headlamp CITROEN C5 2021 Owners Manual
Page 4 of 228
2
Contents
  ■
Overview
  ■
Eco-driving
 1InstrumentsInformation to the driver  10
Digital instrument panel  10
E-HUD  11
Warning and indicator lamps  12
Indicators  17
Manual test  20
Total distance recorder  20
Trip computer  20
Touch screen  21
Remote functions (Rechargeable hybrid)  23
 2AccessElectronic key with remote control function and 
built-in key  25
Proximity Keyless Entry and Start  27
Central locking  29
Back-up procedures  29
Doors  31
Boot  32
Motorised tailgate  32
Alarm  35
Electric windows  38
Sunroof  39
 3Ease of use and comfortDriving position  41
Front seats  42
Steering wheel adjustment  45
Mirrors  46
Rear bench seat  47
Heating and Ventilation  49
Dual-zone automatic air conditioning  50
Front demisting - defrosting  52
Rear screen demisting/defrosting  52
Heated windscreen  53
Temperature pre-conditioning  
(Rechargeable hybrid) 
 53
Front fittings  54
Courtesy lamps  57
Interior ambient lighting  57
Rear fittings  58
Boot fittings  59
 4Lighting and visibilityExterior lighting control stalk  61
Direction indicators  62
Headlamp beam height adjustment  63
Automatic illumination of headlamps  63
Guide-me-home and welcome lighting  63
Automatic lighting systems - General 
recommendations 
 64
Automatic headlamp dipping  64
Cornering lighting  65
Wiper control stalk  65
Automatic wipers  66
Changing a wiper blade  68
 5SafetyGeneral safety recommendations  69
Hazard warning lamps  69
Horn  69
Pedestrian horn (Rechargeable hybrid)  70
Emergency or assistance  70
Electronic stability control (ESC)  72
Seat belts  75
Airbags  77
Active bonnet  79
Child seats  79
Deactivating the front passenger airbag  81
ISOFIX child seats  82
i-Size child seats  84
Installing child seats  85
Child lock  87
 6DrivingDriving recommendations  88
Starting/Switching off the engine with   
Keyless Entry and Starting 
 89
Starting rechargeable hybrid vehicles  90
Electric parking brake  91
Automatic gearbox  93
Citroën Advanced Comfort active suspension  96
Driving modes  96
Hill start assist  98
Gear shift indicator  98
Stop & Start  99
Tyre under-inflation detection  100
Driving and manoeuvring aids - General 
recommendations 
 101
Steering wheel with hands-on detection  103
Shortcuts for driving aids  103
Road signs recognition  104
Speed limiter  107
Cruise control - Specific recommendations  109
Cruise control  109
Highway  Driver Assist  111   
Page 7 of 228
5
Overview
Steering-mounted controls 
 
1.External lighting controls/Direction indicators/
Select the instrument panel display mode
2. Wiper controls/Screenwash/Trip computer
3. Automatic gearbox control paddles
4. Controls for Cruise control/Speed limiter/
Adaptive cruise control/Highway Driver Assist 
or Highway Driver Assist 2.0
A. Up/Down: increase/decrease the speed 
setting
Press: display and adjustment of the distance 
setting to the vehicle in front (Adaptive cruise 
control) B.
Select/Deselect the cruise control function
Select/Deselect the Adaptive cruise control/
Highway  Driver Assist
C. Start/Pause of the Speed limiter or Cruise 
control with the speed setting saved
Confirmation of vehicle restart after automatic 
stop (Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go 
function)
D. Select/Deselect the speed limiter function
E. Activation of the Speed limiter or Cruise 
control with the speed setting saved
Use the speed suggested by the Road signs 
recognition system
5. Horn/Driver front airbag
6. Audio system setting controls
F. Press: display favourite radio stations/media
Up/Down: previous/next radio/media/
smartphone selection
Press: validation of a selection
G. Decrease/Increase volume
H. Pick up/Hang up
Access to the Phone application's call log
I. Short press: system voice commands
Long press: smartphone voice commands
Side control bar 
 
