Taking apart the interior of your 2013 Scion tC might seem daunting, but with the right tools and a bit of guidance, it’s a manageable DIY project. Whether you’re planning to upgrade your car audio system, customize the interior aesthetics, or need to access components behind the panels, knowing how to safely remove these trims is essential. This guide will walk you through the process of removing various interior panels, ensuring you can tackle your project with confidence. Remember, while this guide provides detailed steps, always proceed at your own risk and take necessary safety precautions.
Before we begin, it’s crucial to gather the right tools. Having these ready will make the process smoother and prevent damage to your vehicle’s interior.
Tools You’ll Need:
- Large Flat Head Screwdriver: For prying and levering panels.
- Small Flat Head Screwdriver: For smaller, more delicate clips and panels.
- Large Phillips Head Screwdriver: For screws in various locations.
- Small Phillips Head Screwdriver: For smaller screws, especially around gauges and vents.
- Small Ratchet with 10mm and 12mm sockets (or wrenches): For bolts in the dash and steering column areas.
- Medium Ratchet with extensions and 10mm and 12mm sockets (or wrenches): For deeper bolts and hard-to-reach areas.
- Scissors: For cutting zip ties, if necessary.
Safety First: Disconnecting the Battery
Before starting any work on your car’s interior, especially if it involves electrical components, disconnect the battery. This prevents accidental shorts and potential damage to your vehicle’s electrical system. Locate your car battery, usually under the hood, and use a wrench to disconnect both the positive and negative terminals.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Interior Panels
Let’s begin with the removal of various interior trims in your 2013 Scion tC. Follow these steps carefully for each panel.
1. Door Panel Trim Removal
Start with the driver’s side door. Open the door to access the panel.
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Locate the slot: Find the slot on the bottom of the door panel.
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Release the first clip: Insert the large flat head screwdriver into the slot and gently pull outwards to release the initial clip.
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Remove the trim: Once the first clip is free, carefully pull the trim away from the door. The clips are designed to be sturdy, so don’t hesitate to apply firm, steady pressure.
2. Radio and Center Dash Trim Removal
Moving to the center dash area, we’ll remove the trim around the radio.
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Pop the first clip: Use the large flat head screwdriver to get behind the radio trim and gently pull outwards to disengage the first clip.
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Remove the trim: After the initial clip is released, pull the trim away from the dash. Again, firm pressure is usually needed due to the clip strength.
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Disconnect Clock/Security Indicator: Unplug the connector for the clock and security indicator from the trim piece.
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Remove LCD and Screen: Detach the LCD screen from the radio trim. This is usually held by small clips that can be released with your fingernails or a small flathead screwdriver.
3. Glovebox Upper Dash Trim Removal
Next, we’ll tackle the trim piece located above the glovebox.
- Open the glovebox: Open the glovebox to gain access to the trim above it.
- Pull out the trim: Gently but firmly pull the dash trim above the glovebox outwards. It’s held in place by a few clips.
4. Mirror Control Trim Removal
Now, let’s remove the trim around the mirror controls.
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Pop the first clip: Using the small flat head screwdriver, position it behind the mirror control trim and pull outwards to release the first clip.
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Remove the trim: Once the initial clip is free, pull the rest of the mirror control trim away from the door panel.
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Disconnect Plugs: Unplug the electrical connectors from the mirror control trim. The number of plugs can vary based on your car’s features like fog lights and Bluetooth.
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Remove Mirror Control Buttons: Detach the mirror control buttons from the trim by pressing in the clips on each side and pushing the buttons out from the front.
5. Speedometer Trim Removal
Moving to the steering column area, we’ll remove the speedometer trim.
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Tilt Steering Wheel: Tilt your steering wheel downwards and pull it towards you as far as it goes to create more space.
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Pull out Speedometer Trim: Pull the speedometer trim straight out from the dash. It’s secured by just two clips.
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Remove Screws: Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the two screws located at the top of the speedometer trim opening.
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Remove Aluminum Trim: Detach the aluminum trim from the speedometer trim. This can be done by releasing the clips around the aluminum trim, either with your fingernails or a flat head screwdriver.
6. Dash Piece Between Steering Wheel and Radio Removal
This section is for the dash piece located between the steering wheel and the radio.
- Pull out the dash piece: Gently pull out the dash piece. It’s held by clips. If your Scion tC is an RS model with push-start, disconnect the push-start button from the back of the trim after removal.
7. Passenger Kick Panel Removal
Now, let’s remove the passenger side kick panel.
- Pull out Kick Panel: Pull the passenger kick panel away from the dash. It’s held by clips.
8. USB/Stick Trim Removal
This step involves removing the trim around the USB and auxiliary input area.
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Pull out USB/Stick Trim: Pull the USB/stick trim away from the dash. It’s held by clips and should come off easily.
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Unplug Connectors: Disconnect the USB and traction control plugs from the back of the trim.
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Remove Aluminum Stick Trim: Remove the aluminum trim piece from the dash trim by simply pulling it off.
9. Shifter Trim Removal
Moving to the center console, we’ll remove the shifter trim.
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Twist off Shifter Knob: Twist and remove the shifter knob.
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Pull off Shifter Trim: Pull the shifter trim away from the rubber boot or base. It’s usually just clipped on.
10. Cigarette Lighter Trim Removal
This step involves the trim around the cigarette lighter.
- Pull out Cigarette Lighter Trim: Pull the dash piece holding the cigarette lighter straight out. It’s held by clips. You can disconnect the cigarette lighter connector or let it hang to the side.
