CITROEN C3 2009 Owners Manual
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DRIVING
PARKING BRAKE
Mechanical brake to hold the vehicle
when stationary. When parking on a slope, direct
your wheels against the pave-
ment, pull the parking brake on
and engage a gear.
Applying
Pull the parking brake to immobilise
your vehicle. Releasing
Pull on the handle and press the but-
ton A to release the parking brake.
When the vehicle is being driv-
en, if this warning lamp and the
STOP warning lamp come on,
accompanied by an audible sig-
nal and a message on the multifunction
screen, this indicates that the parking
brake is still on or has not been properly
released.
6-SPEED MANUAL GEARBOX
Engaging reverse gear
Raise the ring under the knob and
push the gear lever to the left then
forwards.
As a safety precaution and to faci-
litate starting of the engine:
- always select neutral,
- press the clutch pedal. Only engage reverse gear when
the vehicle is stationary with the
engine at idle.
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DRIVING
GEAR CHANGE INDICATOR *
System which reduces fuel consumption
by advising the driver to change up on
v e h i c l e s fi t t e d w i t h a m a n u a l g e a r b o x .
Operation
The system intervenes only when driv-
ing economically.
Depending on the driving situation and
your vehicle's equipment, the system
may advise you to skip one or more
gears. You can follow this instruc-
tion without engaging the intermediate
gears.
The gear engagement recommenda-
tions must not be considered compulsory.
I n f a c t , t h e c o n fi g u r a t i o n o f t h e r o a d ,
t h e a m o u n t o f t r a f fi c a n d s a f e t y r e m a i n
determining factors when choosing the
best gear. Therefore, the driver remains
responsible for deciding whether or not
to follow the advice given by the system.
This function cannot be deactivated. In the case of driving which makes
particular demands on the per-
f o r m a n c e o f t h e e n g i n e ( fi r m p r e s -
sure on the accelerator pedal, for
e x a m p l e , w h e n o v e r t a k i n g . . . ) , t h e
system will not recommend a gear
change.
The system never suggests:
- e n g a g i n g fi r s t g e a r ,
- engaging reverse gear,
- engaging a lower gear.
- You press the accelerator pedal
moderately.
E x a m p l e :
- You are in third gear.
- The system may suggest that you engage a higher gear, if appropriate.
* According to engine. The information appears in the form of an
arrow on the instrument panel display.
Depending on your vehicle's equipment,
this arrow may be accompanied by the
recommended gear.
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DRIVING
AUTOMATIC GEARBOX
F o u r - s p e e d a u t o m a t i c g e a r b o x w h i c h
offers a choice between the comfort of
fully automatic operation, enhanced by
sport and snow programmes, or manual
gear changing.
Therefore, four driving modes are offered:
- automatic operation for electronic
management of the gears by the
g e a r b o x ,
- sport programme for a more dy-
namic style of driving,
- snow programme to improve driving
when traction is poor,
- manual operation for sequential
changing of the gears by the driver.
1. Gear lever.
2. Button "S" (sport) .
3. Button "
" (snow).
Gear selection gate
P. Park.
-
Immobilisation of the vehicle, parking
brake on or off.
- Starting the engine.
R. Reverse.
- Reversing manoeuvres, vehicle sta- tionary, engine at idle.
N. Neutral.
- Immobilisation of the vehicle, parking brake on.
- Starting the engine.
D. Automatic operation.
M. +/- Manual operation with sequential
changing of the four gears.
Push forwards to change up through
the gears.
or
Pull backwards to change down
through the gears.
Gear lever
When you move the lever in the gate
to select a position, the corresponding
indicator is displayed on the instrument
panel.
P. Park
R. Reverse
N. Neutral
D. D r i v e ( A u t o m a t i c d r i v i n g )
S. Sport programme
. Snow programme
1, 2, 3, 4
. Gear engaged during manual
operation
-. Invalid value during manual operation.
Displays on the instrument panel
Foot on brake
Press the brake pedal when
this indicator lamp is displayed
on the instrument panel (e.g.:
s t a r t i n g t h e e n g i n e ) .
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DRIVING
Moving off
Apply the parking brake.
Select position P or N .
Start the engine.
If this procedure is not followed, an au-
dible signal is heard, accompanied by a
message on the multifunction screen.
With the engine running, press the
brake pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Select position R , D or M .
Gradually release the brake pedal.
The vehicle moves off immediately. Automatic operation
Select position D for automatic
changing of the four gears.
