2023 CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS brake light

85
Driving
6Towing
Driving with a trailer places greater
demands on the towing vehicle and
particular care must be taken.
Do not exceed the maximum towable
weights.
At altitude: reduce the maximum load by
10% per 1,000 metres of altitude; the lower
air density at high altitudes decreases engine
performance.
New vehicle: do not tow a trailer until the
vehicle has driven at least 620 miles
(1,000 kilometres).
If the outside temperature is high, let the
engine idle for 1 to 2 minutes after the
vehicle comes to a stop, to help it to cool.
Before 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 the amount of heating produced.
►


Pay constant 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
Using the engine brake is recommended to limit
the overheating of the brakes. Braking distances
are increased when towing a trailer.
Side wind
Bear in mind that the vehicle will be more
susceptible to wind when towing.
Anti-theft protection
Electronic immobiliser
The keys contain a code, which must be
recognised by the vehicle before starting is
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,
never leave the electronic key in the
vehicle, even when you are close to it.

88
Driving
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.
Petrol engines
With Petrol engines, after a cold start,
pre-heating the catalytic converter can cause
noticeable engine vibrations, for anything up
to 2 minutes (accelerated idle speed).
Switching off
► Immobilise the vehicle using the parking
brake.
►

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 stop.
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.
Switching on the ignition
without starting the engine


With the electronic key in the passenger
compartment, pressing the " START/STOP"
button, without depressing any of the pedals ,
allows the ignition to be switched on without
starting the engine (the instrument panel and
accessories such as the audio system and the
lighting will come on).
►

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,
to enable the engine to be started if the system
fails to 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
back-up reader .
►

W
ith a manual gearbox, place the gear lever
in neutral, then fully depress the clutch pedal.
►

W
ith an automatic gearbox, select mode P,
then 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 case of 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.

89
Driving
6Back-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.
►
T
o 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 case of 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.
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.
–


Depress the clutch pedal.

90
Driving
6-speed manual gearbox
Engaging 5th or 6th gear
► Move the gear selector fully to the right to
engage 5th or 6th gear.
Failure to follow this instruction 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 selector to the left, then forwards.
Only engage reverse gear when the
vehicle is stationary with the engine at
idle.
* Snow programme : depending on the country of sale.
As a safety precaution and to facilitate
engine starting:
►

Always select neutral.
►


Press the clutch pedal.
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 controls
(e.g. when overtaking).
Gear selector module
1. Sport programme
2. Snow programme (depending on country of sale)
P. Park
–

V
ehicle immobilised, parking brake
applied or released.
–

Engine starting.
R. Reverse
–


Reversing manoeuvres, vehicle
stationary

, engine at idle.
N. Neutral
–

V
ehicle immobilised, parking brake
applied.
–

Engine starting.
D. Automatic operation
M. +/- Manual operation
►


T
o shift up/down through the gears,
push the control backwards/forwards.
Information displayed on
the instrument panel


When a position is selected in the grid 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 accepted during 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.

91
Driving
6Information displayed on
the instrument panel


When a position is selected in the grid 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 accepted during 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, depress the brake
pedal.
►


Release the parking brake, unless it is set 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 off 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
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
driving style.
"Snow"
► Press this button once the engine has
started.

"T" appears on the instrument panel.
The gearbox adapts to driving on slippery roads.

93
Driving
6With an automatic gearbox, the system is
only active in manual operation.
The information appears on the instrument panel, in the form of an arrow
and the recommended gear.
The system adapts the gear change instructions according to the driving
conditions (e.g.
slope, load) and driving style
(e.g.
power demand, acceleration, braking).
The system never suggests:
–

engaging first gear;
–


engaging reverse gear
.
Hill start assist
This system keeps the 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.
The 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 on the
instrument panel.
The hill start assist function cannot be deactivated. However, using the parking
brake to immobilise the vehicle interrupts its
operation.
Operation

Facing uphill, with the vehicle stationary,
the vehicle is held for a short time when you
release the brake pedal:
–

provided you are in first gear or neutral with a
manual gearbox.
–


provided you are in mode D

or M with an
automatic gearbox.


Facing downhill, with the vehicle stationary
and reverse gear engaged, the vehicle is held
for a short time when you release the brake
pedal.
Malfunction
If the event of a malfunction, this warning
lamp lights up on the instrument panel,
accompanied by the display of a message.
Have it checked by a CITROËN dealer or a
qualified workshop.
Stop & Start
The Stop & Start function puts the engine temporarily into standby - STOP mode - during
phases when the vehicle is stationary (e.g.
red
lights, traffic jams). The engine automatically
restarts - START mode - as soon as the driver
indicates the intention of moving off again.
Primarily designed for urban use, the function
is intended to reduce fuel consumption and
exhaust emissions as well as the noise level
when stationary.
The function does not affect the functionalities of
the vehicle, in particular the braking.
Deactivation/Reactivation
The function is activated by default when the
ignition is switched on.

