2010 Citroen C3 Owner's Manual

7
CHILD SAFETY
Any other status of the indica-
tor lamp indicates a malfunction
of the electric child lock. Have it
checked by a CITROËN dealer.
* According to version.
ELECTRIC CHILD LOCK
Remote control system to prevent open-
ing of the rear doors using their interior
controls and use of the rear electric win-
dows * .
The control is located:
- either on the dashboard, driver’s side, for versions without rear elec-
tric windows,
- or on the driver’s door, with the elec- tric window controls, for versions fi t-
ted with rear electric windows. Activation

 Press this button.
The indicator lamp on the button comes
on, accompanied by a message on the
multifunction screen.
This indicator lamp remains on until the
child lock is deactivated. Deactivation

 Press the button again.
The indicator lamp on the button switc-
hes off, accompanied by a message on
the multifunction screen.
This indicator lamp remains off until the
child lock is activated.
This system is independent and
in no circumstances does it take
the place of the central locking
control.
Check the status of the child lock
each time you switch on the igni-
tion.
Always remove the key from the
ignition when leaving the vehi-
cle, even for a short time.
In the event of a serious impact,
the electric child lock is deacti-
vated automatically to permit the
exit of the rear passengers.

8
SAFETY
DIRECTION INDICATORS
Selection of the left or right direction in-
dicators to signal a change of direction
of the vehicle.

 Left: lower the lighting stalk beyond
the point of resistance.

 Right: raise the lighting stalk beyond
the point of resistance.
"Motorway" function

 Press briefl y upwards or downwards,
without going beyond the point of
resistance; the direction indicators
will fl ash 3 times.
HAZARD WARNING LAMPS
A visual warning by means of the direc-
tion indicators to alert other road users
to a vehicle breakdown, towing or
accident.

 Press this button, the direction indi-
cators fl ash.
They can operate with the ignition off.
Automatic operation of hazard
warning lamps
When braking in an emergency, de-
pending on the deceleration, the hazard
warning lamps come on automatically.
They switch off automatically the fi rst
time you accelerate.

 You can also switch them off by
pressing the button.
HORN
Audible warning to alert other road users
to an imminent danger.

 Press one of the spokes of the steering
wheel.
Use the horn moderately and
only in the following cases:
- immediate danger,
- overtaking a cyclist or pedes- trian
- when approaching an area where there is no visibility.

8
SAFETY
BRAKING ASSISTANCE
SYSTEMS
Group of supplementary systems which
help you to obtain optimum braking in
complete safety in emergency situa-
tions:
- anti-lock braking system (ABS),
- electronic brake force distribution (EBFD),
- emergency braking assistance (EBA).
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.
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.
When braking in an emergency,
press very fi rmly without releasing
the pressure. Operating fault
In either case, contact a CITROËN
dealer.
If this warning lamp comes on,
accompanied by an audible
signal and a message on the
multifunction screen, it indicates
a malfunction of 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 STOP and

ABS warning lamps, accompa-
nied by an audible signal and a
message on the multifunction screen, it
indicates a malfunction of the electron-
ic 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.
When replacing wheels (tyres
and rims), ensure that they
conform to the manufacturer's
recommendations. Emergency braking assistance
System which, in an emergency, en-
ables you to obtain the optimum braking
pressure more quickly, thus reducing the
stopping distance.
Activation
It is triggered by the speed at which the
brake pedal is pressed.
The effect of this is a reduction in the
resistance of the pedal and an increase
in braking effi ciency.
When braking in an emergency,
press fi rmly without releasing
the pressure.

8
SAFETY
TRAJECTORY CONTROL
SYSTEMS
Anti-skid regulation (ASR) and
electronic stability programme
(ESP)
The anti-skid regulation (also known
as Traction Control) optimises traction
to prevent skidding of the wheels, by
acting on the brakes of the driving
wheels and on the engine.
The electronic stability programme acts
on the brake of one or more wheels and
on the engine to keep the vehicle on the
trajectory required by the driver, within
the limits of the laws of physics.
Activation
These systems are activated automati-
cally each time the vehicle is started.
They come into operation in the event
of a grip or trajectory problem. This is indicated by fl ashing of
this warning lamp on the instru-
ment panel. Deactivation
In exceptional conditions (starting a
vehicle which is bogged down, stuck
in snow, on soft ground...), it may be
advisable to deactivate the ASR and
ESP systems, so that the wheels can
move freely and regain grip.

