Scion tC. Service Manual - part 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

1

Before driving

Adjusting and operating features such as door locks, 
mirrors, and steering column

2

When driving

Driving, stopping and safe-driving information

3

Interior 
features

Air conditioning as well as other interior features for a 
comfortable driving experience

4

Maintenance 
and care

Cleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information

5

When trouble 
arises

What to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat 
tire, or is involved in an accident

6

Vehicle 
specifications

Detailed vehicle information

7

For owners

Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt 
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners

Index

Alphabetical listing of information contained in this 
manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Index

2

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

1-1. Key information

Keys .....................................  26

1-2. Opening, closing and 

locking the doors

Smart key system.................  30

Wireless remote control .......  48

Side doors ............................  54

Back door .............................  61

1-3. Adjustable components 

(seats, mirrors, 
steering wheel)

Front seats ...........................  67

Rear seats ............................  73

Head restraints .....................  75

Seat belts .............................  77

Steering wheel .....................  84

Anti-glare inside 

rear view mirror ..................  85

Outside rear view mirrors .....  87

1-4. Opening and closing 

the windows and moon roof

Power windows ....................  89

Moon roof .............................  93

1-5. Refueling

Opening the fuel tank cap ....  97

1-6. Theft deterrent system

Engine immobilizer 

system ..............................  102

Theft prevention labels 

(for U.S.A.) .......................  105

1-7. Safety information

Correct driving posture .......  106

SRS airbags .......................  108

Front passenger occupant 

classification system.........  123

Child restraint systems .......  129

Installing child restraints .....  135

2-1. Driving procedures

Driving the vehicle ..............  150

Engine (ignition) switch 

(vehicles without a smart 
key system) ......................  165

Engine (ignition) switch 

(vehicles with a smart 
key system) ......................  169

Automatic transmission ......  178

Manual transmission...........  185

Turn signal lever .................  187

Parking brake .....................  188

Horn....................................  189

2-2. Instrument cluster

Gauges and meters ............  190

Indicators and warning 

lights .................................  194

1

Before driving

2

When driving

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

3

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

2-3. Operating the lights and 

windshield wipers

Headlight switch.................. 199

Windshield wipers and 

washer .............................. 204

Rear window wiper and 

washer .............................. 208

2-4. Using other driving systems

Cruise control...................... 211

Driving assist systems ........ 215

2-5. Driving information

Cargo and luggage ............. 220

Vehicle load limits ............... 225

Winter driving tips ............... 226

Trailer towing ...................... 232

Dinghy towing (automatic 

transmission) .................... 233

Dinghy towing (manual 

transmission) .................... 234

3-1. Using the air conditioning 

system and defogger

Air conditioning system ....... 238

Rear window and outside 

rear view mirror defogger 
switch................................ 245

3-2. Using the audio system

Using the AUX port/

USB port...........................  247

Using the steering wheel 

audio switches..................  248

Using the microphone ........  249

3-3. Using the interior lights

Interior lights list .................  250
• Interior lights.....................  251

3-4. Using the storage features

List of storage features.......  253
• Glove box .........................  254
• Console box .....................  255
• Auxiliary box.....................  256
• Cup holders......................  256
• Bottle holders ...................  257

