2021 CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS Handbook (in English)

87
Driving
6Before setting off
Nose weight
► Distribute the load in the trailer so that the heaviest items are as close as possible to the
axle and the nose weight (at the point where it
joins your vehicle) approaches the maximum
permitted without exceeding it.
Tyres
► Check the tyre pressures of the towing vehicle and of the trailer, observing the
recommended pressures.
Lighting
► Check the electrical signalling on the trailer and the headlamp beam height of your vehicle.
If a genuine CITROËN towing device is
used, the rear parking sensors will be
deactivated automatically to avoid the audible
signal.
When driving
Cooling
Towing a trailer uphill causes the coolant
temperature to increase. The maximum towable
load depends on the gradient and the exterior
temperature. The fan’s cooling capacity does not
increase with engine speed.
► Reduce speed and lower the engine speed to limit heating up.
In all cases, pay attention to the coolant
temperature.
If this warning lamp and the STOP
warning lamp come on, stop the vehicle
and switch off the engine as soon as possible.
Brakes
Braking distances are increased when towing a
trailer. To avoid overheating the brakes, the use
of engine braking is recommended.
Side wind
Bear in mind that the vehicle will be more
susceptible to wind when towing.
Anti-theft protection
Electronic immobiliser
The keys include an electronic engine
immobiliser system, whose secret code must be
recognised in order for starting to be possible.
If the system malfunctions, indicated by the
display of a message, the engine will not start.
Contact a CITROËN dealer.
For safety and theft protection reasons,
do not leave your electronic key in the
vehicle, even when you are close to it.
It is recommended that you keep it with you.
Starting / Switching off the
engine with the key
Key ignition switch

It has 3 positions:– 1. Stop : inserting and removing the key,
steering column locked.
– 2. Ignition : steering column unlocked, ignition
on, Diesel preheating, engine running.
– 3. Starting.
Avoid attaching heavy objects to the key or the remote control. It would weigh
down on its shaft in the ignition switch and
could cause a malfunction.
Ignition on position
It allows the use of the vehicle's electric
equipment or portable devices to be charged.
Once the state of charge of the battery drops to
the reserve level, the system switches to energy
economy mode : the power supply is cut off

88
Driving
automatically to preserve the remaining battery
charge.
Starting the engine
With the parking brake applied:► With a manual gearbox, place the gear lever
in neutral then fully depress the clutch pedal.
► With an automatic gearbox, place the gear
selector in mode N or P then fully depress the
brake pedal.
► Insert the key into the ignition switch; the system recognises the code.► Unlock the steering column by simultaneously turning the steering wheel and the key.
In certain cases, you may have to apply
significant force to move the steering
wheel (wheels on full lock, for example).
► With a petrol engine , operate the starter
motor by turning the key to position 3 without
pressing the accelerator pedal, until the engine
starts. Once the engine starts, release the key.
With petrol engines , after a cold start,
preheating the catalytic converter can
cause noticeable engine vibrations for anything up to 2 minutes while stationary with
the engine running (accelerated idle speed).
► With a Diesel engine, turn the key to position
2, ignition on, to operate the engine preheating
system.
Wait until this warning lamp goes off in the instrument panel, then operate the starter
motor by turning the key to position 3 without
pressing the accelerator pedal, until the engine
starts. Once the engine starts, release the key.
In wintry conditions, the warning lamp
may stay on for a longer period. When
the engine is hot, the warning lamp does not
come on.
If the engine does not start straight away,
switch off the ignition. Wait a few
seconds before operating the starter motor
again. If the engine does not start after a few
attempts, do not keep trying - risk of
damaging the starter motor and the engine.
Contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop.
In mild conditions, do not leave the
engine at idle to warm up but move off
straight away and drive at moderate speed.
Switching off the engine
► Immobilise the vehicle.► With the engine at idle, turn the key to position 1.► Remove the key from the ignition switch.► To lock the steering column, turn the steering wheel until it locks.
To facilitate unlocking of the steering
column, it is recommended that the
wheels be returned to the straight ahead
position before switching off the engine.
Never switch off the ignition before the
complete immobilisation of the vehicle.
With the engine off, the braking and steering
assistance systems are also cut off - risk of
loss of control of the vehicle!
Check that the parking brake is correctly
applied, particularly on sloping ground.
When leaving the vehicle, keep the key in
your possession and lock the vehicle.
Energy economy mode
After the engine has stopped (position 1. Stop),
for a maximum combined duration of about thirty
minutes, you can still use functions such as the
audio and telematics system, courtesy lamps,
windscreen wipers, dipped beam headlamps,
etc.
For more information on Energy
economy mode, refer to the
corresponding section.
Key left in
When opening the driver's door, an alert
message is displayed, accompanied by an
audible signal, to remind you that the key is still in the ignition switch at position 1 (Stop).
If the key has been left in the ignition switch
at position 2 (Ignition on) , the ignition will be
switched off automatically after one hour.
To switch the ignition back on, turn the key
to position 1 (Stop), then back to position 2
(Ignition on) .
Starting / Switching off the
engine with Keyless Entry
and Starting
The electronic key must be present in the
passenger compartment.
If it is not detected, a message is displayed.
Move the electronic key so that the engine
can be started or switched off.
If there is still a problem, refer to the "Key
not detected - Back-up starting or Back-up
switch-off" section.

