2023 CITROEN C3 maintenance

2
Contents
 ■
Overview
 ■
Driving tips
1InstrumentsInstrument panel 5
Warning and indicator lamps 5
Indicators 7
Trip computer 7
2AccessKey 9
Key with remote control function 9
Central locking 10
Back-up procedures 10
Doors 11
Boot 11
Windows 12
3Ease of use and comfortFront seats 14
Steering wheel adjustment 15
Rear seats 15
Heating and Ventilation 16
Manual air conditioning 17
Front demist - defrost 18
Interior fittings 18
Front courtesy lamps 19
Boot fittings 19
4Lighting and visibilityExterior lighting control stalk 20
Direction indicators 20
Headlamp beam height adjustment 20
Wiper control stalk 21
Changing a wiper blade 21
5SafetyGeneral safety recommendations 23
Hazard warning lamps 23
Horn 23
Seat belts 24
Airbags 26
Child seats 28
Child lock 30
6DrivingDriving recommendations 31
Starting / Switching off the engine 31
5-speed manual gearbox 32
6-speed manual gearbox 32
Gear efficiency indicator 33
Overspeed alert 33
Parking sensors 33
7Practical informationRefuelling 35
Bonnet 35
Engine compartment 36
Checking levels 37
Checks 39
Advice on care and maintenance 41
8In the event of a breakdownTool kit 42
Spare wheel 42
Changing a bulb 45
Changing a fuse 48
12

V battery 56
Towing the vehicle 58
9Technical dataEngines technical data 60
Dimensions 60
Identification markings 60
1010" Touch Screen
 ■
Alphabetical index

17
Ease of use and comfort
3Condensation created by the air
conditioning results in a discharge of
water underneath the vehicle. This is perfectly
normal.
Servicing the ventilation and air
conditioning system
►

Ensure that the passenger compartment
filter is in good condition and have the filter
elements replaced regularly

.
►

T

o ensure correct operation of the
air conditioning system, have it checked
according to the recommendations in the
Maintenance and Warranty Guide.
Manual air conditioning

1. Temperature adjustment
2. Air flow adjustment
3. Air distribution adjustment
4. Air conditioning on/off
5. Interior air recirculation
Temperature adjustment
► Turn the thumbwheel 1 to adjust the
temperature to your requirements.
Air flow adjustment
► Turn the thumbwheel 2 to choose the speed
of the ventilation fan (from 0 to 4).
When the air flow is reduced to a minimum,
ventilation stops.
Air distribution adjustment
You can vary the air distribution turning the
thumbwheel 3 to the desired position:
Ventilation
Temperature-controlled air comes out of the
center and side outlets.
Bi-level ventilation
Temperature-controlled air comes out of the floor
outlets and cooler air comes out of the center
and side outlets. When the temperature selector
1 is in the fully cold or fully hot position, the air
from the floor outlets and the air from the center
and side outlets will be the same temperature.
Heat
Temperature-controlled air comes out of the floor
outlets and the side outlets. a small amount of
air comes out of the windshield defroster outlets
and also comes slightly out of the side defroster
outlets.
Heat and defrost
Temperature-controlled air comes out of the floor
outlets, the windshield defroster outlets, the side
defroster outlets and the side outlets.
Defrost
Temperature-controlled air comes out of the
windshield defroster outlets, the side defroster
outlets and the side outlets.
Air conditioning on / off
The air conditioning system is designed to
operate effectively in all seasons, with the
windows closed.
It is used to:
–

lower the temperature in summer
,
–

increase the effectiveness of the demisting in
winter

, above 3°C.
►

Press button
4 to activate/deactivate the air
conditioning system.
Air conditioning does not operate when the air flow is disabled.
To obtain cool air more quickly, enable interior
air recirculation for a brief period. Then return
to the intake of exterior air.
Switching off the air conditioning may result in
some discomfort (humidity or misting).

25
Safety
5Unlocking
► To unfasten the seat belt, press the red
button written “PRESS” on the buckle.
►
Allow the belt to retract and make sure the
webbing is not twisted.
T

wisted webbing would not allow smooth
retraction of the belt.
Seat belt not fastened/
unfastened alerts
It comes on in red in the instrument panel
once the system detects that a seat belt is
not fastened or is unfastened.
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 interchange the seat belt buckles, as
they will not fulfil their role fully.
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.
While fastening the seat belt ensure that strap
must pass over your chest and top of your
shoulder and not touch your face, neck, side
of your shoulder or pass under your arm.
An accident or sudden stop could damage
the seat belt, please have your seat belts
inspected by authorized dealers after an
accident or sudden stop.
Do not use a damaged seat belt which would
result in serious injury.
Installation
The lower part of the strap must be
positioned as low as possible on the pelvis.
The upper part must be positioned on the
shoulder.
In order to be effective, a seat belt:
–

must be tightened as close to the body as
possible;
–


must be pulled in front of you with a smooth
movement, ensuring that it is not twisted;
–


must only be used to secure one person;
–


must not show signs of tearing or fraying;
–


must not be changed or modified, in order
to avoid affecting its performance.
Do not wear your seat belt over hard or
breakable objects in your pockets or on your
clothing. If an accident occurs, objects such
as glasses, pens, etc. under the seat belt can
cause injury

.
Recommendations for children
Use a suitable child seat if the passenger
is less than 12 years old or shorter than one
and a half 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.
Recommendations for pregnant
women
Pregnant women should use seat belts,
although specific recommendations about
driving should be made by the woman's
medical advisor. Remember that the lap
portion of the belt should be worn as low as
possible across the hips.
A pregnant woman should not wear the seat
belt across the stomach which would result in
serious injury to the fetus and/or the pregnant
mother.
Maintenance
In accordance with current safety
regulations, for all repairs on your vehicle's
seat belts, go to 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, particularly if the straps
show signs of damage.

