Scion xB. Service Manual - part 8

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CAUTION

■

When braking

●

When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. 
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.

●

If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.

●

Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. 
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.

●

The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.

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NOTICE

■

When driving the vehicle

Automatic transmission

●

Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain driving torque.

●

Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.

Manual transmission

●

Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain driving torque.

●

Do not shift gears unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed. After shifting,
do not release the clutch abruptly. Doing so may damage the clutch, trans-
mission and gears.

●

Observe the following to prevent the clutch from being damaged.

• Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.

Doing so may cause clutch trouble.

• Do not use any gear other than the 1st gears when starting off and

moving forward.
Doing so may damage the clutch.

• Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill

grade.
Doing so may damage the clutch.

●

Do not shift the shift lever to R when the vehicle is still moving. Doing so
may damage the clutch, transmission and gears.

■

When parking the vehicle (vehicles with an automatic transmission)

Always put the shift lever in P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed.

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NOTICE

■

Avoiding damage to vehicle parts

●

Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.

●

When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.

■

If you get a flat tire while driving

A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.

●

It may be difficult to control your vehicle.

●

The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.

●

The vehicle will lean abnormally.

Information on what to do in case of a flat tire. (

P. 306)

■

When encountering flooded roads

Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:

●

Engine stalling

●

Short in electrical components 

●

Engine damage caused by water immersion

In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Scion dealer check the following:

●

Brake function

●

Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, and transaxle fluid etc.

●

Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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Engine (ignition) switch

■

Starting the engine

Automatic 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 to 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 to start the
engine.

STEP 

1 

STEP 

2 

STEP 

3 

STEP 

4 

STEP 

1 

STEP 

2 

STEP 

3 

STEP 

4 

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■

Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”

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

P. 121, 125)

■

If the engine does not start

The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (

P. 64)

■

Changing engine switch position

“LOCK”

The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
(Vehicles with an automatic
transmission: 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.

STEP 

1 

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

STEP 

2 

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■

When the steering lock cannot be released

■

Key reminder buzzer

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.

CAUTION

■

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.

■

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.

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.

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NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

Do not leave the engine switch in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long periods
of time without the engine running.

■

When starting the engine

●

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

●

Do not race a cold engine.

●

If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

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Automatic transmission





: If equipped

Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.

■

Shifting the shift lever

While the engine switch is in 

the 

“ON” position, move the

shift lever with the brake pedal depressed.

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

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■

Shift position purpose

*

1

: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable

for the driving conditions. Setting the shift lever to the D position is
recommended for normal driving.

*

2

: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the

possible gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents
unnecessary upshifting.

Shift position

Function 

P

Parking the vehicle/starting the engine

R

Reversing

N

Neutral

D

Normal driving

*

1

S

S mode driving

*

2

 (

P. 123)

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Changing shift ranges in S mode

When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be oper-
ated as follows:

For upshifting

For downshifting

The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to “3”. 

■

Shift ranges and their functions
● You can choose from 4 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than

a higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.

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■

When driving with the cruise control system

Engine braking will not occur in S mode, even when downshifting to “3”.
(

P. 146)

■

If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P

P. 317

■

If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever
to S

This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic 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.)

■

Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)

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.)

CAUTION

■

When driving on slippery road surfaces

Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.

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Manual transmission





: If equipped

■

Maximum allowable speeds

Observe the downshifting speeds in the following table to prevent over-rev-
ving the engine.

mph (km/h)

■

Shifting the shift lever

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

Shift position

Maximum speed 

1

30 (49)

2

53 (85)

3

81 (130)

4

111 (179)

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Turn signal lever

■

Turn signals can be operated when

The engine switch is in the

 “ON” position.

■

If the indicator flashes faster than usual

Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.

The turn signal lever can be used to show the following intentions
of the driver:

Right turn

Left turn

Lane change to the right
(push and hold the lever
partway)

The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

Lane change to the left
(push and hold the lever
partway)

The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

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Parking brake

■

Usage in winter time

See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. (

P. 161)

NOTICE

■

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.

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 pressing the button.

U.S.A. Canada

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Horn

■

After adjusting the steering wheel

Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked.
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked. 
(

P. 54)

To sound the horn, press on or
close to the 

 mark.

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2-2. Instrument cluster

Gauges and meters

Multi-information display

P. 135

Speedometer

Displays the vehicle speed.

Tachometer

Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.

Fuel gauge

Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.

Clock

P. 194