Scion FR-S. Instruction - part 15

230

4-2. Maintenance

Maintenance requirements

■

Repair and replacement

It is recommended that genuine Scion parts be used for repair to ensure per-
formance of each system. If non-Scion parts are used in replacement or if a
repair shop other than a Scion dealer performs repairs, confirm the warranty
coverage.

To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular

maintenance is essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to perform

regular checks. Scion recommends the following maintenance.

■

General maintenance

Should be performed on a daily basis. This can be done by your-
self or by a Scion dealer.

■

Scheduled maintenance

Should be performed at specified intervals according to the
maintenance schedule.

For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Instruction Supplement”.

■

Do-it-yourself maintenance

You can perform some maintenance procedures yourself. 
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect war-
ranty coverage.

The use of Scion Repair Instructions is recommended.

For details about warranty coverage, see the separate “Owner’s War-
ranty Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Instruction Supplement”.

231

4-2. Maintenance

4

Mainten

ance an

d ca

re

■

Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Scion dealer

●

Scion technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with
the latest service information. They are well informed about the opera-
tions of all systems on your vehicle.

●

Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Scion dealer will promptly take
care of it.

CAUTION

■

If your vehicle is not properly maintained

It could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possible serious injury or
death.

■

Warning in handling of battery

●

Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.

●

Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.

●

Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands
after handling. (

P. 251)

232

4-2. Maintenance

General maintenance

Engine compartment

Items

Check points

Battery

Check the connections. 

 (

P. 251)

Brake fluid

At the correct level?  (

P. 249)

Engine coolant

At the correct level?

(

P. 247)

Engine oil

At the correct level?

(

P. 244)

Exhaust system

No fumes or strange sounds?

Radiator/condenser/hoses

Not blocked with foreign matter?
 

(

P. 249)

Washer fluid

At the correct level?

(

P. 254)

Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-

formed at the intervals specified in the “Owner's Warranty Informa-

tion Booklet” or “Owner’s Instruction Supplement/Scheduled

Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem you notice

should be brought to the attention of your Scion dealer or qualified

service shop for advice.

233

4-2. Maintenance

4

Mainten

ance an

d ca

re

Vehicle interior

Items

Check points

Accelerator pedal

• Moves smoothly (without uneven 

pedal effort or catching)?

Automatic transmission “Park” 
mechanism

• Can the vehicle be held securely 

on an incline with the shift lever in 
P?

Brake pedal

• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clear-

ance and correct amount of free 
play?

Brakes

• Not pull to one side when 

applied?

• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?

Clutch pedal

• Moves smoothly?

Head restraints

• Move smoothly and lock 

securely?

Indicators/buzzers

• Function properly?

Lights

• Do all the lights come on?

Parking brake

• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on 

an incline?

Seat belts

• Does the seat belt system oper-

ate smoothly?

• Are the belts undamaged?

Seats

• Do the seat controls operate 

properly?

Steering wheel

• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

234

4-2. Maintenance

Vehicle exterior

Items

Check points

Door/trunk

• Operate smoothly?

Engine hood

• The lock system works properly?

Fluid leaks

• Is there any leakage after park-

ing?

Tire

• Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or dam-

aged?

• Tires rotated according to the 

maintenance schedule?

• Wheel nuts are not loose?

Windshield wipers

• The wiper blades should not show 

any signs of cracking, splitting, 
wear, contamination or deforma-
tion.

• The wiper blades should clear the 

windshield without streaking or 
skipping.

CAUTION

■

If the engine is running

Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

235

4-2. Maintenance

4

Mainten

ance an

d ca

re

Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs

Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which

include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system moni-

tors the operation of the emission control system.

■

If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on

The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere
in the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/
M test and may need to be repaired. Contact your Scion dealer
to service the vehicle.

■

Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
● When the battery is disconnected or discharged

Readiness codes that are set during ordinary driving are
erased. 
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes
may not be completely set.

● When the fuel tank cap is loose

The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary mal-
function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.

■

When the malfunction indicator lamp goes off after several
driving trips

The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.

■

If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test

Contact your Scion dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.

236

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Do-it-yourself service precautions

If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct

procedure as given in these sections.

