2020 CITROEN C4 Owners Manual

71
Safety
5(tyres and rims), braking and electronic
components, as well as the assembly and
repair procedures provided by CITROËN
dealers.
In order to ensure that these systems remain
effective in wintry conditions, the use of snow
or all-season tyres is recommended. All four
wheels must be fitted with tyres approved for
your vehicle.
All tyre specifications are listed on the
tyre/paint label. For more information
on Identification markings, refer to the
corresponding section.
Seat belts
Inertia reel
The seat belts are equipped with an inertia
reel which allows the strap length to adjust
automatically to the shape of the user. The seat
belt returns to its storage automatically when it
is not used.
The inertia reels are fitted with a device which
automatically locks the strap in the event of a
collision, emergency braking or if the vehicle rolls
over. It can be released by pulling the strap firmly
and then releasing it so that it reels in slightly.
Pyrotechnic pretensioning
This system improves safety in the event of a
frontal or side impact.
Depending on the severity of the impact, the
pyrotechnic pretensioning system instantly
tightens the seat belts against the body of the
occupants.
The pyrotechnic pretensioning seat belts are
enabled when the ignition is on.
Force limiting system
This system reduces the pressure of the seat
belt on the chest of the occupant, thus improving
their protection.
In the event of an impact
Depending on the nature and
seriousness of the impacts, the pyrotechnic
device may trigger before and independently
of airbag deployment. Deployment 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 belt
system checked, and if necessary replaced,
by a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop.
Front seat belts
The front seat belts are fitted with a pyrotechnic
pretensioning system and a force limiting
system.
Rear seat belts

Each of the rear seats has a three-point seat belt
with inertia reel.
The outer seats are fitted with a pyrotechnic
pretensioning and force limiting system.
Fastening
► Pull the strap, then insert the tongue into the
buckle.
►

Check that the seat belt is fastened correctly
by pulling on the strap.
Unfastening
► Press the red button on the buckle.
► Guide the seat belt as it is reeled in.

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Safety
Seat belts warning lamps
display




1. Front left seat belt warning lamp
2. Front right seat belt warning lamp
3. Rear left seat belt warning lamp
4. Rear centre seat belt warning lamp
5. Rear right seat belt warning lamp
Not fastened/unfastened warning lamp
It comes on in red on both the instrument panel
and on the seat belts warning lamps display as
soon as the system detects that a seat belt is not
fastened or has been unfastened.
Type 1
Front seat belt not fastened alert
When the ignition is switched on, if the
driver or front passenger has not fastened their
seat belt, the corresponding warning lamp ( 1 or
2) comes on in red. At a speed greater than 12
mph (20
km/h), the warning lamp flashes red,
accompanied by an audible signal for around 2
minutes. After this time has elapsed, the warning
lamp remains on fixed in red until the seat belt is
fastened.
Rear seat belt not fastened alert
When the ignition is switched on, if one of
the rear passengers has not fastened their seat
belt, the corresponding warning lamp ( 3, 4 or 5)
comes on in red for 60 seconds.
Seat belt unfastened alert
After the ignition is switched on, if the
driver or a passenger unfastens their seat belt,
the corresponding warning lamp ( 1, 2, 3, 4 or
5) comes on in red. At a speed greater than
12 mph (20
km/h), the warning lamp flashes,
accompanied by an audible signal for around 2
minutes. After this time has elapsed, the warning
lamp remains on until the seat belt has been
fastened again.
With the ignition on, if the driver or a
passenger fastens their seat belt, the
corresponding warning lamp ( 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5)
comes on in green on the display.
With the ignition on, if one of the front or
rear passenger seats is detected as being
unoccupied, the corresponding warning lamp ( 2,
3, 4 or 5) comes on in grey.
When there are no longer any not fastened/
unfastened alerts, the green or grey warning
lamps remain on for around 30 seconds, then
go off.
Type 2
Front seat belt not fastened alert
When the ignition is switched on, if the
driver or front passenger has not fastened their
seat belt, the corresponding warning lamp ( 1 or
2) comes on in red. At a speed greater than 12
mph (20
km/h), the warning lamp flashes red,
accompanied by an audible signal for around 2
minutes. After this time has elapsed, the warning
lamp remains on fixed in red until the seat belt is
fastened.
Rear seat belt not fastened alert
When the ignition is switched on, if one of
the rear passengers has not fastened their seat
belt, the corresponding warning lamp ( 3, 4 or 5)
comes on in red for 60 seconds.
Seat belt unfastened alert
After the ignition is switched on, if the
driver or a passenger unfastens their seat belt,
the corresponding warning lamp ( 1, 2, 3, 4 or
5) comes on in red. At a speed greater than
12 mph (20
km/h), the warning lamp flashes,
accompanied by an audible signal for around 2
minutes. After this time has elapsed, the warning
lamp remains on until the seat belt has been
fastened again.
Advice
The driver must ensure that passengers use the seat belts correctly and that they
are all fastened before setting off.
Wherever seated in the vehicle, you must
always fasten the seat belt, even for short
journeys.
Do not invert the seat belt buckles, as they
will not fulfil their role properly.

