Scion FR-S. Instruction - part 11

166

2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers

■

Headlight control sensor

■

Automatic light off system

The light switch is in 

, the headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds

after a door is opened and closed if the engine switch is turned off. (The
lights turn off immediately if 

 on the key is pressed after all the doors

are locked.)

To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to “ON” position, or turn

the light switch off and then back to 

 

or .

■

Light reminder buzzer

A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned to “LOCK” position and
the driver's door is opened with the key removed from the engine switch
while the lights are turned on.

Headlight control sensor is located on the
passenger's side.

The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield.

Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.

167

2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers

2

Wh

en drivin

g

■

Battery-saving function

In the following conditions, the headlights and the other remaining lights will
go off automatically after 20 minutes in order to prevent the vehicle battery
from being discharged:

●

The headlights and/or tail lights are on.

●

The engine switch is turned off.

●

The light switch is in 

 or 

.

This function will be canceled in any of the following situations:

●

When the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position

●

When the light switch is operated

●

When the door is opened or closed

■

Customization that can be configured at your Scion dealer

Settings of the light sensor sensitivity can be changed. 
(Customizable features 

P. 373)

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not run-
ning.

168

2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers

Windshield wipers and washer

When intermittent windshield wiper operation is selected, the wiper

interval can be adjusted.

The wiper operation is selected by moving the lever as follows.

Intermittent windshield
wiper operation

Low speed windshield wiper
operation

High speed windshield
wiper operation

Temporary operation 

Decreases the intermittent
windshield wiper frequency

Increases the intermittent
windshield wiper frequency

169

2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers

2

Wh

en drivin

g

■

The windshield wipers and washer can be operated when

The engine switch is in the “ON” position.

■

If no windshield washer fluid sprays

Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the
windshield washer fluid tank.

CAUTION

■

Caution regarding the use of washer fluid

When it is cold, do not use the washer fluid until the windshield becomes
warm. The fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause low visibility. This
may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.

Washer/wiper dual opera-
tion

The wipers will automatically
operate a couple of times after
the washer squirts.

170

2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers

NOTICE

■

When the windshield is dry

Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.

■

When the washer fluid tank is empty

Do not operate the switch continually as the washer fluid pump may over-
heat.

■

When a nozzle becomes blocked

In this case, contact your Scion dealer. 
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.

171

2

Wh

en drivin

g

2-4. Using other driving systems

Cruise control

Use the cruise control to maintain a set speed without depressing

the accelerator pedal. 

Indicators

Cruise control switch

■

Setting the vehicle speed

Press the “ON-OFF” button to
activate the cruise control. 

Cruise control indicator (green)
will come on.

Press the button again to
deactivate the cruise control. 

Accelerate or decelerate the
vehicle to the desired speed,
and push the lever down to set
the speed.

“SET” indicator will come on.

The vehicle speed at the
moment the lever is released
becomes the set speed.

STEP 

1 

STEP 

2 

172

2-4. Using other driving systems

■

Adjusting the set speed

To change the set speed, operate the lever until the desired set
speed is obtained.

Increases the speed

Decreases the speed

Fine adjustment: Momentarily
move the lever in the desired
direction.

Large adjustment: Hold the
lever in the desired direction.

The set speed will be increased or decreased as follows:

Fine adjustment (vehicles with a km/h odometer display): By approxi-
mately 0.6 mph (1 km/h) each time the lever is operated.

Fine adjustment (vehicles with an mph odometer display): By approxi-
mately 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time the lever is operated.

Large adjustment: The set speed can be increased or decreased con-
tinually until the lever is released.

173

2-4. Using other driving systems

2

Wh

en drivin

g

■

Cruise control can be set when

Vehicles with an automatic transmission

●

The shift lever is in D or M and the vehicle is in the 2

nd

 gear or higher.

●

Vehicle speed is above approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).

Vehicles with a instruction transmission

●

The vehicle is in the 2

nd

 gear or higher.

●

Vehicle speed is above approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).

■

Canceling and resuming the constant speed control

Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the constant speed
control.

The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied or the clutch pedal
(instruction transmission only) is
depressed.

Pushing the lever up
resumes the constant
speed control.

Resuming is available when
the vehicle speed is more
than approximately 20 mph
(30 km/h).

174

2-4. Using other driving systems

■

Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed

●

The vehicle can be accelerated normally. After acceleration, the set
speed resumes.

