2023 CITROEN DS3 CROSSBACK warning

67Safety05
Deactivation / Reactivation
In exceptional conditions (starting a vehicle stuck
in mud, immobilised in snow, on soft ground, etc.),
it may be useful to deactivate the ASR system to
freely spin the wheels and regain traction.
Reactivate the system as soon as the level of grip
permits.
It is set via the Driving / Vehicle touch
screen menu.
Deactivation is confirmed by the
illumination of this indicator lamp in the
instrument panel and the display of a message.
The ASR system is reactivated automatically
every time the ignition is switched back on or
from 31 mph (50 km/h).
Reactivation is manual below 31 mph (50 km/h).
Malfunction
In the event of a system malfunction, this
warning lamp comes on, accompanied by
an onscreen message and audible signal.
Contact a dealer or a qualified workshop to have
the systems checked.
ASR / DSC
These systems enhance safety during
normal driving, but should not encourage the
driver to take extra risks or drive at high speed.
It is in conditions of reduced grip (rain, snow,
ice) that the risk of loss of grip increases. It
is therefore important for your safety to keep
these systems activated in all conditions, and
particularly in difficult conditions.
Correct operation of these systems depends
on compliance with the manufacturer's
recommendations relating to the wheels (tyres
and rims), braking and electronic components,
as well as the assembly and repair procedures
used by dealers.
The use of snow tyres is recommended, to
ensure that these systems remain effective
in winter conditions. All four wheels must be
fitted with tyres approved for the vehicle.
Advanced Traction Control
This special patented traction control system
improves grip on snow, mud and sand.
For optimum grip on snow, it is
recommended to fit the vehicle with
winter tyres.
Activation/Deactivation



►  Press the DRIVE MODE button to choose one of
the three driving modes; the different modes are
displayed in the instrument panel.
►  Depending on the circumstances, select
"Snow", "Mud" or "Sand".
The chosen mode continues to be displayed in the
instrument panel.
►  To deactivate, select "Normal" mode or any
other driving mode.
The system is automatically deactivated when
the ignition is switched off.
Operating modes
Snow
This mode adapts its strategy to the conditions of
grip encountered for each of the two front wheels
on moving off.
(mode active up to 50 mph (80 km/h))
Mud
This mode, when moving off, allows considerable
spin on the wheel with the least grip to optimise
clearing of the mud and to regain grip. At the
same time, the wheel with the most grip is
controlled in such a way as to transmit as much
torque as possible.
When moving, the system optimises wheel spin
to respond to the driver's requirements as fully as
possible.
(mode active up to 31 mph (50 km/h))

68Safety05
Seat belt not fastened/
unfastened alerts




1. Front left seat belt warning lamp
2. Front right seat belt warning lamp
3. Rear left seat belt warning lamp
4. Rear centre seat belt warning lamp
5. Rear right seat belt warning lamp
If the corresponding seat belt is not fastened
or is unfastened, when the ignition is switched
on, the seat belts warning lamp comes on in the
instrument panel and the corresponding warning
lamp (1 to 5) comes on in red in the seat belt and
front passenger airbag warning lamps display.
If a rear seat belt is not fastened, the
corresponding warning lamp (3 to 5)
comes on for around 30 seconds.
From about 12 mph (20 km/h) and for 2 minutes,
each warning lamp corresponding to an occupied
seat whose seat belt is unfastened flashes,
accompanied by an audible signal. After these 2
minutes, the corresponding seat warning lamp
Sand
This mode allows little spin on the two driving
wheels at the same time to allow the vehicle to
move forward and limit the risks of getting stuck
in the sand.
(mode active up to 75 mph (120 km/h))
Do not use the other modes on sand as
the vehicle may become stuck.
Recommendations
The vehicle is designed principally to
drive on tarmac roads, but it allows you to
occasionally drive on other less passable
terrain.
However, it does not permit off-road driving
such as:
–

driving on t
errain which could damage the
underbody or strip away components (fuel
pipe, fuel cooler, etc.) due to obstacles or
stones in particular,
–

driving on t
errain with steep gradients and
poor grip,
–

cro
ssing a waterway.
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.
Pyrotechnic pretensioning
This system improves safety in the event of a
frontal or side impact.
Depending on the severity of the impact, the
pyrotechnic pretensioning system instantly
tightens the seat belts against the body of the
occupants.
The pyrotechnic pretensioning seat belts are
enabled when the ignition is on.
Force limiter
This system reduces the pressure of the seat belt
on the chest of the occupant, thus improving their
protection.
In the event of an impact
Depending on the nature and seriousness
of the impacts, the pyrotechnic device may
trigger before and independently of airbag
deployment. Deployment of the pretensioners
is accompanied by a slight discharge of
harmless smoke and a noise, due to the
activation of the pyrotechnic cartridge
incorporated in the system.
In all cases, the airbag warning lamp comes
on.
Following an impact, have the seat belt system
checked, and if necessary replaced, by a dealer
or a qualified workshop.
Front seat belts
The front seat belts are fitted with a pyrotechnic
pretensioning system and a force limiting system.
Rear seat belts

Each of the rear seats has a three-point seat belt
with inertia reel.
The outer seats are fitted with a pyrotechnic
pretensioning and force limiting system.
Fastening
►  Pull the strap, then insert the tongue in the
buckle.
►  Check that the seat belt is fastened correctly
by pulling the strap.
Unlocking
►  Press the red button on the buckle.
►  Guide the seat belt as it is reeled in.

