Welcome
In this document, you will find all of the instructions and
recommendations on use that will allow you to enjoy your vehicle to the
fullest. It is strongly recommended that you familiarise yourself with it
as well as the Maintenance and Warranty Guide which will provide you
with information about warranties, servicing and roadside assistance
associated with your vehicle.
Thank you for choosing a Citroën C3 AIRCROSS.
This document presents the information and recommendations required
for you to be able to explore your vehicle in complete safety.
Your vehicle will be fitted with only some of the equipment described in
this document, depending on its trim level, version and the specification
for the country in which it was sold.
The descriptions and illustrations are given without any obligation.
Automobiles CITROËN reser ves the right to modify the technical
specifications, equipment and accessories without having to update this
edition of the guide.
If ownership of your vehicle is transferred, please ensure this
Handbook
is passed on to the new owner. Key
Safety warning
Additional information
Contributes to the protection of the environment
Left-hand drive vehicle
Right-hand drive vehicle
7
Limit the causes of excess
consumption
Spread loads throughout the vehicle; place
the heaviest items in the bottom of the boot,
as close as possible to the rear seats.
Limit the loads carried in the vehicle and
reduce wind resistance (roof bars, roof rack,
bicycle carrier, trailer, etc.). Preferably, use a
roof box.
Remove roof bars and roof racks after use.
At the end of winter, remove snow tyres and
refit your summer tyres.
Observe the recommendations
on maintenance
Check the tyre pressures regularly, when cold,
referring to the label in the door aperture,
driver's side.
Carry out this check in particular:
-
b
efore a long journey,
-
a
t each change of season,
-
a
fter a long period out of use. Have your vehicle ser viced regularly
(engine oil, oil filter, air filter, passenger
compartment filter, etc.) and obser ve the
schedule of operations recommended in the
manufacturer's service schedule.
With a BlueHDi Diesel engine, if the SCR
system is faulty, your vehicle becomes
polluting. Visit a CITROËN dealer or a
qualified workshop as soon as possible to
make your vehicle’s level of nitrogen oxide
emissions compliant to the standard.
When refuelling, do not continue after the 3
rd
cut-off of the nozzle, to avoid any over flow.
At the wheel of your new vehicle, it is only
after approximately the first 1,850 miles
(3,000
kilometres) that you will see the fuel
consumption settle down to a consistent average.
Do not forget the spare wheel and the tyres on
any trailer or caravan.
.
Eco-driving
65
Air distributionRecommendations for ventilation and air conditioning
In order for these systems to be fully
effective, follow the operation and
maintenance guidelines below:
F
T
o ensure that the air is distributed
evenly, keep the external air intake
grilles at the base of the windscreen, the
nozzles, the vents, the air outlets and
the air extractor in the boot free from
obstructions.
F
D
o not cover the sunshine sensor,
located on the dashboard; this is used
for regulation of the automatic air
conditioning system.
F
O
perate the air conditioning system for
at least 5 to 10
minutes once or twice a
month to keep it in per fect working order.
F
R
eplace the filter elements regularly.
We recommend the use of a combined
passenger compartment filter. Thanks to
its special active additive, it contributes
to the purification of the air breathed by
the occupants and the cleanliness of
the passenger compartment (reduction
of allergic symptoms, bad odours and
greasy deposits).
F
T
o ensure correct operation of the air
conditioning system, have it checked
according to the recommendations in the
Maintenance and Warranty Guide.
1.
Windscreen demisting/defrosting vents.
2. Front side window demisting/defrosting
vents.
3. Adjustable and closable side air vent.
4. Central adjustable air vents.
5. Air outlets to the front footwells.
6. Rear air outlets. F
I f the system does not produce cold air,
switch it off and contact a CITROËN
dealer or a qualified workshop.
When towing the maximum load on a steep
gradient in high temperatures, switching off
the air conditioning increases the available
engine power and so improves the towing
ability.
To avoid the windows misting up and
deterioration in the quality of the air:
-
d
o not drive for too long with the
ventilation switched off.
-
d
o not keep air recirculation set for an
extended period.
3
Ease of use and comfort
126
Displays in the instrument panel
P.Parking.
R. Reverse.
N. Neutral.
D. Drive (automatic driving).
S. Sport programme.
T . Snow
programme.
