2023 CITROEN C3 parking brake

3
Overview
Instruments and controls
These illustrations and descriptions are provided
for information only. The presence and location
of certain elements may vary, depending on the
version or trim level.
1.Interior rear view mirror
Courtesy lamp
2. Open storage or Touch screen
3. Instrument panel
4. Manual air conditioning
Front demisting/defrosting
5. USB socket
6. 12 V socket
7. Gear shift lever
8. Parking brake
9. Electric windows
10. Closed storage or Glove box
11 . Bonnet release
Steering mounted controls
1.Wiper control stalk
2. Lighting control stalk
Direction indicators
3. Horn
4. Audio system controls
A. Audio source selection
B. Voice command
C. Short press on the buttons: decrease
/
increase volume
Long press on the decrease button: mute
audio system
D. Select previous
/ next media
Accept
/ reject incoming call
Side controls
1.Rear window control deactivation
2. Headlamp adjustment

4
Driving tips
Driving tips
Improving fuel economy
The following tips will help you in improving fuel
economy.
–
A
void excessive idling.
–

A
void sudden acceleration.
–

A
void unnecessary deceleration and stopping.
–

Keep steady cruise speed as much as
possible.
Keep the air filter clean
If the air cleaner is clogged with dust, there
will be greater intake resistance, resulting in
decreased power output and increased fuel
consumption.
Keep tire pressures correct
Underinflating of the tires can waste fuel due to
increased running resistance of the tires. Keep
your tires inflated to the correct pressure shown
on the label on the driver’s door lock pillar.
Do not use tires other than those
specified by Citroën. Never use different
sizes or types of tires on the front and rear
wheels.
Driving on hills
When climbing steep hills, the vehicle may begin
to slow down and show a lack of power. If this
happens, you should shift to a lower gear so that
the engine will again be operating in its normal
power range
While driving down a hill, never turn off the
vehicle.
Try not to hold the brake pedal down too long
or too often while going down a long hill. This
could cause the brakes to overheat, resulting in
reduced braking efficiency.
Use the parking brake when parking your
vehicle and shift the gear shift lever into
the first gear or reverse gear position for the
sake of safety.
Driving on slippery roads
Under wet road conditions, you should drive at
a lower speed than on dry roads due to possible
slippage of tires during braking. When driving on
icy, snow-covered, or muddy roads, reduce your
speed and avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
braking, or sharp steering movements.
Vehicle may break-down, meet with an
accident or catch fire due to:
–

Installation of:
•


High wattage bulbs
•


Non genuine lamps / horns
•


Modified suspension / wheels
•


Non genuine parts / accessories etc.
–


Short circuiting due to tampering of wiring
harness.
Do not store or carry inflammable
materials in the vehicle.
Avoid driving into or starting the vehicle in a heavily water logged area. Vehicle
may break-down or engine may fail due to:
–

W

ater entry into the engine.
–

Short circuiting of the electrical systems.
–


EV
AP (Evaporative Emission Control
System) malfunction.
If the vehicle is stuck into deep water, do not
start / crank the vehicle until the level of water
drops below the level of exhaust pipe.
If the vehicle is submerged in water, report to
the nearest authorized workshop.

6
Instruments
Maximum engine coolant temperatureFixed.
The temperature of the cooling system is
too high.
Carry out (1), then wait until the engine has
cooled down before topping up the level, if
necessary. If the problem persists, carry out (2).
Engine oil pressureFixed.
Oil pressure is insufficient.
Carry out (1) and then (2).
12 V battery chargeFixed.
The battery charging circuit has a fault
(dirty terminals, slack or cut alternator belt, etc.).
Carry out (1).
Clean and retighten the terminals. If the warning
lamp does not go off when the engine is started,
carry out (2).
Parking brakeFixed.
The parking brake is applied or not
properly released.
Brake systemFixed when the ignition is ON.
The Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
or the brake system has a fault or the brake fluid
level has dropped significantly.
If necessary, top up with fluid that complies with
the manufacturer's recommendations. If the
problem persists, carry out (2).
Fixed when driving.
The brake system has a fault.
Carry out (1) then (2).
AirbagsFixed.
The airbag system is faulty.
Carry out (3).
Door(s) openFixed.
An audible signal supplements the alert if
the speed is higher than 5
km/h.
A door or the boot is not properly closed.
Seat belts not fastened/unfastenedFixed or flashing, accompanied by an
increasing audible signal.
A seat belt has not been fastened or has been
unfastened.
Orange warning/indicator lamps
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Fixed.
The anti-lock braking system has a fault.
The vehicle retains conventional braking.
Drive carefully at moderate speed, then carry
out (3).
Engine self-diagnostic systemFixed.
The engine system or emissions control
system has a fault.
The warning lamp should go off when the engine
is started.
Carry out (3) quickly.
Power steeringFixed.
The power steering has a fault.
Drive carefully at moderate speed, then carry
out (3).
Low fuel levelFixed, with the reserve level shown in
orange, accompanied by an audible
signal.
When it first comes on, there are
approximately
5 litres of fuel remaining in the tank (reserve).
Until the fuel level is topped up, this alert will
be repeated every time the ignition is switched
on, with increasing frequency as the fuel level
decreases and approaches zero.
Refuel without delay to avoid running out of fuel.
Never drive until completely empty, as this
could damage the fuel pump, the emissions
control and injection systems.
Green warning/indicator lamps
Direction indicators
Direction indicators with audible signal.
The direction indicators are on.
Dipped beam headlampsFixed.
The lamps are on.
Blue warning/indicator lamps
Main beam headlamps
Fixed.
The lamps are on.

