MikeRotherham

I agree that putting it in neutral is best. I did read on the ROSPA website concerning automatic gearboxes that doing that caused more wear than sitting with the foot on the footbrake. But neutral is the way to go. Thanks for all your replies.

Thanks for your comments. Mike.

Hello kfk, Rereading my post I don't think I explained very well. I meant a 6 speed conventional automatic with torque convertor and not the EGS type. I've read conflicting views about moving from Drive to neutral and back again in stop start traffic. I read that its best just to leave it in drive and hold it on the foot brake otherwise the car creeps forward as autoboxes do. I suppose basically i want do what's best for the gearbox. This is my first car with a gearbox of this type. I've had a C3 with a Sensodrive which I liked a lot. Would have liked a C4 with EGS but there's nothing around here at the moment. Mike.

Hello, I wonder if anyone could tell me who manufactures the conventional 6 speed automatic gearbox that is fitted to the diesel C4's. I'd like to find some information about it. Alternatively some experienced auto driver may know. I'd like to know if when sat in stop start traffic. It causes more wear on the gearbox to put it into neutral and back again to D(rive) repeatedly using the handbrake as required or sit with your foot on the footbrake left in D(rive) and as a consequence dazzle the driver behind with brake lights.

Thanks for the replies, I've been fairly busy for the last 10 days or so, hence being a bit slow to reply. I check the tyre pressures weekly and so far they have never varied. I set them to Citroen's recommended pressures. The slight pull is a bit weird. I drove it today and it did n't do it. I also thought it was something to do with the camber of the road or the quality of the road surface. I've got the car booked in for its 1000 mile service the week after next. I've asked them to check it out. If its just a characteristic of the steering fair enough. Regards Mike.

I've had my Diesel VTR+ for a month, done about 750 miles. Since about 350 miles I've noticed that the car pulls to the left. Its very subtle and its doesn't always do it. I've not kerbed the wheels so no impact that may have affected the tracking. Has anybody else experienced this? Also I find the wipers leave trails of water. The kind of effect you get when the blades are ready to be changed. I know that they are a different design perhaps thats how they are. Any comments. Regards Mike.

Thanks for the replies, I'll check that out Mike.

I've just purchased a VTR+ and was wondering if it was possible to fit the footwell lights. I've located the blanking plug where the lights fit. Is the wiring, connector etc supposed to be there. I've felt inside around the hole but can't find any loose wiring. Perhaps that part of the loom is no longer fitted as standard without the lights being specified. Any ideas?

I'm about to part ex my C3 Stop Start for a C4 VTR+ I had a Citroen 5 CD autochanger fitted when I bought the C3. I'd like to fit it into the armrest of the C4. What parts will I need to pay for to fit it in the C4? Is it just a case of removing a DIN radio sized moulding from the arm rest as in the C3? Do I need any additional wiring? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Mike.

How does the EGS gearbox compare with the Sensodrive in terms of design? Is it a normal 6 speed box with actuators similar to the Sensodrive. Is it manufactured/designed by the same company ZF Sachs? Whats it like to drive, how does it compare with the Sensodrive. I'd be interested what the people in the trade think KFK, Jannez? Thanks Mike.

My Xsara had a Clarion CD Changer fitted as standard. It was mounted with the slot facing upwards against the left hand wheel arch in the boot. The changer was mounted in a metal box and it also had cover over it in the same material as the boot carpet. Quite well done really.

Hello Mark, I agree, clutch failure at such a low mileage is very poor. Hope that Citroen will agree and do it under warranty. Clutch problems are something that I'd considered before buying the car. I'd hoped they'd tested the system extensively before they released. So far I've have n't had any problem with the car apart from it not going into gear one morning when I got it out of the garage. A software download fixed that. I really like the Sensodrive gearbox, especially when I'm stuck in traffic. Its got a few quirks but once you get used to them its excellent. However if I get similar problems to yourself I may change my mind. I suppose time will tell. Good car, I'd definitely buy another and so economical too. Did a run down to The West Midlands yesterday, from Rotherham and it clocked 51.4 mpg. Mike.

