2015 Citroen C3 Owner's Manual

111
Seat belts
Front seat belts
Fastening
F Pull the strap, then insert the tongue in the buckle.
F

C
heck that the seat belt is fastened
correctly by pulling the strap.
Unfastening
F Press the red button on the buckle.
F G uide 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.
Rear seat belts
The rear seats are each fitted with a three-point
inertia reel seat belt.
Fastening
F Pull the strap, then insert the tongue in the buckle.
F

C
heck that the seat belt is fastened
correctly by pulling the strap.
Unfastening
F Press the red button on the buckle.
F G uide the seat belt as it is reeled in.
The front seat belts are fitted with a
pretensioning and force limiting system.
This system improves safety in the front
seats in the event of a front or side impact.
dep

ending on the severity of the impact, 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 occupant, so
improving their protection.
From approximately 12 mph (20 km/h)
this warning lamp flashes for two minutes
accompanied by an audible signal of increasing
volume. Once these two minutes have elapsed,
this warning lamp remains on until the driver and/
or the front passenger fastens their seat belt.
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Safety

112
The driver must ensure that passengers 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 n
ot interchange the seat belt buckles as
they will not fulfil their role fully.
The seat belts are fitted with an inertia reel
permitting automatic adjustment of the length
of the strap to your size. The seat belt is
stowed automatically when not in use.
be

fore 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 fitted with an automatic
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 the strap firmly and
then releasing it so that it reels in slightly.Recommendations for children
Use a suitable child seat if the passenger is
less than 12 years old or shorter than one
and a half metres.
ne

ver use the same seat belt to secure more
than one person.
Never allow a child to travel on your lap.
For more information, refer to the "Child
seats" section.
In order to be effective, a seat belt must:
-
b
e tightened as close to the body as
possible,
-

b

e pulled in front of you with a smooth
movement, checking that it does not
twist,
-

b

e used to restrain only one person,
-

n

ot bear any trace of cuts or fraying,
-

n

ot be converted or modified to avoid
affecting its performance.
In accordance with current safety
regulations, for all repairs on your vehicle's
seat belts, go to a qualified workshop with
the skills and equipment needed, which a
CITR
oËn

dealer is able to provide.
Have your seat belts checked regularly by
a CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop,
particularly if the straps show signs of
damage.
Clean the seat belt straps with soapy
water or a textile cleaning product, sold by
CITR
oËn d

ealers.
af

ter 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 seriousness
of the impact , the pretensioning device may
be deployed before and independently of the
airbags.
d
ep
loyment 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 all cases, the airbag warning lamp comes
on.
Following an impact, have the seat belts
system checked, and if necessary replaced,
by a CITR
oËn

dealer or a qualified
workshop.
Safety

113
airbags
Impact detection zones
A. Front impact zone.
B. Side impact zone.
Front airbags
Deployment
The airbags are deployed, except the
passenger's front airbag if it 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 inflates between the head-thorax
of the front occupant of the vehicle and the
dashboard to cushion their for ward movement.
System designed to contribute towards
improving the safety of the occupants
(with the exception of the rear centre
passenger) in the event of violent collisions.
The airbags supplement the action of the force-
limiting seat belts (with the exception of the
centre rear passenger).
If a collision occurs, the electronic detectors
record and analyse the front and side impacts
sustained in the impact detection zones:
-

i

n the case of a serious impact, the airbags
are deployed instantly and contribute
towards better protection of the occupants
of the vehicle (with the exception of the
rear centre passenger); immediately after
the impact, the airbags deflate rapidly so
that they do not hinder visibility or the exit
of the occupants,
-

i

n the case of a minor or rear impact or in
certain roll-over conditions, the airbags
may not be deployed; the seat belt
alone contributes towards ensuring your
protection in these situations.
The airbags do not operate when the
ignition is switched off.
de

ployment of one or more of the
airbags is accompanied by a slight
emission of 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 slight
irritation.
The noise of detonation related to the
deployment of one or more airbags may
result in a slight loss of hearing for a
short time. System which protects the driver and front
passenger in the event of a serious front impact
in order to limit the risk of injury to the head and
chest.
The driver's airbag is fitted in the centre of the
steering wheel; the front passenger's airbag is
fitted in the dashboard above the glove box.
This equipment will only deploy once.
If a second impact occurs (during the
same or a subsequent accident), the
airbag will not be deployed again.
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Safety

114
only the passenger's front airbag can be
deactivated:
F
w
ith the ignition off , insert the key in the
passenger airbag deactivation switch,
F

t
urn it to the "OFF" position,
F

t
hen, 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.
Reactivation
When you remove a child seat that has been
fitted rear ward facing, with the ignition off, turn
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.
Operating fault
If this warning lamp comes on in the
instrument panel, accompanied by an
audible warning and a message in the
multifunction screen, contact a CITR
o