69Safety05
Seat belt not fastened/
unfastened alerts




1. Front left seat belt warning lamp
2. Front right seat belt warning lamp
3. Rear left seat belt warning lamp
4. Rear centre seat belt warning lamp
5. Rear right seat belt warning lamp
If the corresponding seat belt is not fastened
or is unfastened, when the ignition is switched
on, the seat belts warning lamp comes on in the
instrument panel and the corresponding warning
lamp (1 to 5) comes on in red in the seat belt and
front passenger airbag warning lamps display.
If a rear seat belt is not fastened, the
corresponding warning lamp (3 to 5)
comes on for around 30 seconds.
From about 12 mph (20 km/h) and for 2 minutes,
each warning lamp corresponding to an occupied
seat whose seat belt is unfastened flashes,
accompanied by an audible signal. After these 2
minutes, the corresponding seat warning lamp
remains on until the driver or the front/rear
passenger fasten their seat belt.
Front seat belt warning lamp(s)
On switching on the ignition, the warning lamp
comes on in the instrument panel and the
corresponding warning lamp(s) come(s) on in
red in the seat belt and front passenger airbag
warning lamp display if the driver's seat belt and/
or the passenger(s) seat belt is/are not fastened
or is/are unfastened.
Rear seat belt warning lamp(s)
The corresponding warning lamp comes on in
red in the seat belt and front passenger airbag
warning lamp display screen if one or more rear
passengers unfasten their seat belts.
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.
Installation
The lower part of the strap must be
positioned as low as possible on the pelvis.
The upper part must be positioned in the
hollow of the shoulder.
In order to be effective, a seat belt:
–

must be tigh
tened as close to the body as
possible;
–

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

must only be used t
o secure one person;
–

must no
t show signs of tearing or fraying;
–

must no
t be changed or modified, in order to
avoid affecting its performance.
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.
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 dealer is
able to provide.

71Safety05
Lateral airbags

In the event of a serious side impact, this system
protects the driver and front passenger to
mitigate the risk of injury to the chest between
the hip and the shoulder.
At the front, each lateral airbag is fitted in the
seat backrest frame, door side. At the rear, each
lateral airbag is fitted in the rear pillar.
Deployment
The lateral airbags are deployed on one side in
the event of a serious side impact applied to all or
part of the side impact zone B.
The lateral airbag inflates between the hip
and shoulder of the vehicle's occupant and the
corresponding door panel.
Curtain airbags
System contributing towards greater protection
for the driver and passengers (with the exception
of the rear centre passenger) in the event of a
serious side impact in order to limit the risk of
injury to the side of the head.
Each curtain airbag is built into the pillars and the
upper passenger compartment area.
Deployment
It deploys simultaneously with the corresponding
lateral airbag in the event of a serious side impact
applied to all or part of the side impact zone B.
The curtain airbag inflates between the front
and rear occupants of the vehicle and the
corresponding windows.
Malfunction
If this warning lamp comes on in the
instrument panel, you must contact a
dealer or a qualified workshop to have the system
checked.
The airbags may not be deployed in the event of a
serious impact.
In the event of a minor impact or bump at
the side of the vehicle or if the vehicle
rolls over, the airbags may not be deployed.
In the event of a rear or front collision, none of
the lateral airbags are deployed.
Advice
For the airbags to be fully effective,
observe the safety recommendations
below.
Adopt a normal upright sitting position.
Fasten the seat belt ensuring it is correctly
positioned and adjusted.
Do not leave anything between the occupants
and the airbags (a child, pet, object, etc.), nor
fix or attach anything close to or in the way of
the airbag release trajectory; this could cause
injuries during their deployment.
Never modify the original definition of your
vehicle, particularly in the area directly around
the airbags.
After an accident or if the vehicle has been
stolen, have the airbag systems checked.
All work on the airbag systems must only be
carried out by a dealer or a qualified workshop.
Even if all of the precautions mentioned are
observed, a risk of injury or of minor burns to
the head, chest or arms cannot be ruled out
when an airbag is deployed. The airbag inflates
almost instantly (within a few milliseconds)
then deflates within the same time
discharging the hot gas via openings provided
for this purpose.
Front airbags
Do not drive holding the steering wheel by
its spokes or resting your hands on the centre
part of the wheel.

74Safety05
The front passenger airbag must be
deactivated before installing a rearward
facing child seat. Otherwise, the child risks
being seriously injured or killed if the airbag is
deployed.


