Peugeot 308 Owners' Guide

The Peugeot 308 is an excellent small family car launched in 2007 and now in its third generation. Not only is it spacious, economical and good-looking, but it also offers a diverse range of engine options, adding an extra dose of appeal. 

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 308 generations

Peugeot 308 2007-2013 

The first generation of the 308 replaced the 307 with a more refined design and improved build quality. The interior was spacious, though the complex dashboard layout received criticism. Sleeker headlights were introduced in a 2011 facelift alongside a smaller grille and LED daytime running lights. 

Body styles: 

• Five-door hatchback 

• Five-door estate 

• Two-door convertible 

Key engine options: 

• 1.4-litre 95bhp VTi petrol 

• 1.6-litre 120bhp VTi petrol 

• 1.6-litre 150-175bhp THP petrol 

• 1.6-litre 90-110bhp HDi diesel 

• 2.0-litre 136-140bhp HDi diesel

Peugeot 308 2013-2021 

The second-generation 308 was built on the new EMP2 platform, representing a significant departure from its predecessor. It was 140kg lighter, leading to improvements in efficiency, and the interior benefited from Peugeot’s new i-Cockpit layout, with a small steering wheel and an elevated instrument cluster.   

A 2017 facelift introduced subtle styling tweaks, advanced safety features (including lane assist and blind spot monitoring), and a new 9.7-inch touchscreen with 3D navigation and Apple CarPlay. 

Body styles: 

• Five-door hatchback 

• Five-door estate 

Key engine options: 

• 1.2-litre 110-130bhp PureTech petrol 

• 1.6-litre 205bhp THP petrol (GT) 

• 1.6-litre 250-270bhp THP petrol (GTi) 

• 1.5-litre 100-130bhp BlueHDi diesel 

• 2.0-litre 150-180bhp BlueHDi diesel 

Peugeot 308 2021-present 

Now in its third generation, the latest 308 showcases Peugeot’s updated design language, featuring slim LED headlights, a bold front grille, and a new lion emblem on the front badge.  

This generation is the first to offer plug-in hybrid options, reflecting the industry-wide push for electrification. Advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, are also available for improved safety and comfort. 

Body styles: 

• Five-door hatchback 

• Five-door estate 

Key engine options: 

• 1.2-litre 110-130bhp PureTech petrol 

• 1.5-litre 130-bhp BlueHDi diesel 

• 1.6-litre 180bhp plug-in hybrid 

• 1.6-litre 225bhp plug-in hybrid 

Service intervals

Maintaining your 308 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. 

You can usually find specific replacement intervals for parts in your owner’s manual or maintenance/service booklet. The table below uses 308 maintenance recommendations from AutoDoc. 

How to reset the service light on a Peugeot 308 

The reset method can vary depending on the year and trim of your 308. If unsure, check your owner’s manual.  

• With the ignition off, press and hold the trip button on the dashboard instrument cluster.  

• Switch the ignition on while holding the trip button.  

• You’ll see a countdown timer on the screen. Hold the button until the display reads zero.  

• When you see a message stating that the re-initialisation has been performed, the reset is complete. 

Want to learn more about vehicle servicing? Check out the following guides: 

• What's the difference between a full service and an interim service? 

• How much should a full service cost? 

• How much should an interim service cost? 

• The ultimate guide to car maintenance 

Tyre pressure

What are the tyre pressures for a Peugeot 308? 

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 308 on TyrePressures.com. 

However, you should always check this information before adjusting your tyres. 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 308 tyre pressure light 

The following instructions are for models with a central multimedia display touchscreen. If your model doesn’t have this feature, consult your owner’s manual for the correct reset instructions.  

• Ensure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.  

• Press the car button on the central dashboard touchscreen.  

• Select ‘under-inflation initialisation’.  

• You will see a message asking if you want to perform a reset.  

• Select ‘yes’.  

• The reset process is complete. 

Engine oil

It’s crucial to use the correct engine oil – find out why in this guide. 

The recommended oil can vary between different 308 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 308 models use 0W-30, 5W-30 or 5W-40. 