Items

Parts and tools

Battery condition

(

P. 251)

• Warm  water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench

(for terminal clamp bolts)

• Distilled water

Brake fluid level

(

P. 249)

• FMVSS No.116 fresh DOT 3 or 

DOT 4 brake fluid

• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding 

brake fluid)

Engine coolant level

(

P. 247)

• “TOYOTA Genuine 50/50 Pre-

mixed Super Long Life Coolant 
BLUE” or similar high-quality 
ethylene glycol-based non-
silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite 
and non-borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid 
technology. 
“TOYOTA Genuine 50/50 Pre-
mixed Super Long Life Coolant 
BLUE” is pre-mixed with 50% 
coolant and 50% deionized 
water.

• Funnel (used only for adding 

engine coolant)

Engine oil level

(

P. 244)

• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or 

equivalent

• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used 

only for adding engine oil)

237

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

4

Mainten

ance an

d ca

re

Items

Parts and tools

Fuses(

P. 276)

• Fuse with same amperage rating 

as original

Light bulbs

(

P. 284)

• Bulb with same number and watt-

age rating as original

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver

Radiator and condenser

(

P. 249)



Tire inflation pressure (

P. 263)

• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source

Washer fluid(

P. 254)

• Water washer fluid containing 

antifreeze (for winter use)

• Funnel

238

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

CAUTION

The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.

■

When working on the engine compartment

●

Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.

●

Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.

●

Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.

●

Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.

●

Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.

■

When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille

Be sure the engine switch is off. With the engine switch in the “ON” position,
the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning
is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. (

P. 249)

■

Safety glasses

Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.

NOTICE

■

If you remove the air cleaner filter

Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.

239

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

4

Mainten

ance an

d ca

re

Hood

Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.

Pull the hood release lever.

The hood will pop up slightly.

Push the auxiliary catch lever
to the left and lift the hood.

Hold the hood open by insert-
ing the supporting rod into the
slot.

STEP 

1 

STEP 

2 

STEP 

3 

240

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

CAUTION

■

Pre-driving check

Check that the hood is fully closed and locked. 
If the hood is not locked properly it may open while the vehicle is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.

NOTICE

■

When opening the hood

●

Do not lift up or operate the wipers. Doing so may cause the hood and wip-
ers to contact, scratching the hood.

●

Use caution when opening the engine hood in windy weather as it may
close suddenly in strong wind.

●

Do not attach any accessories other than genuine Scion products to the
engine hood. Such additional weight on the engine hood may cause it to
be too heavy to be supported by the supporting rod when opened.

■

When closing the hood

Do not apply excessive weight or force when closing the hood as doing so
may result in damage.

241

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

4

Mainten

ance an

d ca

re

Positioning a floor jack

When raising your vehicle with a floor jack, position the jack cor-

rectly. Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause injury.

■

Front

■

Rear

242

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

CAUTION

■

When raising your vehicle

Make sure to observe the following precautions to reduce the possibility of
death or serious injury:

●

When using a floor jack, follow the instructions of the instruction provided with
the jack.

●

Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.

●

Do not put any part of your body underneath the vehicle when it is sup-
ported only by the floor jack.

●

Always use floor jack and/or automotive jack stands on a solid, flat, level
surface.

●

Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.

●

Stop the vehicle on level, firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and shift
the shift lever to P (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or R (vehicles
with a instruction transmission).

●

Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point. 
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.

●

Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.

●

When raising the vehicle, do not place any object on top of or underneath
the floor jack.

●

When raising the vehicle, ensure that there is sufficient surrounding space.
The vehicle’s position may change slightly when lowered.

●

Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

243

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

4

Mainten

ance an

d ca

re

Engine compartment

Battery

(

P. 251)

Engine oil level dipstick

(

P. 244)

Brake fluid reservoir

(

P. 249)

Engine oil filler cap

(

P. 245)

Washer fluid tank

(

P. 254)

Electric cooling fans

Condenser (

P. 249)

Radiator

(

P. 249)

Engine coolant reservoir

(

P. 247)

Fuse box

(

P. 276)

244

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Engine oil

With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.

■

Checking the engine oil

Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than five minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of the engine.

Hold a rag under the end and
pull the dipstick out.

Wipe the dipstick clean.

Reinsert the dipstick fully.

Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.

When checking the oil, look at both sides of the dipstick and use the
lower measurement to determine the level of oil.

Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.

Low

Full

STEP 

1 

STEP 

2 

STEP 

3 

STEP 

4 

STEP 

5 

STEP 

6 

245

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

4

Mainten

ance an

d ca

re

■

Adding engine oil

If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.

Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.

Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.

Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.

Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.

Engine oil 

selection

P. 348

Oil quantity

(Low 

 Full)

1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp. qt.)

Items

Clean funnel

STEP 

1 

STEP 

2 

STEP 

3