2012 Citroen C4 Owner's Manual

8
SAFETY
143
AIRBAGS


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 im-
pact 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 cen-
tre 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.


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.

A.
Front impact zone.

B.
Side impact zone.
Impact detection zones
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 thorax.
The driver's airbag is fi tted in the centre
of the steering wheel; the front passen-
ger's airbag is fi tted in the dashboard
above the glove box.

Deployment
The airbags are deployed simultaneously,
unless the passenger's front airbag is de-
activated, in the event of a serious front
impact 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 tho-
rax and head of the front occupant of the
vehicle and the steering wheel, driver's
side, and the dashboard, passenger's side
to cushion their forward movement.

8
SAFETY
144

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


)
insert the key in the passenger air-
bag deactivation switch,

)
turn it to the "OFF"
position,

)
then, remove the key keeping the
switch in the new position.
According to version, this warn-
ing lamp comes on in the in-
strument panel and/or in the
seat belt and passenger's front
airbag warning lamps display 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 deployed.

Reactivation
When you remove the child seat, turn
the switch to the "ON"
position to re-
activate 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 seat
belt and passenger's front air-
bag warning lamps display for
approximately one minute, if the pas-
senger's front airbag is activated.
Operating fault
If this warning lamp comes on
in the instrument panel, accom-
panied by an audible warning
and the display of a message,
contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualifi ed
workshop to have the system checked.
The airbags may no longer be deployed
in the event of a serious impact.
If this warning lamp fl ashes in
the instrument panel and/or in
the seat belt and passenger's
front airbag warning lamps dis-
play, contact a CITROËN dealer or a
qualifi ed workshop. The passenger's
front airbag may no longer be deployed
in the event of a serious impact.
If even one of the two airbag
warning lamps comes on contin-
uously, do not install a child seat
on the front passenger seat.
Have the system checked by a
CITROËN dealer or a qualifi ed
workshop.

8
SAFETY
145






Lateral airbags

System which protects the driver and
front passenger in the event of a seri-
ous side impact in order to limit the risk
of injury to the chest, between the hip
and the shoulder.
Each lateral airbag is fi tted in the seat
backrest frame, door side.

Deployment
The lateral airbags are deployed uni-
laterally in the event of a serious side
impact applied to all or part of the side
impact zone B
, perpendicular to the
longitudinal centreline of the vehicle on
a horizontal plane and directed from
the outside towards the inside of the
vehicle.
The lateral airbag infl ates between the
hip and shoulder of the front occupant
of the vehicle and the corresponding
door trim panel.

A.
Front impact zone.

B.
Side impact zone.


Impact detection zones







Curtain airbags

System which protects the driver and
passengers (with the exception of the
rear centre passenger) in the event of a
serious side impact in order to limit the
risk of injury to the side of the head.
Each curtain airbag is built into the pil-
lars and the upper passenger compart-
ment area.
Deployment
The curtain airbag is deployed at the
same time as the corresponding lateral
airbag in the event of a serious side
impact applied to all or part of the side
impact zone B
, perpendicular to the
longitudinal centreline of the vehicle on
a horizontal plane and directed from
the outside towards the inside of the
vehicle.
The curtain airbag infl ates between the
front or rear occupant of the vehicle and
the windows.

Operating fault
If this warning lamp comes on
in the instrument panel, accom-
panied by an audible signal and
a message in the screen, con-
tact a CITROËN dealer or a qualifi ed
workshop to have the system checked.
The airbags may no longer be deployed
in the event of a serious impact.
In the event of a minor impact or
bump on the side of the vehicle
or if the vehicle rolls over, the air-
bag may not be deployed.
In the event of a rear or front
collision, the airbag is not de-
ployed.

