The service schedule shown in this chapter is mostly based on the recommendations of 2CVGB, the British 2CV Club which, in turn, has distilled it from the schedules for a range of A-series vehicles. It’s based on the servicing needs of a typical 602cc-engined 2CV - the great majority of A-series cars - so there will, inevitably, be small differences and additions for other variants on the A-series theme.
The advice of top lubricant specialist Morris Lubricants has also been reproduced here.

Important note: time versus distance
There are five service schedules shown here, each specifying both a time scale and a mileage, in keeping with Citroen’s original schedules. The point to bear in mind, of course, is to use the interval that comes first. For instance, even if your car hasn't covered 24,000 miles in a two year period (Service E), you may still need to replace the brake fluid because it deteriorates over time, not just with use.

Brake fluid types
• Early 2CVs use conventional brake fluid. All later 2CVs and derivatives use the superior LHM brake fluid (shown on the left in the accompanying picture).
• Never mix these fluids or use the wrong type. The (largely) synthetic rubber brake seals of both types of system will disintegrate if they come into contact with the wrong fluid.
• Conventional brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs moisture from the air. This absorbed moisture causes corrosion inside the brake system. It will also boil, turn to vapour, and prevent the brakes from working when there is too much of it. This type of fluid must be drained and replaced at the recommended intervals.
• LHM brake fluid is not hygroscopic, but will still absorb smaller amounts of moisture from the air over a longer period of time. It’s recommended that this type of fluid is replaced every 5 years or 75,000 miles.

Daily checks: It’s your responsibility to keep your car’s fluids topped up and to keep it legal and safe between services.
Service A: Every month, or every 1000 miles/1500km.
Service B: Every 3 months, or every 3000 miles/5000km.
Service C: Every 6 months, or every 6000 miles/10,000km.
Service D: Every 12 months, or every 12,000 miles/20,000km.
Service E: Every 24 months, or every 24,000 miles/40,000km.

If you've just bought your car, carry out a full Service E schedule and start again from there.

Service A: Every month or every 1000 miles/1500km
Check, adjust, clean or replace:
• Engine oil. See pictures 3-1 and 3-2.
• Brake fluid - Use only the correct type.
• Windscreen washer reservoir (use more additive in winter, not washing-up liquid).
• Tyre pressures/condition - See specifications at the end of this chapter. By law in the UK, tyres must have at least 1.6mm tread all the way around, though it’s relatively dangerous at those levels. Check the insides and outsides of tyre walls for bulges or cracking, and replace if any are found. 2CV tyres frequently age-expire before they wear out. Renew tyres every six years, irrespective of wear levels.
• Grille muff - Fit when ambient temperatures fall below 10 degrees C; remove at 15 degrees C.
• Horn.
• Headlights.
• Side lights, front and rear.
• Stop lights.
• Indicators and hazard warning lights (when fitted).
• Rear fog light (when fitted).
• Brake fluid level warning light (when fitted).
• Windscreen wipers.
• Windscreen washers.
• Security of door mirror/s.
• Windscreen and glass (chips/cracks).
• Door lock operation.
• Seat belts - tug sharply to check that inertia reel belts lock. Check mountings for security; webbing for damage.
• Security of seat mountings and seat runners.
• Lubricate kingpins and check for excessive play.

Service B: Every 3 months or every 3000 miles/5000km
Repeat Service A, plus the following:
• Replace engine oil and filter.

Lubricate the following:
• Driveshaft splines (use general purpose grease).
• Grease the parking brake linkages. Aerosol grease is perfect.
• Heater cables.
• Carburettor linkages.
• Clutch pedal linkages.

Check, adjust, clean or replace:
• Sparkplugs - Check gaps.
• Battery terminals - Wurth battery terminal grease.
• Disc brake pad for wear - 3mm minimum friction material thickness, not including backing pads. See Chapter 6.
• Parking brake - 3mm minimum friction material thickness.
• Driveshaft gaiters for splits or damage.
• Wheel nuts 39 to 58Nm (29 to 43lb/ft).

Service C: Every 6 months or every 6000 miles/10,000km
Repeat previous services, plus the following:

Replace:
• Sparkplugs.

Lubricate:
• Door hinges.
• Bonnet, boot lid and door (when applicable) steel sliding hinge. Use light lubricating oil or wax underbody protection.