11. A/C Gauge Assembly Removal
Now, we’ll remove the A/C gauge assembly.
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Pull out A/C Gauge Assembly: Pull the A/C gauge assembly away from the dash. It is held by clips.
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Remove A/C Gauges: Detach the A/C gauges by releasing the clips on each side of each gauge and pulling them out from the back.
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Remove Trim from Gauges: Remove the trim from each gauge by releasing the clips in each corner and pulling the trim off the front.
12. Glovebox Removal
To remove the glovebox itself:
- Remove Glovebox: Open the glovebox and push inwards on each side to release the stoppers, then pull the glovebox out.
13. Dash Piece Behind Glovebox Removal
Remove the dash piece located behind where the glovebox was.
- Pull out Dash Piece: Simply pull the dash piece away from the dash.
14. Speedometer Cluster Removal
For removing the speedometer cluster itself:
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Remove Screws: Locate and remove the Phillips head screws around the speedometer cluster area.
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Pull and Disconnect Speedometer: Pull the speedometer cluster away from the dash and disconnect the wiring harness from the back.
15. Further Dash Screw Removal
There are more screws to remove to fully detach the dash.
- Remove Screws Behind Speedometer: Remove the two screws that were behind the speedometer cluster.
16. Airbag and Bolts Behind Glovebox Removal
Safety is key here, as we’re dealing with airbags.
- Remove Airbag Plugs and Bolts: Locate and remove the two airbag plugs and the three bolts that were behind the glovebox.
17. Pillar Trim Removal
Moving to the A-pillars:
- Gently Pull Pillar Trim: Carefully pull the pillar trim off. It is held by both clips and twist clips. First, pop the clips by pulling away from the wall, then turn the twist clips 90 degrees to release.
18. Side Bolts (Pillar Area) Removal
With the pillar trims off, you can access side bolts.
- Remove Side Bolts: Remove the bolt on each side of the vehicle that was hidden by the pillar trims.
19. Top Dash Removal
Finally, we can remove the entire top dash.
- Pull out Top Dash: Pull the whole top dash out. Be cautious as the passenger airbag is still attached to the dash assembly.
20. Vent and A/C Tube Screw Removal
Once the dash is out, you can access the vents and A/C tubes.
- Remove Vent and A/C Tube Screws: Remove the Phillips head screws holding the vents and A/C tubes in place.
21. Vent Removal from Dash
With screws removed, vents can be detached.
- Remove Driver and Middle Vents: The driver’s side vent and the middle vent can be pushed out from the back once the screws are removed.
22. Aluminum Vent Trim Removal
If you wish to remove the aluminum trim from the vents:
- Pull off Aluminum Trim: Pull the aluminum trim off the vents by releasing the multiple clips around them.
23. Passenger Vent Removal
For the passenger side vent:
- Remove Passenger Vent: Remove the passenger vent by releasing the two clips and pushing the vent out from the back.
24. Passenger Vent Aluminum Trim Removal
Similar to other vents, the aluminum trim can be removed.
- Pull off Aluminum Trim: Pull the aluminum trim off the passenger vent by lifting the clips and pulling the trim off the front.
25. Steering Wheel Center Panel Removal
Moving to the steering wheel, we’ll start with the center panel.
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Pop Out Steering Wheel Side Panels: Use a small flathead screwdriver to pop out the small panels on each side of the steering wheel plastic center cover.
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Release Locking Mechanism: Look for a small vertical rod visible from each side. Use a screwdriver to push this rod towards the opposite side to release the locking mechanism on both sides.
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Pull Out Center Panel: Pull the center panel of the steering wheel out and rest it on top. It can be unplugged and fully removed, but for many tasks, this position is sufficient.
26. Steering Wheel Center Screw Removal
Remove the screws in the center of the steering wheel.
- Remove Center Screws: Remove the four Phillips head screws in the center of the steering wheel.
27. Steering Wheel Control Disconnection
To fully remove the steering wheel trim, you’ll need to disconnect the controls.
- Cut Zip Tie and Disconnect Controls: Use scissors to cut the zip tie holding the wires for the steering wheel controls. Disconnect the steering wheel control connectors.
28. Side Steering Wheel Trim Removal
Remove the side trims of the steering wheel.
- Pull Out Side Trims: Pull the side steering wheel trims out. They are held by clips.
29. Middle Steering Wheel Trim Removal
Finally, the middle steering wheel trim.
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Turn Steering Wheel Upside Down: Turn the steering wheel upside down as far as it locks.
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Expose and Remove Hidden Screw: Directly behind the lower steering wheel trim, push in the plastic enough to reveal the hidden Phillips head screw. While pushing, remove this screw.
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Pull Out Middle Trim: With the hidden screw removed, pull the middle steering wheel trim away from the dash.
30. Steering Wheel Control Removal from Trim
Lastly, remove the controls from the trim.
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Remove Screws Holding Controls: Remove the three small Phillips head screws holding the steering wheel controls to the steering wheel trim.
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Remove Controls: The controls can now be taken out from the back of the trim piece.
Congratulations!
You’ve successfully removed a significant amount of interior trim from your 2013 Scion tC!
Now you are ready for painting, customization, or any other modifications you planned. To reassemble, simply follow these steps in reverse order.
Before, During, and After Visuals:
Before:
During:
After:
This guide should cover most interior trim removals for your 2013 Scion tC. If you encounter any issues or believe something has been missed, feel free to ask questions! Good luck with your project!
