check engine TOYOTA tC 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting 
the vehicle exterior ........... 270
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle interior ............ 274
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance 
requirements .................... 277
General maintenance ......... 280
Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) 
programs .......................... 284
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service 
precautions ...................... 285
Hood................................... 290
Positioning a floor jack ....... 292
Engine compartment .......... 294
Tires ................................... 310
Tire inflation pressure......... 320
Wheels ............................... 324
Wireless remote control/ 
electronic key battery ....... 326
Checking and replacing 
fuses ................................ 330
Light bulbs .......................... 341 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ............ 352
If your vehicle needs to be 
towed ................................ 353
If you think something is  wrong ................................ 361
Fuel pump shut off 
system .............................. 362
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns 
on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................... 363
If you have a flat tire ........... 380
If the engine will not start .... 395
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P (automatic 
transmission) .................... 398
If you lose your keys ........... 399
If the electronic key does not 
operate properly ............... 400
If the vehicle battery is dis- charged ............................ 404
If your vehicle overheats..... 408
If the vehicle becomes 
stuck ................................. 411
If your vehicle has to be 
stopped in an 
emergency ........................ 413
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

20
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
For your information
Main Owner’s Manual
Please note that this manual applies to all models and all equipment, includ-
ing options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for equipment not
installed on your vehicle.
All specifications provided in this manual are current at the time of printing.
However, because of the Scion policy of continual product improvement, we
reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Depending on specifications, the vehicle shown in the illustrations may differ
from your vehicle in terms of equipment.
Noise from under vehicle after turning off the engine
Approximately five hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel
evaporation leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.
Accessories, spare parts and modification of your Scion
A wide variety of non-genuine spare parts and accessories for Scion vehicles
are currently available on the market. You should know that Scion does not
warrant these products and is not responsible for their performance, repair,
or replacement, or for any damage they may cause to, or adverse effect they
may have on, your Scion vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non-genuine Scion products.
Modification with non-genuine Scion products could affect its performance,
safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In
addition, damage or performance problems resulting from the modification
may not be covered under warranty.

46 1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
■Notes for the unlocking function
● Gripping the side door handle when wearing a glove may not unlock or
lock the door.
● A sudden approach to the effective range or door handle operation may
prevent the doors from being unlocked. In this case, return the door han-
dle to the original position and check that the doors have unlocked before
pulling the door handle.
● If there is another electronic key in the detection area, it may take slightly
longer to unlock the doors after one of the side door handles are gripped.
■ When the vehicle is not driven for extended periods
● To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not leave the electronic key within 6 ft.
(2 m) of the vehicle.
● The smart key system can be deactivated in advance. Contact your
Scion dealer for details.
■ To operate the system properly
Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get
the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the system from
outside of the vehicle.
Depending on the position and holding condition of the electronic key, the
key may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate properly.
(The alarm may go off accidentally, or the door lock prevention may not
operate.)
■ If the smart key system does not operate properly
● Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key. ( P. 400)
● Starting the engine ( P. 401)

90 1-4. Opening and closing the windows and moon roof
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
■The power windows 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.
■ Operating the power windows af ter turning the engine off
Vehicles without a smart key system
The power windows can be operated for approximately 45 seconds even
after the engine switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. They can-
not, however, be operated once either side door is opened.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The power windows can be operated for approximately 45 seconds even
after the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or
turned off. They cannot, however, be operated once either side door is
opened.
CAUTION
■ Closing the windows
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
● Check to make sure that all passengers do not have any part of their body
in a position where it could be caught when a window is being operated.
● Do not allow children to operate the power windows. 
Closing a power window on someone can cause serious injury, and in
some instances, even death.

154 2-1. Driving procedures
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
CAUTION
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the back door is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehi-
cle can cause driver drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a
serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer
immediately.
● On vehicles with an automatic transmission, do not shift the shift lever to P
while the vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\

control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\

control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to D (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or
1 (vehicles with a manual transmission) while the vehicle is moving back-
ward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\

control.
● Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 413
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 177)

155
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
CAUTION
●
Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving. 
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents,
resulting in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
● Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
■ When shifting the shift lever
On vehicles with an automatic transmission, be careful not to shift the shift
lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. 
Shifting the shift lever to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected
rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in
death or serious injury.

156 2-1. Driving procedures
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
CAUTION
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Scion dealer as soon as
possible. 
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed. 
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not race the engine. 
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (vehicles with an automatic trans-
mission only) or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly,
causing an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● On vehicles with an automatic transmission, in order to prevent accidents
due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing the brake pedal
while the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine. Running the engine at high speed
while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust system to overheat,
which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.

158 2-1. Driving procedures
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
CAUTION
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P (vehicles with an
automatic transmission only), stop the engine and lock the vehicle. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off. 
Doing so may cause burns.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead
to death or a serious health hazard.
■ Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health
hazard.
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust system should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or
crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise,
be sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Scion dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.

162 2-1. Driving procedures
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Scion dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of eng ine oil, transaxle fluid, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

163
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a smar t key system)
■Starting the engine
Automatic transmission Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position to start the
engine.
Manual transmission Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in N.
Firmly depress the clutch pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position to start the
engine.
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