tire size TOYOTA tC 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

215
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
CAUTION
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are
installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Scion dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.

222
2-5. Driving information
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.

224 2-5. Driving information
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Selecting tire chainsUse the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. Chain
size is regulated for each tire size.
Type A (except P225/45R18 tires)
Side chain:
(0.14 in. [3.5 mm] in diameter)
Cross chain: 
(0.16 in. [4.0 mm] in diameter)
Ty p e B Side chain:
0.12 in. (3.0 mm) in diameter
1.18 in. (30.0 mm) in length
0.39 in. (10.0 mm) in width
Cross chain:
0.16 in. (4.0 mm) in diameter
0.98 in. (25.0 mm) in length
0.55 in. (14.0 mm) in width

226 2-5. Driving information
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the size specified.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden turns and braking, as use of chains may adversely affect
vehicle handling.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.

312 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system (U.S.A. only)■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the fol-
lowing circumstances:
●When rotating front and rear tires which have different tire infla-
tion pressures
● When changing the tire size
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current
tire inflation pressure is set as the pressure benchmark.
■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe pl ace and turn the engine switch
(vehicles without a smart key system) or the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch (vehicles with a smart key system) off.
While the vehicle is moving, in itialization is not performed.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire infla-
tion pressure level. ( P. 425)
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire
inflation pressure level. The ti re pressure warning system will
operate based on this pressure level.
Turn the engine switch to the “O N” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to
IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system).
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

314 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to
expose the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the
size or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consul t with your Scion dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels (U.S.A. only)
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not
registered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After
driving for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for
1 minute and stays on to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even
if it has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks (U.S.A. only)
The tire pressure warning system doe s not replace routine tire inflation
pressure checks. Ma ke sure to check tire infl ation pressure as part of
your routine of daily vehicle checks.
■Low profile tires (P225/45R18 tires)
Generally, low profile tire s will wear more rapidly and tire grip perfor-
mance will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to
standard tires. Be sure to use snow ti res or tire chains on snowy and/or
icy roads and drive carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather
conditions.

316 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tire s, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy ro ads. For driving on snow-covered
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When
installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to
be adequate for driving in most winter conditions as well as for use
year round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also,
all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance
compared with summer tires in highway driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, con-
struction and load capacity as the or iginally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for possible restrictions. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( P. 222)
■Initializing the tire pressure warning system (U.S.A. only)
Initialize the system with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the speci-
fied level.
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.

318 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
CAUTION
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents. 
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drive train as well as
dangerous handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns. 
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other t han those recommended by Scion.
●Do not mix differently constructed tire s (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle. 
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a compact spare tire installed.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system (U.S.A. only)
Do not operate the tire pressure wa rning reset switch without first adjust-
ing the tire inflation pre ssure to the specified le vel. Otherwise, the tire
pressure warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation pressure
is low, or it may come on when the tire inflation pressure is actually nor-
mal.

320
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Tire inflation pressure
■Tire inflation pressure
The recommended cold tire inflation pressure and tire size are
displayed on the tire and loading information label. ( P. 425)

324
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Scion_tC_U_(OM21041U)
Wheels
■When replacing wheels (U.S.A. only)
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to
provide advance warning in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure.
Whenever wheels are replaced, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must be installed. ( P. 311)
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be
replaced. 
Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause a loss
of handling control.
■ Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care shou ld be taken to ensure that
they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter,
rim width, and inset
*. 
Replacement wheels are available at your Scion dealer.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Scion does not recommend using the following:
● Wheels of different sizes or types
● Used wheels
● Bent wheels that have been straightened
■ Aluminum wheel precautions
●Use only Scion wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use
with your aluminum wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using
tire chains.
● Use only Scion genuine balance weights or equivalent and
use a plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.