Check, adjust, clean or replace:
• Ignition timing. See Chapter 4.
• Oil cooler fins - Wash out from back-to-front. Aerosol carburettor cleaner may be useful.
• Alternator drive belt - No fraying, polishing, splits or wear. 10mm movement in belt at longest point when pushed firmly with thumb.
• Brake pipes - Secure, no corrosion, no splits in early-type flexy hoses. See Chapter 6.
• Exhaust system - Secure, solid and leak free. See Chapter 4.
• Adjust front brakes - Drum brake models. See Chapter 6.
• Rotate wheels - diagonally - left-rear to right-front, etc.

Service D: Every 12 months or every 12,000 miles/20,000km
Repeat previous services, plus the following:

Replace:
• Sparkplugs - gap = 0.65 to 0.75mm.
• Set contact breaker gap (0.35 to 0.45mm) and reset timing. See Chapter 4.
• Condenser. See Chapter 4.

Lubricate:
• Knife edges - You may wish to remove, clean, examine for wear and regrease - resetting suspension heights. See Chapter 7.
• Track rod ends - You may wish to dismantle, clean, examine for wear and reassemble with grease - check wheel alignment. See Chapter 7.
• Bonnet and tailgate pins (Dyane) - Remove and lubricate with copper grease. See Chapter 11.
Check, adjust, clean or replace:
• Check/reset valve rocker clearances (0.25mm is preferable). See Chapter 4.
• Adjust rear brakes. See Chapter 6.
• Wing mounting threads - Lubricate with copper grease.
• Carburettor float heights - 18mm +/- 1mm - clean out the carburettor if necessary. See Chapter 4.
• Engine idle speed - Emissions will be checked as part of the UK MoT test.
• Wheel bearings. With each wheel raised off the ground in turn, they can be spun (bearing noise) and twisted top-and-bottom then side-to-side to check for wear in other steering and suspension components (part of the MoT test in the UK).
• Steering play - Should be very little - check components individually.
• Gearlever slide - Use silicone lubricant - do not use grease or oil.
• Headlight beam alignment - Part of the MoT test in the UK.
• Carburettor fuel filter - Both external and at fuel pipe inlet point in carburettor. See Chapter 4.

Service E: Every 24 months or every 24,000 miles/40,000km
Repeat previous services, plus the following:
• Replace contact breaker and reset timing.
• Replace brake fluid - Only use the correct type - two different, incompatible types were used on the 2CV family.
• Radio aerial (when fitted) - Remove and check for corrosion around the mounting - this will also ensure a good earth contact.
• Rear brake shoes - Check for wear, and check rear wheel cylinders for leaking or seized pistons. See Chapter 6.

Every 50,000 miles/80,000km
This isn’t in any other service schedule, but rather is a strong suggestion of my own.

Brake fluid - special note
DOT (non-LHM) brake fluid: Change every 2 years.
LHM brake fluid: Change every 5 years or 75,000 miles, whichever comes first.

SERVICING SPECIFICATIONS - 2CV6 MODEL
Engine - 2.3 litres (4 Imp. pints).
Gearbox - 0.9 litres (1.6 Imp. pints).
Brake system - 0.25 litres (0.4 Imp. pints).
Battery - 12v (36Ah recommended).
Sparkplugs - Eyquem 755, NGK B6H5 or BP6H5 or equivalent.
Electrode gap - 0.65 to 0.75mm. (0.025 to 0.029in) though some recommend keeping the gap down to 0.6mm.
Tyres - Michelin or equivalent 125 - 15 tubeless.
Tyre pressures - 1.4bar (20psi) front. 1.8bar (26psi) rear. 2bar (29psi) spare. Note. Recommended tyre pressures varied greatly over years/models. Check handbook.
Petrol tank - 25 litres (5.4 Imp. gallons).
Fuses (when fitted) - 10A, 16A or see Chapter 8. Electrics - Wiring Diagrams.
Bulbs - Headlight 12v 45/40w (or up to 55/60w). Front sidelight 12v 4w. Note. More powerful tail-light bulbs may melt the light cover! Tail-lights 12v 5w. Direction indicators 12v 21w. Speedometer 12v 2w.
Static advance - 8 degrees Before Top-Dead Centre. 625cc (33 and 35bhp engines): 8 degrees Before Top-Dead Centre. All other engine types: 12 degrees Before Top-Dead Centre.

© Lindsay Porter and Veloce Publishing