 Press the "ESP OFF" button, located
on the left below the steering wheel.
If this warning lamp comes on in the instru-
ment panel and the indicator lamp on the
button comes on, this indicates that the
ASR and ESP systems are deactivated.
Reactivation
These systems are reactivated automat-
ically each time the ignition is switched
back on or from 30 mph (50 km/h).

 Press the "ESP OFF" button again
to reactivate them manually. Operating fault
If this warning lamp comes on,
accompanied by an audible sig-
nal and a message on the multi-
function screen, this indicates a
malfunction of these systems.
Have the systems checked by a CITROËN
dealer.
The ESP/ASR systems offer ex-
ceptional safety in normal driving,
but this should not encourage the
driver to take extra risks or drive at
high speed.
The correct functioning of these
systems depends on observation
of the manufacturer's recommen-
dations regarding the wheels (tyres
and rims), the braking compo-
nents, the electronic components
and the CITROËN assembly and
operation procedures.
After an impact, have these sys-
tems checked by a CITROËN
dealer.

8
SAFETY
SEAT BELTS
Front seat belts
Fastening

 Pull the strap, then insert the tongue
in the buckle.

 Check that the seat belt is fastened
correctly by pulling the strap. Unfastening

 Press the red button on the buckle.

 Guide the seat belt as it is reeled in.
Seat belt not fastened/
unfastened warning lamp When the ignition is switched on,
this warning lamp comes on in
the instrument panel, if the driver
and/or the front passenger has
not fastened their seat belt.
From approximately 12 mph (20 km/h)
this warning lamp fl ashes for two minutes
accompanied by an audible signal of in-
creasing volume. Once these two minutes
have elapsed, this warning lamp remains
on until the driver and/or the front passen-
ger fastens their seat belt. Rear seat belts
The rear seats are each fi tted with a
three-point inertia reel seat belt with
force limiter.
Fastening

 Pull the strap, then insert the tongue
in the buckle.

 Check that the seat belt is fastened
correctly by pulling the strap.
Unfastening

 Press the red button on the buckle.

 Guide the seat belt as it is reeled in.
The front seat belts are fi tted with a pre-
tensioning and force limiting system.
This system improves safety in the front
seats in the event of a front impact.
Depending on the severity of the im-
pact, the pretensioning system instantly
tightens the seat belts against the body
of the occupants.
The pretensioning seat belts are active
when the ignition is on.
The force limiter reduces the pressure
of the seat belt on the chest of the occu-
pant, so improving their protection.

8
SAFETY
The driver must ensure that passen-
gers use the seat belts correctly and
that they are all restrained securely
before setting off.
Wherever you are seated in the
vehicle, always fasten your seat belt,
even for short journeys.
Do not invert the seat belt buckles as
they will not fulfi l their role fully.
The seat belts are fi tted with an inertia
reel permitting automatic adjustment
of the length of the strap to your size.
The seat belt is stored automatically
when not in use.
Before and after use, ensure that the
seat belt is reeled in correctly.
The lower part of the strap must be
positioned as low as possible on the
pelvis.
The upper part must be positioned in
the hollow of the shoulder.
The inertia reels are fi tted with an auto-
matic locking device which comes into
operation in the event of a collision,
emergency braking or if the vehicle
rolls over. You can release the device
by pulling fi rmly on the strap and re-
leasing it so that it re-winds slightly. Recommendations for
children
Use a suitable child seat if the pas-
senger is less than 12 years old or
shorter than one and a half metres.
Never use the same seat belt to
secure more than one person.
Never allow a child to travel on your
lap.
In order to be effective, a seat belt
must:
- be tightened as close to the body
as possible,
- be pulled in front of you with a smooth movement, checking that
it does not twist,
- be used to restrain only one person,
- not bear any trace of cuts or fraying,
- not be converted or modifi ed to avoid affecting its performance.
In accordance with current safety
regulations, all repairs and checks
must be carried out by a CITROËN
dealer who guarantees that the work
is carried out correctly.
Have your seat belts checked regu-
larly by a CITROËN dealer and par-
ticularly if the straps show signs of
damage.
Clean the seat belt straps with soapy
water or a textile cleaning product,
sold by CITROËN dealers.
After folding or moving a seat or rear
bench seat, ensure that the seat belt
is positioned and reeled in correctly. In the event of an impact