T h e g e a r b o x t h e n o p e r a t e s i n a u t o -
adaptive mode, without any intervention
on the part of the driver. It continuously
selects the most suitable gear accor-
d i n g t o t h e s t y l e o f d r i v i n g , t h e p r o fi l e o f
the road and the load in the vehicle.
F o r m a x i m u m a c c e l e r a t i o n w i t h o u t
touching the lever, press the accelera-
t o r p e d a l d o w n f u l l y ( k i c k d o w n ) . T h e
g e a r b o x c h a n g e s d o w n a u t o m a t i c a l l y
or maintains the gear selected until the
m a x i m u m e n g i n e s p e e d i s r e a c h e d .
O n b r a k i n g , t h e g e a r b o x c h a n g e s d o w n
a u t o m a t i c a l l y t o p r o v i d e e f fi c i e n t e n g i n e
braking.
If you release the accelerator sharply,
t h e g e a r b o x w i l l n o t c h a n g e t o a h i g h e r
gear for safety reasons. Sport and snow programmes
These two special programmes supple-
ment the automatic operation in very
s p e c i fi c c o n d i t i o n s o f u s e .
Sport programme "S"
Press button "S" , after starting the
engine.
T h e g e a r b o x a u t o m a t i c a l l y f a v o u r s a
dynamic style of driving.
Snow programme " "
Press button " ", after starting the
engine.
T h e g e a r b o x a d a p t s t o d r i v i n g o n s l i p -
pery roads.
This programme improves starting and
drive when traction is poor.
Return to automatic operation
At any time, press the button selected
again to quit the programme engaged
and return to auto-adaptive mode.
If position
N is engaged inad-
vertently while driving, allow the
engine to return to idle then en-
gage position D to accelerate.
Never select position N while the
vehicle is moving.
Never select positions P or R
unless the vehicle is completely
stationary.
When the engine is running at
idle, with the brakes released,
if position
R , D or M is selected,
the vehicle moves even without
the accelerator being pressed.
When the engine is running, never
leave children in the vehicle with-
out supervision.
When carrying out maintenance
with the engine running, apply
the parking brake and select
position P .
S appears on the instrument
panel.
appears on the instrument
panel.
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DRIVING
Manual operation
Select position M for sequential
changing of the four gears.
Push the lever towards the + sign to
change up a gear.
Pull the lever towards the - sign to
change down a gear.
It is only possible to change from one
gear to another if the vehicle speed and
engine speed permit; otherwise, the
g e a r b o x w i l l o p e r a t e t e m p o r a r i l y i n a u t o -
matic mode.
D disappears and the gears
engaged appear in succession
on the instrument panel.
In the event of the engine la-
bouring or over-revving, the
g e a r s e l e c t e d fl a s h e s f o r a f e w s e -
conds, then the actual gear engaged is
displayed.
It is possible to change from position D
( a u t o m a t i c ) t o p o s i t i o n M ( m a n u a l ) a t
any time.
When the vehicle is stationary or moving
v e r y s l o w l y , t h e g e a r b o x s e l e c t s g e a r M1
automatically.
The sport and snow programmes do not
operate in manual mode. Invalid value during manual
operation
This symbol is displayed if a
gear is not engaged correctly
(selector between two posi-
t i o n s ) .
Stopping the vehicle
Before switching off the engine, you
can engage position P or N to place the
g e a r b o x i n n e u t r a l .
In both cases, apply the parking brake
to immobilise the vehicle.
If the lever is not in position P ,
when the driver's door is opened
o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4 5 s e c o n d s a f t e r
the ignition is switched off, a mes-
sage appears in the multifunction
screen.
Return the lever to position P ;
the message disappears. There is a risk of damage to the
g e a r b o x :
- if you press the accelerator
and brake pedals at the same
time,
- if you force the movement of the gear lever from the P
position to another position
w h e n t h e b a t t e r y i s fl a t .
Operating fault
When the ignition is on,
the lighting of this warn-
ing lamp, accompanied
by an audible signal and
a message on the multifunction screen,
i n d i c a t e s a g e a r b o x m a l f u n c t i o n .
I n t h i s c a s e , t h e g e a r b o x s w i t c h e s t o
emergency mode and is locked in 3 rd
gear. You may feel a substantial knock
when changing from P to R and from N
to R . This will not cause any damage to
t h e g e a r b o x .
D o n o t e x c e e d 6 0 m p h ( 1 0 0 k m / h ) , l o c a l
speed restrictions permitting.
Contact a CITROËN dealer as soon as
possible.
