gearbox CITROEN C4 2023 User Guide

93
Driving
6Driving recommendations
► Observe the driving regulations and remain
vigilant whatever the traffic conditions.
►

Monitor your environment and keep your
hands on the wheel to be able to react to
anything that may happen any time.
►


Drive smoothly
, anticipate the need for
braking and maintain a longer safety distance,
especially in bad weather.
►

Stop the vehicle before performing operations
that require sustained attention (e.g.

settings).
►

During long trips, take a break every 2 hours.
Important!
Never leave the engine running in a
closed space without sufficient
ventilation. Internal combustion engines emit
toxic exhaust gases such as carbon
monoxide. Danger of poisoning and death!
In very severe wintry conditions
(temperature below -23°C), let the engine
run for 4 minutes before moving off, to ensure
the correct operation and durability of the
mechanical components of your vehicle
(engine and gearbox).
Never drive with the parking brake
applied . Risk of overheating and
damaging the braking system!
Never park the vehicle and never
leave the engine running on a
flammable surface (e.g.
dry grass, dead
leaves).The vehicle exhaust system is very
hot, even several minutes after the engine
stops. Risk of fire!
Never drive on surfaces covered with
vegetation (e.g. tall grass,
accumulated dead leaves, crops, debris)
such as a field, a country lane overgrown
with bushes or a grassy verge.
This vegetation could come into contact with
the vehicle's exhaust system
or other systems
which are very hot. Risk of fire!
Make sure you do not leave any item in
the passenger compartment which could
act like a magnifying glass under the effect of
the sun's rays and cause a fire. Risk of fire or
damage to interior surfaces!
Never leave the vehicle unattended,
with the engine running . If you have to
leave your vehicle with the engine running,
apply the parking brake and put the gearbox
into neutral or position N or P (depending on
the type of gearbox).
Never leave children inside the vehicle
unsupervised.
On flooded roads
We strongly advise against driving on flooded
roads, as this could cause serious damage to the
engine or gearbox, as well as to your vehicle's
electrical systems.


If the vehicle absolutely must drive through a
flooded section of road:
►

Check that the depth of the water does not
exceed 15

cm, taking account of waves that
might be generated by other users.
►

Deactivate the Stop & Start function.
►


Drive as slowly as possible without stalling. In
all cases, do not exceed 6 mph (10

km/h).
►

Do not stop and do not switch off the engine.
On leaving the flooded road, as soon as safety
conditions allow

, make several light brake
applications to dry the brake discs and pads.
If in doubt about the state of your vehicle,
contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop.

95
Driving
6Anti-theft protection
Electronic immobiliser
The keys contain a code, which must be
recognised by the vehicle before starting is
possible.
If the system malfunctions, indicated by the
display of a message, the engine will not start.
Contact a CITROËN dealer.
Starting / Switching off the
engine with the key
Key ignition switch

It has 3 positions:
– 1. Stop: inserting and removing the key ,
steering column locked.
–

2. Ignition : steering column unlocked, ignition
on, Diesel preheating, engine running.
–


3. Starting
.
Avoid attaching heavy objects to the key or the remote control. It would weigh
down on its shaft in the ignition switch and
could cause a malfunction.
Ignition on position
It allows the use of the vehicle's electric
equipment or the charging of accessories.
Once the state of charge of the battery drops to
the reserve level, the system switches to energy
economy mode: the power supply is cut off
automatically to preserve the remaining battery
charge.
Starting the engine
With the parking brake applied:
► With a manual gearbox, place the gear lever
in neutral then fully depress the clutch pedal.
►

With an
automatic gearbox, place the gear
selector in mode N or P then depress the brake
pedal.
►

Insert the key into the ignition switch; the
system recognises the code.
►


Unlock
the steering column by simultaneously
turning the steering wheel and the key.
In certain cases, you may need to apply
significant force to move the steering
wheel (e.g.
wheels turned to full lock).
►

With a
petrol engine , operate the starter
motor by turning the key to position 3 without
pressing the accelerator pedal, until the engine
starts. Once the engine has started, release the
key and allow it to return to position 2.
Petrol engines
After a cold start, preheating the catalytic
converter can cause noticeable engine
vibrations, for anything up to 2 minutes
(accelerated idle speed).
►

With a
Diesel engine, turn the key to position
2, to

activate the engine preheating system.
Wait until this warning lamp goes off on
the instrument panel, then turn the key to
position 3 without pressing the accelerator pedal,
to operate the starter motor. Once the engine
has started, release the key and allow it to return
to position 2.
In wintry conditions, the warning lamp
may stay on for a longer period. When
the engine is hot, the warning lamp does not
come on.
In mild conditions, do not leave the engine
to warm up while stationary, but move off
straight away and drive at moderate speed.
If the engine does not start straight away,
switch off the ignition. Wait a few
seconds before operating the starter motor
again. If the engine does not start after a few
attempts, do not keep trying - risk of
damaging the starter motor and the engine!
Contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop.