1 2 3 4 5 6. Gears engaged during manual
operation.
-. Invalid value during manual
operation
Foot on the brake pedal
F Press the brake pedal when
this indicator lamp is displayed
or a message tells you to do so
on the instrument panel (e.g.
starting the engine).
Starting the vehicle
F Apply the parking brake.
F Sel ect position P or N .
F
S
tart the engine.
If these conditions are not met, there is an
audible signal, accompanied by the display of a
warning message.
F
W
ith the engine running, press the brake
pedal.
F
R
elease the parking brake.
F
Sel
ect position R , D or M.
F
G
radually release the brake pedal.
The vehicle moves off immediately.
If position N is selected inadvertently while
driving, allow the engine to return to idle,
then select position D to accelerate.
If the temperature is below -23°C, the
engine should be left at idle for four
minutes, to ensure the correct operation
and durability of the engine and gearbox.
When you move the selector to select a
position, the corresponding indicator is
displayed in the instrument panel.
When the engine is running at idle, with
the brakes released, if position R
, D or
M is selected, the vehicle moves even
without the accelerator being pressed.
Do not leave children unsuper vised inside
the vehicle when the engine is running.
When carrying out maintenance with the
engine running, apply the parking brake
and select position P .
Automatic operation
F Select position D for automatic changing of
the six gears.
The gearbox then operates in auto-adaptive
mode, without any action needed from the
driver. It continuously selects the most suitable
gear according to the style of driving, the profile
of the road and the load in the vehicle.
For maximum acceleration without touching
the selector, press the accelerator pedal down
fully (kick down). The gearbox changes down
automatically or maintains the gear selected
until the maximum engine speed is reached.
On braking, the gearbox changes down
automatically to provide efficient engine
braking.
Driving
171
F Hold the towball 5 firmly in one hand; using the other hand, pull and turn star wheel 6
fully in a clockwise direction; do not release
the star wheel.
F
R
emove the cap from the lock.
F
I
nsert the key into the lock 7
.
F
O
pen the lock using the key.
F Extract the towball from the bottom of its
carrier 1.
F
R
elease the star wheel; this automatically stops
in the unlocked position and the red mark on
the star wheel lines up with the white mark on
the towball (position B ).
Maintenance
Correct operation is only possible if the towball
and its carrier are kept clean.
Before cleaning the vehicle with a high-
pressure jet wash, the towball must be removed
and the protective plug fitted to the carrier.
Apply the label provided to a clearly visible
area, close to the carrier or in the boot.
Go to a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop for any work on the towbar
system.
F
R
efit protective plug 2 to carrier 1
.
F
C
arefully stow the towball in its bag away
from knocks and dirt.
Towing device
Load distribution
F D istribute the load in the trailer so that
the heaviest items are as close as
possible to the axle and the nose weight
approaches the maximum permitted without
exceeding
it.
Air density decreases with altitude, thus
reducing engine performance. The maximum
load which can be towed must be reduced by
10% per 1,000
metres of altitude.
Use towing devices and their genuine
harnesses approved by CITROËN. It is
recommended that the installation be
per formed by a CITROËN dealer or a
qualified workshop.
If the towbar is not fitted by a CITROËN
dealer, it must still be fitted in accordance
with the vehicle manufacturer's
instructions.
Certain driving assistance or manoeuvring
assistance functions are automatically
disabled if an approved towbar is used.
7
Practical information
178
When the engine is warm, the temperature of
the coolant is regulated by the fan.
In addition, as the cooling system is
pressurised, wait at least one hour after
switching off the engine before carrying out any
work.
To avoid the risk of scalding when you need to
top up in an emergency, place a cloth around
the cap and unscrew the cap by two turns to
allow the pressure to drop.
Once the pressure has dropped, remove the
cap and top up the coolant.The cooling fan may star t after
switching off the engine: take care
with articles and clothing that might be
caught by the fan blades.
Fluid specification
The fluid must conform to the manufacturer's
recommendations.
Screenwash fluid level
A low coolant level presents a risk of serious
damage to your engine.
Top up the fluid when necessary.Fluid specification
The screenwash fluid must be topped up with a
ready for use mix.