 
 
1. Headlamp beam height adjustment
2. Motorised tailgate
3. Heated windscreen
4. Heated steering wheel
5. Temperature conditioning (Rechargeable 
hybrid)
6. Opening the fuel filler flap (Rechargeable 
hybrid)
Rechargeable hybrid 
system
 
    
Page 10 of 228
8
Eco-driving
Eco-driving
Eco-driving refers to a range of everyday 
practices that allow the motorist to optimise 
the vehicle's energy consumption (fuel and/or 
electricity) and CO
2 emissions.
Optimise your use of the gearbox
With an automatic gearbox, favour automatic 
mode. Do not depress the accelerator pedal 
heavily or suddenly.
The gear shift indicator prompts you to engage 
the most suitable gear. Whenever this indication 
is displayed on the instrument panel, follow it 
straight away.
With an automatic gearbox, this indicator 
appears only in manual mode.
Drive smoothly
Maintain a safe distance between vehicles, use 
engine braking rather than the brake pedal and 
press the accelerator gradually. These practices 
help to save on energy consumption, reduce 
CO
2 emissions and decrease general traffic 
noise.
When the traffic is flowing smoothly, select the 
cruise control.
Control the use of electrical equipment
Before moving off, if the passenger compartment 
is too warm, ventilate it by opening the windows 
and air vents before using the air conditioning.
At speeds above 31
  mph (50   km/h), close the 
windows and leave the air vents open. Consider using equipment that can help keep 
the temperature in the passenger compartment 
down (e.g.
  sunroof blind, window blinds).
Unless automatically regulated, switch off the air 
conditioning as soon as the desired temperature 
has been reached.
Switch off the demisting and defrosting functions, 
if they are not managed automatically.
Switch off the heated seat as soon as possible.
Adapt the use of headlamps and/or foglamps 
depending on visibility conditions.
Avoid running the engine before moving off, 
particularly in winter (other than in severe wintry 
conditions: temperature below -23°C). The 
vehicle will warm up much faster while driving.
As a passenger, avoid connecting your 
multimedia devices (e.g.   film, music, video 
game) to help reduce the consumption of energy.
Disconnect all portable devices before leaving 
the vehicle.
Limit the causes of excess consumption
Spread loads throughout the vehicle. Place the 
heaviest items in the boot as close as possible to 
the rear seats.
Limit the loads carried in the vehicle and 
minimise wind resistance (e.g.
  roof bars, roof 
rack, bicycle carrier, trailer). Preferably, use a 
roof box.
Remove roof bars and roof racks after use.
At the end of winter, remove snow tyres and refit 
summer tyres.
Comply with the servicing instructions
Check tyre pressures regularly, with the tyres 
cold, referring to the label in the door aperture on 
the driver's side.
Carry out this check in particular:
–
 
