Citroen C4 2009 1.G Owner's Manual
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TRAJECTORY CONTROL SYSTEMS
Anti-skid regulation (ASR) and
electronic stability programme
(ESP)
The anti-skid regulation (also known
as Traction Control) optimises trac-
tion to prevent skidding of the wheels,
by acting 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
t h e v e h i c l e o n t h e t r a j e c t o r y r e q u i r e d
by the driver.
Activation
These systems are activated auto-
matically each time the vehicle is
started.
They come into operation in the event
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
of this warning lamp on the
instrument panel. 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
vehicle which is bogged down, stuck
in snow, on soft ground...), it may be
advisable to deactivate the ASR and
ESP systems, so that the wheels
can move freely and regain grip.
Press the "ESP OFF" button, lo-
cated in the centre of the dash-
board. Reactivation
These systems are reactivated au-
tomatically each time the ignition is
switched back on or from 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Press the "ESP OFF" but-
ton again to reactivate them
manually.
If this warning lamp comes
on in the instrument panel
and the indicator lamp on the
button comes on, this indi-
cates that the ASR and ESP
systems are deactivated. Operating fault
If this warning lamp comes
on, accompanied by an au-
dible signal and a message
on the multifunction 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 -
ceptional safety in normal driving,
but this should not encourage the
d r i v e r t o t a k e e x t r a r i s k s o r d r i v e a t
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
procedures.
After an impact, have these systems
checked by a CITROËN dealer.
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SEAT BELTS
Front seat belts
T h e f r o n t s e a t b e l t s a r e fi t t e d w i t h
a pretensioning system and force
limiter.
This system improves safety in the
front seats in the event of a front
impact. Fastening
Pull the belt down in front of you
in a steady movement, making
sure that it does not become
twisted.
Press the fastening into its buckle.
Check that it is properly secured
and that the automatic locking
mechanism operates correctly
by pulling sharply on the belt
strap.
The abdominal part of the strap
should be positioned as low
down as possible in the lap and
as tight as possible.
The chest part should be posi-
tioned if possible in the channel
of the shoulder.
E a c h b e l t h a s a r e e l t h a t a d j u s t s i t s
length automatically to the girth of
the seat occupant.
Depending on the seriousness of the
impact, the pretensioning system in-
stantly tightens the seat belt against
the body of the occupant.
The pretensioning seat belts are ac-
tive when the ignition is on.
The force limiter reduces the pres-
sure of the seat belt against the
chest of the occupant, so increasing
their protection.
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Storing the seat belt
(3-door model)
Raise then lock part A , to retain the
seat belt buckle when it is unfas-
tened.
It is necessary to remove the seat
belt from the buckle retainer before
moving the seat to access the rear
seat positions.
As a safety measure, these opera-
tions should only be done when
stationary.
Seat belt height adjustment
(5-door model)
The correct positioning of the seat
belt reel is around mid-shoulder
level.
T o a d j u s t t h e b e l t , s q u e e z e t h e
control and slide it in the direction
required.
Unfastening
To unfasten the belt, press on
the red button in the buckle.
The belt retracts automatically when
not in use. Rear seat belts
E a c h r e a r s e a t i s fi t t e d w i t h a t h r e e -
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.
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The driver must ensure that passen-
gers use the seat belts correctly and
that they are all restrained securely
before setting off.
Wherever you are seated in the ve-
hicle, always fasten your seat belt,
e v e n f o r s h o r t j o u r n e y s .
Do not invert the seat belt buckles
a s t h e y w i l l n o t f u l fi l t h e i r r o l e f u l l y .
T h e s e a t b e l t s a r e fi t t e d w i t h a n i n -
ertia reel permitting automatic ad-
j u s t m e n t o f t h e l e n g t h o f t h e s t r a p
to your size. The seat belt is stored
automatically when not in use.
Before and after use, ensure that the
seat belt is reeled in correctly.
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.
