Toyota Avalon (XX50): Driving assist systems

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.

Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)

Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.

Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by controlling steering performance.

Secondary Collision Brake

When the airbag sensor detects a collision, the brakes and brake lights are automatically controlled to reduce the vehicle speed and that helps reduce the possibility of further damage due to a secondary collision

TRAC (Traction Control)

Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads

Hill-start assist control

Helps to reduce the backward movement of the vehicle when starting on an uphill

EPS (Electric Power Steering)

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

Adaptive Variable Suspension System (if equipped)

By independently controlling the damping force of the shock absorbers for each of the 4 wheels according to the road and driving conditions, this system helps riding comfort with superior vehicle stability, and helps good vehicle posture

When the TRAC/VSC systems are operating

The slip indicator light will flash while the TRAC/VSC systems are operating.

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.

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

"Traction Control Turned Off" will be shown on the multi-information display.

Press again to turn the system back on.

â– 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 VSC OFF indicator light will come on and the "Traction Control Turned Off" will be shown on the multi-information display*.

Press again to turn the systems back on.

*: Pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision braking will also be disabled.

The pre-collision system warning light will come on and the message will be shown on the multi-information display.

â– When the message is displayed on the multi-information display showing that TRAC has been disabled even if has not been pressed TRAC cannot be operated. Contact your Toyota dealer.

â– Operating conditions of hill-start assist control

When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will operate:

• The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/ backward on an upward incline)
• The vehicle is stopped
• The accelerator pedal is not depressed
• The parking brake is not engaged

â– Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control

The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:

• The shift lever is shifted to P or N
• The accelerator pedal is depressed
• The parking brake is engaged
• 2 seconds at maximum elapsed after the brake pedal is released

â– Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and hill-start assist control 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 also 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.

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

â– Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems After turning the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automatically re-enabled in the following situations:

• When the engine switch is turned off
• If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed increases.

  If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will not occur when vehicle speed increases.

â– Secondary Collision Brake operating conditions The vehicle speed is approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) or more and the airbag sensor detects a collision. (The Secondary Collision Brake will not operate when the vehicle speed is below approximately 6 mph [10km/h].)

â– Secondary Collision Brake automatic cancellation

The Secondary Collision Brake is automatically canceled in the following situations:

• The vehicle speed drops below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h)
• A certain amount of time elapses during operation
• The accelerator pedal is depressed a large amount

â– 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 within 10 minutes.

WARNING â– The ABS does not operate effectively when The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as excessively worn tires on a snow covered road). The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads. â– Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal 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, especially in the following situations: 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 â– TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating. Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be lost. â– Hill- start assist control does not operate effectively when Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice. Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may lead to an accident. â– When the TRAC/VSC is activated The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes. â– When the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary. â– Secondary Collision Brake Do not overly rely on the Secondary Collision Brake. This system is designed to help reduce the possibility of further damage due to a secondary collision, however, that effect changes according to various conditions. Overly relying on the system may result in death or serious injury. â– 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 Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or wheels. â– Handling of tires and the 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.