2021 Citroen C3 Keys Instruction Guide

Introduction

This chic and compact car’s keys are a crucial part of the 2021 Citroen C3. These keys, which were created with contemporary functionality in mind, provide convenience and security for Citroen C3 drivers.

The innovative keyless entry system or the conventional physical key, both of which flawlessly merge with the design and technology of the vehicle, make every travel hassle-free and joyful. Citroen made sure that their keys mirrored the general emphasis on comfort and innovation placed on the car in 2021 by continuing to evolve.

Keys

Remote control / Key Remote Control Function

The remote control can be used for the following remote functions, depending on version:

• Unlocking / Locking / Deadlocking the vehicle.
• Opening the fuel tank cap.
  Remote operation of lighting.
• Activating / Deactivating the alarm.
• Locating the vehicle.
• Activating the vehicle’s electronic immobiliser. The remote control includes a conventional key that allows the central unlocking / locking of the vehicle using the door lock, as well as starting and switching off the engine. Back-up procedures allow the vehicle to be locked / unlocked in the event of a failure of the remote control, the central locking, the battery, etc. For more information on the Back-up procedures, please refer to the corresponding section.

Integral key
The key built into the remote control can be used for the following operations, depending on version:

• Unlocking/Locking/Deadlocking the vehicle.
• Activation/Deactivation of the manual child lock.
• Activation/Deactivation of the front passenger airbag.
• Back-up Unlocking/Locking of the doors.
• Switching on the ignition and starting/switching off the engine.

Without Keyless Entry and Starting

• To unfold or fold the key, press the button. With Keyless Entry and Starting
• To eject the key or put it back in place, pull and hold the button.

Unlocking the Vehicle

Press this button to unlock the vehicle.

When the unlocking button is pressed, the flashing of the direction indicators for a few seconds signals:

• The unlocking of the vehicle for versions without alarm.
• The deactivation of the alarm for other versions.

Locking the Vehicle

Normal Locking

Press this button.

When the locking button is pressed, the lighting of the direction indicators for a few seconds signals:

• The locking of the vehicle for versions without alarm.
• The activation of the alarm for other versions.

If one of the doors or the boot is not fully closed, the locking does not take place. However, if the vehicle is equipped with the alarm, it is fully activated after about 45 seconds.If the vehicle is unlocked inadvertently and there is then no action on the doors or boot, the vehicle will automatically lock itself again after about 30 seconds. If the alarm was activated beforehand, the alarm is reactivated automatically.

Deadlocking

• Press the locking button again within 5 seconds to deadlock the vehicle (confirmed by the temporary lighting of the direction indicators for versions without alarm).

Deadlocking renders the interior door controls inoperative. It also deactivates the central locking button.
The horn remains operational.
Never leave anyone inside the vehicle when it is deadlocked.

Locating the Vehicle
This function helps you to spot your vehicle from a distance, with the vehicle locked:

• The sidelamps and dipped beam headlamps come on for 30 seconds.

Press this button.

Pressing again before the end of the timed period switches off the lamps immediately.

Advice

Remote Control
The remote control is a sensitive, high-frequency device; avoid handling it in your pocket, due to the risk of unintentionally unlocking the vehicle.
Avoid pressing the remote control buttons while out of range of the vehicle, due to the risk of rendering the remote control inoperative. It would then be necessary to reset it.
The remote control does not work when the key is in the ignition switch, even when the ignition is switched off.

Anti-theft Protection
Do not modify the electronic vehicle immobiliser, as this might result in malfunctions.

Locking the Vehicle
Driving with the doors locked could make it more difficult for the emergency services to enter the vehicle in an emergency.

Purchasing a Second-hand Vehicle
Have the key codes memorized by a CITROËN dealer, to ensure that the keys in your possession are the only ones able to start the vehicle.

Keyless Entry and Starting

This system allows the unlocking, locking and starting of the vehicle, while carrying the electronic key on your person in the recognition zone A.

Unlocking the Vehicle

With the electronic key on your person in recognition zone A, pass your hand behind the door handle of one of the front doors, or press the tailgate opening control.

The flashing of the direction indicators for a few seconds signals:

• the unlocking of the vehicle for versions without alarm.
• the deactivation of the alarm for other versions.

Locking the Vehicle Normal Locking

With the electronic key in the recognition zone, press with a finger or thumb on one of the front door handles (at the markings) to lock the vehicle.
It is not possible to lock the vehicle if one of the keys is left inside the vehicle.

