TOYOTA tC 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

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4-2. Maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should
move smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism • When parked on a slope and the
shift lever is in P, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro- priate clearance from the floor?
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play?
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effec- tively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the
brakes are applied.
Clutch pedal • Does the clutch pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the clutch pedal have appropriate clearance from the
floor?
• Does the clutch pedal have the correct amount of free play?

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Head restraints• Do the head restraints move
smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers
function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake • Does the parking brake lever
move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Seat belts • Do the seat belts operate
smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be dam- aged.
Seats • Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel • Does the steering wheel rotate
smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming from the steering
wheel.
ItemsCheck points

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4-2. Maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors • Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood • Does the engine hood lock sys-
tem work properly?
Fluid leaks • There should not be any signs of
fluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.
Tires • Is the tire inflation pressure cor-
rect?
• The tires should not be dam- aged or excessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance
schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
CAUTION
■ If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

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4-2. Maintenance
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Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system moni-
tors the operation of the emission control system.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere
in the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/
M test and may need to be repaired. Contact your Scion dealer
to service the vehicle.
■ Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situa-
tions:
●When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are se t during ordinary driving are
erased. 
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes
may not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on indicating a tempo-
rary malfunction and your vehi cle may not pass the I/M test.
■ When the malfunction indicator lamp still remains on after
several driving trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■ If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your Scion dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.

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4
Maintenance and care
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedures as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition ( P. 304)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench 
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 301)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)

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ItemsParts and tools
Engine coolant level (P. 299)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol-based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology
For the U.S.A.: 
“Toyota Super Long Life 
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized
water.
For Canada: 
“Toyota Super Long Life 
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45% deionized
water.
• Funnel (used only for adding engine coolant)
Engine oil level P. 295)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (P. 330)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
ItemsParts and tools
Light bulbs
(P. 341)
• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Flathead screwdriver
Radiator and condenser 
( P. 301)
Tire inflation pressure ( P. 320)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid (P. 308)
• Water or washer fluid containing
antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

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CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions:
■When working on the engine compartment
● Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
CAUTION
■
When working near the electric c ooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a smart key system
Be sure the engine switch is off. With the engine switch in the “ON” position,
the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning
is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( P. 301)
Vehicles with a smart key system
Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is off. With the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric cooling fans may automat\
-
ically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. ( P. 301)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also, a backfire could cause a fire in the engine com-
partment.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
Pull the hood release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the auxiliary catch
lever and lift the hood.
Hold the hood open by insert-
ing the supporting rod into the
slot using the protection cover.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3