Operation check

Warning lamps

~14min read

Visual indicators informing the driver of a fault (warning lamp) or of a system being switched on (operating or deactivation lamp).

When the ignition is switched on

Some warning lamps light up for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.

Once the engine starts, these same lamps should go out.

If they stay on, check the relevant warning lamp before driving.

Associated warnings

Certain lamps, whether steady or flashing, may be accompanied by an audible signal and a message on the screen.

Warning lamps

With the engine running or the vehicle moving, the illumination of one of the following lamps indicates a fault requiring driver action.

A warning lamp is always accompanied by an additional message to help you identify the problem.

If you have a problem, do not hesitate to contact the CITROËN network.

Warning light is on Cause Action / Notes
STOP steady, combined with another warning lamp. It is associated with a flat tyre, braking or the coolant temperature. Stopping is essential, in the best possible safety conditions.

Park, switch off the ignition and contact the CITROËN network.

Service temporarily. Minor faults with no specific warning lamp may appear. Identify the fault by reading the message shown on the screen, for example:
  • doors, boot, tailgate or bonnet not properly closed,
  • remote control battery,
  • tyre pressure,
  • particulate filter saturation (Diesel).

For other faults, consult the CITROËN network.

steady. Major faults with no specific warning lamp may appear. Identify the fault by reading the message shown on the screen and consult the CITROËN network without delay.





Warning light is on Cause Action / Notes
FreinageBraking steady, combined with the STOP lamp. The brake fluid level in the braking circuit is insufficient. Stopping is essential, in the best possible safety conditions.

Top up with brake fluid approved by CITROËN.

If the problem persists, have the circuit checked by the CITROËN network.

steady, combined with the STOP and ABS lamps. The Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) system is faulty. Stopping is essential, in the best possible safety conditions.

Have it checked by the CITROËN network.

Antiblocage des roues (ABS)Anti-lock braking system (ABS) steady. The anti-lock braking system is faulty. The vehicle retains conventional braking.

Drive carefully at a moderate speed, and consult the CITROËN network promptly.

Frein de stationnement électriqueElectric parking brake flashing. The electric parking brake does not apply automatically. Stopping is essential, in the best possible safety conditions.

Park on level ground, switch off the ignition and consult the CITROËN network.

Défaut du frein de stationnement électriqueElectric parking brake fault steady. The electric parking brake is faulty. Consult the CITROËN network promptly.

The brake can be released manually.

For more information on the electric parking brake, refer to the "Driving" chapter.

Désactivation des fonctions automatiques duDeactivation of the electric parking brake automatic functions

steady.

The "automatic application" (when the engine is switched off) and "automatic release" functions are deactivated or faulty. Consult the CITROËN network promptly.

The brake can be released manually.

For more information on the electric parking brake, refer to the "Driving" chapter.

Activate the function (depending on destination) via the vehicle configuration menu, or consult the CITROËN network.



Warning light is on Cause Action / Notes
Contrôle dynamique de stabilitéElectronic Stability Programme (ESP/ASR) flashing. The ESP/ASR control is operating. The system optimises traction and helps improve the directional stability of the vehicle.
steady, accompanied by an audible signal and a message on the instrument cluster display. If ESP/ASR is not switched off with the button indicator lit, the ESP/ASR system is faulty. Have it checked by the CITROËN network.
Système d’autodiagnostic moteurEngine self-diagnosis system steady. The emissions control system is faulty. It should go out when the engine starts.

If it does not go out, consult the CITROËN network promptly.

flashing. The engine management system is faulty. Risk of catalytic converter damage.

Have it checked by the CITROËN network.

Usure des plaquettes de freinBrake pad wear steady, accompanied by an audible signal and a message on the multifunction display. The brake pads are severely worn. Have the brake pads replaced by the CITROËN network.




Warning light is on Cause Action / Notes
Niveau mini de carburantLow fuel level steady. When it first comes on, there are approximately 5 litres of fuel left in the tank. Be sure to add fuel to avoid running out.

This warning light comes on each time the ignition is switched on until sufficient fuel has been added.

Fuel tank capacity: 71 litres.

Never drive until the tank is empty, as this could damage the emissions control and fuel injection systems.

Température maxi du liquideMaximum coolant temperature steady red. The cooling system temperature is too high. Stopping is essential, in the best possible safety conditions.

Wait for the engine to cool before topping up the coolant level, if necessary.

If the problem persists, consult the CITROËN network.