89
Driving
6audible signal, to remind you that the key is
still in the ignition switch at position 1 (Stop).
If the key has been left in the ignition switch
at position 2 (Ignition on) , the ignition will be
switched off automatically after one hour.
To switch the ignition back on, turn the key
to position 1 (Stop), then back to position 2
(Ignition on) .
Starting / Switching off the
engine with Keyless Entry
and Starting
The electronic key must be present in the
passenger compartment.
If it is not detected, a message is displayed.
Move the electronic key so that the engine
can be started or switched off.
If there is still a problem, refer to the "Key
not detected - Back-up starting or Back-up
switch-off" section.
Starting

► With a manual gearbox, place the gear lever
in neutral and fully depress the clutch pedal.
► With an automatic gearbox, select mode P or N and press the brake pedal.

► Press the "START/STOP" button while
maintaining pressure on the pedal until the
engine starts.
For Diesel engines, when the temperature is
below zero and/or the engine is cold, starting will
only occur once the preheating warning lamp is
off.
If this warning lamp comes on after pressing the " START/STOP" button:► Keep the pedal fully depressed and do not press the "START/STOP" button again until the
engine is running.
If one of the starting conditions is not met, a
message is displayed.
In some circumstances, a message indicates
that it is necessary to turn the steering wheel
while pressing the " START/STOP" button to
assist unlocking of the steering column.
With petrol engines , after a cold start,
preheating the catalytic converter can
cause noticeable engine vibrations for
anything up to 2 minutes while stationary with
the engine running (accelerated idle speed).
Switching off
► Immobilise the vehicle, with the engine at idle.► With a manual gearbox, ideally put the gear
lever into neutral.
► With an automatic gearbox, ideally select mode P or N.► Press the "START/STOP" button..
In some circumstances, it is necessary to turn
the steering wheel to lock the steering column.
If the vehicle is not immobilised, the
engine will not switch off.
With the engine off, the braking and
steering assistance systems are also cut
off - risk of loss of control of the vehicle!
Never leave your vehicle with the
electronic key still inside.

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Driving
Switching on the ignition
without starting the engine


With the electronic key in the passenger
compartment, pressing the “START/STOP”
button, without pressing any of the pedals ,
allows the ignition to be switched on without
starting the engine (turning on the instrument
panel and accessories such as the audio system
and the lighting).
► Press this button again to switch off the
ignition and allow the vehicle to be locked.
With the ignition on, the system
automatically goes into energy economy
mode to maintain an adequate state of charge
in the battery.
Key not detected
Back-up starting
A back-up reader is fitted to the steering column
so that the engine can be started if the system
does not detect the key in the recognition zone,
or if the battery in the electronic key is flat.


► Place and hold the remote control against the reader.► With a manual gearbox, place the gear lever
in neutral then fully depress the clutch pedal.
► With an automatic gearbox, select mode P,
then fully depress the brake pedal.
► Press the “START/STOP” button.
The engine starts.
Back-up switch-off

If the electronic key is not detected or is no
longer in the recognition zone, a message
appears in the instrument panel when closing a
door or trying to switch off the engine.
► To confirm the instruction to switch off the engine, press the " START/STOP" button for approximately 5 seconds.In the event of a fault with the electronic key,
contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop.
Emergency switch-off
In the event of an emergency only, the engine
can be switched off without conditions (even
when driving).
► Press the "START/STOP" button for about 5 seconds.
In this case, the steering column locks as soon
as the vehicle stops.
Parking brake
Release

► Pull the parking brake lever up slightly, press the release button, then lower the lever fully.When driving the vehicle, if this warning lamp and the STOP warning lamp come
on, accompanied by an audible signal and the
display of a message, this means that the
parking brake is still applied or has not been fully
released.

