Scion tC. Service Manual - part 3

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Antenna location and effective range

■

Antenna location

Antennas outside the cabin

Antenna outside the luggage
compartment

Antennas inside the cabin

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■

Effective range (areas within which the electronic key is
detected)

When locking or unlock-
ing the doors

The system can be oper-
ated when the electronic
key is within about 2.3 ft.
(0.7 m) of either of the out-
side side door handles or
back door lock/unlock but-
ton. (Only the doors detect-
ing the key can be
operated.)

When starting the engine
or changing “ENGINE
START STOP” switch
modes

The system can be oper-
ated when the electronic
key is inside the vehicle.

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Operation signals

A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that the doors
have been locked/unlocked. (Locked: once; Unlocked: twice)

■

When the door cannot be locked by the lock sensor on the upper part
of the side door handle

Touch both lock sensors on the upper and
lower parts of the side door handle simul-
taneously.

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Alarms and warning indicators

A combination of exterior and interior alarms as well as warning lights are
used to prevent theft of the vehicle and unforeseeable accidents resulting
from erroneous operation.

●

When any warning lights come on
Take appropriate measures depending on which warning light comes on.
(

P. 384)

The following table describes circumstances and correction procedures
when only alarms are sounded.

Alarm

Situation

Correction procedure

Interior alarm 
pings once and 
exterior alarm 
sounds once for 
10 seconds

An attempt was made to 
lock the doors using the 
entry function while the 
electronic key was still 
inside the passenger com-
partment

Retrieve the elec-
tronic key from the 
passenger compart-
ment and lock the 
doors again

An attempt was made to 
exit the vehicle and lock 
the doors without first turn-
ing the “ENGINE START 
STOP” switch off

Turn the “ENGINE 
START STOP” switch 
off and lock the doors 
again

Exterior alarm 
sounds once for 
10 seconds

An attempt was made to 
lock the vehicle while a 
door is open

Close all of the doors 
and lock the doors 
again

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Alarm

Situation

Correction procedure

Interior alarm 
pings continu-
ously

The “ENGINE START 
STOP” switch was turned 
to ACCESSORY mode 
while the driver’s door was 
open (or the driver’s door 
was opened while the 
“ENGINE START STOP” 
switch was in ACCES-
SORY mode)

Turn the “ENGINE 
START STOP” switch 
off and close the 
driver’s door

The “ENGINE START 
STOP” switch was turned 
OFF while the driver’s door 
was open

Close the driver’s 
door

Interior alarm 
sounds continu-
ously

Vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission only: 
When the “ENGINE 
START STOP” switch is in 
IGNITION ON or ACCES-
SORY mode, an attempt 
was made to open the 
door and exit the vehicle, 
and the shift lever was not 
in P

Shift the shift lever to 
P and turn the 
“ENGINE START 
STOP” switch off

Interior and exte-
rior alarms sound 
continuously

Vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission only: 
When the “ENGINE 
START STOP” switch is in 
IGNITION ON or ACCES-
SORY mode, the driver’s 
door was closed after the 
key was carried outside 
the vehicle, and the shift 
lever was not in P

Shift the shift lever to 
P, turn the “ENGINE 
START STOP” switch 
off and close the 
driver’s door again

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*

: If the engine does not start when the electronic key is inside the vehicle,

the electronic key battery may be depleted or there may be difficulties
receiving signals from the key. (

P. 413)

Alarm

Situation

Correction procedure

Interior alarm 
pings once

The electronic key has a 
low battery

Replace the electronic 
key battery

An attempt was made to 
start the engine without the 
electronic key being 
present, or the electronic 
key was not functioning 
normally

Start the engine with 
the electronic key 
present

*

Interior alarm 
pings once and 
exterior alarm 
sounds 3 times

The driver’s door was 
closed after the key was 
carried outside the vehicle, 
and the “ENGINE START 
STOP” switch was not 
turned off

Turn the “ENGINE 
START STOP” switch 
off and close the 
driver’s door again

An occupant carried the 
electronic key outside the 
vehicle and closed the 
door while the “ENGINE 
START STOP” switch was 
not off

Bring the electronic 
key back into the vehi-
cle

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Security feature

If a door is not opened within approximately 60 seconds after the vehicle is
unlocked, the security feature automatically locks the vehicle again.

■

Switching the door unlock function

It is possible to set which doors the entry function unlocks using the wireless
remote control.

Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off.

When the indicator on the key surface is not on, press and hold

 or 

 for approximately 5 seconds while pressing and hold-

ing .

The setting changes each time an operation is performed, as shown below.
(When changing the setting continuously, release the buttons, wait for at least
5 seconds, and repeat 

.)

STEP 

1 

STEP 

2 

STEP 

2 

Unlocking function

Beep

Holding the driver’s door handle 
unlocks only the driver’s door.

Exterior: Beeps 3 times
Interior: Pings once

Holding the front passenger’s door 
handle unlocks all doors.

Holding either side door handle 
unlocks all doors.

Exterior: Beeps twice
Interior: Pings once

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Battery-saving function

In the following circumstances, the entry function is disabled in order to pre-
vent the vehicle battery from discharging and the electronic key battery from
depleting.

●

When the entry function has not been used for 5 days or more

●

When the electronic key has been left within approximately 6 ft. (2 m) of
the vehicle for 10 minutes or more

●

If the entry function has not been used for 14 days or more, the vehicle
cannot be unlocked by a door other than the driver’s door. To unlock the
vehicle, grip the driver’s door handle or use the wireless remote control
or the mechanical key.

The system will resume operation when:

●

The vehicle is locked using the lock sensor when carrying the electronic
key on your person.

