towing CITROEN C3 2009 Owners Manual

3
COMFORT
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VENTILATION AND AIR
CONDITIONING
In order for these systems to be fully effective, follow the operation and
maintenance guidelines below:

 To obtain an even air distribution, take care not to obst ruct the exterior
air intake grilles located at the base of the windscreen, th e nozzles,
the vents and the air outlets, as well as the air extractor lo cated in the
boot.

 Do not cover the sunshine sensor, located on the dashboard; this is
used for regulation of the air conditioning system.

 Operate the air conditioning system for 5 to 10 minutes, on ce or twice a
month to keep it in perfect working order.

 Ensure that the passenger compartment fi lter is i n good condition and have
the fi lter elements replaced regularly (refer to th e "Checks" section).
We recommend the use of a combined passenger compa rtment fi lter.
Thanks to its special active additive, it contribut es to the purifi cation of the air
breathed by the occupants and the cleanliness of th e passenger compart-
ment (reduction of allergic symptoms, bad odours an d greasy deposits).

 To guarantee correct operation of the air conditioning syste m, you are
also advised to have it checked regularly.

 If the system does not produce cold air, do not use it and contact a
CITROËN dealer.
When towing the maximum load on a steep gradient in high temperatures,
switching off the air conditioning permits the recovery of engi ne power and
therefore improvement of the towing capacity. If after an extended stop in sun-
shine, the interior temperature is
very high, fi rst ventilate the cabin
for a few moments.
Put the air fl ow control at a set-
ting high enough to quickly
change the air in the cabin.
The air conditioning system
does not contain chlorine and
does not present any danger to
the ozone layer.
The condensation created by
the air conditioning results in a
discharge of water under the
vehicle which is perfectly normal.

6
FITTINGS
BOOT FITTINGS

1. Rear shelf
(see following page for details)

2. Hooks
(see following page for details)

3. Location for Hi-Fi amplifi er

4. Stowing rings

5. Luggage retaining net
(see following page for details)

6. Storage box (version equipped with
a temporary puncture repair kit)
(see following page for details)
or
Tool box (version equipped with a
spare wheel)
(refer to section "Practical Information - § Changing a wheel")

6
FITTINGS
Rear shelf
To remove the shelf:

 unhook the two cords,

 raise the shelf slightly, then unclip it
on each side. Hooks
The hooks permit the securing of
shopping bags.
Luggage retaining net
Hooked onto the stowing rings, this en-
ables you to secure your luggage to the
bottom of the boot. Storage box

 Raise the boot carpet to gain access
to the storage box.
This has areas for storing a temporary
puncture repair kit, a box of spare bulbs,
a fi rst aid kit, two warning triangles, ...

 refi t the boot fl oor carpet by folding it
slightly in two.

8
SAFETY
DIRECTION INDICATORS
Selection of the left or right direction in-
dicators to signal a change of direction
of the vehicle.

 Lower the lighting stalk fully when
moving to the left.

 Raise the lighting stalk fully when
moving to the right.
"Motorway" function
System for indicating a change of lane
on a motorway.

 Move the lighting stalk briefl y up-
wards or downwards, without going
beyond the resistance point; the di-
rection indicators will fl ash 3 times.
This function can be used at any speed,
but it is particularly useful when changing
lane on high-speed roads.
HAZARD WARNING LAMPS
A visual warning by means of the direc-
tion indicators to alert other road users to
a vehicle breakdown, towing or accident.

 Press the button A , the direction in-
dicators fl ash.
They can operate with the ignition off.
Automatic lighting of hazard
warning lamps
When braking in an emergency, de-
pending on the deceleration, the hazard
warning lamps come on.
They will switch off automatically the
fi rst time you accelerate.

 If they do not, press button A to
switch the direction indicators off.
As a safety precaution in a traffi c
jam, switch on the hazard warn-
ing lamps if you are the last in
the queue.
HORN
Audible warning to alert other road users
to an imminent danger.

