Toyota CH-R: Driving assist systems

To keep driving safety and performance, the following systems operate automatically in response to various driving situations.

Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.

Summary of the driving assist systems

■ ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)

The electronically controlled system generates braking force corresponding to the brake operation

■ 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+)

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

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

■ TRC (Traction Control)

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

■ Active Cornering Assist (ACA)

Helps to prevent the vehicle from drifting to the outer side by performing inner wheel brake control when attempting to accelerate while turning

■ 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.

■ E-Four (Electronic On-Demand AWD/4WD system) (AWD/4WD models)

Automatically controls the drive system such as to front-wheel drive or AWD/4WD (all wheel drive) according to various running conditions including normal driving, during cornering, on a uphill, when starting off, during acceleration, on a slippery roads due to snow or rain, thus contributing to stable operability and driving stability.

■ Emergency brake signal

When the brakes are applied suddenly, the emergency flashers automatically flash to alert the vehicle behind.

■ The Secondary Collision Brake

When the SRS airbag sensor detects a collision and the system operates, the brakes and brake lights are automatically controlled to reduce the vehicle speed and help reduce the possibility of further damage due to a secondary collision.

■When the TRC/VSC/ABS systems are operating

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

■Disabling the TRC system

If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRC system may reduce power from the hybrid system 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 TRC system off, quickly press and release .

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

Press again to turn the system back on.

1. "Traction Control Turned OFF"

■Turning off both TRC and VSC systems

To turn the TRC 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 system back on.

*: PCS will also be disabled (only Pre- Collision warning is available). The PCS warning light will come on and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.

■When the message is displayed on the multi-information display showing that TRC has been disabled even if has not been pressed

TRC is temporary deactivated. If the information continues to show, contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

■Operating conditions of hill-start assist control

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

• The shift position 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
• The power switch is in ON

■Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control

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

• The shift position 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
• Power switch is turned to OFF

■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRC and hill-start assist control systems

• A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is depressed repeatedly, when the hybrid system 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.

■ECB operating sound

ECB operating sound may be heard in the following cases, but it does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred.

• Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is operated.

■Active Cornering Assist operation sounds and vibrations

When the Active Cornering Assist is operated, operation sounds and vibrations may be generated from the brake system, but this is not a malfunction.

■Automatic reactivation of TRC and VSC systems

After turning the TRC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automatically re-enabled in the following situations:

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

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

■Operating conditions of Active Cornering Assist

The system operates when the following occurs.

• TRC/VSC can operate
• The driver is attempting to accelerate while turning
• The system detects that the vehicle is drifting to the outer side
• The brake pedal is released

■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 hybrid system off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.

■Operating conditions of emergency brake signal

When the following conditions are met, the emergency brake signal will operates:

• The emergency flashers are off
• Actual vehicle speed is over 55 km/h (35 mph)
• The system judges from the vehicle deceleration that it is a sudden braking operation.

■Automatic system cancelation of emergency brake signal

The emergency brake signal will be canceled in any of the following situations:

• The emergency flashers are turned on.
• The system judges from the vehicle deceleration that is not a sudden braking operation.

■Secondary Collision Brake operating conditions

The system operates when the SRS airbag sensor detects a collision while the vehicle is in motion.

However, the system does not operate when components are damaged.

■Secondary Collision Brake automatic cancelation

The system is automatically canceled in any of the following situations.

• The vehicle speed drops approximately 0 km/h (0 mph)
• A certain amount of time elapses during operation
• The accelerator pedal is depressed a large amount

■If a message about AWD/4WD is shown on the multi-information display (AWD/4WD models)

Perform the following actions.

• "AWD System Overheated Switching to 2WD Mode" or "4WD System Overheated Switching to 2WD Mode"

AWD/4WD system is overheated. Stop the vehicle in a safe place with the hybrid system operating.* If the message disappears after a while, there is no problem. If the message remains, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.

• "AWD System Overheated 2WD Mode Engaged" or "4WD System Overheated 2WD Mode Engaged"

AWD/4WD system has been temporarily released and switched to front-wheel drive due to overheating. Stop the vehicle in a safe place with the hybrid system operating.* If the message disappears after a while, AWD/4WD system will automatically recover. If the message remains, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.

• "AWD System Malfunction 2WD Mode Engaged Visit Your Dealer" or "4WD System Malfunction 2WD Mode Engaged Visit Your Dealer"

A malfunction occurs in the AWD/4WD system. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.

*: When stopping the vehicle, do not stop the hybrid system until the display message has turned off.

WARNING

■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.

■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

■TRC/VSC may not operate effectively when

Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road surfaces, even if the TRC/VSC system is operating. Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

■Active Cornering Assist does not operate effectively when

• Do not overly rely on Active Cornering Assist. Active Cornering Assist may not operate effectively when accelerating down slopes or driving on slippery road surfaces.
• When Active Cornering Assist frequently operates, Active Cornering Assist may temporarily stop operating to ensure proper operation of the brakes, TRC and VSC.

■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.

■When the TRC/ABS/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.

■When the TRC/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 TRC/VSC systems off unless necessary.

■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, TRC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are installed on the vehicle.

Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer for further information when replacing tires or wheels.

■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.

■Secondary Collision Brake

Do not rely solely upon 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.