30K service

[dechang]

Hi all,

My Citroen C3 finally hit the 30,000km mark a week ago. So, without further delay, my wife sent the car in for this final free service at AA. Here are the 3 major things changed:

1. The software downloads -- 3 different kinds for smoother acceleration, auto gear change and engine firing. Very little details given by AA, but suffice to say, drivability has improved signifcantly.

2. Front passenger side window switch replaced. The old one "died".

3. Rear parking sensor switch replaced. The old one failed to work while reversing, at around the 23,000km point.

Oil changed, using BP Visco synthetic supplied by AA, gear oil change, oil filter, etc. Overall, quite happy with this round of service, although it took almost a day to get done. For those of you whose C3 is due for this 30K service mark, please ensure you have a full day to spare. The time-consuming part is the software download process. For some unknown reason, this process can take hours.

So, be warned.

BTW, my C3 seats are the fabric type, but now, hardly a year of use, they look pretty dirty. Any suggestion how I should clean it? The usual fabric cleaner doesn't seem to help.

Best regards,

dechang

[voyager]

hi dechang,

thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience with us :-)

it's really good to know the software helped with the driveability :-)

[lrrp77]

Hi Dechang, Thanks for your tip. My C3 has done 15144km so far.

DIY cleaning Fabric seats need a lot of patience and from my past experience, I ended up making it worst causing patches on the seats. Maybe of my cleaning skills. :-[

May I suggest brining it down to a detailer? Or alternatively, steam cleaning it may help.

[dechang]

Hi all,

Haven't been visiting for a while. Since I last mentioned about the 30K service, my C3 now has developed a somewhat like slipped clutch condition whenever I start to move off. The problem always occurs when I'm trying to push the car a little harder when accelerating from standstill -- the car seems to "slip" its gear when trying to change from 1st to 2nd, and from 2nd to 3rd. It's pretty annoying, as the car seems to stall for just a second or two before suddenly "knocking" into the next gear. But when I switch to manual gear shift, then everything goes very smoothly. I don't know if that's caused by the recent software update to the engine's ECU, or something else causing it. I haven't the time to go back to AA for a reexamination. Anyone else has this problem?

I also forgot to mention that the car battery needed to be changed. I got that done somewhere else instead of AA's offer to change it for around $250! BTW, the battery compartment doesn't have any screws to hold down the battery. You have to find one with the right size so that it can "drop" into the compartment. According to AA, the battery power was leaking, and it could "die any minute.". So, I quickly had it changed. My C3 is only 1.5 years old, and the battery was dying??? I find that hard to believe. There aren't any other accessories or additional power-draining stuff added to my C3. Go figure...

Rgds,

dechang ???

[voyager]

hi dechang,

i'm sorry to learn about the problem with the gearbox.

i'm even more sorry that i don't have the expertise to help you, or even any word of advice. i hope you'll get some constructive suggestions in due course.

sincerely,
ken

[lrrp77]

Hi dechang, wrt ur battery problem, I also got a question: Does AA give us a new battery when they deliver our car?

If not, the long storage duration before delivery may have affected the battery's ability to hold charge. I am also pretty worried and have been thinking to check the voltage with a multimeter.

A typical battery would last over 2 yrs plus rite?

[Furry]

Hi dechang, wrt ur battery problem, I also got a question: Does AA give us a new battery when they deliver our car?

If not, the long storage duration before delivery may have affected the battery's ability to hold charge. I am also pretty worried and have been thinking to check the voltage with a multimeter.

A typical battery would last over 2 yrs plus rite?


heat kills battery
hot weather+engine bay heat kills even faster
change every 1.5yr or 1yr safer

[dechang]

Hi dechang, wrt ur battery problem, I also got a question: Does AA give us a new battery when they deliver our car?

If not, the long storage duration before delivery may have affected the battery's ability to hold charge. I am also pretty worried and have been thinking to check the voltage with a multimeter.

A typical battery would last over 2 yrs plus rite?


I'm not sure how long, but the battery in my previous Xantia would last at least two years before I had to change it. Usually, I had the battery checked at the service centre which I went to regularly over in JB, and they would advise if I needed to change it. I believe the original battery in my C3 could have been a new one, but perhaps it was kept in the warehouse for too long, that's why it wasn't as durable as I would expect.

