Peugeot 208 Owners' Guide
FixMyCar provides key information about the Peugeot 208.
Book a car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Tuesday May 27 2025
10 min read
Arguably one of the best small cars on the road today, the Peugeot 208 – launched in 2012 – is stylish and well-equipped. Despite fierce competition from rivals like the Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta, and Volkswagen Polo, it easily keeps pace through a winning combination of affordable running costs and a premium feel.
This owners’ guide compiles key information about your 208 in one convenient place, covering service intervals, recommended tyre pressures, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you keep your car running smoothly.
Peugeot 208 generations
Peugeot 208 2012-2019 (A9)
The first-generation 208 was introduced as a replacement for the 207. It was lighter, shorter, and more efficient than its predecessor, with much-improved cabin quality and a bolder design to stand out from the crowd.
Peugeot got rid of convertible and estate versions and, in 2018, discontinued the three-door model. A facelift in 2015 introduced various cosmetic tweaks and the new GT Line trim level.
Body styles:
Three-door hatchback (until 2018)
Five-door hatchback
Key engine options:
1.0-litre 68bhp VTi petrol
1.2-litre 68-110bhp VTi/PureTech petrol
1.6-litre 120bhp VTi petrol
1.6-litre 200-208bhp THP petrol
1.4-litre 68bhp HDi diesel
1.6-litre 75-115bhp HDi diesel
1.6-litre 75-120bhp BlueHDi diesel
Peugeot 208 2019-present (P21)
The second-generation 208 represents a significant design shift. Built on the same platform as the Vauxhall Corsa F, it boasts a super smart interior, luxurious trimmings, and Peugeot's stylish i-Cockpit instrument panel. The touchscreen infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
All trim levels have LED daytime running lights, alloy wheels, air conditioning, and rear parking sensors.
In 2020, the 208 won the prestigious European Car of the Year award.
A 2024 facelift brought a bigger infotainment touchscreen, exterior styling tweaks, and two mild-hybrid petrol powertrains.
Body styles:
Five-door hatchback
Key engine options:
1.2-litre 75bhp PureTech petrol
1.2-litre 130bhp PureTech turbo petrol
1.2-litre 48V PureTech petrol mild hybrid
1.5-litre 100bhp BlueHDi diesel
e-208 50kWh 156bhp electric
Service intervals
Maintaining your 208 is crucial to prevent breakdowns and extend its lifespan.
A good rule of thumb for most cars is to book a full service once a year or every 12,000 miles. Additionally, the following maintenance intervals are recommended for some early 208 models.
For the best results, follow the schedule outlined by the manufacturer in your owner’s manual or maintenance booklet.
| Maintenance | Interval |
|---|---|
| Replace brake fluid | Every 2 years |
| Replace air filter | Every 12,000 miles/4 years |
| Replace fuel filter (petrol) | Every 25,000 miles |
| Replace spark plugs | Every 12,000 miles/4 years |
| Replace passenger compartment filter | Every 12,000 miles/1 year |
| Check coolant pH | 75,000 miles/4 years, then every 12,000/1 year |
| Replace ancillary drivebelt kit | Every 111,000 miles/10 years |
How to reset the Peugeot 208 service light
The reset method can vary depending on the age and trim of your car. If unsure, check your owner’s manual.
2012-2019 models
With the ignition off, press and hold the ‘set’ button below the instrument cluster.
Switch the ignition on while holding ‘set’.
You’ll see a countdown timer on the screen. Once it reaches zero, you can release the button.
The service warning has been reset.
2019-present models
Make sure the ignition is switched off.
Press and hold the button on the end of the left indicator stalk.
Switch the ignition on while holding the button.
You’ll see a countdown timer on the screen. Once it reaches zero, you can release the button.
The service warning has been reset.
Want to learn more about vehicle servicing? Check out the following guides:
Tyre pressure
What are the tyre pressures for a Peugeot 208?
The recommended tyre pressure varies depending on the spec and engine of your car. The table below shows tyre sizes and pressures listed for the 208 on TyrePressures.com.
| 208 model year | Front tyre size | Front tyre pressure | Rear tyre size | Rear tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025, 2024 | 205/45/R17 88 V | 36 PSI/2.5 BAR | 205/45/R17 88 V | 36 PSI/2.5 BAR |
| 2023 | 195/55/R16 87 H | 35 PSI/2.4 BAR | 195/55/R16 87 H | 35 PSI/2.4 BAR |
| 2022, 2021, 2020 | 205/45/R17 88 H | 35 PSI/2.4 BAR | 205/45/R17 88 H | 35 PSI/2.4 BAR |
| 2019, 2018, 2017 | 195/55/R16 87 H | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 195/55/R16 87 H | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR |
| 2016, 2015 | 185/65/R15 88 T | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 185/65/R15 88 T | 29 PSI/2 BAR |
Where to find the tyre pressure for a Peugeot 208
You can find the correct pressures:
In your vehicle handbook/owner’s manual.
Printed on the sill of the driver’s door.
On the inside of the fuel tank cap.
Read our guide to tyre pressure for more information.
How to reset the Peugeot 208 tyre pressure light
2012-2019 models
Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
Below the steering wheel on the right-hand side is a panel of buttons. Press and hold the tyre pressure reset button, which shows the same symbol as the warning light with the word ‘set’ under it.
After a few seconds, release the button.
The reset is complete.
2019-present models
Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressures.
With the ignition on, press the car button on the central dashboard controls.
Select ‘under-inflation initialisation’ on the touchscreen.
Click ‘yes’ to confirm the reset.
