2023 CITROEN C3 ignition

22
Lighting and visibility
► Unclip the wiper blade and remove it.
Refitting
► Position and clip the new wiper blade to the
arm.
►

Fold down the wiper arm carefully
.
After refitting a front wiper
► Switch on the ignition.
► Operate the wiper lever again to park the
wiper blades.

23
Safety
5General safety
recommendations
Do not remove the labels attached in
different places on your vehicle. They
include safety warnings as well as
identification information for the vehicle.
For all work on your vehicle, use a
qualified workshop that has the technical
information, skills and equipment required, all
of which a CITROËN dealer is able to
provide.
Installing electrical accessories:
– The fitting of electrical equipment
or accessories not approved by CITROËN
may cause excessive current consumption
and failure of the vehicle's electrical system.
Contact a CITROËN dealer for information on
the range of approved accessories.
–

As a safety measure, access to the
diagnostic socket, used for the vehicle's
electronic systems, is reserved strictly for
CITROËN dealers, equipped with the special
tools required (risk of malfunctions of the
vehicle's electronic systems that could cause
breakdowns or serious accidents).

The
Manufacturer cannot be held responsible if
this advice is not followed.
–

Any modification or adaptation not intended
or authorised by CITROËN or carried out
without meeting the technical requirements
defined by the Manufacturer will result in the
suspension of the commercial warranty.
Hazard warning lamps



► Pressing the red button causes all the
direction indicators to flash.
They can operate with the ignition off.
Horn

► Press the central part of the steering wheel.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic
Brake Force Distribution
(EBFD)
These systems enhance the vehicle’s stability
and handling during braking, and enable greater
control while cornering, particularly on poor or
slippery road surfaces.
ABS prevents wheel locking in the event of
emergency braking.
EBFD manages the braking pressure wheel by
wheel.
This warning lamp is continuously on in
the event of an ABS malfunction.
The vehicle retains conventional braking. Drive
carefully at a moderate speed.
Contact a CITROËN dealer as soon as possible.
This warning lamp, accompanied by an audible signal, indicates an EBFD
malfunction.
You must stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
Contact a CITROËN dealer.
The normal operation of the ABS may result in slight vibrations in the brake
pedal.
When braking in an emergency, press
the brake pedal very firmly and
maintain this pressure.

24
Safety
When changing wheels (tyres and rims),
ensure that these are approved by the
manufacturer for your vehicle.
After an impact, have these systems checked by a CITROËN dealer.
Seat belts
Inertia reel
The seat belts are equipped with an inertia reel
which allows the strap length to automatically
adjust to your shape. 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.
Force limiter
This system reduces the pressure of the seat
belt on the chest of the occupant, thus improving
their protection.
Front seat belts

The front driver seat belt is fitted with inertia reel
and a force limiting system.
The front passenger seat belt is equipped with
inertia reel.
Rear seat belts

The outer seats have a belt with inertia reel.
Before performing any operations on the
rear seats, to avoid damage to the seat
belts, check that:
–

the outer seat belts are correctly in the
storage position, lying vertically along the
pillar

,
–

the central seat belt is stowed.
Fastening
► To fasten the seat belt, pull the webbing and
insert the tongue into the buckle.
►
Check whether the seat belt is fastened
correctly by pulling the webbing.
If the driver or co-driver seat belt is not fastened
while the ignition is ON, the seat belt warning
lamp chimes and illuminates until the seat belt is
fastened.

26
Safety
Clean the seat belt straps with soapy water or
a textile cleaning product, sold by CITROËN
dealers.
Airbags
General information
The airbags have been designed to optimise the
safety of the occupants in the event of a violent
collision.
The airbags are supplementary restraint systems
(SRS) that help cushion the impact force to the
head and chest during severe frontal collisions.
The SRS includes Airbags, Seatbelts, Airbag
ECU, Collision sensors and SRS warning lamp.
Electronic detectors record and analyse the front
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.
During a frontal crash, children could be fatally
injured if they are sitting on driver

’s lap/standing
very close to the dashboard, as the airbags exert
severe force levels during deployment.
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.
When one or more airbags are deployed,
the detonation of the pyrotechnic charge
incorporated in the system makes a noise and
releases a small quantity of smoke.
This smoke is not harmful, but sensitive
individuals may experience slight 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.
The airbags will deploy irrespective of whether the seat belt is buckled or not. In
order to reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY
or DEATH, we recommend occupants to
always be buckled.
Front airbags

This system protects the driver and front
passenger in the event of a serious front impact,
in order to limit the risk of head and chest
injuries.
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.
Deployment
1. Frontal collision Airbags may deploy during severe front
collision when the crash intensity is above
the threshold and the angle of impact is less
than or equal to 30 degrees with respect to
longitudinal axis of vehicle.
2. Collision with utility poles or trees Airbags may deploy when the vehicle hits
pole or tree with sufficient intensity to trigger
the airbag. The crash intensity should be
above the threshold to inflate the airbag.
3. Underride collision Airbags may deploy when the vehicle rides
under the trucks or vehicles with higher
ground clearance. The crash intensity should
be above the threshold to inflate the airbag.

