Toyota published an article on its pressroom website recently addressing the myths and facts surrounding the Toyota Prius and its brake and throttle systems.

Myth: The start/stop button on the dash will not turn off my Prius while it’s running.

Fact: On early to 2010 models with a push-button smart key system, pushing and holding the button on the dash for about three seconds will shut off the ignition system on the vehicle – even if it’s in gear and moving along the roadway. Newer models may have different control logic – you only have to press the button briefly to shut down the vehicle. Check your Owner’s Manual for details on your vehicle’s system.

Myth: The brake system on my Toyota Prius is not able to stop the car at speed with a wide-open throttle condition.

Fact: The brake system on each Toyota model is capable of overpowering the driveline to stop the vehicle – even with the throttle in a wide-open condition. See Car and Driver’s article at: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q4/how_to_deal_with_unintended_acceleration-tech_dept for more information. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal – use two feet if needed, to bring the vehicle to a halt. Do not pump the brakes in these conditions, as this may overheat the system, causing a reduction in brake performance. Prius is equipped with a combination of hydraulic and electric regenerative brake systems. All Prius vehicles have a brake system program that reduces gasoline engine power if both the throttle and brake pedals are depressed at the same time. This feature helps reduce the chance of damage to the hybrid system transmission in the event of simultaneous brake and throttle pedal application by the driver, and also helps to slow the vehicle under these circumstances. The regenerative braking via the main electric motor will continue to function to help slow the vehicle

Myth: In the event you encounter a runaway vehicle, the first thing you should do is to turn off the ignition.

Fact: Although turning off the ignition is a possible course of action, the first thing a driver should do is to put the transmission in Neutral. This separates the driveline from the wheels, and gives the driver instant speed control over the vehicle, and allows the driver time to assess what is happening. This also allows continued use of the power steering and brake systems for an easier stopping operation. Pressing the start/stop button to turn off the ignition can be done as a next step. This will shut down power assist to the brakes and steering system – reducing their performance, but the driver can still brake and steer the vehicle manually in this condition. The steering column on Prius will not lock up when the ignition is turned off while the vehicle is moving – allowing the driver steering control. Traditional key type ignitions systems can be turned off while the vehicle is moving without locking the steering column – as long as the key is left in the ignition. Removal of the key may result in a locked steering column, and hamper driver steering control. After placing the transmission in Neutral, and the vehicle is brought to a stop at the side of the road, the final step should be to turn of the ignition.

Myth: The parking brake is effective in stopping a vehicle at speed.

Fact: The parking brake may be helpful in that it can provide some additional brakeforce. However, the amount of brakeforce the parking brake applies will be negligible in a vehicle that is running at anything over paring lot speeds. Placing the transmission in Neutral and using firm steady pressure on the brake pedal will be the best way to bring the vehicle to a stop.

Myth: The transmission would not go into Neutral when an attempt was made to put it in Neutral.

Fact: Prius does have an electronic link between the shift lever and the transmission. The driver should place the Prius in Neutral by moving the shift lever to the “N” position – to the left side of the shift gate, and hold it there for a second – this will put the Prius transmission in Neutral. Firm application of the brakes will slow the vehicle down. Pressing and holding the start/stop button can be used as a final action to stop the vehicle if needed.

Myth: The harder I pressed on the brake pedal, the more the vehicle accelerated.

Fact: In a situation where it appears to the driver that the brake pedal has been depressed, but acceleration results, the driver should stay calm and take immediate action by moving the transmission shift lever to Neutral, use a firm and steady application of the brakes, then get to the side of the road and assess the situation. Neutral allows the driver to gain immediate control, and provides the driver with time to evaluate what is happening to the vehicle.

Myth: Prius has an electronically controlled brake system, and I don’t believe it is as reliable as regular hydraulic brakes.

Fact: Prius does have an electronically controlled brake system which is as reliable as hydraulic brakes. This system utilizes both electric motor regenerative braking and hydraulic braking to stop the vehicle. The Prius system is able to recognize a fault in the regenerative braking system, and will send the driver’s brake input to the hydraulic brakes to stop the vehicle. Prius can also detect a fault in the hydraulic brake system booster, and allow all of the driver’s brake force to be directly sent to the two front brake calipers for maximum stopping power under a “no-boost” condition.

Myth: If I have a throttle stuck in the wide open position, and I put the vehicle in Neutral to help gain control of the vehicle, the engine will over rev, and be damaged.