Warning label - Front passenger airbag

You must comply with the following instruction,
reminded by the warning label on both sides of
the passenger sun visor:
NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint on
a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front
of it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD
can occur.
Deactivating the front
passenger airbag
For your child’s safety, the front
passenger airbag MUST be deactivated
when a "rearward facing" child seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
Otherwise, the child would be exposed to the
risk of death or serious injury in the event of
airbag deployment.
Vehicles not equipped with a
deactivation/reactivation control
Installing a "rearward facing" child seat on the
front passenger seat is strictly prohibited - risk
of death or serious injury in the event of airbag
deployment!
Deactivating/Reactivating the front
passenger airbag
For vehicles on which it is fitted, the control is
located by the glove box.


With the ignition off:
►  To deactivate the airbag, turn the key in the
switch to the "OFF" position.
►  To reactivate it, turn the key to the "ON"
position.
When the ignition is switched on:
This warning lamp comes on and remains
lit to signal the deactivation.
Or
This warning lamp comes on for about 1
minute to signal the activation.
Recommended child seats
Range of recommended child seats secured using
a three-point seat belt.

81Driving06
– Jolting and knocking noise during hill starts.
Towing
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 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 heating up.
In all cases, pay 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
Braking distances are increased when towing a
trailer. To avoid overheating the brakes, the use of
engine braking is recommended.
Side wind
Bear in mind that the vehicle will be more
susceptible to wind when towing.
Anti-theft protection
Electronic immobiliser
The keys include an electronic engine immobiliser
system, with a code that must be recognised in
order for starting to be possible.
If the system malfunctions, indicated by the
display of a message, the engine will not start.
Contact a dealer.
Starting/Switching off the
engine
The electronic key must be present in the
passenger compartment.
For versions equipped with Proximity Keyless
Entry and Start, the electronic key is also
detected in the boot.
If it 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.

82Driving06
The lighting state of the "START/STOP"
button indicates the presence or absence
of the electronic key in the passenger
compartment.
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 press the brake pedal.


►  Press the "START/STOP" button while
maintaining pressure on the pedal until the engine
starts.
For Diesel engines, when the temperature is below
zero and/or the engine is cold, starting will only
occur once the preheating warning lamp is off.
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.
If one of the starting conditions is not met, a
message is displayed.
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.
With petrol engines, 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 stalls, release the clutch
pedal and fully depress it again, the
engine will restart automatically.
Switching off
►  Immobilise the vehicle, with the engine at idle.
►  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 switch off.
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.
Starting/Switching off the
electric motor
Starting
The drive selector must be in mode P.
►  Fully depress the brake pedal and briefly press
the "START/STOP" button.
►  Keep your foot on the brake pedal until the
READY indicator lamp comes on and an audible
signal is emitted, indicating that the vehicle is
ready to drive.
►  With your foot on the brake, press the
"Unlock" button and select mode D/B or R.
►  Release the brake pedal, then accelerate.
On starting, the instrument panel lights up and
the power indicator cursor moves to the "neutral"
position. The steering column automatically
unlocks ( you may hear a sound and feel the
steering wheel move).
Switching off
►  Press the "START/STOP" button.
Before exiting the vehicle, check that:
–

The driv
e selector is in mode P.
–
The READY indicator lamp is off.
If the driver's door is opened while the
required conditions for stopping are not
satisfied, an audible signal is emitted,
accompanied by the display of a warning
message.
Switching on the ignition
without starting the engine
With the electronic key in the passenger
compartment, pressing the “START/STOP” button,
without pressing any of the pedals, allows the
ignition to be switched on without starting the
engine.
►  Press this button again to switch off the
ignition and allow the vehicle to be locked.
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 discharged.


►  Place and hold the remote control against the
reader.
►  With a manual gearbox, place the gear lever in
neutral, then fully depress the clutch pedal.
►  With an automatic gearbox or a drive selector,
select mode P, then fully depress the brake pedal.
►  Press the "START/STOP" button.

86
Driving06
electric parking brake control lever will brake the
vehicle. Braking continues while the control lever
is pulled, and ceases when the control lever is
released.
The ABS and DSC systems stabilise the vehicle
during emergency braking.
If emergency braking malfunctions, the message
"Parking brake control faulty" will be displayed on
the instrument panel.
If the ABS and DSC systems
malfunction, indicated by lighting
one or both warning lamps on the instrument
panel, the vehicle’s stability is no longer ensured.
In this event, the driver must keep the vehicle
stable by successively pulling and releasing the
control lever, repeating the operation until the
vehicle has stopped.
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.
As a safety precaution and to facilitate
starting the engine:
–

Alw
ays select neutral.
–

Pre
ss the clutch pedal.
Automatic gearbox (EAT8)
Automatic 8-speed gearbox with a push selector.
It also offers a manual mode with gear changes
via control paddles located behind the steering
wheel.
Gearbox selector positions
P. Park
For parking the vehicle: the front wheels are
blocked. R.
Reverse gear
N. Neutral
For moving the vehicle with the ignition off, or
to allow it to free-wheel.
For more information on Changing to free-
wheeling, refer to the corresponding section.
D. Driving in automatic mode
The gearbox manages gear changes according
to the style of driving, the road profile and the
vehicle load.
M. Driving in manual mode
The driver changes gear using the steering-
mounted controls.
Push selector

A.Button P
To put the gearbox into Park mode.