Scion tC. Service Manual - part 24

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5-1. Essential information

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Enter the vehicle being towed and start the engine.

If the engine does not start, turn the engine switch to the “ON” posi-
tion (vehicles without a smart key system) or the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem).

Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.

For vehicles with an automatic transmission, when the shift lever
cannot be shifted: 

P. 411

■

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.

■

Wheel nut wrench

Wheel nut wrench is installed in the luggage compartment. (

P. 394)

STEP 

6 

STEP

7

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5-1. Essential information

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CAUTION

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

■

When towing the vehicle

■

While towing

●

When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eye-
lets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit peo-
ple, and cause serious damage.

●

Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off (vehicles with
a smart key system).
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be oper-
ated.

■

Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle

Make sure that towing eyelet is 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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5-1. Essential information

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NOTICE

■

To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission when towing
using a wheel-lift type truck (vehicles with an automatic transmission)

Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.

■

To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck (vehicles with a manual transmission)

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.

■

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.

■

To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing

Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.

■

When transporting the vehicle

To help enhance safety, install the towing
eyelet into the front left hole.

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5-1. Essential information

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If you think something is wrong

If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably

needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Scion dealer as soon as

possible.

■

Visible symptoms
● Fluid leaks under the vehicle

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

● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High engine coolant temperature warning light flashes or

comes on

● Low engine coolant temperature indicator comes on or does

not come on continuously

■

Audible symptoms
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine

■

Operational symptoms
● Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost

touches the floor

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5-1. Essential information

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Fuel pump shut off system

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

Vehicles without a smart key system

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

Restart the engine.

Vehicles with a smart key system

Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to ACCESSORY
mode or turn it off.

Restart the engine.

NOTICE

■

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.

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.

STEP 

1 

STEP 

2 

STEP 

1 

STEP 

2 

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds...

Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle
may be dangerous.

The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Scion dealer.

*

: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:

A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately 3 mph
(5 km/h) or more.

Warning light

Warning light/Details

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)

*

• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
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.

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.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Stop the vehicle immediately.

The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Scion dealer.

Warning light

Warning light/Details

Charging system warning light

Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.

Low engine oil pressure warning light

Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer immediately.

Failure to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Scion dealer immediately.

Warning light

Warning light/Details

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

Malfunction indicator lamp

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

equipped).

SRS warning light

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

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

ABS warning light

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

Slip indicator light

Indicates a malfunction in:
• Vehicle stability control; or
• Traction control.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Electric power steering system warning light (warning 
buzzer)

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

(Flashes)

Cruise control indicator light

Indicates a malfunction in the cruise control system.

Automatic transmission fluid temperature warning light 
(vehicles with an automatic transmission)

Indicates that the automatic transmission fluid temperature 
is too high.

Warning light

Warning light/Details

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Follow the correction procedures.

After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light goes off.

Warning light

Warning light/Details

Correction procedure

Open door warning light
(warning buzzer)

*

1

Indicates that a door is not 
fully closed.

Check that all the doors are 
closed.

Low fuel level warning 
light

Indicates remaining fuel is 
approximately 2.2 gal. 
(8.2 L, 1.8 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) off.

High engine coolant tem-
perature warning light

Indicates that the engine is 
almost overheating.

P. 421

(Canada)

Low windshield washer 
fluid warning light

Indicates low level of 
washer fluid.

Fill the tank.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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(U.S.A.)

Maintenance required 
reminder light

Indicates that mainte-
nance is required accord-
ing to the driven distance 
on the maintenance 
schedule.

*

3

Illuminates for about 3 
seconds and then flashes 
for about 15 seconds 
approximately 4500 miles 
(7200 km) after the 
reminder light has been 
reset. 

If necessary, perform main-
tenance.

Comes on and remains on 
if the distance driven 
exceeds 5000 miles (8000 
km) after the reminder light 
has been reset.
(The indicator will not work 
properly unless the 
reminder light has been 
reset.)

Perform the necessary 
maintenance.
Please reset the reminder 
light after the maintenance 
is performed. 
(

P. 282)

Warning light

Warning light/Details

Correction procedure

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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*

1

: Open door warning buzzer:

A buzzer will sound if the vehicle reaches a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or
more with any door open.

(U.S.A.)

Tire pressure warning 
light

When the light comes on: 
Low tire inflation pressure 
such as
• Natural causes (

P. 388)

• Flat tire (

P. 394)

Adjust the tire inflation 
pressure to the specified 
level.

The light will turn off 
after a few minutes. In 
case the light does not 
turn off even if the tire 
inflation pressure is 
adjusted, have the sys-
tem checked by your 
Scion dealer.

When the light comes on 
after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire 
pressure warning system. 
(

P. 390)

Have the system checked 
by your Scion dealer.

Warning light

Warning light/Details

Correction procedure

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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*

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” or
“START” position (vehicles without a smart key system), or the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a
smart key system), the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches
a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds intermittently for 10 sec-
onds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a dif-
ferent 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 intermittently for
10 seconds after the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). Then, if
the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for
20 more seconds.

*

3

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

Supplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your vehicle.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Follow the correction procedures. (Vehicles with a smart key
system)

After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light goes off.

Interior

buzzer

Exterior

buzzer

Warning 

light

Warning light/Details

Correction 

procedure

Once



(Remains 

on for 8 

seconds.)

Smart key system warning 
light

Indicates that the electronic 
key is not present when 
attempting to start the 
engine.

Confirm the 
location of the 
electronic 
key.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Once

3 times

Smart key system warning 
light

Indicates that a door other 
than the driver’s door has 
been opened and closed with 
the “ENGINE START STOP” 
switch in any mode other 
than off and the electronic 
key has been taken out of 
the detection area.

Confirm the 
location of the 
electronic 
key.

Smart key system warning 
light

Vehicles with an automatic 
transmission only: Indicates 
that the driver’s door has 
been opened and closed with 
the shift lever in P, the 
“ENGINE START STOP” 
switch in any mode other 
than off and the electronic 
key has been taken out of 
the detection area.

• Turn the 

“ENGINE 
START 
STOP” switch 
off.

• Confirm the 

location of the 
electronic 
key.

Interior

buzzer

Exterior

buzzer

Warning 

light

Warning light/Details

Correction 

procedure

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Interior

buzzer

Exterior

buzzer

Warning 

light

Warning light/Details

Correction 

procedure

Once

Contin-
uous

Smart key system warning 
light

Vehicles with an automatic 
transmission only: Indicates 
that an attempt has been 
made to lock a door using 
the entry function with the 
shift lever in P, the “ENGINE 
START STOP” switch in any 
mode other than off, all doors 
closed and after the elec-
tronic key has been taken out 
of the detection area.

• Turn the 

“ENGINE 
START 
STOP” switch 
off.

• Confirm the 

location of the 
electronic 
key.

Contin-
uous

Smart key system warning 
light

Vehicles with an automatic 
transmission only: Indicates 
that the driver’s door has 
been opened and closed with 
the shift lever not in P, the 
“ENGINE START STOP” 
switch in any mode other 
than off and after the elec-
tronic key has been taken out 
of the detection area.

• Shift the shift 

lever to P.

• Confirm the 

location of the 
electronic 
key.