97
5
SAFETY
Driving safely
HORN
Press the centre of the steering wheel. Anti-lock braking system and
electronic brake force distribution
Linked systems which improve the stability
and manoeuvrability of your vehicle when
braking, in particular on poor or slippery
surfaces.
BRAKING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS
Group of supplementary systems which help
you to obtain optimum braking in complete
safety in emergency situations:
- anti-lock braking system (ABS),
- electronic brake force distribution
(EBFD),
- emergency braking assistance (EBA). Activation
The anti-lock braking system comes into
operation automatically when there is a risk
of wheel lock.
Normal operation of the ABS may make
itself felt by slight vibration of the brake
pedal accompanied by some noise.
When braking in an emergency, press
very firmly without releasing the
pressure.
Operating fault If this warning lamp comes on,
accompanied by an audible signal
and a message in the instrument
panel screen, it indicates a fault
with the anti-lock braking system which
could result in loss of control of the vehicle
when braking. If this warning lamp comes on,
together with the
ABS warning
lamp, accompanied by a message
in the instrument panel screen,
it indicates a fault with the electronic brake
force distribution which could result in loss
of control of the vehicle when braking.
You must stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
Good practice
The ABS system does not provide shorter
braking distances. On very slippery surfaces
(black ice, oil...) the ABS can extend braking
distances. For emergency braking, press the
brake pedal hard and do not release it, even
on a slipper surface; you will then be able to
steer the vehicle and avoid an obstacle.
When replacing wheels (tyres and
rims), ensure that they conform to the
manufacturer's recommendations.
In either case, contact a CITROËN dealer.
For maximum braking efficiency, a
bedding-in period of around 300 miles
(500 kilometres) is needed. During this
period it is recommended that you avoid
harsh, repeated or prolonged braking.
102
Seat belts
Good practice
The driver must ensure that all passengers
fasten their seat belt correctly.
Wherever you are seated in the vehicle,
always fasten your seat belt, even for short
journeys.
The seat belts are fitted with an inertia reel
which automatically adjusts the length of the
strap to your size. The seat belt is rolled up
automatically when not in use.
Ensure that the seat belt is rolled up
correctly after use.
After folding or moving a seat, ensure that
the seat belt is rolled up correctly in its
compartment and that the buckle is ready to
accommodate the tongue. The force limiter reduces the pressure of the
seat belt against the body of the occupants.
The equipment fitted to these seat belts is
operational when the ignition is switched on.
The inertia reels are fitted with a device
which automatically locks the strap in the
event of a collision or emergency braking or
if the vehicle rolls over.
The airbag warning light comes
on if the pretensioners are
triggered. Consult a CITROËN
dealer .
Depending on the nature and seriousness
of any impact, the pretensioning device may
be triggered before and independently of
inflation of the airbags. It instantly tightens
the seat belts against the body of the
occupants.
The triggering of the pretensioners is
accompanied by a slight discharge of
harmless smoke and a noise, due to the
activation of the pyrotechnic cartridge
incorporated in the system. In order to be effective, a seat belt must:
- restrain one person only,
- must not be twisted, check by pulling in
front of you with an even movement,
- be tightened as close to the body as possible.
The upper part of the seat belt should be
positioned in the hollow of the shoulder.
The lap part should be placed as low as
possible on the pelvis.
Do not invert the seat belt buckles as they
will not fulfil their role completely. If the
seats are fitted with armrests, the lap part of
the seat belt should always pass under the
armrest.
Check that the seat belt is fastened correctly
by pulling the strap firmly. Recommendations for children:
- use a suitable child seat if the passenger
is less than 12 years old or shorter than
one metre fifty,
- never allow a child to travel on your lap, even with the seat belt fastened.
For further information regarding child
seats, refer to the "Children on board"
section of chapter 5.
In accordance with current safety
regulations, your CITROËN dealer
guarantees all work or any checks, from
testing to maintenance, on your seat belt
equipment.
