TOYOTA tC 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

181
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
■
Shift ranges and their functions
●Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 6 according to
vehicle speed and driving conditions . But, the gear is limited
according to selected shift range.
● You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide gr eater engine braking force than
a higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
■Paddle shift switch (if equipped)
● When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the D position, a shift
range will be automatically selected. The highest gear of the first shift
range will be one gear lower than the gear in use during normal D posi-
tion driving.
● Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position 
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following
situations:
• The “+” paddle shift switch is held down for a period of time
• When the vehicle comes to a stop
• If the accelerator pedal is depressed for longer than a certain period of time in one shift range
■ S mode
● When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets
the shift range to 6.
● To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that auto-
matically selects a higher shift range before the engine speed becomes
too high.
● To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that auto-
matically selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.

182 2-1. Driving procedures
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
■When driving with the cruise control system
The engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to
5 or 4. ( P. 207)
■ AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions. 
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.) 
On declines, there may be case where the vehicle shifts down automatically
to obtain engine braking. As a result of the downshifting, the engine speed
may increase.
■ If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever
to S position
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer immediately. 
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when
the shift lever is in the D position.)
■ Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever or a paddle shift switch (if equipped) is
operated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 398
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly. 
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.

183
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Manual transmission
: If equipped
■Shifting the shift lever
Fully depress the clutch pedal
before operating the shift
lever, and then release it
slowly.
■ Shifting the shift lever to R
Shift the shift lever to R while
lifting up the ring section.

184 2-1. Driving procedures
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
■Maximum allowable speeds
Observe the downshifting speeds in the following table to prevent over-rev-
ving the engine. 
mph (km/h)
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the transmission
● Do not lift up the ring section except when shifting the lever to R.
● Shift the lever to R only when the vehicle is stationary.
Shift positionMaximum speed
1 31 (50)
2 54 (87)
3 80 (129)
4 108 (173)
5 126 (203)
● Do not shift the shift lever to R without
depressing the clutch pedal.

185
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Tur n signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
The turn signal lever can be used to show the following intentions of
the driver:
Right turn
Left turn
Lane change to the right
(push and hold the lever
partway)
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Lane change to the left
(push and hold the lever
partway)
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

186
2-1. Driving procedures
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. ( P. 222)
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake. 
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
To set the parking brake,
fully pull the parking brake
lever while depressing the
brake pedal.
To release the parking
brake, slightly raise the
lever and lower it com-
pletely while pressing the
button.
U.S.A. Canada

187
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Hor n
■After adjusting the steering wheel
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked. 
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked. 
( P. 85)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.

188
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Odometer/trip meter display change button
P. 189
Odometer/trip meter display
Displays odometer, trip meter, average fuel consumption, outside tem-
perature display and Eco Driving Indicator Light setting screen. 
 P. 189
Instrument panel light control knob
P. 190

189
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Switching the display
Items displayed can be switched
by pressing the odometer/trip
meter display change button.
Display items■ Odometer
■ Trip meters A and B
■ Average fuel consumption
Displays the total distance the vehicle has been
driven.
Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven
since the meter was last reset. Trip meters A and
B can be used to record and display different dis-
tances independently.
Press and hold the button to reset.
Displays the average fuel consumption since the
function was last reset.
• The function can be reset by pressing the odome-
ter/trip meter display change button for longer
than 1 second when the average fuel consump-
tion is displayed.
• Use the displayed average fuel consumption as a reference.

190 2-2. Instrument cluster
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
■Outside temperature display
■ Eco Driving Indicator Light set ting screen (vehicles with an
automatic transmission)
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument pa nel lights can be adjusted by turn-
ing the knob.
Darker
Brighter
Displays the outside temperature.
The temperature range that can be displayed is
from -40 °F (-40 °C) to 122 °F (50 °C).
Eco Driving Indicator Light can be set to on or off.
The function can be activated or deactivated by
pressing the odometer/trip meter display change
button for longer than 1 second when Eco Driving
Indicator Light setting screen is displayed.