LANGUAGE

Technology

Safety

Our cars not only get you there. They get you there safely.

Toyota's commitment towards safety

Our commitment can be seen in our active and passive safety philosophy. Active safety is simply all the things that help you avoid an accident; good responsiveness and handling, anti lock brakes and vehicle stability control. Passive safety on the other hand, is all the things that help you survive an accident like side and front airbags, seatbelt systems and crumple zones. There's even an Advanced Safety Vehicle Program that takes safety into the future with innovations like drowsy driver warning, pedestrian airbags and an accident avoidance system. But is doesn't stop there. Improving traffic safety requires a comprehensive approach that studies every facet of the situation and finds remedies that reach to every segment of society. Toyota is pursuing such an approach in its dedication for safer vehicles, safer drivers, and safer traffic environments.

While you're getting out of your car, we're thinking about how to keep you in.

The only part of Toyota' s quality we don' t want you to experience

The most important aspect of protecting passengers in a collision is to minimize collision forces transmitted to them. At Toyota, we design automobile bodies with crumple zones to absorb collision energy, and we have put a great deal of work into designing ever more efficient passenger restraint systems such as seatbelts and head restraints. We search for improved webbing elongation characteristics, improved ways of clamping the webbing, and improved pretension. Passenger safety begins with buckling up. And at Toyota, we are working hard to make seatbelts more comfortable and easier to wear. In addition, we are making significant progress with airbags as supplemental restraint systems (SRS).

In a collision, seatbelts are the primary safety device that helps protect the occupants. During the development of a new automobile, Toyota uses dummies of several different sizes to make sure the seatbelts, anchors, and buckles are positioned d for a safe and comfortable fit. While road-testing prototypes, real people use the seatbelts and report on their fit and comfort. Adjustable shoulder anchor are provided for wearers to change the height of the belt for additional comfort and safety.

Toyota continually strives to design new and better seatbelts that make the most of the ride-down effect of our automobiles' crumple zones and enhance the deceleration effects. Toyota even designs the structure and shape of the seats in its cars to complement the restraint of the seatbelts. Making the shape of the seats and the position of the anchors to ensure that the belts fit low across the pelvis.

Depending upon the seating configuration, some of our vehicles have 3-point belts for the passenger sitting in the middle of the back seat.

Our Tension-Reducing Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) automatically locks when you pull on the belt to ensure it's secure enough to work, yet loose enough to feel comfortable.

And some of our vehicles have Pre-Pensioner Sensors which quickly pull the seatbelt back at the first shock of a severe head-on collision, while the Force Limited keeps that tension from injuring you. It all works to keep you safe and secure in the event of an accident

Safety Cell

Our cars are the perfect example of how cleverness overcomes brute force.

Our experience keeps you protected

To achieve this, we incorporate crumple zones, front and rear, to absorb as much collision force as possible. The remaining energy is dissipated throughout the body framework. This kind of efficient energy-absorbing structure goes a long way toward preserving cabin integrity. At Toyota, we bead the front side members of our automobile bodies at carefully calculated intervals to promote crumpling and more effectively absorb energy. Occupants are also protected somewhat from side impacts by strong centre pillars and floor cross members. Doors have side impact beams to help disperse the collision energy, and reduce the velocity at which the door pushes into the cabin. Normally, the structure in t he front or rear of the car absorbs most of the energy in a collision, but as speed increases the effectiveness of these "crumple zones" goes down. What's more, not all accidents are head on. With that in mind, we continue to develop ways to increase the impact speed at which survival is possible while allowing for as many different kinds of impact as possible. But designing "crumple zones" is only part of the equation. The cabin has to be just the opposite - strong. The best possible scenario is that the front of the car crumples up while the cabin stays in tact. Toyota is continually working to develop improvements to the cabin integrity of its cars, using intelligent solutions to improve stiffness without adding undue weight." Its as a result of this comprehensive approach that Toyota cars have performed so well in the Euro NCAP crash tests, achieving a 4-star rating for the Camry, and 3-star ratings for both the Avensis and Corolla.

Brakes

Our brakes allow you to do something you never thought possible -- turn.

Rely on yourself and on Toyota's electronic control system

Toyota has developed new electronic control systems that make the most of the basics and add to overall performance. These electronic systems include ABS for the brakes and TRC for traction control. ABS helps prevent wheel lock. When the brakes are applied, the tyres begin to slip. ABS measures the degree of slip to determine when wheel lock will occur from the degree of slip, and reduces hydraulic pressure to prevent it. Because ABS allows the wheels to roll - albeit at a slower speed than the vehicle velocity - the vehicle maintains directional control and steer ability. A cars wheels may tend to spin when starting off or accelerating. In some cases, loss of traction can cause the tyres to lose their grip and allow the vehicle to slide sideways. Toyota's TRC system regulates engine and brakes to help provide as much control of wheel slip as possible during start-off or acceleration. If a wheel loses traction, the wheel speed sensor detects a sudden increase in wheel rotation speed. This information goes to the TRC electronic control unit (ECU), which commands the engine to reduce torque. At the same time, the ECU commands the brake actuator to engage the brakes on the affected wheel until it regains traction. Obviously, driver awareness of road hazards and appropriate response is also required to avoid dangerous situations and to give the various systems time to operate. Toyota's TRC system uses components of ABS and engine management systems, as well as components designed specifically for TRC. The system helps the driver maintain control of the automobile and optimizes traction, even on slippery surfaces.