There are many reasons we love our cars. Sure, they get us (and our stuff) from here to there, and we appreciate such a basic concept. But it often goes deeper than that. The very act of driving can be fun, too, and of course we enjoy the creature comforts and amenities we’ve come to expect. What makes all the enjoyment possible, though, is the knowledge that we’re protected to the greatest extent possible. That starts with something we control—such as the buckling of a seat belt—but extends to a wide range of systems and cutting-edge technology designed with one goal: safety. Toyota invests $1 million per hour on research and development to enhance the safety and technology of its vehicles. Here’s a look at just a few of the areas that those dollars support.

Star Safety System™

Standard on every new Toyota model is the comprehensive Star Safety System™, which helps you handle unexpected hazards of the road quickly and confidently. Star consists of five overlapping, computer-controlled features that provide an unparalleled level of assurance and comfort for driver and passengers.

The key to controlling your vehicle is making sure the tires are in firm contact with the road beneath you. If the tires lose their grip and start to spin, keeping your vehicle under control and on track becomes much more difficult. The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) program helps prevent fishtailing or veering off course by reducing engine power and selectively applying brake pressure to each wheel, ensuring your vehicle goes where you’re steering. Similarly, if a single wheel breaks free on wet or icy road surfaces, Traction Control keeps you moving with a steady hand by automatically transferring engine power to the wheels that do have traction, while braking the spinning wheel.

Stopping power is also essential to avoid accidents. Toyota’s Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) is the gold standard in stopping safety, allowing drivers to maintain control even during emergency situations. ABS sensors immediately recognize whether the brakes are locking up, and respond by “pulsing” the brakes to avoid a skid.

Brake Assist measures the speed and force applied to the brake pedal to determine whether the driver is attempting an emergency or “panic” stop, and will actually apply additional pressure to take advantage of the vehicle’s ABS.

Finally, the Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) system counteracts the natural pitch of a vehicle during emergency stops, ensuring that proper brake pressure is applied to each wheel, thus avoiding lock-up. EBD really shines when you’re carrying passengers or heavy loads in back, detecting the added weight on the rear wheels
and redistributing braking power accordingly.

All five parts of the Star Safety System™ are designed to work seamlessly and in unison, offering an extra measure of security, but of course none are meant to replace safe driving techniques.

Advanced Airbags

Airbags in automobiles have come a long way since first being introduced as a luxury item in the mid-1970s. Today, all Toyota models feature a superior system of at least six airbags, including front and side airbags for the driver, plus front and rear curtain side airbags.

Some models, such as Camry, Sienna and Avalon, also feature a knee airbag for the driver; these are expected to become even more common with the redesign of existing models and introduction of new models.

The technical description is “dual-stage advanced airbag supplemental restraint system with front passenger occupant classification system.” Translation? An as-needed cocoon of protective padding. The front airbags are triggered by a series of super-sensitive electronic impact sensors. In a matter of milliseconds, the sensors measure the severity of the impact and the deceleration of the vehicle, and deploy the nitrogen-filled bags at the appropriate rate determined by the accident conditions. Though it happens faster than the human mind can process, slow motion video of test crashes confirms that this measurement and deployment all happen in the blink of an eye. The standard front airbags are designed to protect the head and upper torso of the driver and passenger, while the knee airbags shield lower extremities. (Some Toyota models also feature “active headrests,” which automatically move higher and slide forward in the event of a crash, helping minimize neck injuries such as whiplash.)

The side airbags are similarly linked to sensors along both sides of the vehicle, while the front and rear curtains are controlled by sensors that can determine severe tilt or rollover conditions. The “passenger occupant classification system” determines, based on weight, whether the front passenger is a child who could be harmed by the high-velocity airbag deployment, and disengages the airbag for that seat.

Combined with Toyota’s superb seatbelt systems, featuring pretensioners that absorb the forward momentum of occupants, this supplemental restraint system offers an outstanding level of safety.

Laser Cruise Control

We often hear of “space-age technology” trickling down to the products we use every day. Well, the next generation of cruise control has arrived, and it’s enough to make a NASA engineer jealous.

Toyota’s Dynamic Laser Cruise Control (DLCC) system takes the concept of cruise control and adds a remarkable new safety component. DLCC is available on the Platinum edition of the Sequoia SUV. The system is deactivated the moment you apply the brake, like traditional cruise control, and shines on highways free of heavy congestion.

DLCC combines two systems: a traditional cruise-control feature that maintains ideal speed and a separate, more advanced vehicle-to-vehicle mode that adjusts speed based on the vehicles in front of you. DLCC provides a visual indication on the dashboard and reduces engine throttle if the vehicle in front is moving slower, allowing your vehicle to coast. The system will also activate the brake lights to alert drivers behind you.

SMART Thinking

It’s called SMART—for Swift Market Analysis Response Team.

In an effort to further ensure trust in its vehicles, Toyota has created a SMART Team of some 200 engineers who react swiftly—and first-hand—to customers’ concerns and perform on-site analysis of problems, working in close partnership with Toyota dealers during the process.

SMART Teams draw their engineering and technical experts from across the spectrum of Toyota production in the United States, including design, manufacturing and product quality groups. Engineers from Toyota in Japan will also be called on to assist in some evaluations, as will specialists from other fields, if warranted from initial findings. For more information on all aspects of Toyota safety, visit www.toyota.com/safety.