Depending on the nature and se-
riousness of the impacts , the pre-
tensioning device may be triggered
before and independently of the air-
bags. Triggering of the pre-tensioners
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 all cases, the airbag warning lamp
comes on.
Following an impact, have the seat
belts system checked, and if neces-
sary replaced, by a CITROËN dealer.

8
SAFETY
AIRBAGS

The airbags do not operate when
the ignition is switched off.
This equipment will only deploy
once. If a second impact occurs
(during the same or a subse-
quent accident), the airbag will
not be triggered again. Impact detection zones

A. Front impact zone.

B. Side impact zone.
Triggering of the airbag(s) is ac-
companied by a slight emission
of harmless smoke and a noise,
due to the activation of the pyro-
technic cartridge incorporated in
the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but
sensitive individuals may experi-
ence slight irritation.
The noise of the detonation may
result in a slight loss of hearing
for a short time. Front airbags
System which protects the driver and
front passenger in the event of a seri-
ous front impact in order to limit the risk
of injury to the head and chest.
The driver's airbag is incorporated in
the centre of the steering wheel; the
front passenger's airbag is incorporated
in the dashboard above the glove box.
Activation
The airbags are triggered simultaneous-
ly, unless the passenger's front airbag
is deactivated, in the event of a serious
front impact applied to all or part of the
front impact zone
A , in the longitudinal
centreline of the vehicle on a horizontal
plane and directed from the front to the
rear of the vehicle.
The front airbag infl ates between the
head-thorax of the front occupant of the
vehicle and the dashboard to cushion
their forward movement.
System designed to maximise the safety
of the occupants (with the exception of
the rear centre passenger) in the event
of violent collisions. It supplements the
action of the force-limiting seat belts
(with the exception of the rear centre
passenger).
If a collision occurs, the electronic de-
tectors record and analyse the front and
side impacts sustained in the impact
detection zones:
- in the case of a serious impact, the
airbags are triggered instantly and
protect the occupants of the vehicle
(with the exception of the rear centre
passenger); immediately after the
impact, the airbags defl ate rapidly
so that they do not hinder visibility
or the exit of the occupants,
- in the case of a minor or rear impact or in certain roll-over conditions, the
airbags will not be triggered; the
seat belt alone is suffi cient to pro-
vide optimum protection in these
situations.

8
SAFETY
Deactivation
Only the passenger's front airbag can
be deactivated:

 with the ignition off , insert the key
in the passenger airbag deactivation
switch 1 ,

 turn it to the "OFF" position,

 then, remove the key keeping the
switch in the new position.
This warning lamp comes on
in the instrument panel when
the ignition is on and until the
airbag is re-activated. To assure the safety of your child,
the passenger's front airbag
must be deactivated when you
install a "rear facing" child seat
on the front passenger seat.
Otherwise, the child would risk
being seriously injured or killed if
the airbag were triggered.
Reactivation
When you remove the child seat, turn
switch 1 to the "ON" position to re-acti-
vate the airbag and so assure the safety
of your front passenger in the event of
an impact.
With the ignition on, this warn-
ing lamp comes on in the instru-
ment panel for approximately
one minute, if the passenger's
front airbag is activated. Operating fault
If this warning lamp comes on on
the instrument panel, accompa-
nied by an audible warning and
a message on the multifunction
screen, contact a CITROËN dealer to
have the system checked. The airbags
may no longer be triggered in the event
of a serious impact.
If this warning lamp fl ashes,
contact a CITROËN dealer.
The passenger's front airbag
may no longer be triggered in
the event of a serious impact.
If at least one of the two airbag
warning lamps come on continu-
ously, do not install a child seat
on the front passenger seat.
Have the system checked by a
CITROËN dealer.