Scion iM. Service Manual - part 8

127

4-1. Before driving

4

Drivin

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Scion iM_U (12J49U)

NOTICE

n

Dinghy towing direction

n

To prevent the steering from locking
Ensure that the engine switch is in the “ACC” position.

Do not tow the vehicle backwards. 
Doing so may cause serious damage.

128

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

4-2. Driving procedures



Continuously variable 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 and 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 and start the
engine.

“LOCK”

The steering wheel is locked and
the key can be removed. (Vehicles
with a continuously variable trans-
mission: The key can be removed
only when the shift lever is in P.)

“ACC”

Some electrical components such
as the power outlet can be used.

“ON”

All electrical components can be used.

“START”

For starting the engine.

Engine (ignition) switch

Starting the engine

Changing the engine switch positions

1
2
3
4

1
2
3
4

1

2

3

4

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4-2. Driving procedures

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n

Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”

Shift the shift lever to P (continuously variable transmission) or N (manual
transmission). (

P. 131, 135)

n

If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (

P. 66) 

Contact your Scion dealer.

n

When the steering lock cannot be released

n

Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the engine switch is in
the “LOCK” or “ACC” position to remind you to remove the key.

Push in the key and turn it to the
“LOCK” position.

1

2

When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the “LOCK”
position. To free it, turn the key while turn-
ing the steering wheel slightly left and
right.

WARNING

n

When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

n

Caution when driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving. If, in an
emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn
the engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the engine. An accident
may result if the engine is stopped while driving. (

P. 253)

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4-2. Driving procedures

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

NOTICE

n

To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long peri-
ods of time without the engine running.

n

When starting the engine

l

Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring system.

l

Do not race a cold engine.

l

If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Scion dealer immediately.

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4-2. Driving procedures

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Scion iM_U (12J49U)

While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, depress the
brake pedal and move the shift lever.

When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped. 

Continuously variable transmission





: If equipped

Shifting the shift lever

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4-2. Driving procedures

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

*

1

: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in D for

normal driving.

*

2

: Selecting gear step using the M position achieves suitable engine braking

forces by operating the shift lever.

Press the switch.

For powerful acceleration and driv-
ing in mountainous regions.

Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.

Shift position purpose

Shift position

Objective or function

P

Parking the vehicle/starting the engine

R

Reversing

N

Neutral

D

Normal driving

*

1

M

7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode driving

*

2

 

(

P. 133)

Sport mode

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4-2. Driving procedures

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Scion iM_U (12J49U)

To enter 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode, shift the shift lever
to M. Gear steps can then be selected by operating the shift lever,
allowing you to drive in the gear step of your choosing.

Upshifting

Downshifting

The gear changes once every time
the shift lever is operated.

The selected gear step, from M1 to
M7, will be displayed in the meter.

However, even when in the M position, the gear steps will be auto-
matically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.

n

Gear step functions

l

You can choose from 7 levels of engine braking force.

l

A lower gear step will provide greater engine braking force than a higher
gear step, and the engine speed will also increase.

n

If the 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode indicator does not come
on even after shifting the shift lever to M
This may indicate a malfunction in the continuously variable transmission
system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer immediately. 
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when
the shift lever is in D.)

n

When the vehicle comes to a stop with the shift lever in the M position

l

The transmission will automatically downshift to M1 once the vehicle is
stopped.

l

After a stop, the vehicle will start off in M1.

l

When the vehicle is stopped, the transmission is set at M1.

Changing gear steps in the M position

1
2

134

4-2. Driving procedures

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

n

When driving with cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control will not be
canceled.

l

While driving in D or 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode, downshifting
to 6, 5 or 4. (

P. 133)

l

When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
(

P. 132)

n

Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)

n

Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turned off after
driving in sport mode.

n

If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 284

n

G AI-SHIFT 
G AI-SHIFT automatically selects a suitable gear for sporty driving according
to driver’s input and driving conditions. G AI-SHIFT operates automatically
when the shift lever is in D and sport mode is selected for the driving mode.
(Selecting normal mode or shifting the shift lever to the M position cancels
this function.)

