Citroen C4 Grand Picasso Owners' Guide
- Car ownership
- Citroen
FixMyCar provides key information about the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso.
Book a car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Monday April 28 2025
8 min read
The Citroen C4 Grand Picasso is a spacious seven-seater perfect for large families. It was launched in 2006 and proved a big hit thanks to its comfortable interior and immensely practical design.
This owner’s guide compiles key information about your C4 Grand Picasso 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 C4 Grand Picasso generations
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso Mk1 2006-2013
The first-generation C4 Grand Picasso replaced the dated Xsara Picasso and shared a platform with other Citroen models like the Peugeot 307 and the much smaller C4. It had a seven-seat configuration with lots of storage space.
Body styles:
Five-door MPV
Key engine options:
1.8-litre 125bhp petrol
2.0-litre 143bhp petrol
1.6-litre 110bhp HDi diesel
2.0-litre 138bhp HDi diesel
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso Mk2 2013-2016
Citroen introduced the second and final generation of the Grand Picasso in 2013. It had a more stylish design and a refined interior, including ambient lighting and a larger touchscreen. Silver roof bars were also added, and a new body colour palette was introduced.
Body styles:
Five-door MPV
Key engine options:
1.2-litre 110bhp PureTech petrol
1.6-litre 165bhp THP petrol
1.6-litre 100bhp BlueHDi diesel
2.0-litre 160bhp BlueHDi diesel
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 for your C4 Grand Picasso. 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 C4 Grand Picasso. If you don’t have access to it, the table below provides general guidelines suitable for most cars.
| Maintenance type | Replacement interval |
|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | Every year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. |
| Brake fluid | Every two years regardless of mileage. |
| Brake system | Checked with annual service |
| Battery | Checked every 20,000 miles/two years. |
| Tyres | Checked with annual service |
Want to learn more about vehicle servicing? Check out the following guides:
Tyre pressure
The recommended tyre pressure varies depending on the spec and engine of your car. It can also vary depending on how many passengers you’re carrying.
Unfortunately, information about the correct tyre pressure for the C4 Grand Picasso isn’t available online. 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.
How to reset a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso tyre pressure light
Here’s how to reset the tyre pressure light on a Mk2 Grand Picasso.
Ensure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.
Press the car button on the right-hand side of the infotainment screen.
Press ‘under-inflation initialisation’.
You will see a message asking if you want to reset the pressure warning. Press ‘Yes’.
Engine oil
What is the best oil for a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?
Most C4 Grand Picasso models require 5W-30 fully synthetic engine oil. 0W-30 oil is recommended for vehicles that operate in cold climates as it flows more easily in low temperatures.
However, the recommended oil grade can vary between different fuel types and configurations, so it’s always best to check your owner’s manual for information specific to your model.
Find out how to check your car’s engine oil level here.
What is the oil capacity of a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?
Oil capacity is another thing that can vary depending on the engine size. Most C4 Grand Picasso models require between three and six litres for a complete oil change.
What to do if your C4 Grand Picasso leaks oil
If you suspect your car is leaking oil, the first thing to do is investigate. See if you can spot oil in the engine bay or puddles beneath the vehicle.
If the leak is minor, you can top the oil tank up and drive to a garage for a repair. But you should avoid doing this if you’re likely to run out of oil on the way. Alternatively, contact a mobile mechanic who will carry out a repair at your location.
⚠️ Never drive with low engine oil, or you risk damaging the engine.
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 C4 Grand Picasso?
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 shows popular batteries for a selection of Grand Picasso configurations.
| C4 Grand Picasso Model Spec | Year | Recommended Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Feel 1.2 130bhp manual petrol | 2016 | AGM BATTERY 096 70AH 760CCA L278 X W175 X H190 0/1 B13 |
| Flair 2.0 150bhp Tiptronic automatic diesel | 2016 | Battery Type 027/075 12V 61Ah |
| Platinum (UA) 1.6 120bhp manual petrol | 2013 | EFB BATTERY 027 60AH 560CCA L242 X W175 X W190 0/1 B13 |
Want to make your battery last longer? Here are our top tips.
Warning lights
What do the warning lights mean on a C4 Grand Picasso?
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 C4 Grand Picasso warning lights you might not know
Citroen electronic parking brake warning
The C4 Grand Picasso has a sensitive electronic parking brake system and can sometimes register a fault even if the system is working. If there’s a problem, you’ll see a flashing red ‘P’ and a ‘Parking brake fault’ message.
Faults are often caused by sensor glitches and battery problems.
Citroen suspension fault warning
Some Grand Picassos have pneumatic rear suspension (airbags instead of springs). When the system fails, which is common as it ages, you’ll get a warning message saying, ‘Suspension fault: Have the vehicle repaired’.
C4 Grand Picasso engine warning light
The engine warning light can signal a wide range of problems. You’ll have to plug a diagnostic tool into the car’s computer to determine the cause. If the fault code P0420 comes up, the issue concerns the catalytic converter, which needs replacing.
When an unfamiliar dashboard warning light appears, the best thing to do is book a diagnostic test to determine what triggered the light and what repair is required.
Common problems
Here, we look at two common problems encountered by Grand Picasso owners.
1. Electrical faults
The C4 Grand Picasso is plagued by non-engine electrical faults, often affecting the air conditioning system or dashboard warning lights. If you spot a new warning light that stays on, it’s best to book a diagnostic test – but don’t panic, as the light may have been triggered incorrectly.
2. Broken suspension
Suspension repair bills for the Grand Picasso can be pricey, so if you’re in the market for a used model, make sure you read our guide to diagnosing suspension problems first. Mk2 versions with pneumatic suspension are particularly problematic.
Need help diagnosing car problems? Check out the following guides for advice:
Top Citroen C4 Grand Picasso questions and topics
Does the Citroen c4 Grand Picasso have a spare wheel?
No, the Grand Picasso doesn’t come with a spare tyre as standard. Instead, it comes with a puncture repair kit.
How long is a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?
The Grand Picasso measures 4,597mm in length. It’s a little shorter than the Ford S-Max (4,768mm) and slightly longer than the Renault Grand Scenic (4,673mm).
How much AdBlue does the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso need?
The AdBlue tank in a Grand Picasso has a capacity of around 17 litres. You can find this information in your owner’s manual. How many miles those 17 litres will last depends on factors including your driving style, driving conditions and engine size.
How much is road tax for a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?
Road tax for cars registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is based on emissions. Mk2 C4 Grand Picasso models sit in tax bands ranging from C (£35 per year) to K (£430 per year). Mk1 models range from band A (£20/year) to H (£315/year).
If you found this guide helpful, you might also like:
Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.