Cruise Control

[madman]

Does anybody have access to a wiring disgram for a C3 HDI 16v SX? I am now up to 23000 miles (trouble free) and would love to fit the standard cruise control as fitted to the exckusive.

[pork_pie]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DONT DO IT.

Cruise control involves the addition of switches in the pedals and alterations in the fuel supply systems. Its a feature best fitted when the car is being made in the factory.

Citroen and all other manufacturers do not recommend a retro fit of cruise control systems to their cars. Its too complex and fraught with danger.

Some companies offer this feature but I will not tell you who they are as myself nor Citroen will not be held responsible if things cock up. It wil invalidate your warranty and you will be up sh*t creek

Sell your SX for an Exclusive if it means so much.

I have an example:

I had a 1995 Pug 306 D Turbo which I acquired second hand in 1996. SUmmer of 97 was very hot and wanted to have air con (a feature standard in them models from 1996 onwards).

I phoned Peugeot asking about a retro fit.

They said £3000 using Peugeot parts or £1500 otherwise but it would be much safer if I bought a new car.

[madman]

But on a VW it is the addition of a column stalk and the enabling of the function in the ECU!
I cannot understand why on a fully electronic drive by wire car you would need to disturb the fuel system. The wiring may be there to enable the function with a steering wheel change and the addition of a relay or two.
I know that an aircon system is very invloved as an aftermaket option but I believe that cruise control would be easier - hence my wish to study a wiring diagrm.
Bob T

[madman]

Would also like to mention that most of the basic components are there and enabled:-
Speed sensor, makes the bong when the set limit is exceeded.
Thottle position sensor, required for the drive by wire ECU.
Just the steering wheel buttons needed then??????????????
Bob T

[pork_pie]

Madman.

I understand what you are saying but if Cruise control was not on the options list then don't consider it.

It's an item best installed at the factory.

Citroen would not okay such an aftermarket fitment.
I asked a manager about this back in October.

New steering wheel plus controls, additional wiring and maybe even a new airbag, its not worth the expense if you use Citroen and certainly not safe if you use an alternative company.

Even the fitment of certain stereo systems can influence how the Engine Management works.

Ditch the SX and get an Exclusive.

You compare VW with Citroen..... they're a different gravy entirely.

For example they are naff compared to sh*t.

Anyway Britains roads are too congested to make the best use of it but then again its one of the reasons why I bought my HDi Exclusive.

[madman]

Would disagree with the lack of use on British roads, I used the cruise control on my Range Rover nearly every time I drove the thing.
I also spend 4 hours at a time at the wheel on motorways in the C3 at least twice a week>
Bob T

[pork_pie]

Motorway driving 4 hours?

How much do you get on a full tank?

In your opinion how many miles do you regard as a proper "running in"

[itsmywifes]

We reckon that 600 miles is the absolute maximum before filling up.

Usually we fill at about 530 / 540 with no lights showing and the car taking about 40 litres in its 47 litre tank.

Anybody prepared to push it any further?

IMW

[pork_pie]

Yes I regard 600 miles as a safe bet.

(I thought we are supposed to get nearly 66 to a gallon - oh well)

The final circular orange light suggests there are around 4 litres left.

I get the feeling there is more than that and you can travel more than 600.

Was told by a technician that the fuel gauge is calculated via variables including by the way the car is driven and the average fuel consumption. There are no sensors in the tank!!!!!!!

[madman]

If I fill mine to the brim then take my normal journey from Cambridgshire up the A17 (50 to 60mph), A1 (80ish mph), M62 (80 to 90), M61, M6, M55 (80 to 95) the one way trip is around 220 miles. I normally return the next day at the same sorts of speeds and then spend the rest of the week on journeys of about 60 miles a day. I expect the low fuel light to come on between 610 to 645 miles. I try to tank up soon after that but have run for 55 miles before filling.
This could be down to running in; 300 miles @ 2300 rpm, 300 miles @ 2500 rpm, 300 miles @ 2800rpm, 300 miles @ 3100rpm and build up slowley from there.

[pork_pie]

That is some trek.

M55...err Blackpool?

At the mo the orange light (no final bar) comes on anywhere between 540 and 610.

Re: Brimming

I was told you must not continue to fill the car if the pump clicks three times. Why?

I ask because I stop at three clicks and I swear I can add tonnes more.

[madman]

I think that if you go beyond the three click then there is a risk of some spilling whilst cornering. It upsets motorcycles to find spilt diesel on the road - and I am one of those motorcyclists!
To be fair I do brim mine as I know that if you give the car a shake afterwards a trapped air bubble will reduce the level.
The first light on the guage gives me about 90 miles and the second to last about 175 so they must be influenced by the shape of the tank I assume.
Bob T

[pork_pie]

Bob.

"The first light on the guage gives me about 90 miles and the second to last about 175 so they must be influenced by the shape of the tank I assume."

Yes I agree with you there. The mileage covered by the first light is rather pish compared with the other lights on the gauge. The final light range is equally pish. The others are fine but not as fine as your range of 175 mls which is pretty damn impressive even for the motorway driving you do.

He is my summary

Light

1 60 miles
2 125 miles
3 130 miles
4 130 miles
5 125 miles
6 to final orange light 40 miles

610 from 43 litres of fuel ain't at all bad.....

Cannot complain as at 11500 miles I still think the car is not properly run in.

Still better than what most other small diesels can manage.

See how much the test figures differ from Govt values in Autoexpress for example.

[madman]

I think that I have mentioned before that there is a German website for C3s, and it is much bigger than this. The Germans seem to be getting figures (converted from liters per 100km) between 55 is to 76 ish mpg!
I have owned loads of French cars and can confirm that no 2 cars are the same.
My low fuel light comes on and beeps at the same time as the second to last guage light goes out.
I must say that I am considering buying a BMW 320d, my 325tds is getting long in the tooth now, but I always seem to take the C3 for long journeys instead. I think it could be due to the fun I get out of driving the thing, it is not the economy as my employer pays me 40 pence per mile.
Bob T

[pork_pie]

Ahh the 325 tds.

A classic when it came out in 93.

My father had an black automatic SE version from 93-00.

Lovely car - packed with extras like cruise and air con.

He loved it, was sad to see it go but it was getting costly to run especially with service intervals every 6-7.5 k plus the annual inspection.

Engine sounded like a V8 - fastest diesel in its day.

The 320d will serve you well but the 330d is a different gravy entirely.

[Guest MartinBall]

Re: Brimming

 

I was told you must not continue to fill the car if the pump clicks three times. Why?

 

I ask because I stop at three clicks and I swear I can add tonnes more.

 

If you continue past any of the clicks you run the risk of explosion - no kidding - something to do with expansion, friction and sparks and lots of other lovely things.

I usually go past one click just to make the amount I pay a round-ish number.

 

Can't comment on MPG as I am still on my first tank and still getting use to Clutch/Accelerator.