Driver assistance systems are becoming increasingly common in modern cars. Their goal is to improve driving safety and comfort, but not all features achieve these goals in practice. A prime example is the Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) system, which in Citroën models often causes more frustration than benefit. For many drivers, TSR is a source of constant confusion, irritation, and—worse still—unpredictable vehicle responses.
Why can TSR be so troublesome?
On paper, everything looks great – Citroën's TSR is supposed to detect road signs (especially speed limits) and inform the driver about them, even adjusting vehicle settings like cruise control and speed limiter. The problem is, the technology isn't perfect. The system relies primarily on a camera located at the top of the windshield, which analyzes the surroundings in real time. Unfortunately, it often confuses road signs, for example, recognizing a sign at a motorway exit, service road, or even the numbers on advertisements as the current speed limit.
TSR also sometimes interprets temporary signs as valid when they have long since been removed or no longer apply. This results in false messages on the dashboard screen, and even worse, changes to the adaptive cruise control or speed limiter settings without the driver's explicit consent. In driving situations requiring quick reaction and full control, this system behavior can be not only irritating but downright dangerous.
How do I turn off TSR temporarily while driving?
In most Citroën models, the TSR system can only be disabled temporarily—meaning that the system automatically reactivates each time the engine is restarted. For those who use their car regularly, disabling the TSR daily becomes a tedious ritual.
The procedure for temporarily disabling a TSR is typically as follows:
- Turn on the multimedia system on the touchscreen.
- Go to the vehicle settings menu (usually marked with a car icon or the words "Vehicle Settings").
- Select a tab "Driving Assistance" or "Driver Assistants".
- Find the option for sign recognition (e.g., "Traffic Sign Recognition," "TSR," or "Speed Limits").
- Uncheck/disable the feature.
Unfortunately, this deactivation is only temporary – each time the engine is turned off and the car is restarted, the TSR comes back to life. For many drivers, this is the system's biggest drawback – the lack of a permanent option in the vehicle settings.
How to disable TSR permanently? Solution: ZENBOX PRO
For all those who are tired of constantly turning off TSR or living with an imperfect system, there is an effective and safe solution: ZENBOX PRO.
ZENBOX PRO is an innovative device designed for drivers who want to take control of their car's functions. Installation is simple, requiring no modifications to the factory software or interference with the vehicle's electrical system. It only takes a few minutes for the TSR to be completely and permanently deactivated.
After installing ZENBOX PRO:
- The TSR system no longer activates automatically when the engine is started.
- The dashboard screen does not display unnecessary and often incorrect sign messages.
- The driver regains full control of the cruise control and speed limiter settings.
- There are no errors or warnings in the vehicle system.
With ZENBOX PRO, driving becomes calmer and more predictable – without unwanted “assistant drivers” who know better how to drive.
Citroën models with the most annoying TSR
Although the TSR system is present in most new Citroën models, its operation is particularly often criticised by owners of the following vehicles:
- Citroën C4 (2020–present)
The road sign recognition system can misinterpret information in dense urban areas and on expressways, often causing confusion in cruise control settings. - Citroën C5 Aircross (2019–present)
Users complain about persistent errors in reading signs and automatic changes to speed limits – especially on expressways and national roads. - Citroën C3 (2017–present)
Despite being a model for the urban segment, TSR is very imprecise. It indicates restrictions that are inconsistent with actual signs, especially in city centers. - Citroën Berlingo (2019–present)
Users often complain about automatic speed limits and overly intrusive messages – which is especially bothersome in a commercial vehicle. - Citroën C5 X (2022–present)
In this modern model, the TSR can be surprisingly inaccurate – which takes away from the driving pleasure and complicates the use of the advanced cruise control.
Owners of these models are increasingly choosing to use the ZENBOX PRO solution, which allows them to say goodbye to the overzealous character recognition system once and for all.
Summary:
TSR in Citroën cars is another example of technology that was supposed to be helpful, but in reality, it often becomes a hindrance. The lack of an option to permanently disable this system in the car's settings is a serious drawback that affects many drivers. Fortunately, thanks to a device ZENBOX PRO, you can permanently and effectively disable this function, regaining peace of mind, comfort and full control of your car.