Fact: If you place your vehicle in Neutral with a wide open throttle, you will hear a lot of engine noise, but don’t be overly concerned by this. All Toyota gasoline engines have a rev limiter function as a part of the engine control program that will prevent over revving of the engine by cutting the fuel supply at a predetermined RPM. This RPM limit varies – depending on the engine type.

Myth: The Brake Override System will make it difficult to start my vehicle on a hill.

Fact: The Brake Override System is designed to stop your vehicle when the brake pedal is firmly pressed in cases where there is acceleration caused by mechanical interference with the throttle pedal. For practical reasons – the Brake Override System will not operate when the brake pedal is depressed first – to allow for uphill starts, while limiting the vehicle’s tendency to roll backwards.  When engaged, the Brake Override System will disengage when the brake pedal is released. It will also not function at vehicle speeds of less than 5 mph, as at this point, the vehicle can be stopped safely.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc., announced Feb. 1 in a press release that it will begin fixing accelerator pedals in recalled Toyota Division vehicles this week.  Toyota’s engineers have developed and rigorously tested a solution that involves reinforcing the pedal assembly in a manner that eliminates the excess friction that has caused the pedals to stick in rare instances.  In addition, Toyota has developed an effective solution for vehicles in production. 

Parts to reinforce the pedals are already being shipped for use by dealers, and dealer training is under way.  Many Toyota dealers will work extended hours to complete the recall campaign as quickly and conveniently as possible, some even staying open 24 hours a day. The company has also taken the unprecedented action of stopping production of affected vehicles for the week of February 1.

VehiclesTEST released its third-party, independent video review and test of the all-new 2010 Toyota 4Runner to the company’s subscribing network of 45 Toyota dealers nationwide, as well as on VehiclesTEST.com. Today’s Toyota 4Runner is a serious vehicle for off-roading, just like the original 4Runner first introduced in 1984. The fifth-generation 4Runner combines rugged features, like high ground clearance and CRAWL Control, with interior luxuries like generous knee space for second-row passengers.

The 4Runner comes in three grades—Trail, Limited and the two-wheel drive SR5 grade, perfect for cities. Our test 4Runner was the Trail Edition, powered by the new 4.0-liter V6 engine that puts out 270 horsepower and 278-foot pounds of torque. The other available engine option is the 157-horsepower, 2.7-liter V4 engine offered with the SR5 grade with two-wheel rear drive.

VehiclesTEST took a close-up look in its 4Runner video review at Toyota’s CRAWL Control, a Multi-Terrain Select system, which allows the 4Runner’s driver to dial in wheel-slip control. CRAWL control is standard on the Trail grade we tested. CRAWL Control’s micro-computers constantly adjust wheel slip to ensure the 4Runner safely navigates this steep hill with loose dirt and rocks.

The CRAWL feature helps make traversing difficult terrain easier and safer. With the transfer case shifted into low range, Crawl Control regulates engine speed and output (along with braking force), to propel the vehicle forward or in reverse at one of the five low-speed settings. This allows the driver to maintain focus while steering over very rough level ground or steep grades, without having to also modulate the throttle, or brake, pedals.

Extensive frame and body reinforcements have been added, using high-tensile materials to add strength without adding weight. SR5 and Trail 4×4 models have a two-speed lever-operated, part-time system with neutral position, while the 4Runner Limited is equipped with full-time, four-wheel-drive with a locking center differential and employs a three-mode, center console-mounted switch. The new 4Runner is also equipped with a stronger rear differential over the previous model, thanks to a gear ring that has increased in size from 7.87 to 8.18 inches.

Toyota has added standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) to all Yaris models for 2010. These features make all Yaris models standard with Toyota Star Safety System™, which also includes an Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

Yaris is the only vehicle in its segment to offer this set of safety features as standard equipment. A manual transmission with standard tachometer is now available on the five-door model. Rear window defroster is now standard on all Yaris models.

Visit VehiclesTEST’s Toyota Yaris model page to read about the Yaris test and watch the video review.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., along with its advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi LA, announced Oct. 26 that The Prius Experience App is available for free from the App Store. The Prius Experience App has four modes to help educate and entertain iPhone™ users interested in learning more about the EPA-rated 50 MPG 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid.

This interesting App is a perfect complement to VehiclesTEST’s in-depth review of the new Prius, which features full track-test results and the Prius video road test.