 Press one of the spokes of the steer-
ing wheel.
Use the horn moderately and
only in the following cases:
- immediate danger,
-
when approaching an area
- where there is no visibility.

9
DRIVING
The system will be deactivated
automatically when towing a
trailer or when a bicycle carrier is
fi tted (vehicle fi tted with a towbar
or bicycle carrier recommended
by CITROËN). In bad or wintry weather, ensure
that the sensors are not covered
with mud, frost or snow.
Programming
You can activate or deactivate the
system by means of the multifunction
screen confi guration menu. The system
state is memorised when switching off
the ignition.
Operating faults
If there is an operating fault, when
reverse gear is engaged the service
warning lamp comes on, accompanied
by an audible signal (short beep) and a
message on the multifunction screen.

11
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Failure to observe this special
condition could result in damage
to certain braking components
and the absence of braking as-
sistance the next time the engine
is started. When towing with all four wheels
on the ground, always use a
towing bar.
When towing with only two wheels
on the ground, always use profes-
sional lifting equipment.
When towing with the engine off,
there is no longer any assistance
for braking or steering.
TOWING THE VEHICLE
Procedure for having your vehicle towed
or for towing another vehicle using a re-
movable towing eye.
Access to the tools
The towing eye is installed in the boot
under the fl oor.
To gain access to it:

 open the boot,

 raise the fl oor,

 remove the polystyrene storage box,

 remove the towing eye from the
holder. Towing your vehicle

 On the front bumper, unclip the cover
by pressing at the bottom.

 Screw the towing eye in fully.

 Install the towing bar.

 Switch on the hazard warning lamps
on the towed vehicle.

 Place the gear lever in neutral (posi-
tion N for an automatic gearbox). Towing another vehicle

 On the rear bumper, unclip the cover
by pressing at the bottom.

 Screw the towing eye in fully.

 Install the towing bar.

 Switch on the hazard warning lamps
on the towed vehicle.

11
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
We recommend the use of genu-
ine CITROËN towbars and their
harnesses that have been tested
and approved from the design
stage of your vehicle, and that
the fi tting of the towbar is en-
trusted to a CITROËN dealer.
If the trailer is not fi tted by a
CITROËN dealer, it is imperative
that it is fi tted using the electri-
cal pre-equipment installed at
the rear of the vehicle, in accord-
ance with the manufacturer's in-
structions.
TOWING A TRAILER,
A CARAVAN, ETC.
The rear parking assistance will
be deactivated automatically if
a genuine CITROËN towbar is
used.
Towbar suitable for the attachment of a
trailer or caravan with additional lighting
and signalling.
Your vehicle is primarily designed for
transporting people and luggage, but it
may also be used for towing a trailer.
Driving with a trailer subjects the towing
vehicle to more signifi cant stress and its
driver must be particularly careful.
Driving advice
Distribution of loads

 Distribute the load in the trailer so
that the heaviest items are as close
as possible to the axle and the nose
weight approaches the maximum
permitted without exceeding it.
Air density decreases with altitude, thus
reducing engine performance. Above
1 000 metres, the maximum towing load
must be reduced by 10 % and so on for
every 1 000 metres of altitude.
Refer to the "Technical Data" section for
details of the weights and towing loads
which apply to your vehicle.
Side wind

 Take into account the increased
sensitivity to side wind.
Cooling
Towing a trailer on a slope increases
the temperature of the coolant.
As the fan is electrically controlled, its
cooling capacity is not dependent on
the engine speed.

 To lower the engine speed, reduce
your speed. The maximum towing load on a long
slope depends on the gradient and the
ambient temperature.
In all cases, pay attention to the coolant
temperature.

 If the warning lamp and the

STOP warning lamp come
on, stop the vehicle and
switch off the engine as
soon as possible.
Braking
Towing a trailer increases the braking
distance.
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.