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.

43
In the event of a breakdown
8Removing a wheel
Parking the vehicle
Immobilise the vehicle where it does
not obstruct traffic: the ground must be level,
stable and non-slippery.
With a manual gearbox, engage first gear to
lock the wheels, apply the parking brake and
switch off the ignition.
Check for the fixed illumination of the parking
brake indicator lamps in the instrument panel.
The occupants must get out of the vehicle
and wait where they are safe.
If necessary, place a chock under the wheel
diagonally opposite the wheel to be changed.
Never go underneath a vehicle raised using a
jack; use an axle stand.
Wheel with wheel trim
When removing the wheel , first remove
the wheel trim by pulling at the valve aperture.
When refitting the wheel , refit the wheel
trim, starting by placing its aperture in line
with the valve and then pushing it into place
all round its edge with the palm of your hand.
Wheel nuts removing pattern

► Loosen the nuts on the wheel in diagonal
sequence. Do not remove wheel nuts.


► Slacken the bolts using the wheel wrench 3
only.


► Place the foot of jack 1 on the ground and
ensure that it is directly below the front A or
rear
B jacking point on the underbody, whichever
is closest to the wheel to be changed.


► Extend jack 1 with the jack handle 2 and
wheel wrench 3 until its head comes into contact
with jacking point

A
or B; contact area A or B
on the vehicle must be properly inserted into the
central part of the head of the jack.
►

Raise the vehicle until there is sufficient
space between the wheel and the ground to
admit the spare (not punctured) wheel easily

.

59
In the event of a breakdown
8When towing a vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground, always use an approved towing
arm; rope and straps are prohibited.
The towing vehicle must move off gently.
When the vehicle is towed with its engine
off, there is no longer braking and steering
assistance.
A professional towing service must be
called if:
–

Broken down on a motorway or main road.
–


Not possible to put
the gearbox into neutral,
unlock the steering, or release the parking
brake.
–

T

owing with only two wheels on the ground.
–

No approved towbar available.
Access to the tools

The towing eye is stored under the boot floor
carpet.
Towing your vehicle
To access the front screw thread:

► Remove the cover .
To be towed:
►

Screw the towing eye in fully
.
►

Install the towbar
.
►

Put the gearbox into neutral.
Failure to observe this instruction could
result in damage to certain components
(braking, transmission, etc.) and to the
absence of braking assistance the next time
the engine is started.
►

Unlock the steering and release the parking
brake.
►


Switch on the hazard warning lamps on both
vehicles.
►


Move off gently
, drive slowly and only for a
short distance.

72
Alphabetical index
P
Pads, brake 40
Paint
41
Parking sensors, audible and visual

33
Parking sensors, rear

33
Plates, identification

60
Port, USB

18
Pressures, tyres

40, 61
Pre-tensioning (seat belts)

25
Protecting children

26–28
Puncture

42
R
Recirculation, air 18
Reminder, lighting on
20
Remote control

9–10
Removing a wheel

43–44
Replacing bulbs

45–47
Replacing fuses

48
Replacing the air filter

40
Replacing the oil filter

40
Replacing the passenger compartment
filter

40
Reservoir, screenwash

38
Reversing lamps

47
Roof rack

41
S
Safety, children 26–28
Screenwash
21
Screenwash, front

21
Seat belts

24–25
Seats, front

14
Seats, rear

15–16
Serial number, vehicle

60
Servicing

7, 39, 40–41
Sidelamps

47
Starting the engine

31
Starting the vehicle

31–32
Starting using another battery

56
Stay, engine bonnet

36
Steering wheel (adjustment)

15
Stopping the vehicle

31–32
Storage

18
Suspension

40
Switch, ignition

31
Switching off the engine

31
T
Tables of engines 60
Tables of fuses
48, 51
Tank, fuel

35
Technical data

60
Temperature, coolant

7
Tools

42
Towing

58–59
Trip computer 7–8
Tyres
40, 61
U
Unlocking 9
Unlocking from the inside
10
Unlocking the doors

10
V
Ventilation 16
W
Warning and indicator lamps 5
Warning lamp, driver's seat belt not
fastened

25
Warning lamps

5
Warning lamp, seat belts

25
Warnings and indicators

5
Washing (advice)

41
Wheel, spare

40, 42–44
Wipers

21
Wipers, windscreen

21