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Safety
5To ensure the proper functioning of the belt
buckles, make sure that there are no foreign
bodies present (e.g. a coin) before fastening.
Before and after use, ensure that the seat belt
is reeled in correctly.
After folding or moving a seat or rear bench
seat, ensure that the seat belt is positioned
and reeled in correctly.
Installation
The lower part of the strap must be
positioned as low as possible over the pelvis.
The upper part must be positioned in the
hollow of the shoulder.
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, ensuring that it is not twisted.
–


only be used to secure one person.
–


not show signs of tearing or fraying.
–


not be changed or modified, in order to
avoid affecting its performance.
Recommendations for children
Use a suitable child seat if the passenger
is less than 12 years old or shorter than 1.5
metres.
Never use the same seat belt to secure more
than one child.
Never carry a child on your lap.
For more information on Child seats, refer to
the corresponding section.
Maintenance
In accordance with current safety
regulations, for all work on your vehicle's
seat belts, contact a qualified workshop with
the skills and equipment needed, which a
CITROËN dealer is able to provide.
Have the 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 CITROËN
dealers.
Airbags
General information
System designed to help improve the safety
of the occupants sitting in the front seats and
the rear outer seats, in the event of a violent
collision. The airbags supplement the action
of the seat belts equipped with a force limiting
system.
Electronic detectors record and analyse the
front and side impacts sustained in the impact
detection zones:
–

In the event of violent impact, the airbags
deploy instantly and help better protect the
occupants of the vehicle; immediately after the
impact, the airbags deflate rapidly in order not
to hinder the visibility or the possible exit of the
occupants.
–

In the event of a slight impact, a rear impact
and under certain rollover conditions, the airbags
may not deploy; only the seat belt helps to
protect you in these situations.
The seriousness of the impact depends on the
nature of the obstacle and the speed of the
vehicle at the moment of collision.
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
subsequent accident), the airbag will not be
deployed again.
Impact detection zones
A. Front impact zone
B. Side impact zone
When one or more airbags are deployed,
the detonation of the pyrotechnic charge

74
Safety
incorporated in the system makes a noise and
releases a small quantity of smoke.
This smoke is not harmful, but sensitive
individuals may experience irritation.
The detonation noise associated with the
deployment of one or more airbags may result
in a slight loss of hearing for a short time.
Front airbags

System that protects the driver and front
passenger in the event of a serious front impact,
limiting the risk of head and chest injury.
The driver's airbag is fitted in the centre of the
steering wheel; the front passenger airbag is
fitted in the dashboard above the glove box.
* For more information on Deactivating the front passenger airbag, refer t\
o the corresponding section.
Deployment
They deploy, except the front passenger airbag
if it is deactivated*, in the event of a serious front
impact to all or part of the front impact zone A.
The front airbag inflates between the thorax 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.
Lateral airbags