96
Driving
Switching off the engine
► Immobilise the vehicle.
► With the engine at idle, turn the key to
position 1
.
►

Remove the key from the ignition switch.
►


T
o lock the steering column, turn the steering
wheel until it locks.
To facilitate unlocking of the steering column, it is recommended that the
wheels be returned to the straight ahead
position before switching off the engine.
Never switch off the ignition before the
complete immobilisation of the vehicle.
With the engine off, the braking and steering
assistance systems are also cut off - risk of
loss of control of the vehicle!
Check that the parking brake is correctly
applied, particularly on sloping ground.
When leaving the vehicle, keep the key in
your possession and lock the vehicle.
Energy economy mode
After the engine has stopped (position 1. Stop),
for a maximum combined duration of 30 minutes,
you can still use functions such as the audio and
telematics system, courtesy lamps or dipped
beam headlamps.
For more information on Energy
economy mode, refer to the
corresponding section.
Key left in
When the driver's door is opened, a
message is displayed, accompanied by an
audible signal, if the key has been left in the
ignition switch in position 1.
If the key has been left in the ignition switch
in position 2, the ignition will be switched off
automatically after one hour.
To switch the ignition back on, turn the key to
position 1, then back to position 2.
Starting/switching off the
engine with Keyless Entry
and Start
The electronic key must be present in the
passenger compartment.
The electronic key is also detected in the
boot.
If the electronic key is not detected, a
message is displayed.
Move the electronic key so that the engine
can be started or switched off.
If there is still a problem, refer to the "Key
not detected - Back-up starting or Back-up
switch-off" section.
Starting

► With a manual gearbox, place the gear lever
in neutral and fully depress the clutch pedal.
►

With an
automatic gearbox, select mode P
or
N and press the brake pedal.
►

Press the "
START/STOP" button while
maintaining pressure on the pedal until the
engine starts.
Diesel engines
In negative temperatures and/or when the
engine is cold, starting takes place only after the
preheating warning lamp goes out.
If this warning lamp comes on after
pressing the " START/STOP" button:
►

Keep the pedal fully depressed and do not
press the "

START/STOP" button again until the
engine is running.
In all circumstances, if one of the starting
conditions is not met, a message is displayed.
In some circumstances, a message indicates
that it is necessary to turn the steering wheel

97
Driving
6while pressing the "START/STOP" button to
assist unlocking of the steering column.
Petrol engines
With Petrol engines, after a cold start,
pre-heating the catalytic converter can cause
noticeable engine vibrations, for anything up
to 2 minutes (accelerated idle speed).
If the engine stalls, release the clutch
pedal and fully depress it again, the
engine will restart automatically.
Switching off
► Immobilise the vehicle using the parking
brake.
►

With a
manual gearbox, ideally put the gear
lever into neutral.
►

With an
automatic gearbox, ideally select
mode
P or N.
►

Press the "
START/STOP" button.
In some circumstances, it is necessary to turn
the steering wheel to lock the steering column.
On certain versions with an automatic gearbox
(EAT8), the steering column does not lock, but
the gearbox locks in mode P.
If the vehicle is not immobilised, the
engine will not stop.
With the engine off, the braking and
steering assistance systems are also cut
off - risk of loss of control of the vehicle!
Never leave your vehicle with the
electronic key still inside.
Switching on the ignition
without starting the engine


With the electronic key in the passenger
compartment, pressing the " START/STOP"
button, without depressing any of the pedals ,
allows the ignition to be switched on without
starting the engine.
►

Press this button again to switch off the
ignition and allow the vehicle to be locked.
Key not detected
Back-up starting
A back-up reader is fitted to the steering column,
to enable the engine to be started if the system
fails to detect the key in the recognition zone, or
if the battery in the electronic key is flat.


