearchanges) or, on sportier models, a set of paddles on the steering column or steering wheel. It’s therefore the manual mode of the Citroen’s automatic transmission – but be aware, most cars in this mode will still shift up or down for you if you reach a point on the rev counter that is either too high (resulting in an upshift) or too low (resulting in a downshift), even if you’re in ‘manual’ mode.