before a long journey
 .
–
 
at each change of season.
–
 
after a long period out of use.
Do not forget the spare wheel and, where 
applicable, the tyres on your trailer or caravan.
Have your vehicle serviced regularly (e.g.
  engine 
oil, oil filter, air filter, passenger compartment 
filter, etc.). Observe the schedule of operations in 
the manufacturer's service schedule.
When filling the fuel tank, do not continue after 
the third cut-out of the nozzle, to avoid overflow.
You will only see the fuel consumption of your 
new vehicle settle down to a consistent average 
after the first 1,900 miles (3,000 kilometres).
Optimising the driving range 
(rechargeable hybrid vehicles)
Connect the vehicle as soon as possible.
Favour the ECO zone of the power indicator by 
driving smoothly and at a steady speed.
Anticipate slowing down as much as possible 
and, if possible, favour decelerations with 
regenerative braking mode activated (power 
indicator in the  CHARGE zone).
With the vehicle connected, carry out 
temperature pre-conditioning before setting off.
To optimise consumption during a journey:    
Page 18 of 228
16
Instruments
Never drive until completely empty, as 
this could damage the emissions control and 
injection systems.
Flashing, accompanied by an audible 
signal and the display of a message.
The fuel level is very low, the tank (reserve) is 
almost empty.
Refuel without delay to avoid running out of 
fuel.
Never drive until completely empty, as 
this could damage the emissions control and 
injection systems.
Pedestrian horn (Rechargeable hybrid)Fixed.
Horn fault detected.
Carry out (3).
Collision Risk Alert/Active Safety BrakeFixed, accompanied by the display of a 
message.
The system has been deactivated via the touch 
screen.
Flashing.
The system activates and brakes the 
vehicle momentarily to reduce the speed of 
collision with the vehicle in front.
For more information, refer to the Driving 
section.
Fixed, accompanied by a message and 
an audible signal.
The system has a fault.
Carry out (3).
Fixed.
The system has a fault.
If these warning lamps come on after the engine 
is switched off and then restarted, carry out (3).
Active lane departure warning systemFixed.
The system has been automatically 
deactivated or placed on standby.
Flashing.
You are about to cross a broken 
lane marking without operating the direction 
indicators.
The system is activated, then corrects the 
trajectory if it detects a risk of unintentionally 
crossing a line or hard shoulder (depending on 
version).
For more information, refer to the Driving 
section.
Fixed, accompanied by the display 
of a message and an audible 
signal.
The system has a fault.
Carry out (3).
Stop & StartFixed, accompanied by the display of a 
message.
The Stop & Start system has been deactivated 
manually.
The engine will not switch off at the next traffic 
stop.
Use the touch screen configuration menu to 
reactivate the function.
Fixed.
The Stop & Start system has been 
deactivated automatically.
The engine will not switch off at the next traffic 
stop, if the exterior temperature is:
–
 
below 0°C.
–
 
above +35°C.
For more information, refer to the Driving 
section.
Flashing then fixed, accompanied by a 
message.
The system has a fault.
Carry out (3).
Rear foglampsFixed.
The lamps are on.
Automatic headlamp dippingFixed, accompanied by an audible signal 
and a message.
A function or camera malfunction is detected.
Carry out (2).
Green warning/indicator lamps
Stop & Start
Fixed.
When the vehicle stops, the Stop & Start 
puts the engine into STOP mode.
Flashing temporarily.
STOP mode is momentarily unavailable 
or START mode is automatically triggered.
For more information, refer to the Driving 
section.   
Page 19 of 228
17
Instruments
1Vehicle ready to drive (Rechargeable 
hybrid)
Fixed, accompanied by an audible signal 
when it comes on.
The vehicle is ready to drive.
The indicator lamp goes out upon reaching a 
speed of approximately 3 mph (5
  km/h) and 
lights up again when the vehicle stops moving.
The lamp will go out when you turn off the 
engine and exit the vehicle.
Seat unoccupied/Seat belt not fastenedFixed.
(grey)
With the ignition on, one of the front or rear 
passenger seats is considered to be unoccupied.
Seat occupied/Seat belt fastenedFixed.
With the ignition on, the driver or a 
passenger has fastened their seat belt.
Direction indicatorsFlashing with audible signal.
The direction indicators are on.
Daytime running lamps/SidelampsFixed.
With adequate ambient light, the daytime 
running lamps are on.
With inadequate ambient light, the sidelamps 
are on.
Dipped beam headlampsFixed.
The lamps are on.
Front foglampsFixed.
The lamps are on.
Automatic headlamp dippingFixed.
The function is activated.
Fixed.
(grey)
The function is activated, but not available.
Fixed.
The function has been activated 
via the touch screen.
The lighting control stalk ring is in the “ AUTO” 
position.
For more information, refer to the Lighting and 
visibility section.
Blue warning/indicator lamps
Main beam headlamps
Fixed.
The lamps are on.
e-SAVE function (Rechargeable hybrid)Fixed, accompanied by the reserved 
electric range.
The function is activated.
Black/white warning lamps
Foot on the brake
Fixed.
Insufficient or no pressure on the brake 
pedal. With the engine running, before releasing the 
parking brake, to move out of mode 
P on an 
automatic gearbox.
Citroën Advanced Comfort active 
suspension
Fixed.
A malfunction of the suspension system 
is detected.
Reinitialise the system:
►
 