► Place and hold the remote control against the
reader .
►

W
ith a manual gearbox, place the gear lever
in neutral, then fully depress the clutch pedal.
►

W
ith an automatic gearbox or a drive
selector, select mode
P, then depress the brake
pedal.
►

Press the "
START/STOP" button.
The engine starts.
Back-up switch-off

If the electronic key is not detected or is no
longer in the recognition zone, a message

99
Driving
6Electric parking brake
In automatic mode, this system applies the
parking brake when the engine is switched off
and releases it when the vehicle moves off.




At any time, with the engine running:
► T o apply the parking brake, briefly pull the
control.
►

T
o release it, briefly push the control while
pressing the brake pedal.
Automatic mode is activated by default.
This automatic operation can be temporarily
deactivated.
Indicator lamp
This indicator lamp comes on both on the instrument panel and on the control to
confirm that the parking brake has been applied,
accompanied by display of the message
"Parking brake applied".
The indicator lamp goes out to confirm the
release of the parking brake, accompanied by
the display of the message " Parking brake
released ".
The indicator lamp flashes in response to a
manual request to apply or release the brake.
In the event of a battery failure, the
electric parking brake will not operate.
As a safety measure, with a manual gearbox,
if the parking brake is not applied, immobilise
the vehicle by engaging a gear.
As a safety measure, with an automatic
gearbox or drive selector, if the parking brake
is not applied, immobilise the vehicle by
placing the supplied chock against one of the
wheels.
Contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop.


Before leaving the vehicle, check that the
parking brake is applied: the parking
brake indicator lamps on the instrument panel
and the control must be on fixed.
If the parking brake is not applied, there is an
audible signal and a message is displayed on
opening the driver's door.
Never leave a child alone inside the
vehicle, as they could release the parking
brake.
When the vehicle is parked: on a
steep slope, heavily loaded or during
towing
With a manual gearbox, turn the wheels
toward the pavement and engage a gear.
With an automatic gearbox or a drive selector,
turn the wheels toward the pavement and
select mode
P.
When towing, the vehicle is approved for
parking on slopes of up to 12%.
Manual operation
Manual release
With the ignition on or engine running:
► Press the brake pedal.
►

While maintaining pressure on the brake
pedal, briefly push the control.
If the brake pedal is not depressed, the
parking brake is not released and a
message is displayed.
Manual application
With the vehicle stationary:
► Briefly pull the control.
The control indicator lamp flashes to confirm the
application request.

100
Driving
Automatic operation
Automatic release
First ensure that the engine is running and that
the driver's door is closed.
The electric parking brake gradually releases
automatically as the vehicle moves off.
With a manual gearbox
►
Fully depress the clutch pedal and engage
first gear or reverse.
►


Depress the accelerator pedal and release
the clutch pedal.
W

ith an automatic gearbox
►

Depress the brake pedal.
►


Select mode
D, M or R.
►

Release the brake pedal and depress the
accelerator pedal.
W

ith a drive selector
►

Depress the brake pedal.
►


Select mode
D, B or R.
►

Release the brake pedal and depress the
accelerator pedal.
With an automatic gearbox or drive
selector, if the brake does not release
automatically, check that the front doors are
properly closed.
When stationary with the engine running,
do not depress the accelerator pedal
unnecessarily. Risk of parking brake release.
Automatic application
With the vehicle stationary, the parking brake
is applied automatically when the engine is
switched off.
It is not applied automatically if the
engine stalls or enters STOP mode with
Stop & Start.
In automatic mode, the parking brake
can be manually applied or released at
any time using the control.
Special cases
Immobilising the vehicle with the
engine running
To immobilise the vehicle with the engine
running, briefly pull the control.
Parking the vehicle with the brake
released
In very cold conditions (ice), applying the
parking brake is not recommended.
To immobilise the vehicle, engage a gear or
place the chocks against one of the wheels.
With an automatic gearbox or drive
selector, mode P is automatically
selected when the ignition is switched off. The
wheels are blocked.
For more information on Free-wheeling, refer
to the corresponding section.
With an automatic gearbox or drive
selector, while mode N is selected,
opening the driver’s door triggers an audible
signal. It stops when the driver's door closes
again.
Deactivating automatic
operation
In some situations, for example when it is
extremely cold or when towing (e.g. caravan,
breakdown), it may be necessary to deactivate
automatic operation of the system.
►

Start the engine.
►


Use the control to apply the parking brake, if
it is released.
►


T
ake your foot fully off the brake pedal.
►

Keep the control pushed in the release
direction for 10 to a maximum of

15 seconds.
►

Release the control.
►


Depress and hold the brake pedal.
►


Pull the control in the application direction for
2

seconds.
This indicator lamp on the instrument panel comes on to confirm deactivation of
the automatic functions.
►

Release the control and the brake pedal.

