Citroen C3: 12 V battery / Charging the battery using a battery charger

For optimum service life of the battery, it is essential to maintain an adequate state of charge.

In some circumstances, it may be necessary to charge the battery:

• using the vehicle mainly for short journeys;
• if the vehicle is to be taken off the road for several weeks.

Contact a CITROËN dealer or a qualified workshop.

To charge the vehicle's battery yourself, use only a charger compatible with lead-acid batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.

Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the charger.

Never reverse polarities.

It is not necessary to disconnect the battery.

• Switch off the ignition.
• Switch off all electrical consumers (audio system, lighting, wipers, etc.).
• Switch off charger B before connecting the cables to the battery, so as to avoid any dangerous sparks.
• Ensure that the charger cables are in good condition.
• Lift the plastic cover on the (+) terminal, if the vehicle has one.
• Connect the cables of charger B as follows:
  • the positive (+) red cable to the (+) terminal of battery A,
  • the negative (-) black cable to earth point C on the vehicle.
• At the end of the charging operation, switch off charger B before disconnecting the cables from battery A.

If this label is present, use only a 12 V charger to avoid causing irreversible damage to the electrical components connected to the Stop & Start system.

Never try to charge a frozen battery - risk of explosion!

If the battery has frozen, have it checked by a CITROËN dealer or by a qualified workshop who will check that the internal components have not been damaged and that the container has not cracked, which would mean a risk of toxic and corrosive acid leaking.