Switch the ignition off and wait for at least 30 
seconds.
►
 
Switch the ignition on again and wait for at 
least 5 seconds before starting the engine.
If the problem persists, carry out (3).
Power steeringFixed.
The power steering has a fault.
Drive carefully at moderate speed, then carry 
out (3).
Engine self-diagnostic systemFixed.
A major engine fault has been 
detected.
Carry out (1) and then (2).
Indicators
Service indicator
The servicing information is expressed in terms 
of distance (miles or kilometres) and time 
(months or days).   
Page 49 of 228
47
Ease of use and comfort
3Interior rear view mirror
Equipped with an anti-dazzle system, which 
darkens the mirror glass and reduces the 
nuisance to the driver caused by the sun, 
headlamps of other vehicles, etc.
Manual model
Day/night position 
 
► Pull the lever to change to the anti-dazzle 
"night” position.
►
 
Push the lever to change to the normal "day" 
position.
Adjustment
►
 
Set the mirror to the normal “day” position.
Automatic "electrochrome" model 
 
The electrochrome system uses a sensor that 
detects the level of exterior brightness and that 
coming from the rear of the vehicle, in order to 
automatically and gradually switch between day 
and night usage.
To ensure optimum visibility while manoeuvring, the mirror automatically 
brightens when reverse gear is engaged.
The system is deactivated if the load in the 
boot exceeds the height of the load space 
cover or if the load space cover has items 
placed on it.
Rear bench seat
Bench seat with fixed cushions and split folding 
backrests (2/3-1/3) to adapt the boot load space.
Rear head restraints 
 
They have two positions:
–  A high position , for when the seat is in use:
►
 
Pull the head restraint fully up.
– 
A low position , for stowing, when the seat is 
not in use: ►
 
Press the lug 
 A to release the head 
restraint and push it down.
The rear head restraints can be removed.
Removing a head restraint
► Release the backrest using control  1 .
►  T ilt the backrest slightly forwards.
►
 
Pull the head restraint fully up.
►
 
Press the lug 
 A to release the head restraint 
and remove it completely.
Refitting a head restraint
► Insert the head restraint rods into the guides 
in the corresponding backrest.
►
 
Push the head restraint fully down.
►
 
Press the lug 
 A to release the head restraint 
and push it down.
Never drive with passengers seated at 
the rear when the head restraints are 
removed; the head restraints should be in 
place and in the high position.
The head restraint for the centre seat 
and those for the outer seats are not 
interchangeable.
Folding the backrests
Manoeuvring the backrests should only 
be done when the vehicle is stationary.   
Page 63 of 228
61
Lighting and visibility
4Exterior lighting control 
stalk
Main lighting 
 
 
 
Automatic illumination of lamps/daytime  running lamps
Sidelamps only 
Dipped or main beam headlamps 
Headlamp dipping 
 
► Pull the stalk to switch between dipped and 
main beam headlamps. In “
AUTO” and sidelamps modes, the driver can 
switch on the main beam headlamps temporarily 
(“headlamp flash”) by pulling the stalk.
Display
Illumination of the corresponding indicator 
lamp on the instrument panel confirms that the 
selected lighting is on.
A fault with a lamp is signalled by the  permanent illumination of this warning 
lamp, accompanied by the display of a message 
and an audible signal.
Rear foglamps
They only work if the dipped or main  beam headlamps are on.
 