Peugeot/PSA oil specifications 

PSA B71 2290 is the most common oil specification for petrol and diesel 308 models from 2009 onwards, particularly those equipped with turbos and diesel particulate filters. It has low SAPS (sulphated ash, phosphorus and sulphur) to protect DPFs and helps prevent timing chain and wet belt wear in PureTech engines.  

 Peugeot often recommends Total Quartz oils, but brands like Mobil, Castrol and Shell also meet PSA specs. 

What is the oil capacity of a Peugeot 308? 

Oil capacity varies depending on the engine size and model year. The 308 requires between 3.25 and 5.5-litres of oil. 

When topping up, remember to add oil gradually and check the dipstick to avoid overfilling. Too much oil puts more pressure on seals and gaskets and can lead to increased friction between parts.   

Battery

What battery do I need for my Peugeot 308? 

The table below shows the battery requirements of Peugeot 308 engine variants using information from What Battery. The base hold-down is B13. 

What are the signs my Peugeot 308 battery needs replacing? 

It’s sometimes possible to tell when your car battery is on its last legs. Keep an eye out for: 

• Dim headlights 

• Engine slow to start 

• Check engine light 

• Electrical issues 

• Corrosion on battery terminals 

• Battery warning light

Noticed one or more of these symptoms? It’s time to get your 308’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 308? 

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 308 warning lights you might not know 

Peugeot tortoise mode warning light 

You’ve probably already guessed that this warning light looks like a tortoise. It’s specific to hybrid and electric models, indicating that the battery charge is critically low. The engine power will gradually decrease to conserve battery life; if you don’t charge it soon, it will die. 

Peugeot STOP warning light 

Peugeot’s STOP warning light is self-explanatory – when you see it, you should pull over somewhere safe and stop driving. The light signals a fault that requires urgent attention; it could pose a threat to your safety if you continue using your car.   

Once you've pulled over, check your car’s fluid levels – sometimes, all you need to do is top one of them up. If the fluids all appear to be fine, it's time to contact your breakdown provider or a mobile mechanic.    

Possible causes of the STOP warning light include:  

• Low brake fluid  

• ABS fault  

• High engine temperature  

• Low oil pressure  

• Electrical glitch 

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 308. 

1. Faulty brake light switch 

2013-2021 models may have a faulty brake light switch, which can interfere with various other systems, including the cruise control. The switch tricks these systems into thinking the brakes are on, stopping them from working as expected.   

 The three main symptoms noticed by owners are:  

• Cruise control won’t engage  

• Start-stop system warning light on the dashboard  

• Brake lights are always on  

 The fix – replacing the switch - is fairly simple and shouldn’t cost too much. 

2. Malfunctioning coolant sensor 

Picture the scene: you’re driving down a motorway, and the temperature warning light comes on. Filled with dread, you pull onto the hard shoulder, expecting to be met with a cloud of steam from the engine bay. We're all aware of the damage that overheating can cause. But when you investigate, all seems well.   

It turns out the warning light wasn’t triggered by excessive heat after all – the real culprit is a malfunctioning coolant temperature sensor.   

Numerous Mk2 308 owners have experienced this problem. The good news is that, again, the solution is simple: the faulty sensor needs to be replaced. It shouldn’t take more than an hour or two. 

Need help diagnosing car problems? Check out the following guides for advice: 

• Diagnose car problems & find the right fix 

• Diagnose strange noises in your car & find a fix 

Top Peugeot 308 questions and topics

How to turn on the fog lights in a Peugeot 308 

The fog lights are controlled via a collar on the left indicator stalk. The collar shows the fog light symbol (pictured below) with arrows above and below it. Twist the collar up to activate the front fog lights. Repeat the same motion to turn the rear ones on as well. Twist the collar down to switch the lights off.  

You can check whether you’ve turned the lights on by looking at the dashboard warning lights. The symbol for the front fog lights has down-slanted lines (as above), whereas the symbol for the rear lights has straight lines (pictured below). 

How to open the bonnet on a Peugeot 308 

• Pull the bonnet release lever in the passenger footwell near the door. 

• Slide your fingers under the partially opened bonnet in line with the Peugeot badge to find the second lever/tab. 

• Pull the lever. 

• Lift and secure the bonnet.  

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