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DRIVING
SPEED LIMITER
System which prevents the vehicle from
e x c e e d i n g t h e s p e e d p r o g r a m m e d b y
the driver.
When the programmed speed limit is
reached, pressing the accelerator pedal
in the normal manner no longer has any
effect.
The speed limiter is switched on man-
ually: it requires a programmed speed
o f a t l e a s t 2 0 m p h ( 3 0 k m / h ) .
The speed limiter is switched off by
manual operation of the control.
T h e p r o g r a m m e d s p e e d c a n b e e x c e e d -
ed temporarily by pressing the accelera-
t o r fi r m l y .
To return to the programmed speed,
simply slow down to a speed below the
programmed speed.
The programmed speed remains in the
memory when the ignition is switched
off.
The speed limiter cannot, in any
circumstances, replace the need
to respect speed limits, nor can
it replace the need for vigilance
and responsibility on the part of
the driver. Steering wheel controls
The controls of this system are grouped
together on stalk
A .
1. Speed limiter mode selection thumb
wheel
2. Value decrease button
3. Value increase button
4. S p e e d l i m i t e r o n / o f f b u t t o n Displays on the instrument panel
The programmed information is grouped
together on the instrument panel display.
5. S p e e d l i m i t e r o n / o f f i n d i c a t i o n
6. Speed limiter mode selection indica-
tion
7. Programmed speed value
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DRIVING
On a steep descent or in the
event of sharp acceleration, the
speed limiter will not be able to
p r e v e n t t h e v e h i c l e f r o m e x c e e d i n g
the programmed speed.
To avoid any risk of jamming of
the pedals:
- ensure that the mat is posi- tioned correctly,
- d o n o t fi t o n e m a t o n t o p o f another.
Programming
Turn thumb wheel 1 to the "LIMIT" position: the speed limiter mode
is selected but is not switched on
( P A U S E ) .
You do not have to switch the speed
limiter on in order to set the speed.
Set the speed value by pressing button 2 or 3 (e.g.:
5 5 m p h ( 9 0 k m / h ) ) .
You can then change the programmed speed using but-
tons 2 and 3 :
- b y + o r - 1 m p h ( k m / h ) = s h o r t p r e s s ,
- b y + o r - 5 m p h ( k m / h ) = l o n g p r e s s ,
- i n s t e p s o f + o r - 5 m p h ( k m / h ) = m a i n t a i n e d p r e s s .
Switch the speed limiter on by pressing button 4 .
Switch the speed limiter off by pressing button 4 : the
d i s p l a y c o n fi r m s t h a t i t h a s b e e n s w i t c h e d o f f ( P A U S E ) .
Switch the speed limiter back on by pressing button 4
again.
Exceeding the programmed speed
P r e s s i n g t h e a c c e l e r a t o r p e d a l t o e x c e e d t h e p r o g r a m m e d
speed will not have any effect unless you press the pedal
fi r m l y past the point of resistance .
The speed limiter is deactivated temporarily and the pro-
g r a m m e d s p e e d , w h i c h i s s t i l l d i s p l a y e d , fl a s h e s .
Returning to the programmed speed, by means of inte ntional
or unintentional deceleration of the vehicle, autom atically
c a n c e l s t h e fl a s h i n g o f t h e p r o g r a m m e d s p e e d .
Leaving limiter mode
Turn thumb wheel 1 to the "0" position: the speed limiter
mode is deselected. The display returns to the distance
recorder. Operating fault
In the event of a speed limiter malfunc-
tion, the speed is cleared resulting in
fl a s h i n g o f t h e d a s h e s .
Have the system checked by a
CITROËN dealer.
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DRIVING
The cruise control cannot, in any
circumstances, replace the need
to respect speed limits, nor can
it replace the need for vigilance
and responsibility on the part of
the driver.
CRUISE CONTROL
System which automatically maintains
the speed of the vehicle at the value
programmed by the driver, without any
action on the accelerator pedal.
The cruise control is switched on
manually: it requires a minimum vehicle
s p e e d o f 2 5 m p h ( 4 0 k m / h ) , a s w e l l a s
the engagement of:
- f o u r t h g e a r o n a m a n u a l g e a r b o x ,
- s e c o n d g e a r o n a n a u t o m a t i c g e a r b o x , in sequential mode,
- position D o n a n a u t o m a t i c g e a r b o x .
The cruise control is switched off manu-
ally or by pressing the brake or clutch
pedal or on triggering of the ESP sys-
tem for safety reasons.