In the event of a serious side impact, this system
protects the driver and front passenger to
mitigate the risk of injury to the chest, between
the hip and the shoulder.
Each lateral airbag is fitted in the seat backrest
frame, on the door side.
Deployment
The lateral airbags are deployed on one side in
the event of a serious side impact applied to all
or part of the side impact zone B.
The lateral airbag inflates between the chest of
the vehicle's occupant and the corresponding
door panel.
Curtain airbags
System contributing towards greater protection
for 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.
Deployment
It deploys simultaneously with the corresponding
lateral airbag in the event of a serious side
impact applied to all or part of the side impact
zone B.
The curtain airbag inflates between the front
and rear occupants of the vehicle and the
corresponding windows.
Malfunction
In the event of a malfunction, this warning
lamp lights up on the instrument panel.

75
Safety
5Contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop to have the system checked.
The airbags may not be deployed in the event of
a serious impact.
In the event of a minor impact or bump at
the side of the vehicle or if the vehicle
rolls over, the airbags may not be deployed.
In the event of a rear or front collision, none of
the lateral airbags are deployed.
Advice
For the airbags to be fully effective,
observe the safety recommendations
below.
Adopt a normal and upright sitting position.
Fasten your seat belt and position it correctly.
Do not place anything between the occupants
and the airbags (e.g.
child, animal, object), do
not fix or attach anything near or in the path of
the airbags, as this could cause injuries when
they are deployed.
Never modify the original definition of the
vehicle, particularly in the area directly around
the airbags.
Even if all of the precautions mentioned are
observed, a risk of injury or of minor burns to
the head, chest or arms cannot be ruled out
when an airbag is deployed. 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.
After an accident or if the vehicle has been
stolen, have the airbag systems checked.
All work must be carried out only by a
CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop
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 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.
Do not fix or attach anything to the steering
wheel or dashboard, as this could cause
injuries when the airbags are deployed.
Lateral airbags
Use only approved seat covers
compatible with the deployment of these
airbags. For information on the range of seat
covers suitable for your vehicle, contact a
CITROËN dealer.
Do not fix or attach anything to the seat
backrests (e.g.
clothing) as this could cause
injuries to the chest or arm when the airbag is
deployed.
Do not sit with the upper part of the body any
nearer to the door than necessary.
The vehicle's front door panels include side
impact sensors.
A damaged door or any unauthorised or
incorrectly executed work (modification or
repair) on the front doors or their interior trim
could compromise the operation of these
sensors - risk of malfunction of the lateral
airbags!
All work must be carried out only by a
CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop
Curtain airbags
Do not fix or attach anything to the roof,
as this could cause head injuries when the
curtain airbag is deployed.
Do not remove the grab handles installed on
the roof.
Child seats
The regulations on carrying children are specific to each country. Refer to the
legislation in force in your country.
For maximum safety, please observe the
following recommendations:
–

In accordance with European regulations,
all children under the age of 12 or less than
1,5 metres tall must travel in approved child

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Safety
seats suited to their weight, on seats fitted with
a seat belt or ISOFIX mountings.
–

Statistically
, the safest seats in your
vehicle for carrying children are the rear
seats.
–

Children weighing less than 9 kg must
travel in the "rearward facing" position,
whether in the front or rear of the vehicle.
It is recommended that children travel
on the rear seats of the vehicle:
–