T h e i n e r t i a r e e l s a r e fi t t e d w i t h a n a u -
tomatic locking device which comes
into operation in the event of a colli-
sion, emergency braking or if the ve-
hicle rolls over. You can release the
device by pulling rapidly on the strap
and releasing it. In order to be effective, a seat belt:
- must be tightened as close to the
body as possible,
- must restrain one person of adult size only,
- must not bear any trace of cuts or fraying,
- must be pulled in front of you with a smooth movement, checking
that it does not twist,
- m u s t n o t b e a l t e r e d o r m o d i fi e d t o avoid altering its performance. Recommendations for children
Use a suitable child seat if the pas-
senger is less than 12 years old or
shorter than one and a half metres.
Never use the same seat belt to se-
cure more than one person.
Never allow a child to travel on your
lap.
In accordance with current safety
regulations, all repairs and checks
must be carried out by a CITROËN
dealer who guarantees that the work
is carried out correctly.
Have your seat belts checked regularly
by a CITROËN dealer and particularly
if the straps show signs of damage.
Clean the seat belt straps with soapy
w a t e r o r a t e x t i l e c l e a n i n g p r o d u c t ,
sold by CITROËN dealers.
After folding or moving a seat or rear
bench seat, ensure that the seat belt
is positioned and reeled in correctly.
Depending on the nature and
seriousness of the impacts
, the
pre-tensioning device may be trig-
gered before and independently
of the airbags. Triggering of the
pre-tensioners is accompanied
by a slight discharge of harmless
smoke and a noise, due to the acti-
vation of the pyrotechnic cartridge
incorporated in the system.
In all cases, the airbag warning lamp
comes on.
Following an impact, have the seat
belts system checked, and if neces-
sary replaced, by a CITROËN dealer.
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AIRBAGS
S y s t e m d e s i g n e d t o m a x i m i s e t h e
safety of the occupants (with the
e x c e p t i o n o f t h e r e a r c e n t r e p a s -
senger) in the event of violent col-
lisions. It supplements the action of
the force-limiting seat belts.
If a collision occurs, the electronic
detectors 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 instant-
ly and protect the occupants of
t h e v e h i c l e ( w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n
of the rear centre passenger);
immediately after the impact, the
a i r b a g s d e fl a t e r a p i d l y s o t h a t
they do not hinder visibility or the
e x i t o f t h e o c c u p a n t s ,
- 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
i s s u f fi c i e n t t o p r o v i d e o p t i m u m
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 (dur-
ing the same or a subsequent acci-
dent), the air bag will not operate. Impact detection zones
A. Front impact zone.
B. Side impact zone.
Triggering of the air bag(s) is accom-
panied by a slight emission of harm-
less smoke and a noise, due to the
activation of the pyrotechnic cartridge
incorporated in the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but sen-
s i t i v e i n d i v i d u a l s m a y e x p e r i e n c e
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 head and
chest of the driver and front passen-
ger in the event of a front impact.
The driver’s airbag is incorporated
in the centre of the steering wheel;
the front passenger’s airbag is incor-
porated in the dashboard above the
g l o v e b o x .
Operation
The airbags are triggered simultane-
ously, unless the passenger’s front
airbag is deactivated, in the event of
a serious front impact to all or part of
the front impact zone
A , in the lon-
gitudinal centreline of the vehicle on
a horizontal plane and directed from
the front to the rear of the vehicle.
T h e f r o n t a i r b a g i n fl a t e s b e t w e e n
the front occupant of the vehicle and
the fascia to cushion their forward
movement.
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Deactivation
This warning lamp comes on
in the instrument panel when
the ignition is on and until the
airbag is reactivated.
To guarantee the safety of your
child, it is imperative that the pas-
senger airbag is deactivated when
you install a "rearwards-facing" child
seat on the front passenger seat.
Otherwise, the child would risk be-
i n g s e r i o u s l y i n j u r e d o r k i l l e d i f t h e
airbag were triggered. Reactivation
When you remove the child seat,
turn switch
1 to the "ON" position to
reactivate the airbag and so guaran-
tee the safety of your front passen-
ger in the event of an impact.
