Routemaster1

Just thought I would introduce myself. I currently own 3 Citroens, and previously owned 2 others. The ones that have gone were a 2007 C4 Grand Picasso, 2.0HDi EGS Exclusive, which did 40,000 miles with virtually no issues, and a 2011 2.0HDi Exclusive fitted with one of the first manual gearboxes. This one had a minor issue that it was fitted with several parts that should have been chomed but weren't. These were changed by the dealer. Also I had the infamous crumpling driver's seat, which was also changed under warranty. We currently have a 2015 C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 HDi Exclusive + manual which has covered 20,000 miles without issue, although it is due to go in and have recall NYB work. The second car is a 2011 C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive (110bhp with 6 speed) which our daughter currently drives. It ha sdone ~83,000 miles virtually trouble-free until it threw a wobbly about a month ago, went into limp mode, and then ran OK with the engine management light on. The fix under warranty was a new no.1 injector, although the dealers wanted to fit 4, but Citroen warranty wouldn't cover that. It still performs vey well and I prefer driving it to the one below. The only issues I have are that the trip computer is extremely optimistic by ~10% and the parking sensors play up when the weather is wet. Frustratingly you cannot replicate by spraying with a hose!. So far only had to replace front and rear discs and pads, and 6 tyres. Michelins seem to last for ever. The third car is a 2016 C3 Platinum 100bhp 1.6HDi. It is unusual that it is Sport Red, with white wheels and chrome mirrors. This only has a 5 speed box, and I find it more difficult to drive than the other. I think the issue is the wde spaced gears, and you have to rev more when accelerating as it is extremely easy to fall off the turbo. Economy is not significantly better than the 110bhp car!

Hi thanks for clarifying that for me. How would I tell them apart? Not difficult! One has 3 positions; off, sidelights, headlights. The other has 4 positions; off, Auto, sidelights, headlights.

There are at least two different types. One has a setting for auto lights, the other doesn't. Which type are you after?

Oh, sorry! Nothing in the post to indicate that! Then there isn't anything in mine either!

Not sure why you would want RDS, as the radio is DAB it isn't necessary.

I would have thought that having a Pluriel with a Saxo engine would be sufficient to cause problems with the insurance. After all, one of the first questions will be 'has he car been modified'.

If buying a diesel it is vital that the car has been properly service within the mileage window (12,500 miles for earlier cars and 16,000 miles for cars since ~2014) Failure to do the service on time and correctly are vital for the life of the turbo. There have been issues with earlier 1.6 Picassos, fitte with a virrtually identical engine, but I have not heard that this is repeated with the newer ones with updated turbo oil supply. If you get one, ensure that you continue to get it serviced on time and within mileage and you should have no problem.

Please be aware that there are several different types of fluid. Some are compatible when mixed, but not all are, so ensure you get the correct type.

Does the cruise control apply the brakes if, say, going down hill? (It certainly doesn't on my Facelift.) Bit late to this, but the cruise does not apply the brakes. Best it will do is completely cut off the fuel supply.

Don't waste you money on this. Nitrogen used to be a cure all, but it really makes no difference.

Bear in mind that on the C4 Picasso, only 2.0L models (both petrol and diesel) were fitted with a full auto box. All 1.6 HDis that had an 'auto' gearbox (until the new model in 2013) actually had an EGS 'piloted manual' gearbox. This is the one which most people have issues with.

Don't know why they do this, but when I replaced the sidelights on my C3 with LEDs, when the ignition was turned off the lights glowed dimly until the buzzing stopped.

There are two types of detection system. The one I described is the passive system, which is relatively cheap to install, and is, as far as I know, a compulsory fitment on new cars. Older cars, including the C4 and C4Picasso, had an active system based on individual pressure monitors in each wheel which transmitted to sensors. This type will give a warning before moving. It has the disadvantage that the wheel were effectively 'fixed' in position and there were problems with the valve stems corroding.

The reason that nothing has come up is that the car detects a low pressure tyre by measuring the rate of rotation, and if a tyre is getting flat it will rotate faster. The system picks this up. This means that it will not detect a flat tyre until you have driven the car, and similarly if you mend a puncture after a warning, the system will not know that it has been mended until you have driven.

Yeh that's the same as the Citroen, handbrake comes on when engine switched off, and also for a few seconds when stopped on an incline. It releases automatically when you start driving. Does your missus usually apply the handbrake when stopped at traffic lights/junctions/etc? Does she release it on the switch or let it do it automatically when she moves off? No, the electronic handbrake does not apply on an incline. It is the service brake which is held on by the ABS system.

How old is the car. The dipping mirrors are fitted to the Exclusive, but on the pre 2013 cars, it only works on the one mirroe which is selected. Have you tried moving the switch to the other mirror?

I'm a little confused by this as it seems to be referring to different cars. I am assuming the first is a Xara Picasso, as the very first C4 Picassos were 56 registered (and were rare). The C4 Grand Picasso was fitted with pneumatic suspension on the Exclusive version (and one or two VTR+s) until it was replaced by the Platinum run-out model.