Charge batterieBattery charge steady. The battery charging circuit is faulty (dirty or loose terminals, slack or broken alternator belt, etc.). The warning light should go out when the engine starts.

If it does not go out, consult the CITROËN network.

Nonbouclage /débouclage des ceinturesSeat belt not fastened / unfastened warning steady. The driver and/or the front/rear passenger has not fastened or has unfastened their seat belt. Pull the webbing, then insert the tongue into the buckle.
Seat belt not fastened / unfastened warning steady, combined with the seat belt not fastened / unfastened warning light. The illuminated dots represent passengers whose seat belts are unfastened or not fastened.

They light up:

  • steady for approximately 30 seconds when the vehicle is started,
  • steady from 0 to 20 km/h while driving,
  • flashing above 20 km/h, accompanied by an audible signal for approximately 120 seconds.
Operating lamps

Illumination of one of the following warning lights confirms that the corresponding system has been switched on.

This may be accompanied by an audible signal and a message on the multifunction display.









Warning light is on Cause Action / Notes
Indicateur de direction gaucheLeft-hand turn indicator flashing with audible signal. The lighting control is pushed down.
Indicateur de direction droiteRight-hand turn indicator flashing with audible signal. The lighting control is pushed up.
Feux de détresseHazard warning lights flashing with audible signal. The hazard warning control, located on the dashboard, is activated. The left and right turn indicators and their associated warning lights flash simultaneously.
Feux de positionSidelights steady. The lighting control is set to the "Sidelights" position.
Feux de croisementDipped beam headlights steady. The lighting control is set to the "Dipped beam" position.
Feux de routeMain beam headlights steady. The lighting control is pushed towards you. Pull the control towards you to return to dipped beam.
Projecteurs antibrouillard avantFront fog lights steady. The front fog lights are switched on. Turn the control ring back twice to switch off the front fog lights.
Feux antibrouillard arrièreRear fog lights steady. The rear fog lights are switched on. Turn the control ring rearwards to switch off the fog lights.




Warning light is on Cause Action / Notes
Préchauffage moteur DieselDiesel engine preheating steady. The ignition switch is in position 2 (Ignition on). Wait for the light to go out before starting the engine.

The display duration depends on weather conditions.

Frein de stationnementParking brake steady. The parking brake is applied. Release the parking brake to switch off the warning light, with your foot on the brake pedal.

Observe the safety instructions.

For more information on the parking brake, refer to the "Driving" chapter.

flashing. The parking brake is incorrectly applied or released.
Système d’airbag passagerPassenger airbag system steady. The control, located in the glovebox, is set to the "ON" position.

The passenger frontal airbag is enabled.

In this case, do not install a rear-facing child seat.

Set the control to the "OFF" position to disable the passenger frontal airbag.

In this case, you may install a rear-facing child seat.

The passenger airbag system is automatically activated when the vehicle is started ("ON" position).

Stop & StartStop & Start steady. Stop & Start has put the engine into STOP mode when the vehicle is stationary (red lights, traffic jams, etc.). As soon as you want to drive off, the indicator goes out and the engine restarts automatically in START mode.
flashing for a few seconds, then goes out. STOP mode is temporarily unavailable.

or START mode has been triggered automatically.

Refer to the "Driving - Stop & Start" section for special cases of STOP mode and START mode.
Deactivation lamps

The illumination of one of the following indicators confirms that the corresponding system has been deliberately switched off.

This may be accompanied by an audible signal and a message on the multifunction display.



Warning light is on Cause Action / Notes
Système d’airbag passagePassenger airbag system steady. The control, located in the glovebox, is set to the "OFF" position.

The passenger frontal airbag is disabled.

In this case, you may install a rear-facing child seat.

Set the control to the "ON" position to enable the passenger frontal airbag. In this case, do not install a rear-facing child seat.

The passenger airbag system is automatically activated when the vehicle is started ("ON" position).

ESP/ASRESP/ASR steady. The button, located in the middle of the dashboard, has been pressed. Its indicator light is on.

ESP/ASR is switched off.

ESP: Electronic Stability Programme.

ASR: Anti-Slip Regulation.

Press the button to switch on ESP/ASR. Its indicator light goes out.

The ESP/ASR system is automatically activated when the vehicle is started.

If switched off, the system reactivates automatically after approximately 50 km/h.

Service indicator

This information is displayed for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on. It informs the driver of when the next service is due, in accordance with the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.