You’ll hear a beep when the process is complete.
Engine oil
It’s crucial to use the correct engine oil – find out why in this guide.
What oil does a Peugeot 208 take?
The recommended oil can vary between different 208 engine configurations and depending on whether the car uses petrol or diesel. Your owner’s manual will provide information about the right oil for your vehicle. Most 208 models use 0W-30 or 5W-30.
ACEA C2 or C3 specification is common across newer PureTech and BlueHDi engines.
PSA engines require oils that meet PSA B71 2290 or B71 2312.
Always use Low SAPS oil if your car has a diesel particulate filter (DPF).
What is the oil capacity of a Peugeot 208?
Oil capacity varies depending on the engine size and model year. The 208 requires between 3.25 and 4.5-litres of oil.
Battery
What battery do I need for my Peugeot 208?
The table below shows the battery requirements of Peugeot 208 engine variants using information from What Battery. The base hold-down is B13.
| Fuel type | Engine(s) | Battery type | Typical size (LxWxH, mm) | Voltage | Capacity (Ah) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1.0/1.2/1.4/1.6 THP/1.6VTi | Lead-acid | 207x175x190 | 12V | 50-54 |
| Petrol | 1.6 GTi | Lead-acid | 242x175x190 | 12V | 60-65 |
| Diesel | 1.4 HDi (start-stop)/1.6 HDi (start-stop) | AGM | 278x175x190 | 12V | 70-72 |
What are the signs my Peugeot 208 battery needs replacing?
The following signs often indicate an imminent battery failure.
Dim headlights
Slow engine crank
Electrical issues
Corroded battery terminals
Noticed one or more of these symptoms? It’s time to get your 208’s battery checked by a professional.
Although it’s inevitable that car batteries eventually die, there are things you can do to make them last longer. With that in mind, here are our top tips for maintaining your car battery.
Warning lights
What do the warning lights mean on a Peugeot 208?
Dashboard warning lights are triggered by the car’s electronic control unit (ECU) when a problem is detected. You can learn some information by looking at the shape and colour of the light, but for a detailed diagnosis, you’ll usually need to book a diagnostic test.
Red lights indicate a severe problem. You should stop driving and contact a mechanic.
Yellow lights are less urgent – you can continue driving to your destination, but you should book your car into a garage.
Learn more about car warning lights and what they mean in this guide.
Peugeot 208 warning lights you might not know
Peugeot foot on brake warning
The foot on brake warning light looks – as you’d expect – like a foot on the brake pedal. It sits in a circle with a curved line on each side.
If you hold your car on a hill using the accelerator for too long, the clutch overheats and triggers a flashing foot on brake warning light. It means you need to use the parking brake or brake pedal.
When the light stays on without flashing, you need to press the brake pedal before you can shift your car into drive.
Peugeot electronic stability problem (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC) warning light
The symbol for this warning light is a car with two squiggly lines beneath it. It’s sometimes called electronic stability control (ESC). If the light flashes, it means the system is actively working to keep your car stable; you’re probably driving on a slippery road. If it stays on, it means there is a problem with the ESP system.
The other instance when you see this warning light is if the system has been switched off. In that case, it will be accompanied by the word ‘OFF’.
ESP is a crucial safety system – and a mandatory feature in cars made after 2014 – so if the warning light stays on, you should have it checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Spotted a warning light but don’t know what’s causing it? Don’t guess – book a diagnostic test!
Common problems
Here, we look at two common problems with the Peugeot 208.
1. Infotainment glitches
Many 208 drivers have reported issues with the infotainment system. The software can be glitchy and often freezes, leaving you unable to use basic functions like the interface, sat-nav or settings. A software reset sometimes solves the problem. In other cases, owners have had to replace the unit entirely, which is not cheap.
2. Fuel injection system issues
Mk2 models can experience various issues with the fuel injection system. The fuel pump can become clogged or fail, leading to a loss of power and starting issues. Some 208 owners have reported loud noises from the pump before it gives out, so this is something to keep an eye out for.
The fuel pressure sensors are another common pain point. When they fail, they cause issues with fuel delivery and acceleration.
Other signs of a fuel injection system problem include:
Rough idling
Poor fuel efficiency
Need help diagnosing car problems? Check out the following guides for advice:
Top Peugeot 208 questions and topics
How to open the bonnet on a Peugeot 208
Pull the bonnet release lever on the passenger side door frame. You should hear a click.
Slide your fingers under the partially open bonnet to locate the second release lever, slightly to the left of the Peugeot badge.
Pull the lever towards you.
Lift and secure the bonnet.
How to turn on the fog lights in a Peugeot 208
You switch the fog lights on using a collar on the left indicator stalk next to the headlight controls. The collar shows the fog light symbol (pictured above) with an arrow above and below it. Twist the collar up to switch the fog lights on and twist it down again to switch them off.
What insurance group is a Peugeot 208?
208s typically fall into insurance groups 5 to 29, depending on the model year and trim. The lower the group, the cheaper the car is to insure.
1.0 VTi Access 3d (2012-2019): Group 5
Access A/C 1.2 PureTech 68 5d (2012-2019): Group 7
1.6 THP (165bhp) GT Line 5d (2012-2019): Group 25
Active Premium 1.2 PureTech 75 S&S 5d (2019-): Group 12
1.2 Hybrid 145 GT Premium 5dr e-DSC6 (2019-): Group 29
1.2 Hybrid 110 GT 5dr e-DSC6 (2019-): Group 23
Learn more about car insurance and how to get it cheaper.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's content manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.