8
SAFETY
146













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 air-
bags or injure the occupants.
After an accident or if the ve-
hicle has been stolen or broken
into, have the airbag systems
checked.
All work on the airbag system must
be carried out by a CITROËN
dealer or a qualifi ed workshop.
Even if all of the precautions men-
tioned are observed, a risk of in-
jury or of minor burns to the head,
chest or arms when an airbag is
deployed cannot be ruled out.
The bag infl ates almost instantly
(within a few milliseconds) then
defl ates within the same time dis-
charging the hot gas via 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 dashboard.
If possible, do not smoke 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.



Lateral airbags
Use only approved covers on the seats, compatible with the deployment the lateral
airbags. For information on the range of seat covers suitable for your vehicle, you
can contact a CITROËN dealer (see "Practical information - § Accessories").
Do not fi x or attach anything to the seat backs (clothing...). This could cause in-
jury to the chest or arms if the lateral airbag is deployed.
Do not sit with the upper part of the body any nearer to the door than necessary.

Curtain airbags
Do not fi x or attach anything to the roof. This could cause injury to the head if the
curtain airbag is deployed.
If fi tted on your vehicle, do not remove the grab handles installed on the roof, they
play a part in securing the curtain airbags.

9
DRIVING
147








ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE


The electric parking brake combines
2 operational modes:


- Automatic Application/Release

Application is automatic when the
engine stops, release is automatic
on use of the accelerator (activated
by default),

- Manual Application/Release

The parking brake can be applied/
released manually by pulling control
lever A
.
If this warning lamp comes on
in the instrument panel, the au-
tomatic mode is deactivated.
Programming the mode
Depending on the country of sale of the
vehicle, the automatic application when
the engine is switched off and the auto-
matic release when you press the ac-
celerator can be deactivated.

It is recommended that you do
not apply the parking brake in
very cold conditions (ice) and
during towing (breakdown, car-
avan...). Deactivate the auto-
matic functions and release the
parking brake manually.



Manual application

With the vehicle stationary, to apply the
parking brake whether the engine is
running or off, pull
control lever A
.
The application of the parking brake is
confi rmed by:


-
illumination of the braking warn-
ing lamp and of the P
warning
lamp in the control lever A
,


- display of the message
"Handbrake on".

Before leaving the vehicle, en-
sure that parking brake warning
lamp in the instrument panel is
on fi xed, not fl ashing.
When the driver’s door is opened with
the engine running, a message is dis-
played accompanied by an audible sig-
nal if the parking brake has not been
applied, except in the case of an au-
tomatic gearbox with the gear lever in
position P
. Activation/deactivation is done
using the vehicle confi guration
menu; refer to the section cov-
ering the confi guration of your
vehicle's systems.
The parking brake is then applied and
released manually. When the driver's
door is opened, there is an audible sig-
nal and a message is displayed if the
brake is not applied.

Do not place any object (packet
of cigarettes, telephone...) be-
tween the gear lever and the
electric parking brake control
lever.

9
DRIVING
148

Manual release

With the ignition on or the engine run-
ning, to release the parking brake,
press
on the brake
pedal
or the accel-
erator, pull then release
control A
.
The full application of the parking brake
is confi rmed by:


- the braking warning lamp
and the P
warning lamp in
the control lever A
going off,

- display of the message
"Handbrake off".
If you pull control lever A
with-
out pressing the brake pedal,
the parking brake will not be
released and a warning lamp
will come on in the instrument
panel.


Maximum application

If necessary, you can make a maxi-
mum application
of the parking brake.
This is obtained by means of a long
pull
on the control lever A
, until you
see the message "Handbrake on maxi-
mum" and a beep is heard.

Maximum application is essential:



- in the case of a vehicle towing a
caravan or a trailer, if the automatic
functions are activated but you are
applying the parking brake manu-
ally,

- when the gradient you are parked
on may vary (e.g. on a ferry, on a
lorry, during towing),

In the case of towing, a loaded vehicle
or parking on a gradient, make a maxi-
mum application of the parking brake
then turn the front wheels towards the
pavement and engage a gear when you
park.
After a maximum application, the re-
lease time will be longer.