Had my C3 Stop & Start for a year without any problem, then one morning last week went out to move the car and it would n't engage 1st or 3rd gear. I got the old flashing snowflake symbol and would only select 2nd gear Called out Citroen Assist and they eventually towed it into my Citroen Dealer. They had it Friday afternoon and I got it back Monday morning. Gear box ecu software apparently. This raised a couple of questions which perhaps someone could answer, KfK? How does the software get corrupted in a circumstance like this? My dealer said that the car needed to be connected to the internet to see if there were any later software updates available. Is this a purely act of connecting the car to a remote server or does there need to be someone on the remote end interrogating my car's ecu. I'd welcome anyone's response. Thanks Mike.

Thanks for the answers. I know what you mean about wondering if its going to restart. I must say I only enable the Stop & Start function if I know I'm going to be held up for a long time at lights. Its pretty slick though, starts very quickly. The cheaper road tax is quite welcome too. I really like the Sensodrive gearbox especially when I'm stuck in traffic. It seems to work well. The only complaint I have if you can call it that, I used to have a 1.6 Xsara so miss the extra bit of acceration on the motor way, but the available power is more than enough for town and country lane driving. Which 98% of my driving is.

Hi kfk, I've got a C3 Stop and Start which I've had for 10months without problem and my dealer is pretty good too. I've got a few questions. In your experience What is the long term reliability like on the sensodrive gearbox. How long do the actuators last, are they expensive to replace and is it a DIY prospect? Thanks Mike.

When I booked my car in for the upgrade, the receptionist said that it was something to do with the speed of the warning lights coming up. It must be pretty important because Citroen seem keen that it gets done, I got a letter by registered post and have been rung twice by my dealer to remind me to get it booked in.

My C3 (its a Stop & Start version) seems pretty consistent. The first 3 bars go out after increments of 60 miles each, unless I've been a bit heavier on the gas pedal, then its a bit less than that. If I'm on a longer run doing continuous cruising, its generally more. The 4th seems to take longer to go out. I've never let it drop below 2 bars so don't know about them. I've got the car booked in for the XWK upgrade, as I've had the car 7 months and its been faultless, I'm a bit concerned that the upgrade may change this.

Hi Dave, I've got a C3 Stop & Start which has got the 1.4 16v 90bhp Sensodrive. But its basically an SX with stop start technology. There is very little travel on the accelerator before the clutch begins to bite. Its very subtle though. Not checked the revs but I will if you need further reassurance. The car is just less than three months old and so far its been good. My biggest gripe is there's alot of tyre noise at motorway speeds and the drivers seat cushion I find a bit short and flat so there's not much underthigh support. How have you found the tyre noise on yours at high speeds? Mike.

If you look at the Citroen French website www.citroen.com and select English language there is info on the facelifted C3. Obviously some of the versions will be different to ours but you get to see what the car looks like. There is one very interesting model. A C3 that you refuel at home from mains gas! Also runs on petrol. Hope they launch that over here!

No, whether the handbrake is on or off, when you take your foot off the footbrake, the engine restarts. Having said that, you don't need to have the footbrake pressed down hard, it just needs slight pressure to keep the engine off. Its certainly very slick the way it starts up though. In the time it takes to move your foot from the footbrake to the accelerator, the engine is up and running! Mike.

I've just taken delivery of a Stop & Start. It seems to work quite well, starts really quickly. The only drawback to me is the fact that you have to sit with your foot on the brake. As soon as you take it off the engine starts up. I hate being behind a driver that sits with their foot on the brake when you're queueing in traffic. Now here I am doing the same. You can easily disable the function though, which I think I will do at night time. Its got a parking sensor too which before I always thought was a waste of time but having used it a few times, saves craning your kneck round trying to judge the distance when reverse parking. Mike.

I've just taken delivery of a C3 1.4 16V Stop & Start Sensodrive. Had it a couple of weeks but so far so good. I'm impressed with the gearbox, after hearing alot of different comments I was a bit concerned but wanted to try one for myself. This is the fourth Citroen I've owned and know that quality can vary but the advantages have always out weighed the disadvantages. It seems mechanically very quiet except for the amount of road/tyre noise. I part exchanged a Xsara 1.6 which was very quiet in this respect so it seems all the more excessive. I was wondering how other C3 owners have found this problem. I was also wondering if fitting extra sound insulation would help. I noticed there's nothing under the bonnet lid. Do higher spec C3's have sound insulation under the bonnet? I'd be prepared to get it fitted if so. I'd be very glad of any help you guys could offer Mike.