Hello I'm A New Member

[C4FAMILYMAN]

Hello, I am new to this Citroen owners club. I recently traded in my tired old fiesta for a Citroen C4 VTR+ 1.6HDI 110BHP Diesel. I was not really looking for a Citroen as i hadn't had any dealings with these cars before. I must say this C4 is by far the best car i have owned so far. Seems to plod along nicely and it is very comfortable. Not sure what its like on a long journey yet but i regularly make a trip from Market Rasen to Plymouth. Time will tell what its like then. Looking forward to learning more about the car.  I have attached a picture of the car i own.

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

You will find the C4 is good for long distances, comfortable, handles well enough and should give over 60 mpg on motorways provided you do not go over 70 mph. Things to get used to - the front seat head rests are quite large and obstruct the view if looking back when reversing, the door mirrors need a bit of getting used to since if being overtaken a car at the side could be missed so care is needed when lane changing on a motorway, the key fob has the blade at right angles to any other car, the internal plastics and rubber coating of the rear door handles can be easily scratched. If it does not have a spare wheel and jack/wheel bolt wrench/yellow plastic tool to pull off the wheel bolt chrome covers/plastic tray to hold them all, you can get these from a Citroen dealer for around £200.

 

On the 1.6 hdi the turbo can be prone to early failure so make sure the oil/filter changes are done regularly using the correct oil - should be every year or 12000 miles if sooner.

[C4FAMILYMAN]

The cars service indicator says I have 12500 miles until the next service. I had been advised by a friend to change the oil every 6000 miles and the oil filter when it gets serviced. Would that be sufficient to prevent the turbo from failing?

 

Also thank you for the information about the spare. I was going to start looking into replacing the inflation kit.

[paul.h]

The car must have just been serviced if still 12500 to go, or at least the service indicator has just been reset - it says how in the handbook but is something like hold in the button on the speedo and then turn the ignition key so the dash lights up and then the service indicator will count down to =0, then let go of the button - you then have another 12500 miles or 12 months if sooner. When you are getting near to 12 months since the indicator was last reset, the service will count down by 50 miles each day the car is started.

 

We are on our third C4 with the 1.6 hdi and due to keeping the warranties always had them dealer serviced so the oil/filter was changed each year at around 10 to 12000 miles. Like most people, we have not had any turbo issues and the cars have been changed when about 50000 miles when about 4 years old. I think changing the oil/filter at 6000 miles is a bit too often unless this is taking a year. It gives the correct oil in the maintenance handbook and should be Total quartz INEO ECS 5w30 - about £26 for 5 litres through ebay or a bit more from your dealer.

[Routemaster1]

The car must have just been serviced if still 12500 to go, or at least the service indicator has just been reset - it says how in the handbook but is something like hold in the button on the speedo and then turn the ignition key so the dash lights up and then the service indicator will count down to =0, then let go of the button - you then have another 12500 miles or 12 months if sooner. When you are getting near to 12 months since the indicator was last reset, the service will count down by 50 miles each day the car is started.

 

We are on our third C4 with the 1.6 hdi and due to keeping the warranties always had them dealer serviced so the oil/filter was changed each year at around 10 to 12000 miles. Like most people, we have not had any turbo issues and the cars have been changed when about 50000 miles when about 4 years old. I think changing the oil/filter at 6000 miles is a bit too often unless this is taking a year. It gives the correct oil in the maintenance handbook and should be Total quartz INEO ECS 5w30 - about £26 for 5 litres through ebay or a bit more from your dealer.

To add to this, when changing the oil, the old oil should be drained when hot and allowed to drain thoroughly. If fitting a new filter a good quality one should be used as cheap pattern ones fail inside and can cause oil pressure issues. It isn't worth saving a couple of pounds!

[coastline taxis]

most will tell u im not a 1.6 fan. theres a few on taxis round here now with the drivers getting 200k plus out of the turbos. They all change the oil and filter every 6 k so you would do well to take your friends advice. always use a low saps oil

[C4FAMILYMAN]

Thank you very much for the advice. I will listen to my friend and yourself. I want this car to last as long as possible. Thanks again.

[paul.h]

On the C4 technical section there is a pinned common problems topic that is worth a look but our C4s have not given us any real problems. The 2011 C4 needed the bonnect replacing due to a paint problem. At the front edge next to the V, the paint started to bubble. The bonnets are aluminium and there was a problem with many of them to do with the painting process, so Citroen have replaced a lot of them at their cost.

[C4FAMILYMAN]

I have looked at the bonnet of my car and I can't see any signs of the paint bubbles. Not sure if the car has already had this done?? There isn't any history of it with the books

[paul.h]

When you have any warranty work done you do not get any receipts but it will be recorded by Citroen somewhere. Citroen also keep the parts.

 

On our latest C4 we had a recall done which involves checking the bonnet hook for corrosion where it joins the bonnet - if it is ok some grease filled stickers are put around it, if not then the bonnet gets replaced. On our car it just needed the stickers - looks a bit of a bodge but saves Citroen a lot of money but it is to prevent the hook coming off and the bonnet flying open. Again we did not get any receipts.

 

To check if your car needs any recalls you can register on MyCitroen https://mycitroen-uk.citroen.com/MyCitroen/ as well as asking your dealer.

[C4FAMILYMAN]

Thanks paul.h I have checked that website (it's only an app now for your phone.) There isn't any recall for my car currently which leads me to believe that it has already been carried out.

There is another issue that has arisen, the app is telling me that a service is due in approximately 3,500 miles even though it was done at a dealer at the start of may. It says it's a service due for 60,000 miles. Doesn't say what type of service though

[paul.h]

Possibly the service has not been updated on the website. The service items are listed in the Warranty/Maintenance guide with the service stamps unless your car is about 2 years old where the details are no longer listed. However, the guide lists a few things (systematic operation which is usually the oil/filter change) but if you register on the service.citroen site and use your VIN you can get a list of the additional service items. To register this can be done as an other professional non emergency services and as a member of the Citroen Owners Club http://service.citroen.com/do/changerParametres you may need to select your language first and then register top left.

[MikeLane]

Just one more thing ref. the Turbo. It's a good jdea to let the engine run for, say, 10 - 15 secs, to make sure the oil flows through the Turbo bearings before driving off. (I start the car and then put on my seat belt and make myself comfortable!)

[paul.h]

To add to this, before stopping the engine, let it idle for maybe half a minute to let the turbo slow down before you switch off its oil supply.

[C4FAMILYMAN]

Thank you very much guys for all this info. It's very much appreciated.