2008 TOYOTA tC maintenance

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Foreword
Welcome to the growing group of value–conscious people who drive Scions. We are proud of the advanced engineering and
quality construction of each vehicle we build.
This Owner ’s Manual explains the operation of your new Scion. Please read it thoroughly and have all the occupants
follow the instructions carefully. Doing so will help you enjoy many years of safe and trouble–free motoring. For
important information about this manual and your Scion, read the following pages carefully.
When it comes to service, remember that your Scion dealer knows your vehicle very well and is interested in your complete
satisfaction. Your Scion dealer will provide quality maintenance and any other assistance you may require.
If there is not a Scion dealer near you, please call the following number:
U.S. OWNERS
When traveling in the U.S. mainland:Scion Customer Experience Tollfree:186670SCION or 18667072466
Hawaii:
Servco Automotive Customer Services Tollfree:18882725515
Please leave this Owner ’s Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next owner will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of printing. However, because of Scion’s policy of
continual product improvement, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment, including options. Therefore, you may
find some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
Please access our websites for further information.
The U.S. mainland www.scion.com
Hawaiiwww.scionhawaii.com
©2007 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in part, without the written permission of Toyo ta
Motor Corporation.

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SRS airbag deployment data
 SRS airbag system diagnostic data
The information above is intended to be used for the
purpose of improving vehicle safety performance. Unlike
general data recorders, the EDR does not record sound
data such as conversation between passengers.
Scion will not disclose the data recorded in an EDR to
a third party except when:
 An agreement from the vehicle’s owner (or the leas-
ing company for a leased vehicle) is obtained
 Officially requested by the police or other authorities
 Used as a defence for Scion in a law suit
 Ordered by the court
However, if necessary Scion will:
 Use the data for research on Scion vehicle safety
performance
 Disclose the data to a third party for research pur-
poses without disclosing details of the vehicle own-
er, and only when it is deemed necessary
 Disclose summarized data cleared of vehicle identifi-
cation information to a non −Scion organization for
research purposesNew vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Scion lim-
ited warranties:
 New vehicle warranty
 Emission control systems warranty
 Others
For further information, please refer to the “Owner’s
Warranty Information Booklet” or “Owner ’s Manual
Supplement”.
Your responsibility for maintenance
It is the owner ’s responsibility to make sure the speci-
fied maintenance is performed. Section 6 gives details
of these maintenance requirements. Also included in
Section 6 is general maintenance. For scheduled mainte-
nance information, please refer to the “Scheduled Main-
tenance Guide” or “Owner ’s Manual Supplement”.

11
12T006
The engine immobilizer system is a
theft prevention system. When you in-
sert the key in the ignition switch, the
transponder chip in the key’s head
transmits an electronic code to the ve-
hicle. The engine will start only when
the electronic code in the chip corre-
sponds to the registered ID code for
the vehicle.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle
when you leave the vehicle.The system is automatically set when the
key is removed from the ignition switch.
The indicator light will start flashing to
show the system is set.
If any of the following indicator conditions
occurs, contact your Scion dealer.
The indicator light stays on.
The indicator light does not start flash-
ing when the key is removed from the
ignition switch.
The indicator light flashes inconsistent-
ly.Inserting the registered key in the ignition
switch automatically cancels the system,
which enables the engine to start. The
indicator light will go off.
The system is maintenance−
free.
For your Scion dealer to make you a new
key with a built–in transponder chip, your
dealer will need your key number and
master key. However, there is a limit to
the number of additional keys your Scion
dealer can make for you.
If you make your own duplicate key,
you will not be able to cancel the sys-
tem or start the engine.
NOTICE
Do not modify, remove or disas-
semble the engine immobilizer sys-
tem. If any unauthorized changes or
modifications are made, proper opera-
tion of the system cannot be guaran-
teed.
Engine immobilizer system
(on some models)

109
If the system fails to reset, the light will
remain on or keep flashing.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position and
goes off after the engine starts. This
means that the warning light system is
operating properly.
If the lamp remains on or the lamp
comes on while driving, first check the
following.
Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immedi-
ately.
Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely
tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off
after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp will not go off even after
the several trips, contact your Scion
dealer as soon as possible. If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel
tank cap is not loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the
engine, emission control system, auto-
matic transmission electrical system or
warning light system itself.
Contact your Scion dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state emis-
sion inspection if the malfunction indicator
lamp remains on. Contact your Scion deal-
er to check your vehicle’s emission control
system and OBD (On–Board Di agnostics)
system before taking your vehicle for the
inspection.
For details, see “Emissions inspection and
maintenance (I/M) programs” on page 222.
(g) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes very low. Fill up the
tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual. (h) Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Scion dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.

121
As an added safety feature, your ve-
hicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS–
tire pressure warning system) that il-
luminates a low tire pressure telltale
(tire pressure warning light) when one
or more of your tires is significantly
underinflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale (tire pres-
sure warning light) illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a sig-
nificantly underinflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Underinflation also re-
duces fuel efficiency and tire tread
life, and may affect the vehicle’s han-
dling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pres-
sure warning system) is not a substi-
tute for proper tire maintenance, and
it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if
underinflation 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 warning
system) malfunction indicator to indi-
cate when the system is not operat-
ing properly. The TPMS (tire pressure
warning system) malfunction indicator
is combined with the low tire pres-
sure telltale (tire pressure warning
light). When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle startups as long as
the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or
signal low tire pressure as intended.TPMS (tire pressure warning system)
malfunction may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS (tire pressure warning sys-
tem) from functioning properly. Al-
ways check the TPMS (tire pressure
warning system) malfunction telltale
after replacing one or more tires or
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that
the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure
warning system) to continue to func-
tion properly.

148
Break–in period
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break–in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Avoid full throttle acceleration when
starting and driving.
Avoid racing the engine.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive slowly with the manual
transmission in a high gear.
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.
Fuel
FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mix–ups, your
Scion has a smaller fuel tank opening.
The special nozzle on pumps with un-
leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan-
dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will
not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5–M93
in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the
three–way catalytic converter to lose
its effectiveness and the emission
control system to function improperly.
Also, this can increase maintenance
costs.
OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Oc-
tane Number 91) or higher.
Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating or research octane number lower
than stated above will cause persistent
heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will
lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks...
If you detect heavy knocking even when
using the recommended fuel, or if you
hear steady knocking while holding a
steady speed on level roads, consult your
Scion dealer.
However, occasionally, you may notice
light knocking for a short time while accel-
erating or driving up hills. This is normal
and there is no need for concern.
GASOLINES CONTAINING DETERGENT
ADDITIVES
Scion recommends the use of gasoline
that contain detergent additives to
avoid build–up of engine deposits.
However, all gasoline sold in the U.S.
contains detergent additives to keep clean
and/or clean intake systems.

151
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible mate-
rials away from the exhaust pipe
while the engine is running. The
exhaust gas is very hot.
Do not drive, idle or park your ve-
hicle over anything that might burn
easily such as grass, leaves, paper
or rags.
Do not leave anything that may
burn easily, such as paper or rags,
in the engine compartment.
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases
flowing into the three–way 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 push–start or pull–start 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 three–way catalytic
converter temperature.
 If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, take your
vehicle in for a check–up as soon
as possible. Remember, your Scion
dealer knows your vehicle and its
three–way catalytic converter sys-
tem best.
 To ensure that the three–way
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” or “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”.

153

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 under.
More oil is consumed by high–speed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
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 qt./600 miles, 0.9 lmp.qt./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. As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal 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 prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine 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 recommends 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 232.