Operating fault
Only the front passenger’s airbag
can be deactivated:
with the ignition off
, insert the
key in the passenger airbag de-
activation switch 1 ,
turn it to the "OFF" position,
then, remove the key keeping
the switch in this position.
If this warning lamp comes on
in the instrument panel, accom-
panied by an audible warning
and a message on the multi-
function screen, contact a CITROËN
dealer to have the system checked. The
airbags may no longer be triggered in
the event of a serious impact.
I f t h i s w a r n i n g l a m p fl a s h e s ,
contact a CITROËN dealer.
If both airbag warning lamps come
on continuously, do not install a
"rearwards-facing" child seat on
the front passenger seat.
Have it checked by a CITROËN
dealer.
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S A F E T Y
For the airbags to be fully
effective, observe the following
safety rules:
Sit in a normal upright position.
W e a r a c o r r e c t l y a d j u s t e d s e a t b e l t .
Do not leave anything between the
occupants and the airbags (a child,
p e t , o b j e c t . . . ) . T h i s c o u l d h a m p e r t h e
o p e r a t i o n o f t h e a i r b a g s o r i n j u r e t h e
occupants.
After an accident or if the vehicle
has been stolen or broken into, have
the airbag systems checked.
All work on the airbag system is
strictly forbidden unless it is carried
o u t b y q u a l i fi e d p e r s o n n e l o f t h e
CITROËN network.
Even if all of the precautions men-
t i o n e d a r e o b s e r v e d , a r i s k o f i n j u r y
or of minor burns to the head, chest
or arms when an airbag is triggered
c a n n o t b e r u l e d o u t . T h e b a g i n fl a t e s
almost instantly (within a few millisec-
o n d s ) t h e n d e fl a t e s w i t h i n t h e s a m e
time discharging the hot gas via open-
ings 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.
Passengers must not place their feet
on the dashboard.
If possible, do not smoke as deploy-
ment of the airbags can cause burns
o r t h e r i s k o f i n j u r y f r o m a c i g a r e t t e
or pipe.
Never remove or pierce the steering
wheel or hit it violently.
Side airbags
Use only approved covers on the
s e a t s . T h e s e w i l l n o t h i n d e r i n fl a -
tion of the side airbags. Consult a
CITROËN dealer.
D o n o t fi x o r a p p l y a n y t h i n g t o t h e
s e a t b a c k s . T h i s c o u l d c a u s e i n j u r y
to the chest or arms if the side air
bag is triggered.
Do not sit with the upper part of the
body any nearer to the door than
necessary. Curtain airbags
D o n o t fi x o r a p p l y a n y t h i n g t o t h e
r o o f . T h i s c o u l d c a u s e i n j u r y t o t h e
head if the curtain airbag is trig-
gered.
Do not remove the grab handles in-
stalled on the roof, they play a part
in securing the curtain airbags.
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* According to country.
Side airbags *
System which protects the driver
and front passenger in the event of
a serious side impact in order to limit
t h e r i s k o f i n j u r y t o t h e c h e s t .
Each side airbag is incorporated in
the front seat back frame, on the
door side.
Operation
It is triggered unilaterally in the
event of a serious side impact
applied to all or part of the side
impact zone
B , perpendicular to the
longitudinal centreline of the vehicle
on a horizontal plane and directed
from the outside towards the inside
of the vehicle.
T h e s i d e a i r b a g i n fl a t e s b e t w e e n t h e
front occupant of the vehicle and the
corresponding door trim pad. Impact detection zones
A. Front impact zone.
B. Side impact zone.
Curtain airbags *
System which protects the driver
a n d p a s s e n g e r s ( w i t h t h e e x c e p -
tion of the rear centre passenger) in
the event of a serious side impact in
o r d e r t o l i m i t t h e r i s k o f h e a d i n j u r i e s .
