Citroen C3: Side airbags

Citroen C3 Owners Manual

System which protects the driver and front passenger in the event of a serious side impact in order to limit the risk of injury to the chest.

Each side airbag is built into the seat backrest frame, door side.

Activation

The side airbags are 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.

The side airbag infl ates between the front occupant of the vehicle and the corresponding door trim panel.

Impact detection zones

A. Front impact zone.

B. Side impact zone.

Curtain airbags

System which protects the driver and passengers (with the exception of the rear centre passenger) in the event of a serious side impact in order to limit the risk of injury to the head.

Each curtain airbag is built into the pillars and the upper the passenger compartment area.

Activation

The curtain airbag 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 , perpendicular to the longitudinal centreline of the vehicle on a horizontal plane and directed from the outside towards the inside of the vehicle.

The curtain airbag infl ates between the front or rear occupant of the vehicle and the windows.

Operating fault

If this warning lamp comes on on the instrument panel, accompanied by an audible signal and a message on the multifunction screen, contact a CITROËN dealer to have the system checked. The airbags may no longer be triggered in the event of a serious impact.

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.

In the event of a rear or front collision, the airbag is not triggered.

For the airbags to be fully effective, observe the following safety rules:

Sit in a normal upright position. Wear a correctly adjusted seat belt. Do not leave anything between the occupants and the airbags (a child, pet, object...). This could hamper the operation of the airbags or injure the 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 out by qualifi ed personnel of the CITROËN network.

Even if all of the precautions mentioned are observed, a risk of injury or of minor burns to the head, chest or arms when an airbag is triggered cannot be ruled out. The bag infl ates almost instantly (within a few milliseconds) then defl ates within the same time discharging the hot gas via openings 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 deployment of the airbags can cause burns or the risk of injury from a cigarette or pipe. Never remove or pierce the steering wheel or hit it violently.

Side airbags

Use only approved covers on the seats. These will not hinder infl ation of the side airbags. Consult a CITROËN dealer. Do not fi x or apply anything to the seat backs. This could cause injury 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

Do not fi x or apply anything to the roof. This could cause injury to the head if the curtain airbag is triggered. Do not remove the grab handles installed on the roof, they play a part in securing the curtain airbags.