‘rearward facing’ up to the age of 3,
–

‘forward facing’ over the age of 3.
Make sure that the seat belt is correctly
positioned and tightened.
For child seats with a support leg, ensure that
the support leg is in firm and steady contact
with the floor.
Advice
An incorrectly installed child seat compromises the child's safety in the
event of an accident.
Ensure that there is no seat belt or seat belt
buckle under the child seat, as this could
destabilise it.
Remember to fasten the seat belts or the
harness of child seats, keeping the slack
relative to the child's body to a minimum,
even for short journeys.
When installing a child seat using the seat
belt, ensure that the seat belt is tightened
correctly on the child seat and that it secures
the child seat firmly on the seat of the vehicle.
If the passenger seat is adjustable, move it
forwards if necessary.
Remove the head restraint before
installing a child seat with a backrest on a
passenger seat.
Ensure that the head restraint is stored or
attached securely to prevent it from being
thrown around the vehicle in the event of
sharp braking. Refit the head restraint once
the child seat has been removed.
Installing a booster seat
The chest part of the seat belt must be
positioned on the child's shoulder without
touching the neck.
Ensure that the lap part of the seat belt
passes correctly over the child's thighs.
Use a booster seat with backrest, equipped
with a belt guide at shoulder level.
Additional protections
To prevent accidental opening of the
doors and rear windows, use the "Child lock".
Take care not to open the rear windows by
more than one third.
To protect young children from the rays of the
sun, fit side blinds on the rear windows.
As a safety precaution, do not leave:
– a child alone and unattended in a vehicle,
– a child or an animal in a vehicle which is
exposed to the sun, with the windows closed,
–

the keys within reach of children inside the
vehicle.
Child seat at the rear
Forward-facing or rearward-facing



► Move the vehicle's front seat forward and
straighten the backrest so that the legs of the
child in the forward-facing or rearward-facing
child seat itself do not touch the vehicle's front
seat.
►

Check that the backrest of the forward-facing
child seat is as close as possible to the backrest
of the vehicle's rear seat, and ideally in contact
with it.
Centre rear seat
A child seat with a support leg must never be
installed on the centre rear passenger seat .

77
Safety
5Child seat at the front

► Adjust the front passenger seat to the
highest and fully back longitudinal position ,
with the backrest straightened.
"Forward facing"

You must leave the front passenger airbag active.
"Rearward facing"

The front passenger airbag must be deactivated before installing a rearward
facing child seat. Otherwise, the child risks
being seriously injured or killed if the
airbag is deployed .


Warning label - Front passenger airbag

You must comply with the following instruction,
as reminded by the warning label on both sides
of the passenger sun visor:
NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint
on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in
front of it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur.
Deactivating the front
passenger airbag


Passenger airbag OFF
To ensure the safety of the child, the front passenger airbag MUST be deactivated
when a "rearward facing" child seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
Otherwise, the child risks being seriously
injured or killed in the event of deployment of
the

airbag.
Vehicles not equipped with a
deactivation/reactivation control
Installing a "rearward
facing" child seat on
the front passenger seat is strictly prohibited
- risk of death or serious injury in the event of
airbag deployment!
Deactivating/Reactivating the front
passenger airbag
For vehicles on which it is fitted, the switch is
located on the side of the dashboard or inside
the glove box.

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Safety

With the ignition off:
► T o deactivate the airbag, turn the key in the
switch to the "OFF " position.
►

T
o reactivate it, turn the key to the "ON"
position.
When the ignition is switched on:
This warning lamp comes on and remains lit to signal deactivation.
Or
This warning lamp comes on for about 1 minute to signal activation.
Recommended child seats
Range of child seats secured using a three-
point seat belt .
Group 0+: from birth to 13 kg

L1
"RÖMER Baby-Safe"
Installed in the "rearward facing" position.
Groups 2 and 3: from 15 to 36 kg

L5
"RÖMER KIDFIX 2R"
Can be fitted to the vehicle's ISOFIX mountings.
The child is restrained by the seat belt.
Only suitable for installation on the side rear seats.
The head restraint on the vehicle seat must be removed.
Groups 2 and 3: from 15 to 36 kg

L6
"GRACO Booster"
The child is restrained by the seat belt.
Only suitable for installation on the front
passenger seat or on the rear side seats.
"ISOFIX" mountings
The seats shown below are fitted with ISOFIX
compliant mountings:


The mountings comprise three rings for each
seat, indicated by a marking:
–

T
wo rings A, located between the vehicle seat
backrest and cushion.