40
Practical information
The battery electrolyte must be filled. If the level
is found to be below the “MIN” level line, add
distilled water to the “MAX” level line.
For more information on the precautions
to take before any work on the 12 V
battery, refer to the corresponding section.
Passenger compartment
filter
Depending on the environment and the
use of the vehicle (e.g. dusty atmosphere,
city driving), change it twice as often, if
necessary .
A clogged passenger compartment filter
can adversely affect air conditioning
system performance and generate
undesirable odours.
Air filter
Depending on the environment and the
use of the vehicle (e.g. dusty atmosphere,
city driving), change it twice as often, if
necessary .
Oil filter
Change the oil filter each time the engine
oil is changed.
Manual 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.
After washing the vehicle, moisture, or in wintry conditions, ice can form on the
brake discs and pads: braking efficiency may
be reduced. Gently dab the brakes to dry and
defrost them.
Brake disc and drum wear
For information on checking brake disc
and drum wear, contact a CITROËN
dealer.
Wheels and tyres
The inflation pressure of all tyres, including the spare wheel, must be
checked on "cold” tyres.
The pressures indicated on the tyre pressure
label are valid for "cold" tyres. If you have driven
for more than 10 minutes or more than 10
kilometres at over 50 km/h, add 0.3 bar (30 kPa)
to the values indicated on the label.
Under-inflation increases fuel
consumption. Non-compliant tyre
pressure causes premature wear on tyres and
has an adverse effect on the vehicle's road
holding - risk of an accident!
Driving with worn or damaged tyres reduces the
braking and road holding performance of the
vehicle. It is recommended to regularly check the
condition of the tyres (tread and sidewalls) and
wheel rims as well as the presence of the valves.
When the wear indicators no longer appear set
back from the tread, the depth of the grooves is
less than 1.6 mm; it is imperative to replace the
tyres.
Using different size wheels and tyres from those
specified can affect the lifetime of tyres, wheel
rotation, ground clearance, the speedometer
reading and have an adverse effect on road
holding.
Fitting different tyres on the front and rear axles
can cause ABS and EBFD systems to mistime.
Shock absorbers
It is not easy for drivers to detect when
shock absorbers are worn. Nevertheless,
the shock absorbers have a major impact on
road-holding and braking performance.
For your safety and driving comfort, it is
important to have them regularly checked by a
CITROËN dealer.

41
Practical information
7Timing and accessory kits
Timing and accessory kits are used from
the time the engine is started until it is
switched off. It is normal for them to wear over
time.
A
faulty timing or accessory kit can damage
the engine, rendering it unusable. Observe the
recommended replacement frequency, stated in
distance travelled or time elapsed, whichever is
reached first.
Advice on care and maintenance
General recommendations
Observe the following recommendations to avoid
damaging the vehicle.
Exterior
Never use a high-pressure jet wash in
the engine compartment - risk of
damaging the electrical components!
Do not wash the vehicle in bright sunshine or
extremely cold conditions.
When washing the vehicle in an
automatic roller-brush car wash, be sure
to lock the doors.
When using a pressure washer, hold the
lance at least 30 cm from the vehicle
(particularly when cleaning areas containing
chipped paint, sensors or seals).
Promptly clean up any stains containing
chemicals liable to damage the vehicle's paint
(including tree resin, bird droppings, insect
secretions, pollen and tar).
If justified by the environment, clean the
vehicle more frequently to remove salty
deposits (in coastal areas), soot (in industrial
areas) and mud (in wet or cold areas). These
substances can be highly corrosive.
Contact a CITROËN dealer for advice on
removing stubborn stains requiring special
products (such as tar or insect removers).
Preferably, have paint touch-ups performed
by a CITROËN dealer.
The versions provided with roof rails are not designed for fitting roof racks. It is
only for aesthetic factor.
Do not apply loads on the roof rails.
Interior
When washing the vehicle, never use a
water hose or high-pressure jet to clean
the interior.
Liquids carried in cups or other open
containers can spill, presenting a risk of
damage if they come into contact with the
controls in the dashboard and centre console.
Be vigilant!
Bodywork
High-gloss paint
Do not use abrasive products, solvents,
petrol or oil to clean the bodywork.
Never use an abrasive sponge to clean
stubborn stains - risk of scratching the
paintwork!
Do not apply polish in strong sunshine, or to
plastic or rubber parts.
Use a soft cloth and soapy water or a pH
neutral product.
Gently wipe the bodywork with a clean
microfibre cloth.
Apply polish with the vehicle clean and dry.
Comply with the instructions for use stated on
the product.