This due date is calculated from the last reset of the indicator. It is determined by two parameters:

  • the distance travelled,
  • the time elapsed since the last service.

Service due in more than 3,000 km

When the ignition is switched on, no maintenance information is displayed in the instrument cluster's central display.

Service due between 1,000 km and 3,000 km

When the ignition is switched on, the spanner symbol, which indicates maintenance operations, lights up for 7 seconds.

The central display of the instrument cluster shows the number of kilometres remaining before the next service.

Example: you have 2,800 km remaining before the next service.

When the ignition is switched on, the central display shows for 7 seconds:

Échéance de révision inférieure à 1 000 km

Service due in less than 1,000 km

Example: you have 900 km remaining before the next service.

When the ignition is switched on, the central display shows for 7 seconds:

La clé reste allumée dans l’affi cheur pour vous signaler qu’une révision est

The spanner symbol remains lit in the display to indicate that a service is due soon.

Échéance de révision dépassée

Service overdue

Each time the ignition is switched on, the spanner symbol flashes for 7 seconds to indicate that the service is due very soon.

Example: the service due point has been exceeded by 300 km.

When the ignition is switched on, the central display shows for 7 seconds:

La clé reste toujours allumée dans l’affi cheur pour vous signaler qu’une révision

The spanner symbol remains permanently lit in the display to indicate that a service should have been carried out.


The remaining distance may be adjusted by a time factor, depending on the driver's driving habits.

The key may therefore also light up if the two-year service interval has been exceeded. Resetting the service indicatorRemise à zéro de l’indicateur d’entretien
Resetting the service indicator

After each service, the maintenance indicator must be reset.

To do this, carry out the following procedure:

  • switch off the ignition,
  • press and hold the daily trip odometer reset button,
  • switch on the ignition; the odometer display starts a countdown,
  • when the display shows "=0", release the button; the spanner symbol goes out.

After this operation, if you want to disconnect the battery, lock the vehicle and wait at least five minutes so that the reset is taken into account.

Engine oil level indicator

System informing the driver whether the engine oil level is correct or not.

This information is displayed for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on, after the service information.

Any check of this level is only valid if the vehicle is on a level surface with the engine stopped for more than 15 minutes.

Niveau d’huile correct

Oil level correct
Manque d’huile
Oil level low

It is indicated by the message "Incorrect oil level".

If the oil shortage is confirmed by checking the dipstick, top up the level without fail to avoid engine damage.

Oil level gauge faultJauge niveau d’huile
Oil level gauge

It is indicated by the message "Oil level measurement invalid". Consult a CITROËN dealer.

Engine oil temperature indicatorIndicateur de température d’huile moteur

Engine oil temperature indicator

Under normal conditions, the segments should remain within zone 1.

Under severe operating conditions, the segments may light up in zone 2.

In this case, slow down and, if necessary, stop the engine and check the levels (see the corresponding chapter).

Coolant temperature indicatorIndicateur de température du liquide de refroidissement

Coolant temperature indicator

In normal operation, the segments light up in zone 1.

Under severe operating conditions, the segments may light up in zone 2, and the coolant temperature warning light A and the STOP warning light on the instrument cluster will illuminate. Stop immediately. Switch off the ignition.

The cooling fan may continue to run for some time.

Consult a CITROËN dealer.

If the SERVICE warning light comes on, check the levels (see the corresponding chapter).

Fuel gauge indicatorIndicateur de la jauge de carburant

Fuel gauge indicator

On a level surface, the illumination of the low fuel warning light indicates that you have reached the fuel reserve.

A warning message is displayed on the instrument cluster screen.

Total odometer

System for measuring the total distance travelled by the vehicle over its lifetime.

The total and daily odometer readings are displayed for thirty seconds when the ignition is switched off, when the driver's door is opened, and when the vehicle is locked and unlocked.

Trip odometer

System for measuring a distance travelled on a daily or other basis since it was reset by the driver.

Compteur kilométrique journalier

Trip odometer
  • With the ignition on, press and hold the button until zeros appear.
Instrument lighting dimmer

System for manually adjusting the cockpit lighting intensity according to the outside brightness.

Rhéostat d’éclairage
Instrument lighting dimmer
Operation
  • Press button A to decrease the cockpit lighting intensity.
  • Press button B to increase the cockpit lighting intensity.
Deactivation

When the lights are off or in daytime mode on vehicles equipped with daytime running lights, any action on the buttons has no effect.

Test yourself

A quick Citroen C5 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.