 
► Rotate   the ring forwards/backwards to turn 
them on/off.
When the lighting is switched off automatically 
("AUTO" position) the foglamps and the dipped 
beam headlamps remain on.
Front foglamps/Rear 
foglamps
They operate with the sidelamps, dipped  or main beam headlamps on.
 
 
► Rotate the ring forwards:
•  once to switch on the front foglamps,
•
 
a second time to switch on the rear 
foglamps.
►
 
T
 urn in the opposite direction to switch off.
If the lighting is switched off automatically 
("AUTO" position) or the dipped beam 
headlamps are switched off manually, the 
foglamps and sidelamps remain on.
►
 
Rotate the ring backwards to switch the 
foglamps off; the sidelamps will then switch off.
Switching on the foglamps is prohibited 
in clear weather or in rain, both day and 
night. In these situations, the power of their 
beams may dazzle other drivers. They must 
only be used in fog or falling snow (rules may 
vary depending on country).
Do not forget to switch off the foglamps when 
they are no longer necessary.
Switching off of the lamps when the 
ignition is switched off
When the ignition is switched off, all of the 
lamps turn off immediately, except for dipped 
beam headlamps if automatic guide-me-home 
lighting is activated.   
Page 64 of 228
62
Lighting and visibility
Switching on the lamps after 
switching off the ignition
To reactivate the lighting control, rotate the 
ring to the "AUTO" position, then to the 
desired position.
If the driver's door is opened, a temporary 
audible signal warns the driver that the lamps 
are on.
They will go off automatically after a period 
of time that depends on the level of charge in 
the battery (entering energy economy mode).
In some weather conditions (e.g. low 
temperature or humidity), misting on the 
internal surface of the glass of the headlamps 
and rear lamps is normal, and will disappear 
after the lamps have been on for a few 
minutes.
Never look too closely at the light beam 
of LED technology lamps - risk of serious 
eye injury!
 
 
Travelling abroad
If planning to use your vehicle in a 
country that drives on the other side of the 
road, the dipped beam headlamps must be 
adjusted to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. 
Contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualified 
workshop.
Daytime running lamps/
Sidelamps
These LED lamps at the front of the vehicle light 
up automatically when the engine starts.
They perform the following functions:
–
 
Daytime running lamps (lighting control stalk 
at position 
"AUTO" with adequate ambient light).
–
 
Sidelamps (lighting control stalk at position 
"
AUTO" with low ambient light or "Sidelamps 
only" or "Dipped/main beam headlamps").
Direction indicators 
 
► Left or right: lower or raise the lighting control 
stalk, beyond the point of resistance.
If you keep the direction indicators on for 
more than 20 seconds, the volume of the 
audible signal will increase if the speed is 
above 50 mph (80 km/h).
Three flashes
► Press briefly upwards or downwards, without 
going beyond the point of resistance; the 
direction indicators will flash 3 times.
Parking lamps
(Depending on version)
Vehicle side marking by lighting the sidelamps 
on the traffic side only.
►
 
Within one minute after switching off the 
ignition, operate the lighting control stalk 
upwards or downwards, depending on the side 
of the traffic (e.g.
  when parking on the right, push 
the lighting control stalk down to light up on the 
left).
This is confirmed by an audible signal and the 
lighting of the corresponding direction indicator 
lamp on the instrument panel.
►
 
T
 o switch off the parking lamps, return the 
lighting control stalk to the central position.   
Page 65 of 228
63
Lighting and visibility
4Headlamp beam height 
adjustment
 
 
 
