ignition CITROEN C3 2009 Owner's Guide

5
VISIBILITY
Automatic windscreen wiping
The windscreen wipers operate auto-
matically, without any action on the part
of the driver, if rain is detected (sensor
behind the interior mirror), adapting their
speed to the intensity of the rainfall.
Activation
Switching off Operating fault
If an automatic wiping malfunction
occurs, the wipers will operate in inter-
mittent mode.
Have it checked by a CITROËN dealer. Special position of the
windscreen wipers
For optimum and lasting wiping
of the "fl at-blade" wiper blades,
it is advisable to:
- handle them with care,
- clean them regularly using soapy water,
- change them approximately every 6 months,
- avoid using them to retain cardboard on the windscreen.
Do not cover the rain sensor,
linked with the brightness sensor
and located in the centre of the
windscreen behind the interior
mirror.
Switch off the automatic wiping
when using an automatic car
wash.
In winter, it is advisable to wait
until the windscreen is completely
clear of ice before activating the
automatic wiping.
The automatic wiping must be re-
activated if the ignition has been
off for more than one minute, by
pushing stalk
A downwards.
In the minute following switching off of the
ignition, any action on the stalk positions
the wipers vertically.
This action enables you to position the
wiper blades for winter parking, cleaning
or replacement without damaging the
bonnet.
To park the wipers after this has been
done, switch on the ignition and operate
the stalk.
This is controlled manually by the driver by
pushing stalk
A to the "AUTO" position.
This is controlled manually by the driver
by moving stalk A upwards and returning
it to position "0" . It is accompanied by the indica-
tor lamp in the instrument panel
switching off and a message on
the multifunction screen.
It is accompanied by the lighting
of this indicator lamp in the in-
strument panel and a message
on the multifunction screen.

5
VISIBILITY
Automatic windscreen wiping
The windscreen wipers operate auto-
matically, without any action on the part
of the driver, if rain is detected (sensor
behind the interior mirror), adapting their
speed to the intensity of the rainfall.
Activation
Switching off Operating fault
If an automatic wiping malfunction
occurs, the wipers will operate in inter-
mittent mode.
Have it checked by a CITROËN dealer. Special position of the
windscreen wipers
For optimum and lasting wiping
of the "fl at-blade" wiper blades,
it is advisable to:
- handle them with care,
- clean them regularly using soapy water,
- change them approximately every 6 months,
- avoid using them to retain cardboard on the windscreen.
Do not cover the rain sensor,
linked with the brightness sensor
and located in the centre of the
windscreen behind the interior
mirror.
Switch off the automatic wiping
when using an automatic car
wash.
In winter, it is advisable to wait
until the windscreen is completely
clear of ice before activating the
automatic wiping.
The automatic wiping must be re-
activated if the ignition has been
off for more than one minute, by
pushing stalk
A downwards.
In the minute following switching off of the
ignition, any action on the stalk positions
the wipers vertically.
This action enables you to position the
wiper blades for winter parking, cleaning
or replacement without damaging the
bonnet.
To park the wipers after this has been
done, switch on the ignition and operate
the stalk.
This is controlled manually by the driver by
pushing stalk
A to the "AUTO" position.
This is controlled manually by the driver
by moving stalk A upwards and returning
it to position "0" . It is accompanied by the indica-
tor lamp in the instrument panel
switching off and a message on
the multifunction screen.
It is accompanied by the lighting
of this indicator lamp in the in-
strument panel and a message
on the multifunction screen.

5
VISIBILITY

A. Central courtesy lamp

1. Rear side reading lamps

2. Rear courtesy lamp Central or rear courtesy lamps
Version without Zenith windscreen
Front side reading lamps

 With the ignition on, the fi rst press of
the corresponding switch switches
on the reading lamp concerned in
permanent lighting mode.
 Following a second press, it comes on:
- when the vehicle is unlocked, - when the key is removed from
the ignition,
- when a door is opened, - when the remote control locking
button is pressed, in order to
locate your vehicle. In permanent lighting mode, dif-
ferent lighting times are available:
- with the ignition off, approxi-
mately ten minutes,
- in energy economy mode, ap- proximately thirty seconds,
- with the engine running, un- limited.
Version with Zenith windscreen In this position, the courtesy
lamp comes on gradually:
- when the vehicle is unlocked,
- when the key is removed from the ignition,
- when a door is opened,
- when the remote control locking but- ton is activated, in order to locate your
vehicle.
It switches off gradually:
- when the vehicle is locked,
- when the ignition is switched on,
- 30 seconds after the last door is closed.
Permanently off.
Permanent lighting.
It switches off gradually:
- when the vehicle is locked,
- when the ignition is switched on,
- 30 seconds after the last door is closed.
To switch off the rear courtesy lamp,
place it in the "permanently off" position.
COURTESY LAMPS
Selection and control of the various
passenger compartment lamps.