●

Even without canceling the cruise control, the set speed can be
increased by first accelerating the vehicle to the desired speed and then
pushing the lever down to set the new speed.

■

Automatic cruise control cancelation

Cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in any of the following
situations. 

●

Actual vehicle speed is below approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).

●

VSC is activated.

■

The system may be malfunctioning when

In the following situations, the system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by your Scion dealer.

●

The cruise control indicator light comes on in yellow.

●

The cruise control indicator does not come on even when the “ON-OFF”
button is pressed while the engine is running.

175

2-4. Using other driving systems

2

Wh

en drivin

g

CAUTION

■

To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake

Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.

■

Situations unsuitable for cruise control

Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations. 
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting
in death or serious injury.

●

In heavy traffic

●

On roads with sharp bends

●

On winding roads

●

On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow

●

On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.

●

During emergency towing

176

2-4. Using other driving systems

Driving assist systems

When the TRAC/VSC systems are operating

The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC (brake LSD
function)/VSC systems are oper-
ating.

To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-

tems operate automatically in response to various driving situations.

Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and

should not be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.

■

ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)

Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface

■

Brake assist

Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation

■

VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)

Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces

■

TRAC (Traction Control)

Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads. 
The TRAC system is also equipped with the brake LSD function.

■

EPS (Electric Power Steering)

Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel

177

2-4. Using other driving systems

2

Wh

en drivin

g

Disabling the TRAC system

If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC system may

reduce power from the engine to the wheels. Pressing 

 to turn

the system off may make it easier for you to rock the vehicle in order
to free it. 
In this case, the brake LSD function remains on.

To turn the TRAC system off,
quickly press and release the
button.

The “TRAC OFF” indicator light
will come on.

Press the button again to turn the
system back on.

“VSC SPORT” mode

Your vehicle is equipped with two types of control modes to accom-
modate various driving preferences. The control modes can be
selected with the “VSC SPORT” mode switch. Normal mode allows
secure and smooth normal driving. When the switch is pressed, “VSC
SPORT” mode is activated. Control characteristics such as the VSC
and TRAC are adjusted to afford maneuverability closer to what a
driver may have imagined, while a sense of security is retained.

“VSC SPORT” mode/Normal
mode

The “VSC SPORT” indicator and
VSC off indicator come on when
in “VSC SPORT” mode.

178

2-4. Using other driving systems

Selecting TRAC mode and VSC mode

Modes can be selected to suit your driving conditions as follows:

Driving 

conditions

TRAC 

modes

VSC modes

Indicator lights

Normal roads

On

Normal mode



Rough roads

Off

Normal mode

Sport driving

On

“VSC SPORT” 

mode

 

Off

“VSC SPORT” 

mode

 

 

Off

Off

 

179

2-4. Using other driving systems

2

Wh

en drivin

g

■

Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems

To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off, press and hold 

 for more than

3 seconds while the vehicle is stopped.

The “TRAC OFF” indicator light and the VSC off indicator light will come on. 
In this case, the brake LSD function remains on. 
Press the button again to turn the systems back on.

■

Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, TRAC and
VSC systems

●

A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake
pedal is depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction
has occurred in any of these systems.

●

Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.

• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.

■

EPS operation sound

When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may
be heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.

■

Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems

After turning the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automati-
cally reactivated in the following situations:

●

When the engine switch is turned to “LOCK” position

●

If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle
speed is more than approximately 31 mph (50 km/h).
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic reactivation
will not occur when vehicle speed increases.

180

2-4. Using other driving systems

■

Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system

The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur,
refrain from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the engine
off. The EPS system should return to normal after a little while.

■

Automatic deactivation of “VSC SPORT” mode

When the engine switch is turned to “LOCK” position after driving in “VSC
SPORT” mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.

CAUTION

■

The ABS does not operate effectively when

●

Tires with inadequate gripping ability are used (such as excessively worn
tires on a snow covered road).

●

The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.

■

Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions

The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situ-
ations:

●

When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads

●

When driving with tire chains

●

When driving over bumps in the road

●

When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces

■

TRAC may not operate effectively when

Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating. 
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

■

When the VSC and/or brake LSD function is activated

The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.

181

2-4. Using other driving systems

2

Wh

en drivin

g

CAUTION

■

When the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off

Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.

■

Replacing tires

Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.

The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires
are installed on the vehicle.

Contact your Scion dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.

■

Handling of tires and suspension

Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.