101
Driving
6From this point onwards, only the manual
functions, using the control, allow the parking
brake to be applied and released.
►
Follow this procedure again to reactivate
automatic operation (confirmed by the indicator
lamp on the instrument panel going out).
Emergency braking
If depressing the brake pedal fails to provide
effective braking or in exceptional circumstances
(e.g.
driver unwell, assisted driving), the vehicle
can be braked by sustained pulling on the
electric parking brake control. Braking continues
for as long as the control is kept pulled, and
ceases when the control is released.
The ABS and DSC systems stabilise the vehicle
during emergency braking.
If emergency braking malfunctions, the message
"Parking brake fault" will be displayed on the
instrument panel.
If the ABS and DSC systems
malfunction, indicated by lighting
one or both warning lamps on the instrument
panel, the vehicle’s stability is no longer ensured.
►

In this case, ensure the vehicle's stability by
successive and repeated "pull-release" actions
on the electric parking brake control until the
vehicle comes to a complete stop.
6-speed manual gearbox
Engaging 5th or 6th gear
► Move the gear selector fully to the right to
engage 5th or 6th gear.
Failure to follow this instruction could
cause permanent damage to the gearbox
(inadvertent engagement of 3
rd or 4th gear).
Engaging reverse gear

► Raise the ring under the knob and move the
gear selector to the left, then forwards.
Only engage reverse gear when the
vehicle is stationary with the engine at
idle.
As a safety precaution and to facilitate starting the engine:
–

Always select neutral.
–


Press the clutch pedal.
Automatic gearbox
Automatic 8-speed gearbox with push selector. It also offers a manual mode with gear changes
via control paddles located
behind the steering
wheel.
Push selector

P. Auto Park
Press this button to switch to Parking mode.
For parking the vehicle: the front wheels are
blocked.
R. Reverse
N. Neutral
To free-wheel and move the vehicle, with the
ignition off.
For more information on Free-wheeling, refer
to the corresponding section.
D. Driving in automatic mode
The gearbox manages gear changes
according to the style of driving, the road
profile and the vehicle load.

102
Driving
M.Driving in manual mode
Press this button to switch to manual mode.
The driver changes gear using the steering-
mounted controls.
►

In mode
N, with your foot on the brake pedal,
push without passing the point of resistance: •

Forwards, mode
R is selected.
•

Backwards, mode D

is selected.
Release the selector fully after each push; it
will then return to its initial position.
Special cases
To avoid mode N (quick change from D to R and
back again):
►

In mode
R, push backwards past the point of
resistance, mode D is selected.
►

In mode
D, push forwards past the point of
resistance,
mode R is selected.
►

T
o return to mode N, push without passing
the point of resistance.
Steering-mounted controls
(Depending on equipment)
In mode M or D, the steering-mounted control
paddles can be used to change gear manually.
They cannot be used to select neutral or to
engage or disengage reverse gear.


► Pull the " +" or "-" paddle towards you and
release to shift up or down a gear, respectively.
Information displayed on
the instrument panel
When the ignition is switched on, the gearbox
status is displayed on the instrument panel:
P Parking
R Reverse
N Neutral
D1...8 Automatic forward gear
M1...8 Manual forward gear
The state of the gearbox remains displayed on
the instrument panel for a few seconds after
switching off the ignition.
Operation
Only appropriate mode change instructions are
validated.
With the engine running, if it is necessary to
depress the brake pedal to change modes,
an alert message will be displayed on the
instrument panel.
With the engine running and the brakes
released, if R, D or M is selected, the
vehicle moves off, even without pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Never depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time - risk of damage to
the gearbox!
If you open the driver's door while mode
N is engaged, an audible signal will
sound. The audible signal stops when the
driver's door is closed.
At very low speeds, opening the driver's door triggers the gearbox to switch to
mode P.
In the event of battery failure, it is
essential to place the chock(s) supplied
with the tool kit against one of the wheels to
immobilise the vehicle.
Special aspects of automatic mode
The gearbox selects the gear that provides
optimal performance based on ambient
temperature, road profile, vehicle loading and
driving style.
For maximum acceleration, press the accelerator
fully down (kick-down). The gearbox changes
down automatically or holds the selected gear
until the maximum engine speed is reached.

