2023 CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS lock

86
Driving
Starting / Switching off the
engine with the key
Key ignition switch

It has 3 positions:
1. StopInserting/removing the key, steering column
locked.
2. Ignition on Steering column unlocked, ignition on,
preheating (Diesel), switching the engine on.
3. Starting
Avoid attaching heavy objects to the key or the remote control. This 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 the charging of accessories.
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
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 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 need to apply
significant force to move the steering
wheel (e.g.
wheels turned to full lock).
►

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 has started, release the
key and allow it to return to position 2.
Petrol engines
After a cold start, preheating the catalytic
converter can cause noticeable engine
vibrations, for anything up to 2 minutes
(accelerated idle speed).
►

With a
Diesel engine, turn the key to position
2, to

activate the engine preheating system.
Wait until this warning lamp goes off on
the instrument panel, then turn the key to
position 3 without pressing the accelerator pedal,
to operate the starter motor. Once the engine
has started, release the key and allow it to return
to position 2.
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.
In mild conditions, do not leave the engine
to warm up while stationary, but move off
straight away and drive at moderate speed.
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.
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.
►


T
o 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 30 minutes,
you can still use functions such as the audio and
telematics system, courtesy lamps or dipped
beam headlamps.
For more information on Energy
economy mode, refer to the
corresponding section.
Key left in
When the driver's door is opened, a
message is displayed, accompanied by an
audible signal, if the key has been left in the
ignition switch in position 1.

87
Driving
6To 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 30 minutes,
you can still use functions such as the audio and
telematics system, courtesy lamps or dipped
beam headlamps.
For more information on Energy
economy mode, refer to the
corresponding section.
Key left in
When the driver's door is opened, a
message is displayed, accompanied by an
audible signal, if the key has been left in the
ignition switch in position 1.
If the key has been left in the ignition switch
in position 2, the ignition will be switched off
automatically after one hour.
To switch the ignition back on, turn the key to
position 1, then back to position 2.
Starting/Switching off the
engine with Keyless Entry
and Start
The electronic key must be present in the
passenger compartment.
If the electronic key 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 depress the brake pedal.


► Press the " START/STOP" button while
maintaining pressure on the pedal until the
engine starts.
Diesel engines
In negative temperatures and/or when the
engine is cold, starting takes place only after the
preheating warning lamp goes out.
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.
In all circumstances, if one of the starting
conditions is not met, a message is displayed.

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.

92
Driving
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 exit 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.
►

T

o shift up/down through the gears, push the
control backwards/forwards.
The gearbox only changes gear if the vehicle
speed and engine speed conditions allow;
otherwise, the rules for automatic operation are
temporarily applied.
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
gear actually engaged is shown.
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. You may feel a
significant jolt (without risk to the gearbox) when
changing from

P

to R and from N to R.
Do not exceed 62 mph (100
km/h), local speed
restrictions permitting.
Have the system checked by a CITROËN dealer
or a qualified workshop.
There is a risk of damaging the gearbox: – If the accelerator and brake pedals are
depressed simultaneously
.
–

In the event of a battery failure, forcing the
selector from position P

to another position.
Automatic gearbox
Never try to start the engine by pushing
the vehicle.
Gear shift indicator
(Depending on engine)
This system is designed to reduce fuel
consumption by recommending the most suitable
gear.
Operation
Depending on the driving situation and
the vehicle's equipment, the system may
recommend skipping one or more gears.
Gear engagement recommendations are
not to be considered mandatory. Indeed, the
configuration of the road, the traffic density and
safety remain determining factors when choosing
the best gear. Therefore, the driver remains
responsible for deciding whether or not to follow
the system’s advice.
The system cannot be deactivated.
With 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.

122
Practical information

► With the vehicle unlocked, press the rear-
central part of the filler flap to open it.
►

T
ake care to select the pump that delivers the
correct fuel type for your vehicle's engine (see a
reminder label on the inside of the filler flap).
►

T
urn the filler cap to the left, remove it and
place it on its support (on the filler
flap).


► Insert the filler nozzle and push it in as far as
possible before starting to refuel (to minimise the
risk of splashing).
Do not continue after the nozzle’s third cut-
out. Doing so may cause malfunctions.
►

Put the filler cap back in place and turn it to
the right.
►


Close the fuel filler flap.
If you have put in the wrong fuel for the
vehicle, you must have the fuel tank
drained and filled with the correct fuel before
starting the engine.
The vehicle is fitted with a catalytic converter,
which helps to reduce the level of harmful
emissions in the exhaust gases.
For petrol engines, you must use unleaded
fuel.
The filler neck is narrower, admitting unleaded
petrol nozzles only.
Fuel cut-off
Your vehicle is equipped with a safety device
which cuts off the fuel supply in the event of a
collision.
Misfuel prevention (Diesel)
(Depending on country of sale.)
This mechanical device prevents filling the tank
of a Diesel vehicle with petrol.
Located in the filler neck, the misfuel prevention
device is visible when the filler cap is removed.
Operation