●

The vehicle is locked/unlocked using the wireless remote control. 
(

P. 48)

●

The vehicle is locked/unlocked using the mechanical key. (

P. 413)

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Conditions affecting operation

The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations,
the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be
affected, preventing the smart key system, wireless remote control and
immobilizer system from operating properly. (Ways of coping: 

P. 413)

●

When the electronic key battery is depleted

●

Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electri-
cal noise

●

When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication devices

●

When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following
metallic objects

• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs

●

When multiple electronic keys are in the vicinity

●

When another wireless key (that emits radio waves) is being used nearby

●

When carrying the electronic key together with the following devices that
emit radio waves

• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio

waves

• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems

●

If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to
the rear window

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Notes for the entry function

●

Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (detection
areas), the system may not operate properly in the following cases.

• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door handle,

near the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or
unlocked.

• The electronic key is on the instrument panel, floor or in the glove box

when the engine is started or “ENGINE START STOP” switch modes
are changed.

●

Do not leave the electronic key on top of the instrument panel or near the
door pockets when exiting the vehicle. Depending on the radio wave
reception conditions, it may be detected by the antenna outside the cabin
and the door will become lockable from the outside, possibly trapping the
electronic key inside the vehicle.

●

As long as the electronic key is within the effective range, the doors may
be locked or unlocked by anyone. However, only the doors detecting the
electronic key can be used to unlock the vehicle.

●

The doors may unlock or lock if a large amount of water splashes on the
door handle, such as in the rain or in a car wash, when the electronic key
is within the effective range. (The doors will automatically be locked after
approximately 60 seconds if the doors are not opened and closed.)

●

If the wireless remote control is used to lock the doors when the elec-
tronic key is near the vehicle, there is a possibility that the door may not
be unlocked by the smart key system. (Use the wireless remote control to
unlock the doors.)

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Notes for locking the doors

●

Touching the door lock sensor while wearing gloves may delay or prevent
lock operation. Remove the gloves and touch the lock sensor again.

●

When the lock operation is performed using the lock sensor, recognition
signals will be shown up to two consecutive times. After this, no recogni-
tion signals will be given.

●

If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the
effective range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. Place the key
in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or more separate from the vehicle while the vehi-
cle is being washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)

●

If the electronic key is inside the vehicle and a door handle becomes wet
during a car wash, a buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To turn off the
alarm, lock all the doors.

●

The lock sensor may not work properly if it comes into contact with ice,
snow, mud, etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to operate it again, or
use the lock sensor on the lower part of the door handle.

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Notes for the unlocking function

●

Gripping the side door handle when wearing a glove may not unlock or
lock the door.

●

A sudden approach to the effective range or door handle operation may
prevent the doors from being unlocked. In this case, return the door han-
dle to the original position and check that the doors have unlocked before
pulling the door handle.

●

If there is another electronic key in the detection area, it may take slightly
longer to unlock the doors after one of the side door handles are gripped.

■

When the vehicle is not driven for extended periods

●

To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not leave the electronic key within 6 ft.
(2 m) of the vehicle.

●

The smart key system can be deactivated in advance. Contact your
Scion dealer for details.

■

To operate the system properly

Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get
the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the system from
the outside of the vehicle.

Depending on the position and holding condition of the electronic key, the
key may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate properly.
(The alarm may go off accidentally, or the door lock prevention may not
operate.)

■

If the smart key system does not operate properly

●

Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key. (

P. 413)

●

Starting the engine: 

P. 414

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Electronic key battery depletion

●

The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years.

●

If the battery becomes low, an alarm will sound in the cabin when the
engine stops. (

P. 36)

●

As the electronic key always receives radio waves, the battery will
become depleted even if the electronic key is not used. The following
symptoms indicate that the electronic key battery may be depleted.
Replace the battery when necessary. (

P. 335)

• The smart key system or the wireless remote control does not operate.
• The detection area becomes smaller.
• The LED indicator on the key surface does not turn on.

●

To avoid serious deterioration, do not leave the electronic key within 3 ft.
(1 m) of the following electrical appliances that produce a magnetic field.

• TVs
• Personal computers
• Recharging cellular phones or cordless phones
• Cellular phones, cordless phones and battery chargers
• Induction cookers
• Table lamps

■

When the electronic key battery is fully depleted

P. 335

■

Customization that can be configured at Scion dealer

Settings (e.g. smart key system) can be changed. 
(Customizable features: 

P. 459)

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Certification for the smart key system

For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.

*

: For U.S. mainland only

For vehicles sold in Canada

*

*

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CAUTION

■

Caution regarding interference with electronic devices

●

People with implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization
therapy-pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators should keep
away from the smart key system antennas. (

P. 34)

The radio waves may affect the operation of such devices. If necessary,
the entry function can be disabled. Ask your Scion dealer for details, such
as the frequency of radio waves and timing of the emitted radio waves.
Then, consult your doctor to see if you should disable the entry function.

●

Users of any electrical medical device other than implantable cardiac
pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemakers or implant-
able cardioverter defibrillators should consult the manufacturer of the
device for information about its operation under the influence of radio
waves. Radio waves could have unexpected effects on the operation of
such medical devices.

Ask your Scion dealer for details for disabling the entry function.

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Wireless remote control

The wireless remote control can be used to lock and unlock the vehi-

cle.

Vehicles without a smart key system (type A)

Locks all the doors

Check that the door is securely
locked.

Unlocks all the doors

Pressing the button unlocks
the driver’s door. Pressing the
button again within 3 seconds
unlocks the other doors.

Sounds the alarm 
(press and hold) (

P. 50)

Vehicles without a smart key system (type B)

Locks all the doors

Check that the door is securely
locked.

Sounds the alarm
(press and hold) (

P. 50)

Unlocks all the doors

Pressing the button unlocks
the driver’s door. Pressing the
button again within 3 seconds
unlocks the other doors.