103
Driving
6Steering mounted controls allow the driver to
temporarily select a gear, if the vehicle speed
and engine speed conditions permit.
Special aspects of manual mode
The gearbox only changes from one gear to
another if the vehicle speed and engine speed
conditions permit.
Starting the vehicle
► Fully depress the brake pedal.
► Start the engine.
►

With your foot on the brake pedal, push once
or twice backwards to select automatic mode D

,
or forwards to shift into reverse gear R.
►

Release the brake pedal.
►


Accelerate gradually to automatically release
the electric parking brake.
The vehicle moves off immediately

.
Automatic gearbox
Never try to start the engine by pushing
the vehicle.
Switching the vehicle off
Regardless of the current gearbox mode, mode
P is immediately engaged automatically when
the ignition is switched off.
However, in mode N, mode P will be engaged
after a delay of 5
seconds (time to enable free-
wheeling mode). Check that mode
P has been engaged and
that the electric parking brake was applied
automatically; if not, apply it manually.
The corresponding indicator lamps on the gear selector and the electric parking
brake control must be on, as well as the indicator
lamps on the instrument panel.
Gearbox malfunction
This warning lamp comes on, accompanied by an audible signal and
the display of a message.
Visit a CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop.
Do not drive faster than 62
mph (100 km/h),
keeping to the speed limit.
Switching of the gearbox to back-up mode
Mode D locks in third gear.
The paddles on the steering wheel do not work
and mode M is no longer accessible.
You may feel a significant jolt on engaging
reverse gear. This will not damage the gearbox.
Selector malfunction
Minor malfunction
This warning lamp comes on, accompanied by the display of a message
and an audible signal.
Drive carefully.
Visit a CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop.
In some cases, the selector indicator lamps may
no longer come on, but the gearbox state is still
displayed on the instrument panel.
Major malfunction
This warning lamp comes on, accompanied by the display of a
message.
You must stop the vehicle.
Stop as soon as it is safe to do so and
switch off the ignition.
Contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualified
workshop.
Drive selector (Electric)

The drive selector is a pulse selector with a
regenerative braking function.
The drive selector provides traction control
based on the driving style, the road profile and
the vehicle load.
With regenerative braking activated, it also
manages engine braking when the accelerator
pedal is released.

105
Driving
6Driving modes are selected using the following
control:




► Press the control to display the modes on the
instrument panel.
When the message disappears, the selected
mode is activated and remains indicated on the
instrument panel (except Normal
mode).
Whenever the ignition is switched on,
Normal
driving mode is selected by default.
Normal
To restore the default settings.
Eco
To reduce energy consumption by reducing the
performance of the heating and air conditioning,
without deactivating them.
Free-wheeling in Eco mode: depending on
version, with the EAT8 gearbox, switching
into "free-wheeling" is encouraged to slow the
vehicle down without using engine braking. You
can save fuel by taking your foot gradually and
fully off the accelerator pedal in anticipation of
slowing down.
To reduce consumption of the traction battery's
electrical energy by limiting engine torque.
Sport
To obtain more dynamic driving with action
on the accelerator and gear changes with an
automatic gearbox.
Hill start assist
This system keeps the vehicle briefly stationary
(for approximately 2 seconds) when making a hill
start, while you transfer your foot from the brake
pedal to the accelerator pedal.
The system is only active when:
–

The vehicle is completely stationary
, with your
foot on the brake pedal.
–

Certain slope conditions are met.
–


The driver
’s door is closed.
Do not leave the vehicle while it is being
held temporarily by hill start assist.
If someone needs to get out of the vehicle
with the engine running, apply the parking
brake manually. Then check that the parking
brake indicator lamp and the P indicator lamp
in the electric parking brake control are on
fixed.
The hill start assist function cannot be deactivated. However, using the parking
brake to immobilise the vehicle interrupts its
operation.
Operation

Facing uphill, with the vehicle stationary,
the vehicle is held for a short time when the
driver releases the brake pedal:
–

If first gear or neutral is engaged on a manual
gearbox.
–


If mode
D or M is selected on an automatic
gearbox.
–

If mode
D or B is selected on the drive
selector.


Facing downhill, with the vehicle stationary
and reverse gear engaged, the vehicle is held
for a short time when the driver releases the
brake pedal.