TOYOTA tC 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

5
When trouble arises
371
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Once3 times
Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that a door other
than the driver’s door has
been opened and closed with
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch in any mode other
than off and the electronic
key has been taken out of
the detection area. Confirm the
location of the
electronic
key.
Smart key system warning
light Vehicles with an automatic
transmission only: Indicates
that the driver’s door has
been opened and closed with
the shift lever in P, the
“ENGINE START STOP”
switch in any mode other
than off and the electronic
key has been taken out of
the detection area. • Turn the
“ENGINE
START
STOP” switch
off.
• Confirm the location of the
electronic
key.
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWarning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

372 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWarning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Once
Contin-
uous
Smart key system warning
light Vehicles with an automatic
transmission only: Indicates
that an attempt has been
made to lock a door using
the entry function with the
shift lever in P, the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch in any
mode other than off, all doors
closed and after the elec-
tronic key has been taken out
of the detection area. • Turn the
“ENGINE
START
STOP” switch
off.
• Confirm the location of the
electronic
key.
Contin-
uous
Smart key system warning
lightVehicles with an automatic
transmission only: Indicates
that the driver’s door has
been opened and closed with
the shift lever not in P, the
“ENGINE START STOP”
switch in any mode other
than off and after the elec-
tronic key has been taken out
of the detection area. • Shift the shift
lever to P.
• Confirm the location of the
electronic
key.

5
When trouble arises
373
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■
SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag
sensors, side impact sensors (front), side impact sensors (rear), side impact
sensors (front door), driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle
switch, front passenger occupant classification system, “AIR BAG ON” indi-
cator light, “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle
switch, seat belt pretensioner assemblies, airbags, interconnecting wiring
and power sources. ( P. 106)
■ Front passenger detection sensor, passenger seat belt reminder and
warning buzzer
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger
detection sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warning
buzzer to sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
● If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passen-
ger, and the warning light may not operate properly.
■ Electric power steering system wa rning light (warning buzzer)
The electric power steering system warning light may come on and warning
buzzer may sound when the voltage is low or drops.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is the fuel tank empty? 
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose? 
If it is, tighten it securely.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off after taking driving trips. 
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off even after several trips, con-
tact your Scion dealer as soon as possible.

374 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on (U.S.A. only)
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
Pushing the tire pressure warning reset switch will not turn off the tire
pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
(U.S.A. only)
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this case, ad justing the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire (U.S.A. only)
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will
not turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare
tire. Replace the spare tire with the re paired tire and adjust the tire infla-
tion pressure. The tire pressure wa rning light will go off after a few min-
utes.

5
When trouble arises
375
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■If the tire pressure warning system is not functioning (U.S.A. only)
The system will be disabled in the following conditions:

(When the condition be comes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters are used.
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is
not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or
higher.
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following condi-
tions: 
(When the condition be comes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies
are nearby.
●If a radio set at a similar frequency is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the
wheels or wheel housings.
●If non-genuine Scion wheels are used. (Even if you use Scion
wheels, the tire pressure warning system may not work properly with
some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used.

376 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking
for 1 minute (U.S.A. only)
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for
1 minute when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles
without a smart key system), “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned to
IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system), have it checked
by your Scion dealer.
■Customization that can be configured at Scion dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features ( P. 444) However, Scion recommends that the
seat belt reminder buzzer be operational to alert the driver and front pas-
senger when seat belts are not fastened.

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When trouble arises
377
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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CAUTION
■
When the electric power steerin g system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy. 
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold
firmly and operate using more force than usual.
■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on (U.S.A. only)
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is pr obable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with the spare tire and have the flat tire
repaired by the nearest Scion dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur (U.S.A. only)
The tire pressure warning syste m may not activate immediately.

378 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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CAUTION
■Maintenance of the tires (U.S.A. only)
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a differ-
ent size than the size indicated on th e vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load informa tion label], you should determine the
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your v ehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-tire pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltal e (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressu re telltale (tire pressure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire main tenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illu mination of the TPMS low ti re pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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CAUTION
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) malfunction indicator to indi
cate when the system is not operat-
ing properly. The TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunction indi-
cator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure
warning light). When the system detec ts a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute an d then remain continuously illumi-
nated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indi cator is illumi-
nated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended.
TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for a vari-
ety of reasons, including the installati on of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prev ent the TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS (tire pres-
sure warning system) malfunction tellt ale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) to
continue to function properly.
NOTICE
■Precaution when installing a different tire (U.S.A. only)
When a tire of a different specification or maker is installed, the tire pres-
sure warning system may not operate properly.

380
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare tire provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission) or R (manual
transmission).
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Jack handle
Jack
Wheel nut

wrench
Spa r e tire
Towing eyelet