Each curtain airbag is incorporated
in the pillars and the upper part of
the passenger compartment. Operation
It is triggered at the same time as the
corresponding side airbag in the event
of a serious side impact applied to all
or part of the side impact zone
B , per-
pendicular to the longitudinal centreline
of the vehicle on a horizontal plane and
directed from the outside towards the
inside of the vehicle.
T h e c u r t a i n a i r b a g i n fl a t e s b e t w e e n
the front or rear occupant of the
vehicle and the windows.
In the event of a minor impact or
bump on the side of the vehicle or
if the vehicle rolls over, the airbag
may not be triggered.
The airbag is not triggered in the
event of a rear or front collision.
Operating fault If this warning lamp comes
on in the instrument panel,
accompanied by an audible
signal and a message 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.
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S A F E T Y
For the airbags to be fully
effective, observe the following
safety rules:
Sit in a normal upright position.
W e a r a c o r r e c t l y a d j u s t e d s e a t b e l t .
Do not leave anything between the
occupants and the airbags (a child,
p e t , o b j e c t . . . ) . T h i s c o u l d h a m p e r t h e
o p e r a t i o n o f t h e a i r b a g s o r i n j u r e t h e
occupants.
After an accident or if the vehicle
has been stolen or broken into, have
the airbag systems checked.
All work on the airbag system is
strictly forbidden unless it is carried
o u t b y q u a l i fi e d p e r s o n n e l o f t h e
CITROËN network.
Even if all of the precautions men-
t i o n e d a r e o b s e r v e d , a r i s k o f i n j u r y
or of minor burns to the head, chest
or arms when an airbag is triggered
c a n n o t b e r u l e d o u t . T h e b a g i n fl a t e s
almost instantly (within a few millisec-
o n d s ) t h e n d e fl a t e s w i t h i n t h e s a m e
time discharging the hot gas via open-
ings 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.
Passengers must not place their feet
on the dashboard.
If possible, do not smoke as deploy-
ment of the airbags can cause burns
o r t h e r i s k o f i n j u r y f r o m a c i g a r e t t e
or pipe.
Never remove or pierce the steering
wheel or hit it violently.
Side airbags
Use only approved covers on the
s e a t s . T h e s e w i l l n o t h i n d e r i n fl a -
tion of the side airbags. Consult a
CITROËN dealer.
D o n o t fi x o r a p p l y a n y t h i n g t o t h e
s e a t b a c k s . T h i s c o u l d c a u s e i n j u r y
to the chest or arms if the side air
bag is triggered.
Do not sit with the upper part of the
body any nearer to the door than
necessary. Curtain airbags
D o n o t fi x o r a p p l y a n y t h i n g t o t h e
r o o f . T h i s c o u l d c a u s e i n j u r y t o t h e
head if the curtain airbag is trig-
gered.
Do not remove the grab handles in-
stalled on the roof, they play a part
in securing the curtain airbags.
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D R I V I N G
PARKING BRAKE
Mechanical brake to hold the vehicle
when stationary.
Applying
Pull the parking brake to immobi-
lise your vehicle.
Releasing
Pull on the handle and press the
button A to release the parking
brake.
When the vehicle is being driven,
if this warning lamp and the STOP
warning lamp come on, accompa-
nied by an audible signal and a mes-
sage on the multifunction screen,
this indicates that the parking brake
is still on or has not been properly
released.
When parking on a slope, direct your
wheels against the pavement, pull the
parking brake on and engage a gear.
5-SPEED MANUAL GEARBOX
Starting the vehicle
Check that the gear lever is in
neutral.
Do not touch the accelerator.
For Diesel engines: turn the
key to position M and wait until
the pre-heating warning lamp
switches off if it has come on.
Operate the starter, turning the
key until the engine starts (no
more than ten seconds).
In temperatures lower than 0 °C,
declutch whilst turning the starter
to facilitate starting. Engaging reverse gear
Push the gear lever to the
right then rearwards.
Only engage reverse gear when
the vehicle is stationary with the
engine at idle.