When a petrol filler nozzle is introduced into the
fuel filler neck of a Diesel vehicle, it comes into
contact with the flap. The system remains closed
and prevents filling.
Do not persist but introduce a Diesel type
filler nozzle.
The misfuel prevention device does not prevent filling with a jerrycan, regardless
of the fuel type.
Travelling abroad
As Diesel fuel pump nozzles may be
different in other countries, the presence
of the misfuel prevention device may make
refuelling impossible.
Before travelling abroad, it is advisable to
check with a CITROËN dealer if the vehicle is
suitable for the distribution equipment of the
countries visited.
Snow chains
In wintry conditions, snow chains improve
traction as well as the behaviour of the vehicle
when braking.
Snow chains must be fitted only to the
front wheels. They must never be fitted to
"space-saver" type spare wheels.
Observe the legislation in force in your
country relating to the use of snow
chains and maximum authorised speeds.
Use only the chains designed to be fitted to the
type of wheel fitted to the vehicle: Original tyre size Chain types195/65 R15 Maximum 9 mm link
195/60 R16
205/60 R16 Cannot be fitted with chains
215/50 R17
For more information on snow chains, contact a
CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop.
Installation tips
► To fit the snow chains during a journey, stop
the vehicle on a flat surface at the side of the
road.
► Apply the parking brake and position any
wheel chocks under the wheels to prevent
movement of the vehicle.

123
Practical information
7Snow chains
In wintry conditions, snow chains improve
traction as well as the behaviour of the vehicle
when braking.
Snow chains must be fitted only to the
front wheels. They must never be fitted to
"space-saver" type spare wheels.
Observe the legislation in force in your
country relating to the use of snow
chains and maximum authorised speeds.
Use only the chains designed to be fitted to the
type of wheel fitted to the vehicle:
Original tyre size Chain types 195/65 R15 Maximum 9 mm link
195/60 R16
205/60 R16 Cannot be fitted with chains
215/50 R17
For more information on snow chains, contact a
CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop.
Installation tips
► To fit the snow chains during a journey, stop
the vehicle on a flat surface at the side of the
road.
►

Apply the parking brake and position any
wheel chocks under the wheels to prevent
movement of the vehicle.
► Fit the snow chains following the instructions
provided by the manufacturer .
►

Move off gently and drive for a few moments,
without exceeding 31

mph (50 km/h).
►

Stop the vehicle and check that the snow
chains are correctly tightened.
It is strongly recommended that you
practise fitting the snow chains on a level
and dry surface before setting off.
Avoid driving with snow chains on roads that have been cleared of snow to avoid
damaging the vehicle's tyres and the road
surface. If the vehicle is fitted with alloy
wheels, check that no part of the chain or its
fixings is in contact with the wheel rim.
Towing device with quickly detachable towball
Presentation
No tools are required to install or remove this
genuine towing device.


1. Carrier
2. Protective plug
3. Connection socket
4. Safety eye
5. Detachable towball
6. Locking/unlocking wheel
7. Security key lock
8. Label to note the key references

124
Practical information
A. Locked position (green mark opposite the white mark); the wheel is in contact with the
towball (no gap).
B. Unlocked position (red mark opposite the white mark); the wheel is no longer in contact
with the towball (gap of around 5
mm).
Affix the enclosed label in a clearly visible location, close to the carrier or in the
boot.
Trailers with LED lamps are not compatible with the wiring harness of this
device.
To ensure complete safety while driving with a Towing device , refer to the
corresponding section.
Before each use
Verify that the towball is correctly fitted,
checking the follow points:
–

The green mark on the wheel is aligned
with the white mark on the towball.
–


The wheel is in contact with the towball
(position A

).
–

The security key lock is closed and the
key removed; the wheel can no longer be
operated.
–


The towball must not be able to move in
its carrier; test by attempting to shake it with
your hand.
If the towball is not locked, the trailer can
become detached - risk of an accident!
During use
Never release the locking system with a
trailer or load carrier on the towball.
Never exceed the maximum authorised
weight for the vehicle - the Gross Train
Weight or GTW.
Always comply with the maximum authorised
load on the towing device: if it is exceeded,
this device may become detached from the
vehicle - risk of an accident!
Before driving, check the headlamp height
adjustment and check that the lamps on the
trailer operate correctly.
For more information on Headlamp height
adjustment, refer to the corresponding
section.
After use
When travelling without a trailer or
load carrier, remove the towball and fit the
protective plug into the carrier, to provide
clear visibility of the number plate and/or its
lighting.
Fitting the towball

► Below the rear bumper , remove the protective
plug 2 from the carrier 1.


► Insert the end of the towball 5 into the carrier
1 and push it upwards; it will lock into position
automatically.