Citroen C3: Spare wheel / Removing a wheel

Parking the vehicle

Immobilise the vehicle where it does not obstruct traffic: the ground must be level, stable and non-slippery.

With a manual gearbox, engage first gear to lock the wheels, apply the parking brake, unless it is programmed to be in automatic mode, and switch off the ignition.

With an automatic gearbox, select mode P to lock the wheels, apply the parking brake, unless it is programmed to be in automatic mode, and switch off the ignition.

Check for the fixed illumination of the parking brake indicator lamps in the instrument panel. The occupants must get out of the vehicle and wait where they are safe.

If necessary, place a chock under the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be changed. Never go underneath a vehicle raised using a jack; use an axle stand.

Wheel with wheel trim

When removing the wheel, first remove the wheel trim by pulling at the valve aperture using the wheelbrace.

When refitting the wheel, refit the wheel trim, starting by placing its aperture in line with the valve and then pushing it into place all round its edge with the palm of your hand.

• Remove the bolt cover(s) using tool 7 (depending on version).
• Slacken the other bolts using the wheelbrace 5 only.

• Place the foot of jack 6 on the ground and ensure that it is directly below the front A or rear B jacking point on the underbody, whichever is closest to the wheel to be changed.

• Extend jack 6 until its head comes into contact with jacking point A or B; contact area A or B on the vehicle must be properly inserted into the central part of the head of the jack.
• Raise the vehicle until there is sufficient space between the wheel and the ground to admit the spare (not punctured) wheel easily.

Ensure that the jack is stable. If the ground is slippery or loose, the jack may slip or collapse - risk of injury!

Take care to position the jack strictly at one of the jacking points A or B under the vehicle, ensuring that the head of the jack is centred under the contact area of the vehicle. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to the vehicle and/or of the jack collapsing - risk of injury!

• Remove the bolts and store them in a clean place.
• Remove the wheel.

Stowing the damaged wheel

• To stow an alloy wheel, first remove the wheel trim from the centre of the wheel so that the fastening device (nut and bolt) can be put in place.
• In the case of a "space saver" type spare wheel, the damaged wheel cannot be stowed under the floor. It must be placed in the boot; use a cover to protect the inside of the boot.