NEW HAYNES MANUAL
Citroën C3

Much larger than the Saxo, Citroën's C3 is roomy and well-equipped. It may lack the timeless appeal of the 2CV, but the C3 still has distinctive looks and is well designed. Fun to drive, the various engine options offer a good choice of performance or fuel economy. Mainly because new cars are heavily discounted, the resale value of Citroëns tends to be low - making the C3 a bargain for second-hand buyers. Indeed, if you have £6,000 or more, to spend, there is a large choice on dealers' forecourts. But one drawback is the high cost of dealer servicing - as highlighted by the Daily Mirror recently: "Drivers could save an average £50 a time by not having their new cars serviced at main dealers. For some, like Citroën C3 owners, it can be up to £141 cheaper."

It's not just routine servicing that is pricey. To replace the front brake pads on a Citroën C3 a dealer will charge around £100. Yet you can buy the parts from a reputable motor accessory retailer for less than half that sum - a saving of over £50.

You would, however, be wise to invest £17.99 in Haynes' new Service and Repair Manual for the Citroën C3. It covers all petrol and diesel-engined models, including the hatchback, XTR and special/limited editions, from 51 to 05 registrations.

As with all Haynes manuals, a wide range of DIY maintenance and servicing jobs are covered in detail and illustrated fully - from changing a wiper blade to replacing a gearbox. Each task has spanner ratings which grades it by the level of difficulty and the experience required. Replacing the brake pads mentioned above is a straightforward 2-spanner DIY job.

The topics covered in the Haynes Service and Repair Manual include basic maintenance - simple weekly checks - how to service your Citroën C3 and a guide to fault finding. There are chapters on the braking system, the engine and transmission, the fuel and ignition systems and the electrical systems - complete with wiring diagrams. There are useful checks to do before the MOT test and information about how to deal with roadside emergencies.

The step-by-step instructions are compiled from hands-on experience - based on a complete strip-down and rebuild of Citroën C3 vehicles using commonly available tools. Valuable tips and short cuts in the Haynes Hints boxes help to make the jobs easier and there is useful information about the tools you will require - including how to remove parts without special equipment.

J Haynes, Managing Director of Haynes Publishing, says: "The Citroën C3 is perceived as complex but many jobs can be performed by enthusiastic owners, whatever their ability. Checking tyres and engine fluids, replacing wiper blades and light bulbs or renewing spark plugs are just some of the things people can do themselves quickly and cost-effectively."

As for reputation, Haynes is the world's leading publisher of automotive repair manuals and renowned for teaching millions of car owners how to carry out routine maintenance and repairs. Haynes publishes manuals for more than 500 models of cars and vans as well as useful glovebox guides such as Your Car and Driving Abroad. Haynes is truly a brand you can trust to help drive down the cost of motoring.

Notes to Editors:

The information on this page is supplied courtesy of Haynes Publishing, please credit accordingly if you intend to use it. For further information, please contact Rebecca Nicholls on Tel: 01452 260063 or email: pr@haynes.co.uk

Haynes Car Manuals retail at £17.99 (hardback) and are available from all good car accessory retailers and bookshops including: Halfords, Motor World and WH Smith. A comprehensive stockist locator can be found at the Haynes website.