91
Driving
6Parking brake
Release

► Pull the parking brake lever up slightly, press the release button, then lower the lever fully.When driving the vehicle, if this warning lamp and the STOP warning lamp come
on, accompanied by an audible signal and the
display of a message, this means that the
parking brake is still applied or has not been fully
released.
Application

► Pull the parking brake lever up to immobilise the vehicle.
When parking on a slope, turn the
wheels against the kerb, apply the
parking brake, engage a gear and switch off
the ignition.
When towing, parking on a steep slope,
or if your vehicle is heavily laden, turn the
wheels towards the kerb and engage a gear
(manual gearbox) or move the selector lever
to position P (automatic gearbox).
For towing, your vehicle is approved for
parking on slopes of up to 12%.
5-speed manual gearbox
Engaging reverse gear

► Fully depress the clutch pedal.► Push the gear lever fully to the right then backwards.
Only engage reverse gear when the
vehicle is stationary with the engine at
idle.
As a safety precaution and to facilitate starting the engine:
– always select neutral,– press the clutch pedal.
6-speed manual gearbox
Engaging 5th or 6th gear
► Move the lever fully to the right to engage 5th
or 6th gear.

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Driving
Failure to follow this advice could cause
permanent damage to the gearbox
(inadvertent engagement of 3
rd or 4th gear).
Engaging reverse gear

► Raise the ring under the knob and move the gear lever to the left then forwards.
Only engage reverse gear when the
vehicle is stationary with the engine at
idle.
As a safety precaution and to facilitate starting the engine:
– always select neutral,– press the clutch pedal.
* Snow programme : depending on the country of sale.
Automatic gearbox (EAT6)
6-speed automatic gearbox which offers a choice
between the comfort of automatic operation or
manual gear changing.
Two driving modes are available:
– Automatic operation for electronic
management of the gears by the gearbox:
• With the Sport programme for a more
dynamic driving style.
• Or the Snow programme to improve driving
in the event of poor grip. *
– Manual operation for sequential changing of
the gears by the driver.
In automatic mode, you can still change gear
manually using the steering mounted control
paddles (e.g. to overtake).
Gear selector module
1.Sport programme
2. Snow programme
(depending on country of sale) P.
Parking
– Vehicle immobilised, parking brake applied or released.– Starting the engine.
R.Reverse gear– Reversing manoeuvres, vehicle stationary, engine at idle.
N. Neutral
– Vehicle immobilised, parking brake applied.– Starting the engine.
D.Automatic operation
M. + / - Manual operation
► To move up / down through the gears, move backwards / forwards.
Information displayed on
the instrument panel


When a position is selected in the grate with the
gear selector, the corresponding indicator lamp
lights up on the instrument panel.
P.Park
R. Reverse
N.Neutral
D. Drive (automatic operation)
S. Sport programme
T. Snow
programme
1...6. Gear engaged during manual operation
-. Instruction not processed in manual
operation
Foot on the brake
► Depress the brake pedal when this warning lamp is displayed on the
instrument panel (e.g. when starting the engine).
Starting the vehicle
► With your foot on the brake pedal, select position P or N.► Start the engine.If the conditions are not met, you will hear an
audible signal, accompanied by the display of a
message.
► With the engine running, press the brake pedal.
► Release the parking brake, unless it is programmed to automatic mode.► Select position R, D or M.► Gradually 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.

