Driving Support Systems

To improve driving safety and performance, the following systems operate automatically depending on different driving situations. Please note that these are auxiliary systems only, and it is important not to rely on them excessively while driving the vehicle.

◆ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)

Helps prevent the wheels from locking up during sudden braking or braking on slippery road surfaces

◆ Brake Assist

Provides increased braking force after the brake pedal is depressed when the system detects an emergency braking situation

◆ VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) (if equipped)

Helps the driver control skidding during sudden swerving or when steering on slippery road surfaces

◆ TRC (Traction Control) (vehicles with VSC)

Helps maintain engine power and prevent the driven wheels from spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery road surfaces

◆ EPS (Electric Power Steering)

Uses an electric motor to reduce the effort required to turn the steering wheel

◆ Hill-start Assist Control (vehicles with VSC)

Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an uphill slope.

◆ PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)

◆ Emergency Brake Signal

If the brakes are applied suddenly, the hazard warning lights automatically flash to warn the vehicle behind.

When the VSC/TRC systems are operating

The slip indicator light flashes when the TRC/VSC systems are operating.

Turning off the TRC system

If the vehicle becomes stuck in mud, soft ground or snow, the TRC system may reduce the engine power transmitted to the wheels.

PressTo turn off the system: this may make it easier to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it.

■ Turning off the TRC system only To turn off the TRC system, press and quickly release the button.

The "TRC OFF" indicator light will come on.

Press the button again to turn the system back on.

■ Turning off the TRC and VSC systems While the vehicle is stationary, press and hold the button for more than 3 seconds to turn off the TRC and VSC systems.

The "TRC OFF" indicator light and the VSC OFF indicator light will come on.* Press the button again to turn the system back on.

*: On vehicles with the pre-collision system, the pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision braking are also turned off. The PCS warning light will come on.

■ Noises and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC and TRC systems

• When the engine is started or shortly after the vehicle begins to move, a sound may be heard from the engine compartment. This sound does not indicate any malfunction of these systems.
• When the above systems are operating, one of the following situations may occur. None of these indicates a malfunction.

• Vibration may be felt through the body and when steering.
• When the vehicle stops, a motor sound may be heard.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS has been activated.
• The brake pedal may drop slightly after the ABS has been activated.

■ EPS operating noise When the steering wheel is turned, an electric motor noise (humming) may be heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.

■ Automatic reactivation of the TRC and VSC systems After the TRC and VSC systems have been turned off, they will turn back on automatically in the following situations:

• With the engine switch in the "LOCK" position (vehicles without smart entry and start system) or off (vehicles with smart entry and start system).
• If only the TRC system is turned off, it will turn back on when the vehicle speed increases. If the TRC and VSC systems are turned off together, they will not turn back on automatically even when the vehicle speed increases.

■ Reduced EPS system efficiency When the system detects repeated steering inputs over a prolonged period, the efficiency of the EPS system is reduced to prevent overheating. As a result, the steering wheel may feel heavy. In this case, avoid excessive steering or stop the vehicle and turn off the engine. The EPS system should return to its normal condition within 10 minutes.

■ Operating conditions of the Hill-start assist control The hill-start assist control activates when all of the following four conditions are met:

• Vehicles with multi-mode manual transmission: The shift lever is in a position other than N (when starting forward or backward on a hill).
• Vehicles with manual transmission: The shift lever is in a position other than R when starting forward or backward on a hill, or in R when starting backward on a hill.
• The vehicle is stationary.
• The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
• The parking brake is not applied.

■ Automatic cancellation of the Hill-start assist control The hill-start assist control will be cancelled under any of the following conditions:

• Vehicles with multi-mode manual transmission: The shift lever is moved to N.
• Vehicles with manual transmission: The shift lever is moved to R when starting forward or backward on a hill, or moved out of R when starting backward on a hill.
• The accelerator pedal is depressed.
• The parking brake is applied.
• Approximately 2 seconds have elapsed since the brake pedal was released.

■ Operating conditions of the emergency brake signal If all of the following three conditions are met, the emergency brake signal is activated:

• The hazard warning lights are off.
• The actual vehicle speed is higher than approximately 55 km/h.
• The brake pedal is depressed in such a way that the system judges, from the vehicle's deceleration, that this is an emergency stop.

■ Automatic cancellation of the emergency brake signal The emergency brake signal will be cancelled under any of the following conditions:

• The hazard warning lights are on.
• The brake pedal is released.
• The system judges, from the vehicle's deceleration, that this is not an emergency stop.

WARNING

■ ABS does not work effectively when

• The tire grip limits have been exceeded (such as with excessively worn tires on snow-covered roads).
• The vehicle is affected by hydroplaning while driving at high speed on wet or slippery roads.

■ Stopping distance when ABS is operating may be longer than under normal conditions ABS cannot reduce the vehicle's stopping distance. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, especially in the following situations:

• When driving on dirty, gravel-covered or snow-covered roads
• When driving with snow chains
• When driving over bumps
• When driving on roads with potholes or uneven surfaces

■ TRC may not function properly when directional control and power are difficult to maintain when driving on slippery road surfaces, even if the TRC system is operating.

Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where there is a risk of loss of stability and traction.

■ The Hill-start assist control does not function properly when

• Do not rely excessively on the Hill-start assist control. The Hill-start assist control may not function properly on steep slopes and icy roads.
• Unlike the parking brake, the Hill-start assist control is not designed to hold the vehicle stationary for extended periods. Do not attempt to use the Hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on a slope, as this may cause an accident.

■ When VSC is activated The skid control indicator flashes. Always drive carefully. Careless driving may cause an accident. Pay particular attention when the indicator is flashing.

■ When TRC/VSC are turned off Pay particular attention and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. Since these systems help maintain vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn off TRC and VSC unless necessary.

■ Replacing tires Make sure that the size, brand, tread and total load capacity of all tires match the specified data. Also make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure.

If tires of different types are fitted to the vehicle, the ABS, TRC and VSC systems will not function properly.

For more information on replacing tires or wheels, contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repair shop, or another suitably qualified and equipped professional.

■ Tire and suspension maintenance Using defective tires or modifying the suspension will adversely affect the driving assist systems and may cause them to malfunction.