 
To avoid dazzling other road users, the height 
of the headlamp beams must be adjusted 
according to the load in the vehicle.
0 (Initial setting) Driver only or driver + front passenger
1 5 people
2 5 people + load in the boot
3 Driver only + load in the boot
4 5 6 Not used
Automatic illumination of 
lamps
With the lighting control stalk in the “ AUTO” 
position and if a low level of exterior brightness 
is detected by the rain/sunshine sensor, the 
sidelamps and dipped beam headlamps are 
switched on automatically, without any action on 
the part of the driver. They may also come on if 
rain is detected, at the same time as automatic 
operation of the windscreen wipers.
As soon as the brightness returns to a sufficient 
level or after the windscreen wipers are switched 
off, the lamps are switched off automatically.
Malfunction
In the event of a malfunction of the rain/
sunshine sensor, the vehicle’s lamps 
come on and this warning lamp is displayed on 
the instrument panel, accompanied by an 
audible signal and/or the display of a message.
Have it checked by a CITROËN dealer or a 
qualified workshop.
Do not cover the rain/sunshine sensor 
located at the top centre of the 
windscreen behind the interior rear view 
mirror; the associated functions would no 
longer be controlled.
In fog or snow, the rain/sunshine sensor 
may detect sufficient light. For this 
reason, the lighting will not come on 
automatically.
The inner surface of the windscreen may  become misted up and affect the proper 
operation of the rain/sunshine sensor.
In humid and cold weather, demist the 
windscreen regularly.
Guide-me-home and 
welcome lighting
Guide-me-home lighting
Automatic
With the ring of the lighting control stalk in the 
"AUTO” position and when the light is poor, the 
dipped beam headlamps come on automatically 
when the ignition is switched off.
You can activate/deactivate and adjust  the duration of the guide-me-home 
lighting in the  Settings
  > Vehicle touch screen 
application.
Manual 
 
► With the ignition off, pull the lighting control 
stalk towards you ("headlamp flash") to activate/
deactivate the function.
Manual guide-me-home lighting goes off 
automatically after a period of time.
Welcome lighting
This system automatically switches on:   
Page 66 of 228
64
Lighting and visibility
– On the outside, sidelamps, dipped beam 
headlamps and door mirror spotlamps.
–
 
Inside, courtesy lamps and footwell lighting.
Door mirror spotlamps
These spotlamps facilitate access to the vehicle 
by lighting the ground near the front doors.
The spotlamps come on automatically:
–
 
when the vehicle is unlocked.
–
 
when a door is opened.
–
 
when a request to locate the vehicle is 
received from the remote control.
They also come on with the welcome lighting 
and guide-me-home lighting functions.
They go off automatically after 30 seconds.
Automatic lighting  systems - General 
recommendations
The automatic lighting systems use a detection 
camera, located at the top of the windscreen.
Operating limits
The system may be disrupted or not work 
correctly:
–
 
When visibility conditions are poor 
(e.g.
  snowfall, heavy rain).
–
 
If the windscreen is dirty
 , misted-up or 
masked (e.g.
  sticker) in front of the camera.
–
 
If the vehicle is facing highly reflective signs 
or safety barrier reflectors.
The system is not able to detect:
–  Road users that do not have their own 
lighting, such as pedestrians.
–
 
V
 ehicles with hidden lighting (e.g.   travelling 
behind a safety barrier on the motorway).
–
 
V
 ehicles at the top or bottom of a steep 
slope, on winding roads, on crossroads.
Maintenance
Clean the windscreen regularly, 
particularly the area in front of the camera.
The internal surface of the windscreen can 
also become misted around the camera. 
In humid and cold weather, demist the 
windscreen regularly.
Do not allow snow to accumulate on the 
bonnet or roof of the vehicle as this could 
obstruct the camera.
Automatic headlamp  dipping
For more information, refer to the 
General recommendations for 
automatic lighting systems.
When the lighting control ring is in the " AUTO” 
position and the function is activated on the 
touch screen, this system automatically switches 
between dipped and main beam headlamps 
depending on light and traffic conditions, using a 
camera located at the top of the windscreen.
 
 
This system is a driving aid. The driver remains responsible for 
the vehicle's lighting, its correct use in the 
prevailing light, visibility and traffic conditions, 
and for compliance with driving and vehicle 
regulations.
The system becomes operational when  the vehicle exceeds 16 mph (25 km/h).
When the speed falls below 9 mph (15 km/h), 
the function is no longer operational.