Citroen C1 Owners' Guide

With an intelligent design and economical engines, the Citroen C1 is an ideal car for city life. It was launched in 2005 and discontinued in 2022 after two generations. 

This owners' guide compiles key information about your C1 in one convenient place, covering service intervals, recommended tyre pressures, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you keep your car running smoothly. 

Citroen C1 generations

Citroen C1 Mk1 2005-2014  

The first-generation C1 offered low running costs, agile handling, and a funky design. Citroen considered it a replacement for the Saxo, which was discontinued in 2004.  

It underwent a facelift in 2009, resulting in better engine options and improved styling. The facelifted version also had bigger headlights and a higher-quality interior. Another facelift took place in 2012, introducing a new infotainment system, a USB port for music, and a 3.5mm jack. 

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Five-door hatchback 

Key engine options: 

• 1.0-litre 68bhp petrol 

• 1.4-litre 54bhp diesel 

Citroen C1 Mk2 2014-2021 

The second-generation C1 built on the original’s city car strengths with a more modern design and upgraded technology. Safety features like electronic stability control (ESC) and Hill Start Assist became standard, and the interior also saw a significant improvement, with higher quality materials, a 7-inch touchscreen, and smartphone connectivity. 

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Five-door hatchback 

Key engine options: 

• 1.0-litre 72bhp petrol 

• 1.2-litre 82bhp petrol 

Service intervals

When you buy a Citroen, you can keep track of its service history with a Digital Service Record in the MyCitroen app. The app also allows you to view any upcoming maintenance work. Arrange an appointment with your local Citroen dealer to get started. 

Benefits of using the Digital Service Record: 

• Always available – You can access the record anywhere, at any time. 

• Up to date – Information is filled out after each servicing visit. 

• No paperwork – It's easier to keep track of everything in one place. 

• Higher resale value – A complete, easy-to-access record will give your car a higher resale value. 

Alternatively, your owner’s manual will provide guidance about the optimal service intervals for your C1. If you don’t have access to it, the table below provides general guidelines suitable for most cars. 

Want to learn more about vehicle servicing? Check out the following guides: 

• What's the difference between a full service and an interim service? 

• How much should a full service cost? 

• How much should an interim service cost? 

• The ultimate guide to car maintenance 

Tyre pressure

The recommended tyre pressure varies depending on the spec and engine of your car. The table below shows tyre sizes and pressures listed for the C1 on TyrePressures.com. 

However, you should always check this information before adjusting your tyres. You can find the correct pressure for your model: 

• In the vehicle handbook/owner’s manual. 

• Printed on the sill of the driver’s door. 

• On the inside of the fuel tank cap. 

Read our guide to tyre pressure for more information. 

Where can I check my Citroen C1 tyre pressure? 

You can check your tyre pressure: 

• At home using a hand-held gauge. 

• At a petrol station forecourt with an air machine. 

• Using the car’s onboard pressure monitoring system, if applicable. 

How to reset a Citroen C1 tyre pressure warning light 

Here’s how to reset the tyre pressure light in a Mk2 C1: 

• Make sure your tyres are at the correct pressure. 

• Switch the ignition on without starting the car. 

• Press and hold the TPMS button in the glovebox until the warning light flashes three times. 

• Leave the ignition on for a few minutes before switching it off again. 

Engine oil

What oil does a Citroen C1 take? 

Many Citroen C1 models use 5W-30 or 5W-40, but the type of engine oil can vary depending on the year of manufacture and vehicle specifications. Your owner’s manual will provide information about the correct oil for your car. 

What is the oil capacity for a Citroen C1? 

C1s typically have an oil capacity of between three and four litres.  

You should check your owner’s manual to find the exact capacity of your C1 before carrying out an oil change. Overfilling the tank can be just as bad as underfilling it because it puts more strain on seals and other crucial engine parts.  

Find out how to check your car’s engine oil level here. 

Battery

If your car uses start-stop technology, it will need a different battery compared to a vehicle that doesn’t have this tech.  

Learn about different types of car batteries in this guide. 

What battery do I need for my Citroen C1? 

The type and size of the battery will depend on the model’s configurations. You can find this information in your owner’s manual. 

The table below gives some examples of different batteries and which C1 models they are most suitable for.  

Check out our ultimate guide to car batteries to learn more. 

How to look after the battery of your Citroen C1 

The top three things you can do to prolong your battery’s life are: 

• Keep it clean and free from corrosion. 

• Use your car regularly and do some longer journeys. 

• Get it checked – this is done during a full service. 

Read about more battery maintenance tips here. 

Signs that the battery of your Citroen C1 needs replacing 

Car batteries usually last three to five years. Before the battery in your C1 fails, there will often be signs that it’s nearing the end of its life. These can include:  

• Dim or overly bright headlights  

• Engine takes longer to start  

• Visible corrosion on the battery  

• Electrical system glitches 

Warning lights

What do the warning lights mean on a Citroen C1? 

Dashboard warning lights are triggered by the car’s electronic control unit (ECU) when a problem is detected. You can learn some information by looking at the shape and colour of the light, but for a detailed diagnosis, you’ll usually need to book a diagnostic test. 

• Red lights indicate a severe problem. You should stop driving and contact a mechanic. 

• Yellow lights are less urgent – you can continue driving to your destination, but you should book your car into a garage. 

Learn more about car warning lights and what they mean in this guide. 

Citroen C1 warning lights you might not know 

Citroen emissions control fault 

This is a warning message rather than a light. It alerts the driver to an ‘emissions control fault’, indicating a problem with the exhaust system. The message is often triggered by low AdBlue fluid. Other potential causes include:  

• Faulty sensors  

• Blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF)  

• Catalytic converter issues  

When a dashboard warning light appears, the best thing to do is book a diagnostic test to find out what triggered the light and what kind of repair is required.   

Common problems

Here, we look at two common problems encountered by C1owners. 

1. Fast-wearing brakes 

The brakes in C1 models can wear out faster than expected. Crucially, the rate of brake wear can be impacted by your driving style, so this is something to bear in mind if you want to avoid frequent repair costs. 

Find out how to make your brakes last longer in this guide. 

2. Sagging parcel shelf 

The interior of the C1 isn’t very robust, and the parcel shelf is particularly flimsy, sometimes leading to it sagging in the middle. This isn’t a catastrophic problem - it doesn’t affect the car’s ability to run - but it’s something to be aware of if you’re in the market for a used C1, especially a first-generation model. 

This guide explains what to look for in a used car. 

Need help diagnosing car problems? Check out the following guides for advice: 

• Diagnose car problems & find the right fix 

• Diagnose strange noises in your car & find a fix 

Top Citroen C1 questions and topics

How to open the bonnet on a Citroen C1 

• Locate the bonnet release lever in the passenger side footwell near the dashboard.  

• Pull the lever to partially release the bonnet. 

• Inside the engine bay is a latch to fully release the bonnet. Locate the latch (easily accessible by sliding your hand through the gap between the bonnet and bodywork) and pull it. 

• Open the bonnet and secure it with the bonnet stay. 

What insurance group is a Citroen C1? 

The tables below show a selection of C1 model variations and their insurance groups. 

2005-2014 C1 insurance groups 

2014-2022 C1 insurance groups 

Where are the fog lights on a Citroen C1? 

The fog lights on a C1 are operated via a collar on the left indicator stalk. Turn the collar forward to activate the fog lights – a warning light will appear on the dashboard to remind you that they are switched on. Turn the collar back to switch the fog lights off again. 

The fog light symbol is shown below. 

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