TOYOTA tC 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

5
When trouble arises
361
5-1. Essential information
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Cont act your Scion dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle 
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High engine coolant temperatur e warning light flashes or
comes on
● Low engine coolant temperature indicator comes on or does
not come on continuously
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

362
5-1. Essential information
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Fuel pump shut off system
Follow the procedure below to restart the engine after the system is
activated.
Vehicles without a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Restart the engine.
Vehicles with a smart key system Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to ACCESSORY
mode or turn it off.
Restart the engine.
NOTICE
■Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the vehicle. 
If you find that fuel has leaked onto the ground, the fuel system has been
damaged and is in need of repair. Do not restart the engine.
To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or when
an airbag inflates upon collision, the fuel pump shut off system
stops the supply of fuel to the engine.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 1
STEP 2

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When trouble arises
363
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a war ning light turns on or a war ning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle
may be dangerous.The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Scion dealer.
*: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: 
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately 3 mph
(5 km/h) or more.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
*
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully
released, the system is operating normally.
Calmly perform the following actio
ns if any of the warning lights
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then goes
off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the system.
However, if this continues to occu r, have the vehicle inspected by
your Scion dealer.

364 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Stop the vehicle immediately.The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Scion dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.
Low engine oil pressure warning light Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.

5
When trouble arises
365
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer immediately.
Failure to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system (if equipped).
SRS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system.
Slip indicator light Indicates a malfunction in:
• Vehicle stability control; or
• Traction control.

366 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system.
(Flashes) Cruise control indicator
light (if equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the cruise control system.
Automatic transmission flui d temperature warning light
(vehicles with an auto matic transmission)
Indicates that the automatic transmission fluid temperature
is too high.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

5
When trouble arises
367
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Follow the correction procedures.
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light goes off.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light
(warning buzzer)
*1
Indicates that a door is not
fully closed. Check that all the doors are
closed.
Low fuel level warning
light Indicates remaining fuel is
approximately 2.2 gal.
(8.2 L, 1.8 Imp.gal.) or
less. Refuel the vehicle.
Seat belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*2
Warns the driver and/or
front passenger to fasten
their seat belts. Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s
seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also
needs to be fastened to
make the warning light
(warning buzzer) off.
High engine coolant tem-
perature warning light Indicates that the engine is
almost overheating. P. 408
(Canada) Low windshield washer
fluid warning light
Indicates low level of
washer fluid. Fill the tank.

368 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
(U.S.A.)Maintenance required
reminder light
Indicates that mainte-
nance is required accord-
ing to the driven distance
on the maintenance
schedule.
*3
Illuminates for about 3
seconds and then flashes
for about 15 seconds
approximately 4500 miles
(7200 km) after the main-
tenance data has been
reset. If necessary, perform main-
tenance.
Comes on and remains on
if the distance driven
exceeds 5000 miles (8000
km) after the maintenance
data has been reset. 
(The indicator will not work
properly unless the main-
tenance data has been
reset.) Perform the necessary
maintenance.

Please reset the mainte-
nance data after the mainte-
nance is performed. 
(
P. 278)
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

5
When trouble arises
369
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
*1: Open door warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle reaches a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or
more with any door open.
(U.S.A.) Tire pressure warning
light
When the light comes on:

Low tire inflation pressure
such as
• Natural causes ( P. 374)
• Flat tire ( P. 380) Adjust the tire inflation
pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off
after a few minutes. In
case the light does not
turn off even if the tire
inflation pressure is
adjusted, have the sys-
tem checked by your
Scion dealer.
When the light comes on
after blinking for 1 minute: 
Malfunction in the tire
pressure warning system.
(  P. 376) Have the system checked
by your Scion dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

370 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
*2: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the engine switch is turned to the “ON” or
“START” position (vehicles without a smart key system), or the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a
smart key system), the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches
a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds intermittently for 10 sec-
onds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a dif-
ferent tone for 20 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds intermittently for
10 seconds after the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). Then, if
the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for
20 more seconds.
*3: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your vehicle.
Follow the correction procedures. (Vehicles with a smart key
system)
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light goes off.
Interior buzzerExterior buzzerWarning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Once (Remains
on for 8
seconds.) Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that the electronic
key is not present when
attempting to start the
engine. Confirm the
location of the
electronic
key.