3-5. Other interior features

Sun visors...........................  258

Vanity mirrors .....................  259

Clock ..................................  260

Power outlet .......................  261

Seat heaters .......................  262

Sunshades .........................  264

Assist grips .........................  266

Floor mat ............................  267

Luggage compartment 

features ............................  269

3

Interior features

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Index

4

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

4-1. Maintenance and care

Cleaning and protecting 

the vehicle exterior ...........  274

Cleaning and protecting 

the vehicle interior ............  278

4-2. Maintenance

Maintenance 

requirements ....................  281

General maintenance .........  284

Emission inspection and 

maintenance (I/M) 
programs ..........................  288

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Do-it-yourself service 

precautions ......................  289

Hood...................................  294

Positioning a floor jack .......  296

Engine compartment ..........  298

Tires ...................................  314

Tire inflation pressure.........  325

Wheels ...............................  329

Air conditioning filter ...........  332

Wireless remote control/

electronic key battery .......  335

Checking and 

replacing fuses .................  341

Light bulbs ..........................  352

5-1. Essential information

Emergency flashers ............  364

If your vehicle needs to 

be towed ...........................  365

If you think something 

is wrong ............................  374

Fuel pump shut off 

system ..............................  375

5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

If a warning light turns on 

or a warning buzzer 
sounds... ..........................  376

If you have a flat tire ...........  394

If the engine will not 

start ..................................  408

If the shift lever cannot be 

shifted from P (automatic 
transmission) ....................  411

If you lose your keys ...........  412

If the electronic key does 

not operate properly .........  413

If the vehicle battery 

is discharged ....................  417

If your vehicle overheats.....  421

If the vehicle becomes 

stuck .................................  424

If your vehicle has to 

be stopped in an 
emergency........................  426

4

Maintenance and care

5

When trouble arises

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

5

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

6-1. Specifications

Maintenance data 

(fuel, oil level, etc.)............ 430

Fuel information .................. 441

Tire information ................... 445

6-2. Customization

Customizable features ........ 459

6-3. Initialization

Items to initialize ................. 463

Reporting safety defects 

for U.S. owners ................. 466

Seat belt instructions 

for Canadian owners 
(in French) ........................ 467

SRS airbag instructions 

for Canadian owners 
(in French) ........................ 469

Abbreviation list ...............  480

Alphabetical index............  481

What to do if... ..................  489

6

Vehicle specifications

7

For owners

Index

6

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

Front side marker lights 

P. 199

Hood 

P. 294

Windshield wipers 

P. 204

Outside rear view mirrors

P. 87

Side turn signal lights

P. 187

Moon roof 

P. 93

Pictorial index

Exterior

Daytime running lights



P. 201

Parking lights 

P. 199

Headlights 

P. 199

Accessory lights 

P. 199

Front turn signal lights

P. 187

7

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)



: If equipped

Tires

●

Rotation

●

Replacement

●

Inflation pressure

●

Information

P. 314

P. 394

P. 325

P. 445

License plate lights 

P. 199

Tail lights 

P. 199

Side doors 

P. 54

Rear side marker lights 

P. 199

Rear window wiper



 

P. 208

Fuel filler door 

P. 97

Rear window defogger

P. 245

Back door 

P. 61

Rear turn signal lights

P. 187

8

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

Seat belts 

P. 77

Head restraints 

P. 75

Bottle holders 

P. 257

SRS front passenger

airbag 

P. 108

Tire pressure warning

reset switch



 

P. 315

Glove box

P. 254

Rear seat 

P. 73

Floor mat

P. 267

Front seats 

P. 67

SRS side airbags 

P. 108

Console box 

P. 255

Pictorial index

Interior

9

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

Sun visors 

P. 258

Vanity mirrors 

P. 259

Inside rear view mirror 

P. 85

SRS curtain shield airbags 

P. 108

Front interior lights 

Moon roof switch 

Microphone 

P. 251

P. 93

P. 249

Rear interior light 

P. 251

Rear sunshade 

P. 264

Moon roof 

Front sunshade 

P. 93

P. 264

A

Assist grips 

P. 266



: If equipped

10

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

Power window switches 

P. 89

Door lock switch 

P. 54

Inside lock button 

P. 54

Window lock switch 

P. 89

B

Pictorial index

Interior

11

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

Vehicles with an automatic transmission

Power outlet 

P. 261

Shift lever 

P. 178

AUX port/USB port 

P. 247

Shift lock override button 

P. 411

C

Cup holders 

P. 256

Parking brake lever 

P. 188

VSC OFF switch 

P. 216

Auxiliary box 

P. 256

Seat heater switches



 

P. 262



: If equipped

12

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

Vehicles with a manual transmission

C

Power outlet 

P. 261

Shift lever 

P. 185

AUX port/USB port 

P. 247

Cup holders 

P. 256

Parking brake lever 

P. 188

VSC OFF switch 

P. 216

Auxiliary box 

P. 256

Pictorial index

Interior

Seat heater switches



 

P. 262

13

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

Emergency flasher switch 

P. 364

Engine (ignition) switch 

(vehicles with a smart key system) 

P. 169

Clock 

P. 260

Tilt and telescopic steering lock

release lever 

P. 84

Fuel filler door opener 

P. 97

Instrument panel

Pictorial index



: If equipped

14

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

Air conditioning system 

P. 238

Rear window and outside rear view mirror 

defogger switch 

P. 245

A

Instrument panel

Pictorial index

15

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

Paddle shift switches



 

P. 178

Headlight switch 

Turn signal lever 

P. 199

P. 187

Steering wheel audio switches

P. 248

SRS driver airbag 

Horn 

P. 108

P. 189

Cruise control switch

P. 211

Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles

without a smart key system)

P. 165

Windshield wipers and washer switch 

Rear window wiper and washer switch



 

P. 204

P. 208

B



: If equipped

16

tC_OM_OM21056U_(U)

Outside rear view mirror 

switches 

P. 87

Hood release lever 

P. 294

C

Instrument panel

Pictorial index