“The Prius Experience App gives iPhone users a dynamic, in-depth experience of the third-generation Prius in the palm of their hands,” said Tim Morrison, corporate manager of marketing communications for TMS.

Notably, The Prius Experience App takes advantage of the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer to give users a 360-degree interior tour of the Prius. The app has four modes:

• Tour - Rotate your iPhone for a 360-degree interior view of the Prius, then explore the features that make the car so unique.

• Interact - Use your iPhone camera to interact with the Prius ads you see in your favorite magazines.

• Draw - Touch the innovative Multi-Touch user interface to draw directly into the environment of the Prius, then watch it react to your shapes and objects.

• Play - Think your way through 10 levels of a force-based game that utilizes the accelerometer.

The Prius Experience App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

VehiclesTEST featured in newsletter

VehiclesTEST’s Toyota video reviews and services are featured in the October 2009 edition of “Internet News”, published by PivNet Internet Services.

The newsletter, titled “How Dealers Can Use Online Video,” was delivered to more than 110 Toyota dealers in the Central Atlantic Toyota region. An excerpt from the newsletter reads:

“One company which several dealers in CAT currently use is VehiclesTEST.com. They have created videos for each Toyota model, and putting the videos in real life situations rather than boxed studio information. VehiclesTEST allows you to do a variety of things from placing links on your home page to connecting a video to each model in a dealership’s inventory, so that when a customer is reviewing a vehicle, they can get more information about a specific model. This keeps the consumer on a dealership’s website longer giving better opportunities for conversions.”

VehiclesTEST is currently working with more than 40 dealers nationwide.

The 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) Concept vehicle will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Sept. 15-27, 2009, according to a press release posted on Toyota’s media website.

Matrix seats five passengers

Toyota’s Matrix fills an important niche as a compact crossover utility vehicle, and the current-generation Matrix has become popular with fuel-concious drivers who want sporty performance. In our VehiclesTEST video test review, the Matrix achieved highway fuel economy of 30.5 mpg, powered by the 1.8-liter four-cylinder 132-hp engine, and sped from 0 to 60 mph in 9.63 seconds. For complete test results, see the full Matrix review and video.

Toyota designed the Matrix with coupe-like styling, a wider, lower stance, and better overall performance, while at the same time maintaining interior space for five passengers.

To achieve that goal, Toyota designers created a body structure that is a little more than ½ inch longer and about a half-inch lower than previous models. These changes essentially lower the center of gravity of the Matrix while still providing the sporty lines of a coupe that’s fun to drive. The Matrix comes in three different trim packags: the standard Matrix, the S, and the XRS. For improved road handling performance, the S and XRS models have a front and rear underbody spoilers, and a rear deck spoiler is standard on all XRS models.

FJ handles the rough stuff.

Today’s vehicles are more specialized than ever, and the Toyota FJ Cruiser was designed for serious off-roading, while boasting unique good looks. From steep hills, to rocky roads, to rivers and even sand dunes, the FJ Cruiser is built to handle it all, as we learned in our VehiclesTEST video review. And for safety, a new feature on the current-generation FJ is roll-sensing airbags.

The new technology detects the potential for a roll-over accident, and then instantly engages the vehicle’s stability control system to help reduce lateral skid. If the stability system detects a certain roll over, then the seat and side-curtain airbags deploy before you actually go over.

Another interesting design feature is the FJ’s high angles of approach and departure for obstacles. The clearance angle is 34 degrees in the front, 31 degrees in the rear. That allows the FJ to climb over steep obstacles without damage.

Finally, the FJ can make it through standing water—27 inches deep—due to a high-mounted engine air intake and waterproof electronic wiring couplings at the transmission.

VehicleTEST's review of the Toyota Corolla.

Toyota’s Corolla, Prius and Camry were among the top 5 sellers in the government’s trade-in program, Cash for Clunkers.

According to government data, the Corolla was the No. 2 selling car, while the new Generation 3 Prius was in the No. 4 slot, followed by the No. 5 Camry. 

VehiclesTEST participating dealers also noted that the Yaris was a big seller, thought the Yaris was not in the top 10. 

The list of hot sellers indicates that consumers are buying more fuel-efficient vehicles than most people expected.

VehiclesTEST offers its full complement of Toyota videos to participating dealers for use on their dealer websites. VehiclesTEST has completed independent road tests of all the models, providing third-party test results and complete full-motion video of all the vehicles in action.