Scion iM. Service Manual - part 16

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

If your vehicle is transported by a
flatbed truck, it should be tied
down at the locations shown in the
illustration.

If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45

.

Do not overly tighten the tie
downs or the vehicle may be dam-
aged.

If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency
towing eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for at most 50 miles (80 km) at under 18 mph (30 km/h). 
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.

Using a flatbed truck

Emergency towing

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Take out the towing eyelet. (

P. 273)

Remove the eyelet cover using
a flathead screwdriver.

To prevent damage, cover the tip of
the screwdriver with a rag.

Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by
hand.

Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut
wrench or hard metal bar.

Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.

Take care not to damage the vehicle body.

Enter the vehicle being towed and start the engine.

If the engine does not start, turn the engine switch to the “ON” position.

Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake. 
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: 

P. 284

Emergency towing procedure

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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While towing
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will
not function, making steering and braking more difficult.

n

Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in the luggage compartment. (

P. 273)

WARNING

Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

n

When towing the vehicle

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While towing

l

When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelet, cables or chains. The towing eyelet,
cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit people,
and cause serious damage.

l

Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position. 
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be oper-
ated.

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Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelet are installed securely. 
If not securely installed, towing eyelet may come loose during towing.

Be sure to transport the vehicle with the
front wheels raised or with all four wheels
raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the front wheels contacting
the ground, the drivetrain and related
parts may be damaged.

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NOTICE

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To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck

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Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is in the
“LOCK” position or the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.

l

When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.

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To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.

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To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

l Fluid leaks under the vehicle.

(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)

l Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear

l Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher

than normal.

l Changes in exhaust sound

l Excessive tire squeal when cornering

l Strange noises related to the suspension system

l Pinging or other noises related to the engine

l Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly

l Appreciable loss of power

l Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking

l Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road

l Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches

the floor

If you think something is wrong

If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle proba-
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Scion dealer as
soon as possible.

Visible symptoms

Audible symptoms

Operational symptoms

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Follow the procedure below to restart the engine after the system is
activated.

Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.

Restart the engine.

Fuel pump shut off system

To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or
when an airbag inflates upon collision, the fuel pump shut off
system stops the supply of fuel to the engine.

NOTICE

n

Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the vehicle.
If you find that fuel has leaked onto the ground, the fuel system has been
damaged and is in need of repair. Do not restart the engine.

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

If a warning light turns on or a warning 

buzzer sounds

Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Scion dealer.

Warning light and warning buzzer list

Warning light

Warning light/Details/Actions

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)

*

1

Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning

This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released the system is operating normally.

 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-

tact your Scion dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle
may be dangerous.

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

Malfunction indicator lamp

Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic continuously variable transmission (if

equipped) control system

 Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer

immediately.

SRS warning light

Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system

 Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer

immediately.

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(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

ABS warning light

Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system

 Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer

immediately.

Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)

Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system

 Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer

immediately.

(Comes on)

Slip indicator

Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system; 
• The TRAC (Traction Control) system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
The light will flash when the VSC or the TRAC

 

system is

operating.

 Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer

immediately.

Low fuel level warning light

Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.0 gal. (7.5
L, 1.6 Imp. gal.) or less

 Refuel the vehicle.

Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)

*

2

Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts

 Fasten the seat belt.

If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (warning buzzer) turn off.

Tire pressure warning light

Indicates low tire pressure due to one of the following:
• Flat tire
• Natural causes
• The tire pressure warning system is malfunctioning

 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. 

Handling method (

P. 266)

Warning light

Warning light/Details/Actions

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Scion iM_U (12J49U)

*

1

: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: 

The buzzer sounds to indicate that the parking brake is still engaged (with
the vehicle having reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).

*

2

: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:

The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position,
the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the seat belt is still unfastened after
24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if
the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for
20 more seconds.

Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:

The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.

Master warning light

A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the master warning system has
detected a malfunction.

 P. 269

Warning light

Warning light/Details/Actions

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SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front impact
sensors, side impact sensors (front door), side impact sensors (front), side
impact sensors (rear), driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle
switch, front passenger occupant classification system, “AIR BAG ON” indica-
tor light, “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle
switch, seat belt pretensioners (front), airbags, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (

P. 34) 

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Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning
buzzer

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If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.