106
Driving
Modifying the cruise speed
setting
Cruise control must be active.
To modify the cruise speed setting, based on the
current speed of the vehicle:
►
Briefly press button
2 or 3 to change the
value in steps of +
or - 1 mph (km/h).
►

Press and hold button

2
or 3 to change the
value in steps of +
or - 5 mph (km/h).
Pressing and holding button 2 or
3 results in a rapid change in the speed
of the vehicle.
As a precaution, we recommend setting a cruise speed fairly close to the current
speed of your vehicle, to avoid any sudden
acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle.
To change the cruise speed setting using memorised speed settings and from the touch
screen:
►

Press button
5 to display the memorised
speed settings.
►

Press the touch screen button for the desired
speed setting.
The selection screen closes after a few
moments.
This setting becomes the new cruise speed.
T

o modify the cruise speed setting using the
speed suggested by the Road signs recognition
shown on the instrument panel:
► Press button 5 once; a message is displayed
to confirm the memorisation request.
►

Press button
5 again to save the suggested
speed.
The speed is immediately shown on the
instrument panel as the new speed setting.
Temporarily exceeding the
programmed speed
If needed (when overtaking, for example) it is
possible to exceed the programmed speed by
pressing the accelerator pedal.
Cruise control is temporarily deactivated and the
programmed speed displayed flashes.
To return to the programmed speed, release the
accelerator pedal.
Once the vehicle has returned to the
programmed speed, the cruise control resumes
operation: the display of the programmed speed
becomes fixed again.
When descending a steep hill, the cruise
control system cannot prevent the
vehicle from exceeding the programmed
speed.
You may have to brake to control the speed of
your vehicle. In this case, the cruise control is
automatically paused.
To activate the system again, with the vehicle
speed above 25 mph (40
km/h), press button 4.
Switching off
► Turn the thumbwheel 1 to the "OFF" position:
the cruise control information disappears from
the screen.
Malfunction

In the event of a malfunction, dashes are
displayed flashing and then fixed instead of the
speed setting.
Have it checked by a CITROËN dealer or a
qualified workshop.
Active Safety Brake with Collision Risk Alert and
Intelligent emergency
braking assistance
For more information, refer to the
General recommendations on the use
of driving and manoeuvring aids .


This system:
– warns the driver that their vehicle is at risk of
collision with the vehicle in front or a pedestrian.
– reduces the vehicle's speed to avoid a
collision or limit its severity.
This system is comprised of three functions:
– Collision Risk Alert.
– Intelligent emergency braking assistance
(iEBA).
– Active Safety Brake (automatic emergency
braking).


The vehicle has a camera located at the top of
the windscreen.
This system does not replace the need for vigilance on the part of the driver.
This system is designed to assist the driver
and improve road safety.
It is the driver's responsibility to continuously
monitor traffic conditions in accordance with
applicable driving regulations.
As soon as the system detects a potential obstacle, it prepares the braking
circuit in case automatic braking is needed.
This may cause a slight noise and a slight
sensation of deceleration.

107
Driving
6– warns the driver that their vehicle is at risk of
collision with the vehicle in front or a pedestrian.
–

reduces the vehicle's speed to avoid a
collision or limit its severity

.
This system is comprised of three functions:
–

Collision
Risk Alert.
–

Intelligent emergency braking assistance
(iEBA).
–


Active Safety Brake (automatic emergency
braking).


The vehicle has a camera located at the top of
the windscreen.
This system does not replace the need for vigilance on the part of the driver.
This system is designed to assist the driver
and improve road safety.
It is the driver's responsibility to continuously
monitor traffic conditions in accordance with
applicable driving regulations.
As soon as the system detects a potential obstacle, it prepares the braking
circuit in case automatic braking is needed.
This may cause a slight noise and a slight
sensation of deceleration.
Deactivation/Activation
By default, the system is automatically activated
at every engine start.
The settings are changed via the vehicle configuration menu.
Deactivation of the system is signalled by
the illumination of this warning lamp,
accompanied by the display of a message.
Operating conditions and
limits
Vehicle moving forward.
ESC system operational.
ASR system activated.
Seat belts fastened for all passengers.
Stabilised speed on roads with few bends.
In the following cases, deactivating the system
via the vehicle's configuration menu is advised:
–

T
owing a trailer.
–

Carrying long objects on roof bars.
–


V
ehicle with snow chains fitted.
–

Before using an automatic car wash, with the
engine running.
–


When changing
a wheel, working near a wheel
or inside the engine compartment.
–

Before placing the vehicle on a rolling road in
a workshop.
–


T
owed vehicle, engine running.
–

When a "space-saver" type spare wheel is
fitted (depending on version).
–


If the brake lamps are not working.
– Following an impact to the windscreen close to
the detection camera.
It can be dangerous to drive if the brake
lamps are not in perfect working order.
The driver must not overload the vehicle (keep within the GVW limit and load
height limits for roof bars).
It is possible that warnings are not given,
are given too late or seem unjustified.
The driver must always stay in control of the
vehicle and be prepared to react at any time
to avoid an accident.
Following an impact, the system is
automatically deactivated.
Have it checked by a CITROËN dealer or a
qualified workshop.
Collision Risk Alert
This function warns the driver that their vehicle
is at risk of a collision with the vehicle in front or
with a pedestrian present in their traffic lane.
Modifying the alert trigger threshold
This trigger threshold determines the sensitivity
with which the function warns of the risk of
collision.
The settings are changed via the vehicle configuration menu.