If you're bringing your car in to AA for service, just ask if the battery is still OK. If not, go to someone else to have it changed. Just be sure to check the size and power rating first.

[voyager]

If you're bringing your car in to AA for service, just ask if the battery is still OK. If not, go to someone else to have it changed. Just be sure to check the size and power rating first.


very sensible advice, thank you, dechang :-)

the xantia has such a timeless design. i test drove it on several occasions, but could not afford it at that time, with the COE being as high as it was.

[jd_citroen]

hi guys,
About the battery issue, AA generally delivers a new car with the factory fitted battery intact.QC checks are always done before the delivery to ensure that the battery can hold charge and that it is in a working condition.
Typically the new maintenance free batteries last from about 1 to 1.5 years not as long as the lead-acid batteries of the olde where checks had to be done weekly to top up the battery water and ensure the level was above the lead plates.These batteries could last generally for 2 to 3 years.
i guess this is the price we pay for convenience--Durability

hi dechang,
sorry to hear about your slipped clutch problem, it is definitely not typical of the C3 drive. pls bring it in to re do the software upgrade. Pls call me at AA 64720011 ext 801, 802 and i will help you sort it out.

Have a great day guys 8)

cheers n regards,
jude

[lrrp77]

Hi Jude,

Thanks for clearing the smoke :)

[Thinky]

Hi Jude

thanks for the info.

But the irony for C4 is the option to use a normal batt is out of question. The batt is position in such an awkward location where topping up of batt water is not possible. So I guess for C4 driver like me, I will just have to stick to maintenance free batt..... :(

[timmz]

Hi dechang,
I too have just done my 30k svc, but not at AA coz mine is a 2nd hand and they cost more than 200% more than out side. The minus side is that outside workshops do ot have the computer necessary to check on the sensodrive gearbox, engine mgt and such are ok.
I too have such a situation of the 'slip clutch' situation, it seems that the gearbox computer will pause to think for a while before gradually clutching @ sudden full accelerator stomps.
-it feels like the accelerator is slow 2 react
-ESP trying to prevent wheel spin? hence no such thing as full throtle 1st gear launches?
-senso drive gearbox slow to react?

after 15k on the car, I have adjusted my driving style to suit the sensodrive / accelerator behaviour. 3/4 throtle on first gear, anymore will cause the 1-2 sec pause and 'clutch slip' scenerio

I have thought of checking the car in to AA for a paid diagionistics ($150 to chk only) or a SW update of the car (goodness know how much that would cost) The main reason is the rest my family members who use the car do not know how to handle the kinks...
let me know how the sw update or problems resolve the problem, I might just be tempted enough to spend.

Also my car manufacture date is nearly 1 year before being registered for SG road. My tyres are also simmilar age as the car. so I guess the batt would also be simillar. My batt started giving problems about 1.5 yrs and died on me just before 2nd year of regrestration.

Hi Jude,
Thanks for the mail and phone support to help me on my car queries abt the svcing and such, appriciate your helpfulness.

Tim

[lrrp77]

The main reason is the rest my family members who use the car do not know how to handle the kinks...


The SensoDrive gear box can be fun to use but it is also my main worry when my relations drive it. Being kiasu (& kiasi) I will always remind them to watch out for slide back on slope, etc, etc.

Also sometimes when turning into the mainroad from a slip or minor road, due to the "slower" reaction, I will advise them not to take any chances by zooming out into oncoming traffic & risk being rear-ended.

[jd_citroen]

hi Tim and the rest of the guys,
You are most welcome,just doing my little bit to help you citroen owners with your little problems cause it is a damn good car in spite of all its quirkiness,so typically french la. ???

pls do call me at 64720011 ext-801,802 n 805(pls ask for my Hp no if i am not around)if you need any assistance at all and i will do my best to help you within my ability.
am on an neverending quest to get more people to be aware of the marquee and ultimately put more citroens on our roads
thanks guys and enjoy your super long weekend. 8)

regards always
jude



Hi Jude,
Thanks for the mail and phone support to help me on my car queries abt the svcing and such, appriciate your helpfulness.

Tim
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