Automatic application,
engine off
With the vehicle stationary, the parking
brake is automatically applied when
the engine is switched off
.
The application of the parking brake is
confi rmed by:


-
illumination of the braking warn-
ing lamp and of the P
warning
lamp in the control lever A
,


- display of the message
"Handbrake on".

Before leaving the vehicle, en-
sure that parking brake warning
lamp in the instrument panel is
on fi xed (not fl ashing).
Never leave a child alone inside
the vehicle with the ignition on,
as they could release the park-
ing brake.

In the case of towing, a loaded
vehicle or parking on a gradient,
turn the front wheels towards the
pavement and engage a gear
when you park.

9
DRIVING
149

Automatic release

The electric parking brake releases au-
tomatically and progressively
when
you press the accelerator:


)
Manual gearbox:
press down fully
on the clutch pedal, engage fi rst
gear or reverse, press on the accel-
erator pedal and move off.

)
6-speed electronic gearbox sys-
tem
: select position A
, M
or R
then
press on the accelerator pedal.

)
Automatic gearbox
: select posi-
tion D
, M
or R
then press the accelera-tor pedal.
Full release of the parking brake is con-
fi rmed by:


- the braking warning lamp
and the P
warning lamp in
the control lever A
going off,

- display of the message
"Handbrake off".

When stationary, with the engine
running, do not press the ac-
celerator pedal unnecessarily,
as you may release the parking
brake.



Immobilising the vehicle,
engine running
With the engine running and the vehicle
stationary, in order to immobilise the
vehicle it is essential to manually
ap-
ply the parking brake by pulling
control
lever A
.
The application of the parking brake is
confi rmed by:


-
illumination of the braking
warning lamp and the P
warn-
ing lamp in the control lever A
,


- display of the message
"Handbrake on".

Before leaving the vehicle, en-
sure that parking brake warning
lamp in the instrument panel is
on fi xed, not fl ashing.



Particular situations


In certain situations (e.g. starting the
engine), the parking brake can auto-
matically alter its force. This is normal
operation.
To advance your vehicle a few centime-
tres without starting the engine, but with
the ignition on, press on the brake pedal
and release the parking brake by pulling

then releasing
the control lever A
. The
full release of the parking brake is con-
fi rmed by the warning lamps in the con-
trol lever A
and in the instrument panel
going off and display of the message
"Handbrake off".
If the parking brake develops a fault
while applied
or if the battery runs fl at,
an emergency release is always pos-
sible.

When the driver’s door is opened, a
message is displayed accompanied by
an audible signal, if the parking brake
has not been applied, except in the
case of an automatic gearbox with the
gear lever in position P
.

9
DRIVING
150

Emergency braking


In the event of failure of the elec-
tronic stability control system,
signalled by the illumination of
this warning lamp, braking sta-
bility is then not guaranteed.
In this event, stability must be assured
by the driver by repeating alternate
"pull-release" actions on the control
lever A
.
In the event of a failure of the main
service brake or in an exceptional
situation (e.g. driver taken ill, under
instruction, etc) a continuous pull on
the control lever A
will stop the vehicle.
The electronic stability control provides
stability during emergency braking.
If the emergency braking malfunctions,
the message "Parking brake faulty" will
be displayed.
The emergency braking must
only be used in exceptional cir-
cumstances.










Emergency release

In the event of the electric parking brake
malfunctioning or the battery running
fl at, an emergency manual device can
release the parking brake.


)
Immobilise the vehicle (or keep
it stationary, if the brake pedal is
pressed), with the engine running,
by engaging fi rst gear (manual gear-
box), position P
(automatic gear-
box) or position M
or R
(6-speed
electronic gearbox system).

)
Switch off the engine but leave the
ignition on. If it is not possible to im-
mobilise the vehicle, do not operate
the control and contact a CITROËN
dealer or a qualifi ed workshop with-
out delay.

)
Fetch the two vehicle blocks B
and
the release device C
, located under
the boot carpet.