Citroen C3: Safety / Seat belts

Inertia reel

The seat belts are equipped with an inertia reel which allows the strap length to automatically adjust to your shape. The seat belt returns to its storage automatically when it is not used.

The inertia reels are fitted with a device which automatically locks the strap in the event of a collision, emergency braking or if the vehicle rolls over. It can be released by pulling the strap firmly and then releasing it so that it reels in slightly.

Pyrotechnic pretensioning

This system improves safety in the event of a frontal or side impact.

Depending on the severity of the impact, the pyrotechnic pretensioning system instantly tightens the seat belts against the body of the occupants.

The pyrotechnic pretensioning seat belts are enabled when the ignition is on.

Force limiter

This system reduces the pressure of the seat belt on the chest of the occupant, thus improving their protection.

In the event of an impact

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the impacts, the pyrotechnic device may trigger before and independently of airbag deployment. Deployment of the pretensioners is accompanied by a slight discharge of harmless smoke and a noise, due to the activation of the pyrotechnic cartridge incorporated in the system. In all cases, the airbag warning lamp comes on.

Following an impact, have the seat belt system checked, and if necessary replaced, by a CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop.

Front seat belts

The front seat belts are fitted with a pyrotechnic pretensioning system and a force limiting system.

Rear seat belts

Each of the rear seats has a three-point seat belt with inertia reel.

The outer seats are fitted with a pyrotechnic pretensioning and force limiting system.

Fastening

• Pull the strap, then insert the tongue in the buckle.
• Check that the seat belt is fastened correctly by pulling the strap.

Unlocking

• Press the red button on the buckle.
• Guide the seat belt as it is reeled in.

Seat belt not fastened/unfastened alerts

LCD symbols instrument panel

A. Front left seat belt not fastened/unfastened warning lamp

B. Front right seat belt not fastened/unfastened warning lamp

LCD text instrument panel

C. Front and rear seat belts not fastened/ unfastened warning lamp

1. Front left seat belt warning lamp
2. Front right seat belt warning lamp
3. Rear left seat belt warning lamp
4. Rear centre seat belt warning lamp
5. Rear right seat belt warning lamp

If the corresponding seat belt is not fastened or is unfastened, when the ignition is switched on, the seat belts warning lamp comes on in the instrument panel and the corresponding warning lamp (1 to 5) comes on in red in the seat belt and front passenger airbag warning lamps display.

If a rear seat belt is not fastened, the corresponding warning lamp (3 to 5) comes on for around 30 seconds.

From about 12 mph (20 km/h) and for 2 minutes, each warning lamp corresponding to an occupied seat whose seat belt is unfastened flashes, accompanied by an audible signal. After these 2 minutes, the corresponding seat warning lamp remains on until the driver or the front/rear passenger fasten their seat belt.

Advice

The driver must ensure that passengers use the seat belts correctly and that they are all fastened before setting off.

Wherever seated in the vehicle, you must always fasten the seat belt, even for short journeys.

Do not interchange the seat belt buckles, as they will not fulfil their role fully.

Before and after use, ensure that the seat belt is reeled in correctly.

After folding or moving a seat or rear bench seat, ensure that the seat belt is positioned and reeled in correctly.

Installation

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.

In order to be effective, a seat belt:

• must be tightened as close to the body as possible;
• must be pulled in front of you with a smooth movement, ensuring that it is not twisted;
• must only be used to secure one person;
• must not show signs of tearing or fraying;
• must not be changed or modified, in order to avoid affecting its performance.

Recommendations for children

Use a suitable child seat if the passenger is less than 12 years old or shorter than one and a half metres.

Never use the same seat belt to secure more than one child.

Never carry a child on your lap.

For more information on Child seats, refer to the corresponding section.

Maintenance

In accordance with current safety regulations, for all repairs on your vehicle's seat belts, go to a qualified workshop with the skills and equipment needed, which a CITROËN dealer is able to provide.

Have the seat belts checked regularly by a CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop, particularly if the straps show signs of damage.

Clean the seat belt straps with soapy water or a textile cleaning product, sold by CITROËN dealers.