brake CITROEN C3 2009 Owners Manual
Page 5 of 209
FAMILIARISATION
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
1. Audio equipment steering wheel
controls.
2. Steering lock and ignition.
3. Wipers/wash-wipe/trip computer
controls.
4. Instrument panel.
5. Scented air freshener.
6. Driver’s airbag.
Horn.
7. Gear lever.
8. Parking brake.
9. Central armrest with storage.
10. Exterior mirror controls.
Electric window controls.
Rear doors and electric windows deactivation control.
11. Storage compartment.
12. Electric child lock button or
Alarm button.
Electronic stability programme button (ESP/ASR).
13. Side adjustable air vent.
14. Front door window demisting/
defrosting vent.
15. Speaker (tweeter).
16. Windscreen demisting/defrosting
vent.
Page 18 of 209
1
INSTRUMENTS and CONTROLS
Front
foglamps fi x e d . The front foglamps are
switched on. Turn the ring on the stalk rearwards twice to
switch off the front foglamps.
Rear
foglamps fi x e d . The rear foglamps are
switched on. Turn the ring on the stalk rearwards to switch off
the rear foglamps.
Diesel engine
pre-heating fi x e d . The ignition switch is at the
2
nd
position (ignition on).
Wait until the warning lamp has switched off before
starting.
The duration for which the warning lamp is on is
determined by the climatic conditions.
Parking brake fi x e d . The parking brake is
applied or not properly
released. Release the parking brake to switch off the
warning lamp, keeping your foot on the brake
pedal.
Observe the safety recommendations.
For further information on the parking brake, refer
to the "Driving" section.
Warning lamp is on Cause Action/Observations
Engine
coolant
temperature fi x e d b l u e . On starting the engine, it
indicates that the engine is
cold. After a few minutes driving, it swiches off to
indicate that the engine temperature is normal.
In order to protect your engine, avoid driving too
hard until the warning lamp has switched off.
Foot on the
brake pedal fi x e d . The brake pedal must be
pressed. To start the engine, put the automatic gearbox
selector lever in position
P .
Automatic
wiping fi x e d . The wiper control is pushed
downwards. Automatic front wiping is activated.
Main beam
headlamps fi x e d . The lighting stalk is pulled
towards you. Pull the stalk to return to dipped beam
headlamps.
Page 20 of 209
1
INSTRUMENTS and CONTROLS
Warning lamps
When the engine is running or the ve-
hicle is being driven, the switching on
of one of the following warning lamps
indicates a fault which requires action
on the part of the driver. Any fault resulting in the switching on of a warni
ng lamp must be investigated
further by reading the associated message on the mu ltifunction screen.
If you encounter any problems, do not hesitate to contact a CITROËN dealer.
Warning lamp is on Cause Action/Observations
STOP
fi x e d , a s s o c i a t e d
with another warning
lamp and
accompanied by
an audible signal.
It is associated with the
braking system or the
engine coolant temperature. Stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
Park, switch off the ignition and call a CITROËN
dealer.
Service temporarily.
A minor fault has occurred
for which there is no
s p e c i fi c w a r n i n g l a m p . Identify the fault by reading the message shown
on the screen, such as, for example:
- the engine oil level,
- the screenwash level,
- the remote control battery,
- s a t u r a t i o n o f t h e p a r t i c l e e m i s s i o n fi l t e r ( D i e
s e l ) .
For any other faults, contact a CITROËN dealer.
fi x e d . A major fault has occurred
for which there is no
s p e c i fi c w a r n i n g l a m p . Identify the fault by reading the message shown
on the screen and contact a CITROËN dealer.
Braking fi x e d .
The braking system
fl u i d l e v e l h a s d r o p p e d
s i g n i fi c a n t l y . T o p u p w i t h b r a k e fl u i d r e c o m m e n d e d b y
CITROËN.
If the problem persists, have the system checked
by a CITROËN dealer.
+
fi x e d , a s s o c i a t e d with the ABS
warning lamp. The electronic brake force
distribution (EBFD) system
has a fault. Have it checked by a CITROËN dealer.
Page 102 of 209
8
SAFETY
BRAKING ASSISTANCE
SYSTEMS
G r o u p o f s u p p l e m e n t a r y s y s t e m s w h i c h
h e l p y o u t o o b t a i n o p t i m u m b r a k i n g i n
c o m p l e t e s a f e t y i n e m e r g e n c y s i t u a -
tions:
- anti-lock braking system (ABS),
- electronic brake force distribution (EBFD),
- emergency braking assistance (EBA).
Anti-lock braking system
and electronic brake force
distribution
L i n k e d s y s t e m s w h i c h i m p r o v e t h e s t a -
bility and manoeuvrability of your vehicle
w h e n b r a k i n g , i n p a r t i c u l a r o n p o o r o r
s l i p p e r y s u r f a c e s .