Have the seat belts checked regularly
(even after a minor impact) by a CITROËN
dealer: they must not show any signs of
wear, cutting or fraying and they must not be
transformed or modified.
Clean the seat belt straps with soapy
water or a textile cleaning product, sold
by a CITROËN dealer.
103
5
SAFETY
Airbags
AIRBAGS
The airbags have been designed to
maximise the safety of the occupants in the
event of a serious collision; they work in
conjunction with the force limiting seat belts.
In the event of a serious collision, the
electronic detectors record and analyse the
front and side impacts suffered in the impact
detection zones:
- in the event of a serious impact, the airbags inflate instantly and protect the
occupants of the vehicle. Immediately
after the impact, the airbags deflate
rapidly, so that they do not hinder the
visibility of the occupants nor their
possible exit from the vehicle. - in the event of a minor or rear impact
and in certain roll-over conditions, the
airbags will not be deployed; the seat belt
alone is sufficient to provide maximum
protection in these situations.
The seriousness of the collision depends on
the nature of the obstacle and the speed of
the vehicle at the moment of impact.
Airbags only operate when the
ignition is switched on.
This equipment only operates once. If a
second impact occurs (during the same or
a subsequent accident), the airbag will not
operate.
The triggering of an airbag or airbags
is accompanied by a slight discharge of
harmless smoke and a noise, due to the
activation of the pyrotechnic cartridge
incorporated in the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but sensitive
individuals may experience some irritation.
The noise of the detonation may result in a
slight loss of hearing for a short time.
It is imperative that the passenger
airbag is disarmed if a child seat is
installed facing rearwards. Refer to the
"Children on board" section of chapter 5.
104
Airbags
SIDE AIRBAGS
Activation
It is triggered unilaterally in the event of a
serious side impact, perpendicular to the
longitudinal centreline of the vehicle on
a horizontal plane and directed from the
outside towards the inside of the vehicle.
The side airbag inflates between the
front occupant of the vehicle and the
corresponding door trim pad. In the event of a minor impact or bump
on the side of the vehicle or if the
vehicle rolls over, the airbag may not be
triggered. Operating fault
If this warning light comes on on
the instrument panel, consult a
CITROËN dealer without delay
to have the system checked.
The airbags may no longer be
triggered in the event of a serious
impact.
106
Airbags
For the airbags to be fully effective,
observe the following safety rules:
Sit in a normal upright position.
Wear a correctly adjusted seat belt.
Do not leave anything between the
occupants and the airbags (a child, pet,
object...). This could hamper the operation
of the airbags or injure the occupants.
After an accident or if the vehicle has been
stolen or broken into, have the airbag
systems checked.
All work on the airbag systems is strictly
forbidden unless it is carried out by the
qualified personnel of a CITROËN dealer .
Even if all of the precautions mentioned are
observed, a risk of injury or of slight burns
to the head, chest or arms when an airbag
is triggered cannot be ruled out. In fact,
the bag inflates almost instantly (within a
few milliseconds) then deflates within the
same time, discharging the hot gas through
openings provided for this purpose. Front airbags
Do not drive holding the steering wheel
by its spokes or resting your hands on the
centre part of the wheel.
Passengers must not place their feet on the
fascia.
Smoke as little as possible as deployment
of the airbags can cause burns or the risk of
injury from a cigarette or pipe.
Never remove or pierce the steering wheel
or hit it violently.
Side airbags
Only put approved covers on the seats.
These will not hinder the triggering of the
side airbags. Consult a CITROËN dealer .
Do not fix or glue anything to the seat backs.
This could cause injury to the chest or arms
when the side airbag inflates.
Do not sit with the upper part of the body
any nearer to the door than necessary.
103
5
SAFETY
Airbags
AIRBAGS
The airbags have been designed to
maximise the safety of the occupants in the
event of a serious collision; they work in
conjunction with the force limiting seat belts.