The illumination of the direction indicators for a few seconds signals:

• The locking of the vehicle for versions without alarm.
• activation of the alarm for other versions. For safety and theft protection reasons,

For safety and theft protection reasons never leave the electronic key in the vehicle, even when you are close to it. It is recommended that you keep it on your person.
Accumulations (water, dust, grime, salt, etc.) on the inner surface of the door handle may affect detection.
If cleaning the inner surface of the door handle using a cloth does not restore detection, contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop.
A sudden splash of water (stream of water, high pressure jet washer, etc.) may be identified by the system as the desire to open the vehicle.

Deadlocking

Deadlocking renders the interior door controls inoperative. It also deactivates the central locking button.
The horn remains operational.
Never leave anyone inside the vehicle when it is deadlocked.

• With the electronic key in recognition zone A, press your finger or thumb on the handle of one of the front doors (at the markings) to lock the vehicle.
• Within five seconds, press the front door handle again to deadlock the vehicle.

If one of the doors or the boot is still open or if the electronic key for the Keyless Entry and Starting system has been left inside the vehicle, central locking will be disabled.
However, if the vehicle is fitted with an alarm, it will be activated after 45 seconds.
If the vehicle is unlocked but the doors or boot are not subsequently opened, the vehicle will automatically lock itself again after about 30 seconds. If the vehicle is fitted with an alarm, it will also be reactivated automatically.
As a safety measure, never leave the vehicle, even for a short time, without taking the Keyless Entry and Starting system’s electronic key with you.
Be aware of the risk of theft of the vehicle if the key is present in one of the defined areas while the vehicle is unlocked.
To preserve the battery charge in the
electronic key and the vehicle’s battery, the “hands-free” functions are set to hibernation mode after 21 days without use. To restore these functions, press one of the remote control buttons or start the engine with the electronic key in the reader.

For more information on starting with the Keyless Entry and Starting system, refer to the corresponding section.

Electrical Interference
The electronic key may not operate if close to certain electronic devices: telephone (switched on or on standby), laptop computer, strong magnetic fields, etc.

Back-up Procedures

Lost keys, remote control, electronic key
Visit a CITROËN dealer with the vehicle’s registration certificate, a personal identification document and, if possible, the label bearing the key code.
The CITROËN dealer will be able to retrieve the key code and the transponder code required to order a new key.

Complete unlocking/locking of the vehicle with the key
Use this procedure in the following situations:

• Remote control battery discharged.
• Remote control malfunction.
• Vehicle battery discharged.
• Vehicle in an area subject to strong electromagnetic interference.

In the first case, change the remote control battery.
In the second case, reinitialise the remote control.

Refer to the corresponding sections.

• Insert the key in the door lock.
• Turn the key towards the front/rear to unlock/lock the vehicle.
• Turn the key rearwards again within 5 seconds to deadlock the vehicle.

If the vehicle is fitted with an alarm, it will not be activated when locking with the key.
If the alarm is activated, the siren sounds when the door is opened; switch on the ignition to stop it.

Central locking not Functioning

Use these procedures in the following cases:

• Central locking malfunction.
• Battery disconnected or discharged.

In the event of a malfunction of the
central locking system, the battery must be disconnected to ensure that the vehicle is locked fully.

Driver’s door
Turn the key towards the rear of the vehicle to lock it, or towards the front to unlock it.

Passenger doors Unlocking
Pull the interior door opening control.

Locking

• Open the doors.
• For the rear doors, check that the child lock is not on.

Refer to the corresponding section.

• Remove the black cap, located on the edge of the door, using the key.
• Insert the key into the socket without forcing it, then turn the latch towards the inside of the door.
• Remove the key and refit the black cap.
• Close the doors and check from the outside that the vehicle is locked.

Changing the battery
A message is displayed on the instrument panel when the battery needs changing.
Without Keyless Entry and Starting Battery type: CR2032 / 3 volts.

With Keyless Entry and Starting Battery type: CR2032 / 3 volts.

• Unclip the cover by inserting a small screwdriver in the slot and raise the cover.
• Remove the discharged battery from its housing.
• Insert the new battery, observing the polarity, and clip the cover onto the housing.
• Reinitialise the remote control.

For more information on Reinitializing the remote control, refer to the corresponding section.
Do not throw remote control batteries away, as they contain metals that are harmful to the environment. Take them to an approved disposal point.

FAQs