5
VISIBILITY
AMBIENCE LIGHTING
The dimmed passenger compartment
lighting improves visibility in the vehicle
when the light is poor.
Switching on
At night, the illumination of footwell and
the central dashboard stoarge compart-
ment comes on automatically when the
sidelamps are switched on. Switching off
The ambience lighting switches off au-
tomatically when the sidelamps are
switched off.
It can be switched off manually using
the instrument panel lighting rheostat
button.

 With the lighting on, press several
times on the left hand button of the
instrument panel to progressively
reduce the dashboard lighting level.

 Press again to reduce the lighting
level to the minimum and switch off
the ambience lighting. This comes on automatically when the
boot is opened and switches off auto-
matically when the boot is closed.
BOOT LIGHTING
Different lighting times are avail-
able:
- when the ignition is off, ap-
proximately ten minutes,
- in energy economy mode, ap- proximately thirty seconds,
- when the engine is running, no limit.
On certain versions, three lamps locat-
ed in the support between the roof and
the automatic day/night interior mirror
come on as well.

7
CHILD SAFETY
Any other status of the indica-
tor lamp indicates a malfunction
of the electric child lock. Have it
checked by a CITROËN dealer.
* According to version.
ELECTRIC CHILD LOCK
Remote control system to prevent open-
ing of the rear doors using their interior
controls and use of the rear electric win-
dows * .
The control is located:
- either on the dashboard, driver’s side, on versions without rear elec-
tric windows,
- or on the driver’s door, with the elec- tric window controls, on versions fi tted
with rear electric windows. Activation

 Press button A .
The indicator lamp on button A comes
on, accompanied by a message on the
multifunction screen.
This indicator lamp remains on until the
child lock is deactivated. Deactivation

 Press button A again.
The indicator lamp on button A switches
off, accompanied by a message on the
multifunction screen.
This indicator lamp remains off until the
child lock is activated.
This system is independent and
in no circumstances does it take
the place of the central locking
control.
Check the status of the child lock
each time you switch on the igni-
tion.
Always remove the key from the
ignition when leaving the vehi-
cle, even for a short time.
In the event of a serious impact,
the electric child lock is deacti-
vated automatically to permit the
exit of the rear passengers.

8
SAFETY
TRAJECTORY CONTROL
SYSTEMS
Anti-skid regulation (ASR) and
electronic stability programme
(ESP)
The anti-skid regulation (also known as
Traction Control) optimises traction to
prevent skidding of the wheels, by act-
ing on the brakes of the driving wheels
and on the engine.
The electronic stability programme acts
on the brake of one or more wheels and
on the engine to keep the vehicle on the
trajectory required by the driver.
Activation
These systems are activated automati-
cally each time the vehicle is started.
They come into operation in the event
of a grip or trajectory problem. This is indicated by fl ashing of
this warning lamp on the instru-
ment panel. Deactivation
In exceptional conditions (starting a ve-
hicle which is bogged down, stuck in
snow, on soft ground...), it may be ad-
visable to deactivate the ASR and ESP
systems, so that the wheels can move
freely and regain grip.

 Press the "ESP OFF" button, located
on the left below the steering wheel.
If this warning lamp comes on in
the instrument panel and the in-
dicator lamp on the button comes
on, this indicates that the ASR and
ESP systems are deactivated.
Reactivation
These systems are reactivated automat-
ically each time the ignition is switched
back on or from 30 mph (50 km/h).

 Press the "ESP OFF" button again
to reactivate them manually. Operating fault
If this warning lamp comes on,
accompanied by an audible sig-
nal and a message on the mul-
tifunction screen, this indicates
a malfunction of these systems.
Have the systems checked by a
CITROËN dealer.
The ESP/ASR systems offer ex-
ceptional safety in normal driving,
but this should not encourage the
driver to take extra risks or drive
at high speed.
The correct functioning of these
systems depends on observation
of the manufacturer's recommen-
dations regarding the wheels
(tyres and rims), the braking
components, the electronic
components and the CITROËN
assembly and operation proce-
dures.
After an impact, have these sys-
tems checked by a CITROËN
dealer.

8
SAFETY
SEAT BELTS
Front seat belts
The front seat belts are fi tted with a pre-
tensioning and force limiting system.
This system improves safety in the front
seats in the event of a front impact.
Depending on the severity of the im-
pact, the pretensioning system instantly
tightens the seat belts against the body
of the occupants.
The pretensioning seat belts are active
when the ignition is on.
The force limiter reduces the pressure
of the seat belt on the chest of the occu-
pant, so increasing their protection.
Fastening

 Pull the strap, then insert the tongue
in the buckle.

 Check that the seat belt is fastened
correctly by pulling the strap. Unfastening

 Press the red button on the buckle.