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If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger,
and the warning light may not operate properly.

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If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:

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Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.

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Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.

The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Scion dealer
as soon as possible.

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Inspect the tires to check if a tire is punctured. 
If a tire is punctured: 

P. 272 

If none of the tires are punctured: 
Turn the engine switch off then turn it to the “ON” position. Check if the
tire pressure warning light comes on or flashes.



If the tire pressure warning light comes on

After the temperature of the tires has lowered sufficiently, check the
inflation pressure of each tire and adjust them to the specified level.

If the warning light does not turn off even after several minutes have
elapsed, check that the inflation pressure of each tire is at the specified
level and perform initialization. (

P. 222)

If the warning light does not turn off even after several minutes have
elapsed, have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer immediately.



If the tire pressure warning light flashes for 1 minute then stays on

There may be a malfunction in the tire pressure warning system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer immediately.

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The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by temper-
ature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).

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When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not
turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the tire inflation
pressure. The tire pressure warning light will go off after a few minutes.

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Conditions that the tire pressure warning system may not function
properly
P. 225

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Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an
audio sound.

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Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage temporarily
drops, the electric power steering system warning light may come on and the
warning buzzer may sound.

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WARNING

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If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact your Scion
dealer. The vehicle will become extremely unstable during braking, and the
ABS system may fail, which could cause an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.

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When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold
firmly and operate using more force than usual.

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If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Handling method (

P. 266)

Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.

l

Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.

l

If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with the spare tire and have the flat tire
repaired by the nearest Scion dealer.

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Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.

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If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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WARNING

n

Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a dif-
ferent size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load information label], you should determine
the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-tire pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.

Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached
the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS (tire pressure warn-
ing system) malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunc-
tion indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure
warning light). When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously illumi-
nated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illu-
minated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pres-
sure as intended.

TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for a vari-
ety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS (tire pres-
sure warning system) malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) to
continue to function properly.

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Master warning light

The master warning light also
comes on or flashes in order to
indicate that a message is cur-
rently being displayed on the multi-
information display.

Multi-information display

If any of the message or indicator comes on again after the following
actions have been performed, contact your Scion dealer.

If a warning message is displayed

The multi-information display shows warnings of system mal-
functions, incorrectly performed operations, and messages that
indicate a need for maintenance. When a message is shown,
perform the correction procedure appropriate to the message.

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The warning lights and warning buzzers operate as follows depending
on the content of the message. If a message indicates the need for
inspection by a dealer, have the vehicle inspected by your Scion
dealer immediately.

*

: A buzzer sounds the first time a message is shown on the multi-informa-

tion display

If the following messages are displayed, there may be a malfunction.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Scion
dealer.

• “Charging System Malfunction See Owner’s Manual”
• “Low Oil Pressure Stop in a Safe Place See Owner’s Manual”

Messages and warnings

Warning buzzer*

Warning

Comes 

on

Sounds

Indicates an important situation, such as
when a system related to driving is malfunc-
tioning or that danger may result if the correc-
tion procedure is not performed

Flashes

Sounds

Indicates a situation, such as when damage
to the vehicle or danger may result



Does not sound

Indicates a condition, such as malfunction of
electrical components, their condition, or indi-
cates the need for maintenance

If a message instructing to refer to the Owner’s Manual is dis-
played 

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Take the appropriate actions as instructed in the message displayed. 

If any of the following messages are displayed, also refer to this
Owner’s Manual.

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If “Maintenance Required Soon” is displayed (U.S.A. only)

Indicates that all maintenance according to the driven distance on
the maintenance schedule

*

 should be performed soon.

Comes on approximately 4500 miles (7200 km) after the message
has been reset.

If necessary, perform maintenance.

*

: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual

Supplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your vehicle.

n

If “Maintenance Required Visit Your Dealer” is displayed
(U.S.A. only)

Indicates that all maintenance is required to correspond to the
driven distance on the maintenance schedule

*

.

Comes on approximately 5000 miles (8000 km) after the message
has been reset.

(The indicator will not work properly unless the message has been
reset.)

Perform the necessary maintenance. Please reset the message
after the maintenance is performed. (

P. 197)

*

: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual

Supplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your vehicle.

n

Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an
audio sound.

Other messages displayed on the multi-information display