42
In the event of a breakdown
Tool kit
Set of tools supplied with the vehicle.
Accessing the tools

The tools are located under the boot floor carpet,
with the spare wheel.
List of tools

1.Jack
To raise the vehicle.
2.Jack handle
3. Wheel wrench
To remove the wheel bolts.
4. Removable towing eye
For more information on Towing the vehicle
and using the removable towing eye, refer to the
corresponding section.
These tools are specific to the vehicle and may vary according to the level of
equipment.
Do not use them for any other purpose.
The jack must only be used to change a wheel with a damaged or punctured tyre.
Do not use any jack other than the one
supplied with the vehicle.
If the vehicle does not have its original jack,
contact a CITROËN dealer.
The jack does not require any maintenance.
Spare wheel
Access to the spare wheel
The spare wheel is installed in the boot, under
the floor carpet.
Removing the spare wheel

► Rotate the fixing screw to unlock the spare
wheel.
►

Lift the spare wheel towards you from the
rear

.
►

T
ake the wheel out of the boot.
Removing the jack

► Rotate the fixing screw to unlock the jack on
one end.
►

T
ilt the jack towards the right and lift it from
the rear.

70
Alphabetical index
A
ABS 23
Adjusting headlamps
20
Adjusting seat

14
Adjusting the air distribution

17
Adjusting the air flow

17
Adjusting the headlamp beam height

20
Adjusting the height and reach of
the steering wheel

15
Adjusting the temperature

17
Advice on care and maintenance

41
Advice on driving

4, 31
Airbags

26–27
Airbags, front

26–27
Air conditioning

16–17
Air conditioning, manual

17
Air intake

18
Air vents

16
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

23
Antitheft / Immobiliser

10
B
Battery, 12 V 39, 56, 58
Battery, remote control
10
Bodywork

41
Bonnet

35–36
Boot

11
Brake discs

40
Brake lamps

47
Brakes 40
Bulbs
45
Bulbs (changing)

45–47
C
Capacity, fuel tank 35
Cap, fuel filler
35
Care of the bodywork

41
Central locking

9–10
Changing a bulb

45–47
Changing a fuse

48, 51
Changing a wheel

42
Changing the remote control battery

10
Checking the levels

37–38
Checks

37, 39–41
Checks, routine

39–40
Child lock

30
Children

25
Children (safety)

30
Child seats

25, 28–29
Child seats, conventional

29
Cleaning (advice)

41
Closing the boot

11
Control, emergency boot release

11
Control, emergency door

10
Control stalk, lighting

20
Control stalk, wipers

21
Courtesy lamp

47
Courtesy lamps

19
D
Dimensions 60
Dipstick
37
Direction indicators (turn signals)

20, 46–47
Doors

11
Driving

31
Driving economically

4
E
EBFD 23
Eco-driving (advice)
4
Electric windows

12
Electronic brake force distribution (EBFD)

23
Emergency warning lamps

23
Engine

35–36, 41
Engine compartment

37
Engine, petrol

60
Engines

60
Environment

10
F
Filling the fuel tank 35
Filter, air
40
Filter, oil

40
Filter, passenger compartment

16, 40
Fitting a wheel

43–44
Fittings, boot

19

71
Alphabetical index
Fittings, interior 18
Flap, fuel filler
35
Flashing indicators

20, 46
Fluid, brake

38
Fluid, engine coolant

38
Folding the rear seats

15–16
Fuel

4
Fuel consumption

4
Fuel level, low

35
Fuel (tank)

35
Fusebox, dashboard

48
Fusebox, engine compartment

48, 51
Fuses

48, 51
G
Gauge, fuel 35
Gearbox, manual
32, 40
Gear lever, manual gearbox

32
Gear shift indicator

33
Glove box

18
H
Hazard warning lamps 23
Headlamps (adjustment)
20
Headlamps, dipped beam

46
Headlamps, halogen

20, 45
Headlamps, main beam

46
Heating

16
Hooks 19
Horn
23
I
Indicator, coolant temperature 7
Indicators, direction
20, 46
Indicator, service

7
Inflating tyres

40, 61
Instrument panels

5
J
Jack 42
Jump starting
56
K
Key 9–10
Key with remote control
9, 31
L
Labels, identification 60
Lamps, rear
47
LEDs - Light-emitting diodes

46–47
Level, brake fluid

38
Level, engine coolant

7, 38
Level, engine oil 37
Levels and checks
37–38
Level, screenwash fluid

21, 38
Light-emitting diodes - LEDs

46–47
Lighting, exterior

20
Lighting, interior

19
Locating your vehicle

9
Locking

9
Locking from the inside

10
Locking the doors

10
M
Maintenance (advice) 41
Maintenance, routine
39
Map reading lamps

19
Markings, identification

60
Mirrors, door

15
O
Obstacle detection 33
Oil change
37
Oil consumption

37
Oil, engine

37
On-board tools

42
Opening the bonnet

35–36
Opening the boot

11
Opening the doors

11