93
Driving
6N.Neutral
D. Drive (automatic operation)
S. Sport programme
T. Snow
programme
1...6. Gear engaged during manual operation
-. Instruction not processed in manual
operation
Foot on the brake
► Depress the brake pedal when this warning lamp is displayed on the
instrument panel (e.g. when starting the engine).
Starting the vehicle
► With your foot on the brake pedal, select position P or N.► Start the engine.If the conditions are not met, you will hear an
audible signal, accompanied by the display of a
message.
► With the engine running, press the brake pedal.
► Release the parking brake, unless it is programmed to automatic mode.► Select position R, D or M.► Gradually 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.
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.
Never leave children unattended in 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
► Select position D for automatic changing of
the six gears.
The gearbox then operates in auto-adaptive
mode, without any intervention on the part of the
driver. It continuously selects the most suitable
gear according to the driving style, the road
profile and the load in the vehicle.
For maximum acceleration without touching the
selector, press the accelerator fully down (kick-
down). The gearbox changes down automatically
or holds the gear selected until the maximum
engine speed is reached.
When braking, the gearbox changes down
automatically to provide effective engine braking.
If you release the accelerator sharply, the
gearbox will not shift to a higher gear for safety
reasons.
Never select position N while the vehicle
is moving.
Never select positions P or R unless the
vehicle is completely stationary.
"Sport" and "Snow" programmes
These two special programmes supplement the
automatic operation in specific conditions of use.
"Sport"
► Press this button, once the engine has started.
"S" appears on the instrument panel.
The gearbox automatically favours a dynamic
style of driving.
"Snow"
► Press this button, once the engine has started.
"T" appears on the instrument panel.
The gearbox adapts to driving on slippery roads.
This programme improves starting and traction
when grip is poor.
Return to automatic operation
► At any time, press the selected button ("S or
"T") again to quit the activated programme and
return to auto-adaptive mode.
Manual operation
To limit fuel consumption during an extended standstill with the engine
running (for example, in a traffic jam), set the
gear selector to N and apply the parking
brake.
► Selecting position M enables sequential
shifting between the six gears.
► Push backwards to shift up a gear .

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Driving
► Push forwards to shift down a gear.The gearbox only changes gear if the road
speed and engine speed permit; apart from
this condition, the rules for automatic operation
temporarily apply.
D disappears, and the gears engaged appear in
succession on the instrument panel.
If the engine speed is too low or too high, the
selected gear flashes for a few seconds, then the
gearactually activated is displayed.
It is possible to change from position D to
position M
at any time.When the vehicle is stationary or moving
very slowly, the gearbox selects gear M1
automatically.
The Sport and Snow programmes are inactive
in manual operation.
This symbol is displayed if a gear is not engaged correctly (gear selector between
two positions).
Switching off the vehicle
Before switching off the engine, it is possible to
engage position P or N to place the gearbox in
neutral.
In both cases, apply the parking brake to
immobilise the vehicle.
If the gear selector is not in position P,
when the driver's door is opened or
approximately 45 seconds after the ignition is
switched off, an audible signal sounds and a
message appears.
► Return the gear selector to P; the audible
signal stops and the message disappears.
Malfunction
In the event of a malfunction, this warning lamp comes on and a message is
displayed, when the ignition is switched on.
In this case, the gearbox goes into back-up
mode and is locked in 3
rd gear. It is possible to
feel a significant jolt (without risk for the gearbox)
while changing from P to R and from N to R.Do not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h), local speed restrictions permitting.
Have it checked by a CITROËN dealer or a
qualified workshop.
There is a risk of damaging the gearbox:– If the accelerator and brake pedals are pressed simultaneously.– In the event of a battery failure, forcing the selector from position P to another position.
With an automatic gearbox, never try to
start the engine by pushing the vehicle.
Gear efficiency indicator
(Depending on engine.)
This system helps reduce fuel consumption by
recommending the most appropriate gear.
Operation
Depending on the driving situation and the
vehicle's equipment, the system may advise to
skip one or more gears.
Gear shift recommendations should not be
considered compulsory. In fact, the road layout,
the traffic density and safety remain the deciding
factors when choosing the best gear. The driver
therefore remains responsible for deciding
whether or not to follow the indications issued by
the system.
This function cannot be deactivated.
With an automatic gearbox, the system is
only active in manual operation.
The information appears in the instrument panel, in the form of an arrow and the
recommended gear.
The system adapts its gear shift recommendation according to the driving
conditions (slope, load, etc.) and the driver’s
requirements (power, acceleration, braking,
etc.).
The system never suggests:
– engaging first gear;– engaging reverse.
Hill start assist
This system keeps your vehicle briefly stationary (for approximately 2 seconds) when making a hill
start, while you transfer your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal.
This system is only active when:
– The vehicle is completely stationary, with your foot on the brake pedal.– Certain slope conditions are met.– The driver’s door is closed.
Do not leave the vehicle while it is being
held temporarily by hill start assist.
If someone needs to get out of the vehicle
with the engine running, apply the parking
brake manually. Then check that the parking
brake indicator lamp is on fixed in the
instrument panel.
The hill start assist function cannot be deactivated. However, use of the parking
brake to immobilise the vehicle interrupts its
operation.
Operation