2004 TOYOTA xA Owners Manual (in English)

11 5
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases
flowing into the threeway catalytic
converter may cause it to overheat
and create a fire hazard. To prevent
this and other damage, observe the
following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely low
fuel level; running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, creat-
ing an excessive load on the three
way catalytic converter.
Do not allow the engine to run at
idle speed for more than 20 min-
utes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not pushstart or pullstart your
vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while
the vehicle is moving.
Keep your engine in good running
order. Malfunctions in the engine
electrical system, electronic ignition
system/distributor ignition system
or fuel system could cause an ex-
tremely high threeway catalytic
converter temperature.
If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, take your
vehicle in for a checkup as soon
as possible. Remember, your Scion
dealer knows your vehicle and its
threeway catalytic converter sys-
tem best.
To ensure that the threeway
catalytic converter and the entire
emission control system operate
properly, your vehicle must receive
the periodic inspections required by
the Scion Maintenance Schedule.
For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide”.
Engine exhaust cautions
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust.
It contains carbon monoxide, which
is a colorless and odorless gas. It
can cause unconsciousness or even
death.
Make sure the exhaust system has
no holes or loose connections. The
system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something,
or notice a change in the sound of
the exhaust, have the system
checked immediately.
Do not run the engine in a garage
or enclosed area except for the
time needed to drive the vehicle in
or out. The exhaust gases cannot
escape, making this a particularly
dangerous situation.
Do not remain for a long time in a
parked vehicle with the engine run-
ning. If it is unavoidable, however,
do so only in an unconfined area
and adjust the heating or cooling
system to force outside air into the
vehicle.

11 6
Keep the back door closed while
driving. An open or unsealed back
door may cause exhaust gases to
be drawn into the vehicle.
To allow proper operation of your
vehicle’s ventilation system, keep
the inlet grilles in front of the wind-
shield clear of snow, leaves, or oth-
er obstructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes in the
vehicle, drive with the windows
open and the back door closed.
Have the cause immediately located
and corrected.
FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of lubri-
cating and cooling the inside of the engine,
and plays a major role in maintaining the
engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil
is left on the cylinder wall when a pis-
ton moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when
the vehicle is decelerating sucks some
of this oil into the combustion chamber.
This oil as well as some part of the oil
film left on the cylinder wall is burned
by the high temperature combustion
gases during the combustion process.
Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.
The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed by highspeed driving
and frequent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its
pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls have
not become conditioned.
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L per 1000
km (1.1 qts./600 miles, 0.9 lmp. qts./600
miles)
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately.
Facts about engine oil
consumption

11 7
As an example, if a vehicle is used for re-
peated short trips, and consumes a normal
amount of oil, the dipstick may not show any
drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000
km (600 miles) or more. This is because the
oil is gradually becoming diluted with fuel or
moisture, making it appear that the oil level
has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when
the vehicle is then driven at high speeds, as
on an express way, making it appear that oil
is excessively consumed after driving at high
speeds.
IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in proper
vehicle maintenance is to keep the engine oil
at the optimum level so that oil function will
not be impaired. Therefore, it is essential that
the oil level be checked regularly. Scion rec-
ommends that the oil level be checked every
time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” on page
186.
Brake system
The tandem master cylinder brake system is
a hydraulic system with two separate sub
systems. If either subsystem should fail, the
other will still work. However, the pedal will
be harder to press, and your stopping dis-
tance will increase. Also, the brake system
warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a
single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to
powerassist the brakes. If the engine should
quit while you are driving, you can bring the
vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure.
There is enough reserved vacuum for one or
two stops but no more!

11 8
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your reserved vacu-
um.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard, much harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
increase.
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
The antilock brake system is designed
to automatically help prevent lockup of
the wheels during a sudden braking or
braking on slippery road surfaces. This
assists in providing directional stability
and steering performance of the vehicle
under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake
pedal:
When the anti−lock brake system func-
tion is in action, you may feel the brake
pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this
situation, to let the anti−lock brake sys-
tem work for you, just hold the brake
pedal down more firmly. Do not pump
the brake in a panic stop. This will re-
sult in reduced braking performance.
The antilock brake system becomes opera-
tive after the vehicle has accelerated to a
speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h (6
mph). It stops operating when the vehicle
decelerates to a speed below approximately
5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery road
surfaces such as on a manhole cover, a steel
plate at a construction site, joints in a
bridge, etc. on a rainy day tends to activate
the antilock brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in the
engine compartment for a few seconds when
the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the anti
lock brake system is in the selfcheck mode,
and does not indicate a malfunction.When the antilock brake system is ac-
tivated, the following conditions may
occur. They do not indicate a malfunc-
tion of the system:
You may hear the anti−lock brake sys-
tem operating and feel the brake pedal
pulsating and the vibrations of the ve-
hicle body and steering wheel. You
may also hear the motor sound in the
engine compartment even after the ve-
hicle is stopped.
At the end of the anti−lock brake sys-
tem activation, the brake pedal may
move a little forward.

11 9
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the antilock
brake system: Although the antilock
brake system assists in providing ve-
hicle control, it is still important to
drive with all due care and maintain
a moderate speed and safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you, be-
cause there are limits to the vehicle
stability and effectiveness of steering
wheel operation even with the anti
lock brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its
capability, or if hydroplaning occurs
during high speed driving in the rain,
the antilock brake system does not
provide vehicle control.
Antilock brake system is not de-
signed to shorten the stopping dis-
tance: Always drive at a moderate
speed and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles without an
antilock brake system, your vehicle
may require a longer stopping dis-
tance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow
covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving over the steps such as the
joints on the road.
Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differ-
ences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at
appropriate pressure: The antilock
brake system detects vehicle speeds
using the speed sensors for respec-
tive wheels’ turning speeds. The use
of tires other than specified may fail
to detect the accurate turning speed
resulting in a longer stopping dis-
tance.
“ABS” warning light
This light comes on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position. If
the antilock brake system works prop-
erly, the light turns off after a few sec-
onds. Thereafter, if the system malfunc-
tions, the light comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and the
brake system warning light is off), the anti
lock brake system does not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.

120
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and the
brake system warning light is off), the anti
lock brake system does not operate so that
the wheels could lock up during a sudden
braking or braking on slippery road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions oc-
curs, this indicates a malfunction some-
where in the components monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Scion dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion, or remains on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Scion dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
Brake pad wear limit indicators
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads checked
and replaced by your Scion dealer as soon as
possible. Expensive rotor damage can result
if the pads are not replaced when necessary.

121
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the
instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
This is the primary identification number for
your Scion. It is used in registering the own-
ership of your vehicle.The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
also on the Certification Label.
—Engine number
SU21007
The engine number is stamped on the
engine block as shown.
Your Scion’s identification—
—Vehicle identification
number

122
Theft prevention labels
Your new vehicle carries theft preven-
tion labels which are approximately 56
mm (2.20 in.) by 16 mm (0.63 in.).
The purpose of these labels is to reduce the
incidence of vehicle thefts by facilitating the
tracing and recovery of parts from stolen ve-
hicles. The label is designed so that once it
is applied to a surface, any attempt to re-
move it will result in destroying the integrity
of the label. Transferring these labels intact
from one part to another will be impossible.
NOTICE
You should not attempt to remove the
theft prevention labels as it may vio-
late certain state or federal laws.
Suspension and chassis
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension/chassis
with lift kits, spacers, springs, etc. It
can cause dangerous handling charac-
teristics, resulting in loss of control.