traction control TOYOTA xA 2005 Owners Manual (in English)

vii
Installation of a mobiletwoway radio system
As the installation of a mobile two −way radio system in
your vehicle could affect electronic systems such as
multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, anti −lock brake system, traction control
system, vehicle stability control system, SRS airbag sys-
tem and seat belt pretensioner system, be sure to
check with your Scion dealer for precautionary measures
or special instructions regarding installation.
Tires and loading on your Scion
Underinflated or overinflated tire pressure and the
excess load may result in the deterioration of
steering ability and braking ability, leading to an
accident. Check the tire inflation pressure periodi-
cally and be sure to keep the load limits given in
this Owner ’s Manual. For details about tire inflation
pressure and load limits, see page 203 and pages
143 through 144.

3
1. Headlight and turn signal switches
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Rear window defogger switch
4. Emergency flasher switch
5. Air conditioning controls
6. Front passenger ’s seat belt reminderlight
7. Auxiliary box
8. Cigarette lighter
9. Ashtray
10. Traction control system off switch (some models)
11. Ignition switch
12. Tilt steering lock release lever
13. Power rear view mirror control switches
14. Instrument panel light control dial

5
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
Slip indicator light
Traction control system off indicator light
Vehicle stability control system and traction
control system warning light∗
Brake system warning light∗
Driver ’s seat belt reminder light∗
Discharge warning light∗
Malfunction indicator lamp∗
Low engine oil pressure warning light∗
Anti-lock brake system warning light∗
SRS warning light∗
Low fuel level warning light∗
Turn signal indicator lights
Headlight high beam indicator light
Overdrive−off indicator light
Low engine coolant temperature indicator light
∗
High engine coolant temperature warning light∗
Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light∗
Open door warning light∗
∗
: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” on page 83.
Engine oil replacement reminder light
(blue)
(red)

88
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state emis-
sion inspection if the malfunction indicator
lamp remains on. Contact your Scion deal-
er to check your vehicle’s emission control
system and OBD (On−Board Diagnostics)
system before taking your vehicle for the
inspection.
For details, see “Emissions inspection and
maintenance (I/M) programs” on page 188.
(g) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes very low. Fill up the
tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
(h) Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Scion dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance. The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(i) “ABS” Warning Light
Vehicles with vehicle stability control sys-
tem—
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti
−
lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off
after a few seconds. Thereafter, if the
systems malfunction, the light comes on
again. When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti
−lock brake system, the brake assist
system, the traction control system and
the vehicle stability control system do not
operate, but the brake system still oper-
ates conventionally.
Vehicles without vehicle stability control
system—
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti −
lock brake system works properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. There-
after, if the system malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.

90
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an
overheated engine. See “If your
vehicle overheats” on page 159.
(m) “VSC” Warning Light
The light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle stability control
system or traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position, and
will go off after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while you are driv-
ing, the vehicle stability control system
and traction control system do not work.
However, as conventional braking operates
when applied, there is no problem to con-
tinue your driving. In the following cases, contact your Scion
dealer:
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
The light remains on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come
on when the “VSC” warning light comes
on even if the “TRAC OFF” switch is not
pushed.
(n) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer acts as a reminder to remove
the key when you open the driver’s door
with the ignition key in the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position.
(o) Light Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer will sound if the headlight
switch is left on and the driver’s door is
opened with the key removed from the
ignition switch. CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the side doors or back door.
The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” posi- tion, but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators except
the open door warning light should come
on. The “ABS” and “VSC” warning lights,
“MAINT REQD” reminder light and “TRAC
OFF” and slip indicator lights go off after
a few seconds. The SRS warning light
goes off after about 6 seconds.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, have it checked by your Scion
dealer as soon as possible.

91
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock92
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 93
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Manual transmission 96
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Traction control system 97
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . .
Vehicle stability control system 100
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 101
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1 7

97
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
gear:gear km/h (mph)1 46 (28)
2 86 (53)
3 125 (77)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed for the next lower gear.
Good driving practice
If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put
the transmission in neutral, release the
clutch pedal momentarily, and then try
again.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to skid or
spin.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into reverse.
The traction control system automatical-
ly helps prevent the spinning of front
wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to “ON”,
the system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power against front wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction
control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or
maneuvering conditions which may
cause the vehicle to lose traction
control. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with
snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious
speed for the present road condi-
tions.
Traction control system (some
models)

98
NORMAL DRIVING MODE
Leave the system on during the ordi-
nary driving so that it can operate
when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds just after
the vehicle begins to move. This means
that the traction control system is in the
self−check mode, but does not indicate a
malfunction. When the traction control system is oper-
ating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
front wheels. At this time, the slip indi-
cator light blinks.
You may feel vibration or noise in your
vehicle, caused by operation of the
brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Scion dealer.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF MODE
When getting the vehicle out of mud or
newly fallen snow, etc., turn off the
traction control system. This system
that controls engine performance inter-
feres with the process of freeing your
wheels.
To turn off: Push “TRAC OFF” switch.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come
on.
The vehicle stability control system is al-
ways activated, even if the traction control
system is turned off.
To turn on: Push “TRAC OFF” switch
once again.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will go off.

99
“TRAC OFF” indicator light comes on for
a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to “ON”. It will come on again
when you push the “TRAC OFF” switch to
turn off the system.
In the following cases, contact your Scion
dealer:
The indicator light does not come on
when the ignition key is turned “ON”.
The indicator light remains on after the
ignition is turned on.
The indicator light comes on with the
normal driving mode while driving.
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the traction control system
or the vehicle stability control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON” and will go off after
a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
traction control system and vehicle stabil-
ity control system do not work. However,
as conventional braking operates when ap-
plied, there is no problem to continue your
driving.In the following cases, contact your Scion
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come
on when the “VSC” warning light comes
on even if the “TRAC OFF” switch is not
pushed.

100
The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
systems such as an antilock brake
system, traction control, engine control,
etc. This system automatically controls
the brakes and engine to help prevent
the vehicle from skidding when corner-
ing on a slippery road surface or oper-
ating steering wheel abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle
speed is about more than 15 km/h (9
mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds just after
the vehicle begins to move. This means
that the system is in the self−check mode,
but does not indicate a malfunction.CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the ve-
hicle stability control system. Even
if the vehicle stability control sys-
tem is operating, you must always
drive carefully and attentively to
avoid serious injury. Reckless driv-
ing will result in an accident. If the
slip indicator light flashes, sound-
ing an alarm, special care should
be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The
size, manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern for all 4 tires should be the
same. If you use the tires other
than specified, or different type or
size, the vehicle stability control
system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels,
contact your Scion dealer. (See
“Checking and replacing tires” on
page 206.)
In situations where the road surface
is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.
If the vehicle is going to skid during driv-
ing, the slip indicator light blinks and an
alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Scion dealer.
Vehicle stability control
system (some models)