I t i s p o s s i b l e t o e x c e e d t h e p r o g r a m m e d
speed temporarily by pressing the ac-
celerator pedal.
To return to the programmed speed,
simply release the accelerator pedal.
Switching off the ignition cancels any
programmed speed value. The controls of this system are grouped
together on stalk
A .
1. Cruise control mode selection thumb
whel
2. Value decrease button
3. Value increase button
4. C r u i s e c o n t r o l o f f / r e s u m e b u t t o n
Steering wheel controls Displays on the instrument
panel
The programmed information is grouped together on the instrument panel display.
5. C r u i s e c o n t r o l o f f / r e s u m e i n d i c a t i o n
6. Cruise control mode selection indi-
cation
7. Programmed speed value
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DRIVING
When the cruise control is
switched on, be careful if you
maintain the pressure on one of
the programmed speed chan-
ging buttons: this may result in
a very rapid change in the speed
of your vehicle.
Do not use the cruise control on
s l i p p e r y r o a d s o r i n h e a v y t r a f fi c .
On a steep descent, the cruise
control will not be able to prevent
t h e v e h i c l e f r o m e x c e e d i n g t h e
programmed speed.
To avoid any risk of jamming of
the pedals:
- ensure that the mat is posi-tioned correctly,
- n e v e r fi t o n e m a t o n t o p o f another.
Programming
Turn thumb wheel 1 to the
"CRUISE" position: the cruise
control mode is selected but is
n o t s w i t c h e d o n ( P A U S E ) .
Set the programmed speed by ac-
celerating to the required speed,
then press button 2 or 3 (e.g.:
7 0 m p h ( 1 1 0 k m / h ) ) .
You can then change the programmed speed using but-
tons 2 and 3 :
- b y + o r - 1 m p h ( k m / h ) = s h o r t p r e s s ,
- b y + o r - 5 m p h ( k m / h ) = l o n g p r e s s ,
- i n s t e p s o f + o r - 5 m p h ( k m / h ) = m a i n t a i n e d p r e s s .
Exceeding the programmed speed
I n t e n t i o n a l o r u n i n t e n t i o n a l e x c e e d i n g o f t h e p r o g r a m m e d
s p e e d r e s u l t s i n fl a s h i n g o f t h i s s p e e d o n t h e d i s p l a y .
Return to the programmed speed, by means of intentional
or unintentional deceleration of the vehicle, automaticall y
c a n c e l s t h e fl a s h i n g o f t h e s p e e d .
Leaving cruise control mode
Turn thumb wheel 1 to the "0" position: the cruise control
mode is deselected. The display returns to the dist ance
recorder.
Switch off the cruise control by pressing button 4 : the
d i s p l a y c o n fi r m s t h a t i t h a s b e e n s w i t c h e d o f f ( P A U S E ) .
Switch the cruise control back on by pressing button 4
again. Operating fault
In the event of a cruise control malfunc-
tion, the speed is cleared resulting in
fl a s h i n g o f t h e d a s h e s . H a v e i t c h e c k e d
by a CITROËN dealer.
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DRIVING
AUDIBLE AND/OR VISUAL
REAR PARKING ASSISTANCE
T h i s s y s t e m c o n s i s t s o f f o u r p r o x i m i t y
sensors, located in the rear bumper. Detection zone
This detects any obstacle (person, vehi-
c l e , t r e e , g a t e , e t c . ) b e h i n d t h e v e h i c l e ,
e x c e p t o b s t a c l e s l o c a t e d j u s t b e l o w t h e
bumper. An object, such as a stake, a
roadworks cone or any other simi-
lar object may be detected at the
beginning of the manoeuvre, but
may no longer be detected when
the vehicle comes close to it. The rear parking assistance sys-
tem cannot, in any circumstances,
take the place of the vigilance
and responsibility of the driver.
Activation
The system is activated as soon as re-
verse gear is engaged, accompanied
by an audible signal.
On completion of the manoeuvre, when
y o u e x i t r e v e r s e g e a r , t h e s y s t e m b e -
comes inactive.
T h e p r o x i m i t y i n f o r m a t i o n i s g i v e n b y :
- an audible signal, which becomes
more rapid as the vehicle approaches
the obstacle,
- a graphic on the multifunction screen, with blocks which become
increasingly closer to the vehicle.
When the distance between the rear of
the vehicle and the obstacle is less than
thirty centimetres, the audible signal
becomes continuous and the "Danger"
symbol appears on the multifunction
screen.