Activation
The anti-lock braking system comes
i n t o o p e r a t i o n a u t o m a t i c a l l y w h e n t h e r e
is a risk of wheel lock.
N o r m a l o p e r a t i o n o f t h e A B S m a y m a k e
itself felt by slight vibration of the brake
p e d a l .
When braking in an emergency,
p r e s s v e r y fi r m l y w i t h o u t r e l e a s -
i n g t h e p r e s s u r e . Operating fault
In either case, contact a CITROËN dealer.
I f t h i s w a r n i n g l a m p c o m e s o n ,
a c c o m p a n i e d b y a n a u d i b l e s i g -
nal and a message on the mul-
tifunction screen, it indicates a
malfunction of the anti-lock braking sys-
tem which could result in loss of control
of the vehicle when braking.
I f t h i s w a r n i n g l a m p c o m e s o n ,
together with the STOP and
ABS w a r n i n g l a m p s , a c c o m p a -
nied by an audible signal and a
message on the multifunction screen, it
indicates a malfunction of the electron-
ic brake force distribution which could
result in loss of control of the vehicle
when braking.
You MUST stop as soon as it is safe
to do so.
W h e n r e p l a c i n g w h e e l s ( t y r e s
and rims), ensure that they
conform to the manufacturer's
recommendations. Emergency braking assistance
System which, in an emergency, ena-
b l e s y o u t o o b t a i n t h e o p t i m u m b r a k i n g
p r e s s u r e m o r e q u i c k l y , t h u s r e d u c i n g
t h e s t o p p i n g d i s t a n c e .
Activation
I t i s t r i g g e r e d b y t h e s p e e d a t w h i c h t h e
b r a k e p e d a l i s p r e s s e d .
The effect of this is a reduction in the
r e s i s t a n c e o f t h e p e d a l a n d a n i n c r e a s e
i n b r a k i n g e f fi c i e n c y .
When braking in an emergency,
p r e s s fi r m l y w i t h o u t r e l e a s i n g
t h e p r e s s u r e .
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8
SAFETY
TRAJECTORY CONTROL
SYSTEMS
Anti-skid regulation (ASR) and
electronic stability programme
(ESP)
The anti-skid regulation (also known as
T r a c t i o n C o n t r o l ) o p t i m i s e s t r a c t i o n t o
p r e v e n t s k i d d i n g o f t h e w h e e l s , b y a c t -
ing on the brakes of the driving wheels
and on the engine.
T h e e l e c t r o n i c s t a b i l i t y p r o g r a m m e a c t s
on the brake of one or more wheels and
o n t h e e n g i n e t o k e e p t h e v e h i c l e o n t h e
trajectory required by the driver.
Activation
These systems are activated automati-
cally each time the vehicle is started.
T h e y c o m e i n t o o p e r a t i o n i n t h e e v e n t
o f a g r i p o r t r a j e c t o r y p r o b l e m . T h i s i s i n d i c a t e d b y fl a s h i n g o f
t h i s w a r n i n g l a m p o n t h e i n s t r u -
m e n t p a n e l . Deactivation
I n e x c e p t i o n a l c o n d i t i o n s ( s t a r t i n g a v e -
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
f r e e l y a n d r e g a i n g r i p .
Press the "ESP OFF" button, located
on the left below the steering wheel.
I f t h i s w a r n i n g l a m p c o m e s o n i n
t h e i n s t r u m e n t p a n e l a n d t h e i n -
d i c a t o r l a m p o n t h e b u t t o n c o m e s
on, this indicates that the ASR and
ESP systems are deactivated.
Reactivation
These systems are reactivated automat-
ically each time the ignition is switched
b a c k o n o r f r o m 3 0 m p h ( 5 0 k m / h ) .
Press the "ESP OFF" button again
to reactivate them manually. Operating fault
I f t h i s w a r n i n g l a m p c o m e s o n ,
a c c o m p a n i e d b y a n a u d i b l e s i g -
nal and a message on the mul-
tifunction screen, this indicates
a malfunction of these systems.
Have the systems checked by a
CITROËN dealer.
T h e E S P / A S R s y s t e m s o f f e r e x -
c e p t i o n a l s a f e t y i n n o r m a l d r i v i n g ,
but this should not encourage the
driver to take extra risks or drive
a t h i g h s p e e d .
The correct functioning of these
s y s t e m s d e p e n d s o n o b s e r v a t i o n
of the manufacturer's recommen-
dations regarding the wheels
(tyres and rims), the braking
c o m p o n e n t s , t h e e l e c t r o n i c
c o m p o n e n t s a n d t h e C I T R O Ë N
a s s e m b l y a n d o p e r a t i o n p r o c e -
dures.
A f t e r a n i m p a c t , h a v e t h e s e s y s -
tems checked by a CITROËN
dealer.
Page 111 of 209
9
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.
Page 113 of 209
9
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 ) .
Page 114 of 209
9
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.
Page 115 of 209
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
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.
Page 118 of 209
9
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