 Guide the seat belt as it is reeled in.
Seat belt not fastened/
unfastened warning lamp When the ignition is switched on,
this warning lamp comes on in
the instrument panel, if the driver
and/or the front passenger has
not fastened their seat belt.
From approximately 12 mph (20 km/h)
this warning lamp fl ashes for two min-
utes accompanied by an audible signal of increasing volume. Once these two min-
utes have elapsed, this warning lamp
remains on until the driver and/or the
front passenger fastens their seat belt. Rear seat belts
The rear seats are each fi tted with a
three-point inertia reel seat belt with
force limiter.
Fastening

 Pull the strap, then insert the tongue
in the buckle.

 Check that the seat belt is fastened
correctly by pulling the strap.
Unfastening

 Press the red button on the buckle.

 Guide the seat belt as it is reeled in.

8
SAFETY
AIRBAGS
System designed to maximise the safety
of the occupants (with the exception of
the rear centre passenger) in the event
of violent collisions. It supplements the
action of the force-limiting seat belts
(with the exception of the rear centre
passenger).
If a collision occurs, the electronic de-
tectors record and analyse the front and
side impacts sustained in the impact
detection zones:
- in the case of a serious impact, the airbags are triggered instantly and
protect the occupants of the vehicle
(with the exception of the rear centre
passenger); immediately after the
impact, the airbags defl ate rapidly
so that they do not hinder visibility
or the exit of the occupants,
- in the case of a minor or rear impact or in certain roll-over conditions, the
airbags will not be triggered; the
seat belt alone is suffi cient to pro-
vide optimum protection in these
situations.

The airbags do not operate when
the ignition is switched off.
This equipment will only operate
once. If a second impact occurs
(during the same or a subse-
quent accident), the airbag will
not operate. Impact detection zones

A. Front impact zone.

B. Side impact zone.
Triggering of the airbag(s) is ac-
companied by a slight emission
of harmless smoke and a noise,
due to the activation of the pyro-
technic cartridge incorporated in
the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but
sensitive individuals may experi-
ence slight irritation.
The noise of the detonation may
result in a slight loss of hearing
for a short time. Front airbags
System which protects the driver and
front passenger in the event of a seri-
ous front impact in order to limit the risk
of injury to the head and chest.
The driver's airbag is incorporated in
the centre of the steering wheel; the
front passenger's airbag is incorporated
in the dashboard above the glove box.
Activation
The airbags are triggered simultaneous-ly, unless the passenger's front airbag
is disarmed, in the event of a serious
front impact applied to all or part of the
front impact zone
A , in the longitudinal
centreline of the vehicle on a horizontal
plane and directed from the front to the
rear of the vehicle.
The front airbag infl ates between the
front occupant of the vehicle and the
dashboard to cushion their forward
movement.

8
SAFETY
Deactivation
Only the passenger's front airbag can
be deactivated:

 with the ignition off , insert the key
in the passenger airbag deactivation
switch 1 ,

 turn it to the "OFF" position,

 then, remove the key keeping the
switch in this position.
This warning lamp comes on in
the instrument panel when the
ignition is on and until the air-
bag is re-activated. To guarantee the safety of your
child, it is imperative that the
passenger's front airbag is dis-
armed when you install a "rear
facing" child seat on the front
passenger seat.
Otherwise, the child would risk
being seriously injured or killed if
the airbag were triggered.
Reactivation
When you remove the child seat, turn
switch 1 to the "ON" position to re-
activate the airbag and so assure the
safety of your front passenger in the
event of an impact.
With the ignition on, this warn-
ing lamp comes on in the instru-
ment panel for approximately
one minute, if the passenger's
front airbag is activated. Operating fault
If this warning lamp comes on on
the instrument panel, accompanied
by an audible warning and a mes-
sage on the multifunction screen,
contact a CITROËN dealer to have the sys-
tem checked. The airbags may no longer be
triggered in the event of a serious impact.
If this warning lamp fl ashes,
contact a CITROËN dealer.
The passenger's front airbag
may no longer be triggered in
the event of a serious impact.
If at least one of the two airbag
warning lamps come on continu-
ously, do not install a child seat
on the front passenger seat.
Have the system checked by a
CITROËN dealer.

9
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
gearbox will operate temporarily in auto-
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
gear selected fl ashes for a few se-
conds, then the actual gear engaged is
displayed.
It is possible to change from position D
(automatic) to position M (manual) at
any time.
When the vehicle is stationary or moving
very slowly, the gearbox selects gear 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-
tions).
Stopping the vehicle
Before switching off the engine, you
can engage position P or N to place the
gearbox in neutral.
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
or approximately 45 seconds after
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
gearbox:
- 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
when the battery is fl at.
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,
indicates a gearbox malfunction.
In this case, the gearbox switches to
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
the gearbox.
Do not exceed 60 mph (100 km/h), local
speed restrictions permitting.
Contact a CITROËN dealer as soon as
possible.