Ë
n
d

ealer or qualified workshop without
delay to have the system checked. The
airbags may no longer be deployed in the
event of a serious impact.
If this warning lamp flashes, contact a
CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop
without delay. The passenger's front
airbag may no longer be deployed in the
event of a serious impact.
If at least one of the two airbag
warning lamps come on continuously,
do not install a child seat on the front
passenger seat.
Have it checked by a CITR
oËn

dealer
or a qualified workshop.
To assure the safety of your child,
the passenger's front airbag must be
deactivated when you install a rear ward
facing child seat on the front passenger
seat.
Other wise, the child would risk being
seriously injured or killed if the airbag
were deployed.
Deactivation
Safety

115
Lateral airbags
Deployment
a lateral airbag is deployed unilaterally in the
e vent 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 inflates between the hip and
shoulder of the front occupant of the vehicle
and the corresponding door trim panel.
Impact detection zones
A. Front impact zone.
B. S ide impact zone.
Curtain airbags
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 inflates between the front or
rear occupant of the vehicle and the windows.
System which protects the driver and front
passenger in the event of a serious side impact
in order to limit the risk of injury to the chest,
between the hip and the shoulder.
Each lateral airbag is fitted in the seat backrest
frame, door side.
System which contributes towards improving
the protection of 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 pillars and
the upper passenger compartment area.
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Safety

116
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.
af
ter an accident or if the vehicle has been
stolen or broken into, have the airbag
systems checked.
All work on the airbag system must be
carried out by a CITR
oËn

dealer or a
qualified workshop.
Even if all of the precautions mentioned
are observed, a risk of injury or of minor
burns to the head, chest or arms when an
airbag is deployed cannot be ruled out. The
bag inflates almost instantly (within a few
milliseconds) then deflates within the same
time discharging 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.
do n

ot 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.
Do not fit or attach anything to the steering wheel or dashboard, this could cause injuries with
deployment of the airbags.
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
CITR
oËn

dealer.
Refer to the "
ac

cessories" section.
Do not fix or attach anything to the seat backs (clothing...). This could cause injury 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 fix or attach anything to the roof. This could cause injury to the head if the curtain
airbag is deployed.
If fitted on your vehicle, do not remove the grab handles installed on the roof, they play a part
in securing the curtain airbags.
Safety

117
A few driving recommendations
Never drive with the parking brake
applied - Risk of overheating and
damage to the braking system!
Do not park or run the engine when
stationary in areas where inflammable
substances and materials (dry grass,
dead leaves...) might come into contact
with the hot exhaust system - Risk
of fire!
ne
ver leave a vehicle unsupervised
with the engine running. If you have
to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, apply the parking brake
and put the gearbox into neutral or
position


N or P, depending on the type
of gearbox.
ob

serve the driving regulations at all times and
remain vigilant whatever the traffic conditions.
Pay close attention to the traffic and keep your
hands on the wheel so that you are ready to
react at any time to any eventuality.
On a long journey, a break every two hours is
strongly recommended.
In difficult weather, drive smoothly, anticipate
the need to brake and increase the distance
from other vehicles.
Driving on flooded roads
We strongly advise against driving on flooded
roads, as this could cause serious damage
to the engine or gearbox, as well as to the
electrical systems of your vehicle. -

c
heck that the depth of water does not
exceed 15 cm, taking account of waves
that might be generated by other users,
-
d
eactivate the Stop & Start system,
-
d
rive as slowly as possible without stalling.
In all cases, do not exceed 6 mph
(10 km/h),
- d o not stop and do not switch off the
engine.
on l

eaving the flooded road, as soon as
circumstances allow, make several light brake
applications to dry the brake discs and pads.
If in doubt on the state of your vehicle, contact
a CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop. If you are obliged to drive through water:
Important!
9
driving

118
avoid attaching heavy objects to the
key, which would weigh down on its
blade in the ignition switch and could
cause a malfunction.
Anti-theft protection
Electronic engine immobiliser
The key contains an electronic chip which has
a special code. When the ignition is switched
on, this code must be recognised in order for
starting to be possible.
This electronic engine immobiliser locks the
engine management system a few minutes
after the ignition is switched off and prevents
starting of the engine by anyone who does not
have the key.In the event of a fault, you are
informed by illumination of this
warning lamp, an audible signal and
a message in the screen.
Ignition switch
It has 3 positions:
- P osition 1: Stop
-

P
osition 2: Ignition on
-

P
osition 3: Starting
Ignition on
In this position the vehicle's electrical
equipment can be used or accessories
charged.
When the state of charge of the battery
drops to a reserve level, the system goes into
energy economy mode: the power supply is
automatically cut off to preserve the state of
charge of the battery.
In this case, your vehicle will not start; contact
a CITR
oËn

dealer as soon as possible.
Keep safely, away from your vehicle, the label
attached to the keys given to you on acquisition
of the vehicle.
Starting-switching off the engine
driving