manual transmission TOYOTA tC 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
1-1. Key informationKeys ..................................... 28
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Smart key system................. 32
Wireless remote control ....... 50
Side doors ............................ 55
Back door ............................. 62
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, 
steering wheel)
Front seats ........................... 68
Rear seats ............................ 74
Head restraints ..................... 76
Seat belts ............................. 78
Steering wheel ..................... 85
Anti-glare inside 
rear view mirror .................. 86
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 87
1-4. Opening and closing the win- dows and moon roof
Power windows .................... 89
Moon roof ............................. 91
1-5. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .... 95
1-6. Theft deterrent system Engine immobilizer 
system .............................. 100 Theft prevention labels

(for U.S.A.) ....................... 103
1-7. Safety information Correct driving posture ....... 104
SRS airbags ....................... 106
Front passenger occupant 
classification system ......... 120
Child restraint systems ....... 126
Installing child restraints ..... 132
2-1. Driving procedures Driving the vehicle .............. 148
Engine (ignition) switch 
(vehicles without a 
smart key system) ............ 163
Engine (ignition) switch 
(vehicles with a 
smart key system) ............ 167
Automatic transmission ...... 176
Manual transmission........... 183
Turn signal lever ................. 185
Parking brake ..................... 186
Horn .................................... 187
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ............ 188
Indicators and warning 
lights ................................. 192
1Before driving
2When driving

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
2-3. Operating the lights and 
Windshield wipers
Headlight switch .................. 197
Windshield wipers and 
washer .............................. 201
Rear window wiper and 
washer .............................. 204
2-4. Using other driving systems Cruise control ...................... 207
Driving assist systems ........ 211
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ............. 216
Vehicle load limits ............... 221
Winter driving tips ............... 222
Trailer towing ...................... 228
Dinghy towing (automatic 
transmission) .................... 229
Dinghy towing (manual 
transmission) .................... 230
3-1. Using the air conditioning 
system and defogger
Air conditioning system ....... 234
Rear window and outside 
rear view mirror 
defoggers .......................... 242 3-2. Using the audio system
Using the AUX port/USB 
port ................................... 243
Using the steering wheel 
audio switches.................. 244
Using the microphone ........ 245
3-3. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................. 246
• Personal/interior light 
main switch ....................... 247
• Personal/interior lights...... 248
• Interior light ...................... 249
3-4. Using the storage features List of storage features ....... 251
• Glove box ......................... 252
• Console box ..................... 253
• Auxiliary box ..................... 254
• Cup holders ...................... 254
• Bottle holders ................... 255
3-5. Other interior features Sun visors........................... 256
Vanity mirrors ..................... 257
Clock .................................. 258
Power outlet ....................... 259
Seat heaters ....................... 260
Sunshades ......................... 262
Floor mat ............................ 264
Luggage compartment 
features ............................ 266
3Interior features

13
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Vehicles with a manual transmission
C
Power outlet P. 259
Shift lever P. 183
Seat heater switches 
P. 260
AUX/USB port P. 243
Cup holders P. 254
Parking brake lever P. 186
: If equipped
VSC OFF switch P. 212
Auxiliary box P. 254

22
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Vehicle control and operation data recording
Your Scion is equipped with sophisticated computers that record certain
information about your vehicle’s operation, such as:
• Engine speed
• Accelerator status
• Brake status
• Vehicle speed
• Shift position (except manual transmission)
The data recorded varies according to the grade level and options the vehi-
cle is equipped with. The computers do not record conversations, sound or
pictures.
●Data usage
Scion may use the data recorded in these computers to diagnose malfunc-
tions, conduct research and development, and improve quality.
Scion will not disclose the recorded data to a third party except:
• With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if the vehicle is leased
• In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a govern- ment agency
• For research purposes where the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or
vehicle owner

75
1-3. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
CAUTION
■When folding the rear seatbacks down
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
● Do not fold the seatbacks down while driving.
● Stop the vehicle on level ground, set the parking brake and shift the shift
lever to P (automatic transmission) or 1 (manual transmission).
● Do not allow anyone to sit on a folded seatback or in the luggage compart-
ment while driving.
● Do not allow children to enter the luggage compartment.
■ Seat adjustment
To reduce the risk of sliding under the lap belt during a collision, do not
recline the seat more than necessary. 
If the seat is too reclined, the lap belt may slide past the hips and apply
restraint forces directly to the abdomen, or your neck may contact the shoul-
der belt, increasing the risk of death or serious injury in the event of\
an acci-
dent.
Adjustments should not be made while driving as the seat may unexpectedly
move and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
■ After returning the rear seatback to the upright position
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
● Make sure the seatback is securely locked by pushing it forward and rear-
ward on the top.
● Check that the seat belts are not twisted or caught in the seatback.

When driving2
147
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............ 148
Engine (ignition) switch 
(vehicles without a smart 
key system).................... 163
Engine (ignition) switch 
(vehicles with a smart 
key system).................... 167
Automatic transmission .... 176
Manual transmission ........ 183
Turn signal lever .............. 185
Parking brake ................... 186
Horn ................................. 187 2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters ......... 188
Indicators and warning 
lights .............................. 192
2-3. Operating the lights and Windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............... 197
Windshield wipers and 
washer ........................... 201
Rear window wiper and 
washer ........................... 204
2-4. Using other driving systems Cruise control ................... 207
Driving assist systems ..... 211
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage .......... 216
Vehicle load limits ............ 221
Winter driving tips ............ 222
Trailer towing ................... 228
Dinghy towing (automatic 
transmission) ................. 229
Dinghy towing (manual 
transmission) ................. 230

148
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing:
■ Starting the engine
P. 163, 167
■ Driving
Automatic transmission With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. 
(  P. 176)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 186)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
Manual transmission While depressing the clutch pedal, shift the shift lever to 1. 
(  P. 183)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 186)
Gradually release the clutch pedal. At the same time, gently
depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

149
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
■
Stopping
Automatic transmission With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift
the shift lever to P or N. ( P. 176)
Manual transmission
While depressing the clutch pedal, depress the brake
pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift
the shift lever to N. ( P. 183)
■Parking the vehicle
Automatic transmission With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 186)
Shift the shift lever to P. ( P. 176)
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Vehicles without a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position to stop the
engine. 
Vehicles with a smart key system 
Press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to stop the
engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your
person.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

150 2-1. Driving procedures
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Starting off on a steep uphillAutomatic transmission Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever
to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Manual transmission With the parking brake firmly set and the clutch pedal fully
depressed, shift the shift lever to 1.
Lightly depress the accelerator pedal at the same time as
gradually releasing the clutch pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Manual transmissionWhile depressing the clutch pedal, depress the brake
pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 186)
Shift the shift lever to N. ( P. 183)
If parking on a hill, shift the shift lever to 1 or R and block the
wheels as needed.
Vehicles without a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position to stop the
engine. 
Vehicles with a smart key system 
Press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to stop the
engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your
person.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

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)