31
Driving
6Driving recommendations
► Observe the driving regulations and remain
vigilant whatever the traffic conditions.
►

Monitor your environment and keep your
hands on the wheel to be able to react to
anything that may happen any time.
►


Drive smoothly
, anticipate the need for
braking and maintain a longer safety distance,
especially in bad weather.
►

Stop the vehicle to carry out operations that
require close attention (such as adjustments).
►


During long trips, take a break every two
hours.
Important!
Never leave the engine running in a
closed space without sufficient
ventilation. Internal combustion engines emit
toxic exhaust gases such as carbon
monoxide. Danger of poisoning and death!
In severe wintry conditions, let the engine
run for 4 minutes before moving off, to
ensure the correct operation and durability of
the mechanical components of your vehicle
(engine and gearbox).
Never drive with the parking brake
applied . Risk of overheating and
damage to the braking system!
Do not park the vehicle or leave the
engine running on a flammable
surface (dry grass, dead leaves, etc.). The
exhaust system of your vehicle is very hot,
even several minutes after the engine stops.
Risk of fire!
Never leave a vehicle unattended with
the engine running. If you have to leave
your vehicle with the engine running, apply
the parking brake and put the gearbox into
neutral.
Never leave children inside the vehicle
unsupervised.
On flooded roads
We strongly advise against driving on flooded
roads, as this could cause serious damage to
the engine or gearbox, as well as to the electrical
systems of your vehicle.


If you have to drive on a flooded road:
► drive as slowly as possible without stalling. In
all cases, do not exceed 10
km/h,►

do not stop and do not switch off the engine.
On leaving the flooded road, as soon as safety
conditions allow
, make several light brake
applications to dry the brake discs and pads.
If in doubt about the state of your vehicle,
contact a CITROËN dealer.
Starting / Switching off the
engine
Key ignition switch

It has 4 positions:
1. Stop Inserting and removing the key, steering
column locked.
2. ACC Steering column unlocked, use of the
vehicle's electric equipment.
3. ON (Ignition) Steering column unlocked, ignition on, engine
running.
4. Starting

32
Driving
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.
Starting the engine
With the parking brake applied:
► Place the gear lever in neutral then fully
depress the clutch 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).
►

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.
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).
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, the battery and
the engine.
Contact a CITROËN dealer.
In mild conditions, do not leave the
engine at idle to warm up but move off
straight away and drive at moderate speed.
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.
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.

35
Practical information
7Refuelling
Fuel tank capacity: 30 litres.
Reserve level: approximately 5 litres.
Low fuel level
When the low fuel level is reached, this
warning lamp comes on on the instrument
panel, accompanied by an audible signal. When
it first comes on, about 5 litres of fuel remain.
Until sufficient fuel is added, this warning lamp
appears every time the ignition is switched on,
accompanied by an audible signal. When driving,
the audible signal are repeated with increasing
frequency as the fuel level drops towards 0.
You must refuel as soon as possible to avoid
running out of fuel.
Refuelling
Additions of fuel must be of at least 5 litres, in
order to be registered by the fuel gauge.
Opening the filler cap may create a noise caused
by an inrush of air. This vacuum is entirely
normal, resulting from the sealing of the fuel
system.
To refuel in complete safety:
►

Y
ou must switch off the engine.


► Lift the fuel filler flap lever , located on the
floor beside the driver's seat, to open the flap.
►

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


► Turn the filler cap to the left and remove it.
► Introduce the filler nozzle and push it in as
far as possible before starting to refuel (risk of
blowback).
►

Fill the tank.
Do not continue past the first cut-off of the
nozzle, as this may cause malfunctions.
► Refit the filler cap.
► T urn it to the right.
►

Push the filler flap to close it.
If you have put in wrong/dirty/
contaminated fuel or H2O mixed fuel in
the vehicle, you must have the fuel tank
drained and filled with the correct fuel before
starting the engine.
Contact a CITROËN dealer for the fuel
system cleaning.
The vehicle is fitted with a catalytic converter, a
device which helps to reduce the level of harmful
emissions in the exhaust gases.
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.
Bonnet
When the engine is hot, handle the
exterior safety catch and the bonnet stay
with care (risk of burns), using the protected
area.
When the bonnet is open, take care not to
damage the safety catch.

37
Practical information
7– Air filter.
– Engine oil dipstick.
–

Engine oil filler cap.

NA engine

Turbo engine
1. Brake fluid reservoir
2. Air filter
3. Battery
4. Fusebox
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Screenwash fluid reservoir
8. Engine coolant reservoir
Checking levels
Check all of the following levels regularly in
accordance with the manufacturer's service
schedule. Top them up if required, unless
otherwise indicated.
If a level drops significantly, have the
corresponding system checked by a CITROËN
dealer.
The fluids must comply with the
manufacturer's requirements and with
the vehicle's engine.
Take care when working under the bonnet, as certain areas of the engine
may be extremely hot (risk of burns) and the
cooling fan could start at any time (even with
the ignition off).
Used products
Avoid prolonged contact of used oil or fluids with the skin.
Most of these fluids are harmful to health and
very corrosive.
Do not discard used oil or fluids into
sewers or onto the ground.
Empty used oil into the containers reserved
for this purpose at a CITROËN dealer.
Engine oil
The level is checked, with the engine having been switched off for at least 30
minutes and on level ground, using the dipstick.
To know how often the engine oil should be
replaced, refer to the manufacturer's servicing
schedule.
In order to maintain the reliability of the
engine and emissions control system,
never use additives in the engine oil.
Checking using the dipstick
For the location of the dipstick, please refer
to the illustration of the corresponding engine
compartment.
►

Grasp the dipstick by its coloured grip and
pull it out completely

.
►

Wipe the end of the dipstick using a clean,
lint-free cloth.


► Reinsert the dipstick and push fully down,
then pull it out again to visually check the oil
level: the correct level is between marks A
(max)
and B (min).
Do not start the engine if the level is:
–

above mark
A: contact a CITROËN dealer.