WARNING

n

When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in
the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.

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4-2. Driving procedures

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Fully depress the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever, and
then release it slowly.

Shift the shift lever to R while lift-
ing up the ring section.

Manual transmission





: If equipped

Shifting the shift lever

Shifting the shift lever to R

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4-2. Driving procedures

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

n

Maximum allowable speeds
Observe the following maximum allowable speeds in each gear when maxi-
mum acceleration is necessary.

mph (km/h)

Shift position

Maximum speed

1

30 (49)

2

57 (91)

3

83 (133)

4

111 (179)

NOTICE

n

To prevent damage to the transmission

l

Do not lift up the ring section except when shifting the lever to R.

l

Shift the shift lever to R only when the vehicle is stationary.

l

Do not shift the shift lever to R without
depressing the clutch pedal.

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4-2. Driving procedures

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Scion iM_U (12J49U)

Right turn

Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release
it)

The right hand signals will flash 3
times.

Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)

The left hand signals will flash 3
times.

Left turn

n

Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.

n

If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.

n

Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed. (Customizable feature 

P. 319)

Turn signal lever

Operating instructions

1
2

3

4

138

4-2. Driving procedures

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

To set the parking brake, fully
pull the parking brake lever
while depressing the brake
pedal.

To release the parking brake,
slightly raise the lever and
lower it completely while press-
ing the button.

*

1

: For  U.S.A.

*

2

: For Canada

n

Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
If the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately 3 mph (5 km/h) or more
with the parking brake engaged, a buzzer will sound.
“Release Parking Brake.” will be displayed on the multi-information display.

n

Usage in winter time
P. 162

Parking brake

Operating instructions

*

1

*

2

1

2

NOTICE

n

Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:



Type A

The headlights and all
the lights listed below
turn on and off auto-
matically.
(When the engine
switch is in the “ON”
position)

The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
(

P. 141) and instru-

ment panel lights turn
on.

The headlights and all
the lights listed above
(except daytime run-
ning lights) turn on. 

The daytime running lights turn off.

Headlight switch

The headlights can be operated manually or automatically. 

Operating instructions

1

2

3

4

140

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

Scion iM_U (12J49U)



Type B

The headlights and all
the lights listed below
turn on and off auto-
matically.
(When the engine
switch is in the “ON”
position)

The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
(

P. 141) and instru-

ment panel lights turn
on.

The headlights and all
the lights listed above
(except daytime run-
ning lights) turn on. 

The daytime running lights turn on. (

P. 141)

With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to turn
on the high beams. 

Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.

Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once. 

You can flash the high beams with the headlights on or off.

1

2

3

Turning on the high beam headlights

4

1

2

141

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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Drivin

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Scion iM_U (12J49U)

n

Daytime running light system

l

To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving,
the daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the engine is
started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch off or in

the 

 position. (Illuminate brighter than the parking lights.)

Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the
switch.

l

Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.

n

Headlight control sensor

n

Automatic light off system

l

When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after the engine switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and a

door is opened and closed. (The lights turn off immediately if 

 on the

key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)

l

When only the tail lights are on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
engine switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and the driver’s
door is opened.

To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to “ON” position, or turn the

light switch off once and then back to 

or

.

If any of the doors is kept open, the lights automatically turn off after 20 min-
utes.

n

Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned to “LOCK” position and the
driver's door is opened while the lights are turned on.

The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the
windshield. 
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction. 

142

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

n

Battery-saving function
In the following conditions, the headlights and the other remaining lights will
go off automatically after 20 minutes in order to prevent the vehicle battery
from being discharged:

l

The headlights and/or tail lights are on.

l

The engine switch is in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.

This function will be canceled in any of the following situations:

l

When the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position.

l

When the light switch is operated

l

When the door is opened or closed

n

Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. 
(Customizable features: 

P. 319)

NOTICE

n

To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not
running.