In winter (temperatures below zero), a fluid with
antifreeze must be used that is appropriate for
the prevailing conditions, in order to preser ve
the elements of the system (pump, tank, ducts,
e t c .) .
Filling with pure water is prohibited under all
circumstances (risk of freezing, limestone
deposits, etc.).
Diesel fuel additive level
(Diesel with particle filter)
The additive tank minimum level is
indicated by fixed illumination of this
warning lamp, accompanied by an
audible signal and a message that
the particle filter additive level is
too low.
To p p i n g u p
The reser voir must be topped up without delay
by a CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop.
AdBlue level
An alert is triggered once the reser ve level is
reached.
To avoid the vehicle being immobilised as per
regulations, you must top up with AdBlue.
For more information on AdBlue
® and the SCR
system, and, in particular, topping it up, refer to
the corresponding section.
Checks
Unless otherwise indicated, check these
components in accordance with the
manufacturer's service schedule and according
to your engine.
Other wise, have them checked by a CITROËN
dealer or a qualified workshop.
12 V battery
The battery does not require any
maintenance.
However, check regularly that the
terminals are correctly tightened
(versions without quick release
terminals) and that the connections
are clean.
Practical information
179
For more information on the precautions
to take before starting work on the 12 V
battery , refer to the corresponding
section.
Versions equipped with Stop & Start are
fitted with a 12
V lead-acid battery of
specific technology and specification.
Its replacement should be carried out
only by a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop.
Air filter
Depending on the environment
(e.g. dusty atmosphere) and the
use of the vehicle (e.g. city driving),
replace it twice as often if
necessary .
Passenger compartment filter
Depending on the environment
(e.g. dusty atmosphere) and the
use of the vehicle (e.g. city driving),
replace it twice as often if
necessary. A clogged passenger compartment
filter may have an adverse effect on
the per formance of the air conditioning
system and generate undesirable odours.
Oil filter
Replace the oil filter each time the
engine oil is changed.
Particle filter (Diesel)
The start of saturation of the particle
filter is indicated by the constant
illumination of this warning lamp
accompanied by an alert message.
As soon as the traffic conditions permit,
regenerate the filter by driving at a speed
of at least 37
mph (60 km/h) until the
warning lamp goes off.
If the warning lamp stays on, this indicates
a low Diesel additive level.
For more information on Checking levels
and particularly on the level of Diesel
additive, refer to the corresponding
section.
On a new vehicle, the first particle
filter regeneration operations may be
accompanied by a "burning" smell, which
is per fectly normal.
Following prolonged operation of the
vehicle at very low speed or at idle,
you may, in exceptional circumstances,
notice the emission of water vapour at the
exhaust on acceleration. This does not
affect the behaviour of the vehicle or the
environment.
Manual gearbox
The gearbox does not require any
maintenance (no oil change).
7
Practical information
180
Automatic gearbox
The gearbox does not require any
maintenance (no oil change).
Brake pads
Brake wear depends on the style
of driving, particularly in the case
of vehicles used in town, over short
distances. It may be necessary to
have the condition of the brakes
checked, even between vehicle
services.
Unless there is a leak in the circuit, a drop in
the brake fluid level indicates that the brake
pads are worn.
Brake disc wear
For information on checking brake
disc wear, contact a CITROËN or a
qualified workshop.
Parking brake
If excessive travel or a loss of
effectiveness of this system is
noticed, the parking brake must
be checked, even between two
services.
Checking this system must be done by a
CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop.
Only use products recommended by
CITROËN or products of equivalent quality
and specification.
In order to optimise the operation of
components as important as those in the
braking system, CITROËN selects and
offers very specific products.
After washing the vehicle, dampness, or
in wintry conditions, ice can form on the
brake discs and pads: braking efficiency
may be reduced. Make light brake
applications to dry and defrost the brakes.
AdBlue® (BlueHDi
engines)
SCR system
Using a liquid called AdBlue® that contains
urea, a catalytic converter turns up to 85% of
the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) into nitrogen and
water, which are harmless to health and the
environment.
The AdBlue
® is contained in
a special tank holding about
15
litres.
An alert system is triggered automatically once
the reser ve level is reached: you can then drive
for a further 1,500
miles (2,400 km) before the
tank is emptied completely.
Practical information