In the event of a serious collision, the
electronic detectors record and analyse the
front and side impacts suffered in the impact
detection zones:
- in the event of a serious impact, the airbags inflate instantly and protect the
occupants of the vehicle. Immediately
after the impact, the airbags deflate
rapidly, so that they do not hinder the
visibility of the occupants nor their
possible exit from the vehicle. - in the event of a minor or rear impact
and in certain roll-over conditions, the
airbags will not be deployed; the seat belt
alone is sufficient to provide maximum
protection in these situations.
The seriousness of the collision depends on
the nature of the obstacle and the speed of
the vehicle at the moment of impact.
Airbags only operate when the
ignition is switched on.
This equipment only operates once. If a
second impact occurs (during the same or
a subsequent accident), the airbag will not
operate.
The triggering of an airbag or airbags
is accompanied by a slight discharge of
harmless smoke and a noise, due to the
activation of the pyrotechnic cartridge
incorporated in the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but sensitive
individuals may experience some irritation.
The noise of the detonation may result in a
slight loss of hearing for a short time.
It is imperative that the passenger
airbag is disarmed if a child seat is
installed facing rearwards. Refer to the
"Children on board" section of chapter 5.
105
5
SAFETY
Airbags
FRONT AIRBAGS
The front airbags are incorporated in the
centre of the steering wheel for the driver
and in the fascia for the front passenger.
Activation
They are deployed simultaneously, unless the
passenger's front airbag has been disarmed,
in the event of a serious front impact.
The front airbag inflates between the front
occupant of the vehicle and the fascia to
cushion his forward movement. Disarming
The passenger's front airbag alone can be
disarmed. The airbag is disarmed from the
trip computer.
The airbag warning light on the
instrument panel is lit throughout
the period of disarming. To ensure the safety of your child, it
is essential to disarm the passenger
airbag when you install a rear-facing child
seat on the front passenger seat. Otherwise,
the child would risk being killed or seriously
injured if the airbag were to inflate.
Refer to the "MENU" section of
chapter 3, then select OFF on the
"Passenger airbag" menu. Operating fault
If the two airbag warning lights are lit
continuously, do not install a rear-
facing child seat. Consult a CITROËN
dealer . If this warning light comes
on on the instrument panel,
accompanied by an audible signal
and a message on the display,
consult a CITROËN dealer without delay
to have the system checked. The airbags
may no longer be triggered in the event of a
serious impact.
106
Airbags
For the airbags to be fully effective,
observe the following safety rules:
Sit in a normal upright position.
Wear a correctly adjusted seat belt.
Do not leave anything between the
occupants and the airbags (a child, pet,
object...). This could hamper the operation
of the airbags or injure the occupants.
After an accident or if the vehicle has been
stolen or broken into, have the airbag
systems checked.
All work on the airbag systems is strictly
forbidden unless it is carried out by the
qualified personnel of a CITROËN dealer .
Even if all of the precautions mentioned are
observed, a risk of injury or of slight burns
to the head, chest or arms when an airbag
is triggered cannot be ruled out. In fact,
the bag inflates almost instantly (within a
few milliseconds) then deflates within the
same time, discharging the hot gas through
openings provided for this purpose. Front airbags
Do not drive holding the steering wheel
by its spokes or resting your hands on the
centre part of the wheel.
Passengers must not place their feet on the
fascia.
Smoke as little as possible as deployment
of the airbags can cause burns or the risk of
injury from a cigarette or pipe.
Never remove or pierce the steering wheel
or hit it violently.
Side airbags
Only put approved covers on the seats.
These will not hinder the triggering of the
side airbags. Consult a CITROËN dealer .
Do not fix or glue anything to the seat backs.
This could cause injury to the chest or arms
when the side airbag inflates.
Do not sit with the upper part of the body
any nearer to the door than necessary.