Get Driving -> PCS (Pre-Collision System) Guide for Toyota Avalon 4 Door Fourth Generation (2013-2018)

198

4-5. Using the driving support systems

PCS (Pre-Collision System)^∗

The pre-collision system uses a radar sensor and camera sen-

sor to detect vehicles and pedestrians*¹in front of your vehicle.

When the system determines that the possibility of a frontal col-

lision with a vehicle or pedestrian is high, a warning operates to

urge the driver to take evasive action and the potential brake

pressure is increased to help the driver avoid the collision. If the

system determines that the possibility of a frontal collision with

a vehicle or pedestrian is extremely high, the brakes are auto-

matically applied to help avoid the collision or help reduce the

impact of the collision.

The pre-collision system can be disabled/enabled and the warning

timing can be changed. (→P. 202)

*¹: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was sold, the pedestrian

detection function may not be available. See the following table for

details.

Countries/areas

Function availability

Regions

U.S. mainland, Canada, The pedestrian detection

Region A

Hawaii

function is available

The pedestrian detection

function is not available

Guam, Saipan, Puerto Rico

Region B

∗: If equipped

199

4-5. Using the driving support systems

◆ Pre-collision warning

When the system determines

that the possibility of a frontal

collision is high, a buzzer will

sound and a warning message

will be displayed on the multi-

information display to urge the

driver to take evasive action.

◆ Pre-collision brake assist

When the system determines that the possibility of a frontal colli-

sion is high, the system applies greater braking force in relation to

how strongly the brake pedal is depressed.

4

◆ Pre-collision braking

When the system determines that the possibility of a frontal colli-

sion is high, the system warns the driver. If the system determines

that the possibility of a frontal collision is extremely high, the brakes

are automatically applied to help avoid the collision or reduce the

collision speed.

200

4-5. Using the driving support systems

WARNING

■Limitations of the pre-collision system

●The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking

care to observe your surroundings.

Do not use the pre-collision system instead of normal braking operations

under any circumstances. This system will not prevent collisions or lessen

collision damage or injury in every situation. Do not overly rely on this sys-

tem. Failure to do so may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious

injury.

●Although this system is designed to help avoid a collision or help reduce

the impact of the collision, its effectiveness may change according to vari-

ous conditions, therefore the system may not always be able to achieve

the same level of performance.

Read the following conditions carefully. Do not overly rely on this system

and always drive carefully.

• Conditions under which the system may operate even if there is no pos-

sibility of a collision: →P. 205

• Conditions under which the system may not operate properly: →P. 207

●Do not attempt to test the operation of the pre-collision system yourself, as

the system may not operate properly, possibly leading to an accident.

■Pre-collision braking

●When the pre-collision braking function is operating, a large amount of

braking force will be applied.

●If the vehicle is stopped by the operation of the pre-collision braking func-

tion, the pre-collision braking function operation will be canceled after

approximately 2 seconds. Depress the brake pedal as necessary.

●The pre-collision braking function may not operate if certain operations are

performed by the driver. If the accelerator pedal is being depressed

strongly or the steering wheel is being turned, the system may determine

that the driver is taking evasive action and possibly prevent the pre-colli-

sion braking function from operating.

●In some situations, while the pre-collision braking function is operating,

operation of the function may be canceled if the accelerator pedal is

depressed strongly or the steering wheel is turned and the system deter-

mines that the driver is taking evasive action.

●If the brake pedal is being depressed, the system may determine that the

driver is taking evasive action and possibly delay the operation timing of

the pre-collision braking function.

201

4-5. Using the driving support systems

WARNING

■When to disable the pre-collision system

In the following situations, disable the system, as it may not operate prop-

erly, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:

●When the vehicle is being towed

●When your vehicle is towing another vehicle

●When transporting the vehicle via truck, boat, train or similar means of

transportation

●When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the engine running and the tires

are allowed to rotate freely

●When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chassis dyna-

mometer or speedometer tester, or when using an on vehicle wheel bal-

ancer

●When a strong impact is applied to the front bumper or front grille, due to

an accident or other reasons

4

●If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehi-

cle has been in an accident or is malfunctioning

●When the vehicle is driven in a sporty manner or off-road

●When the tires are not properly inflated

●When the tires are very worn

●When tires of a size other than specified are installed

●When tire chains are installed

●When a compact spare tire or an emergency tire puncture repair kit is used

●If equipment (snow plow, etc.) that may obstruct the radar sensor or cam-

era sensor is temporarily installed to the vehicle

202

4-5. Using the driving support systems

Changing settings of the pre-collision system

■ Disabling the pre-collision system

Press the PCS switch for 3 sec-

onds or more.

The PCS warning light will turn

on and a message will be dis-

played on the multi-information

display.

To enable the system, press the

PCS switch again.

The system is enabled each

time the engine switch is turned

to IGNITION ON mode.

■ Changing the pre-collision warning timing

Press the PCS switch to display

the current warning timing on

the multi-information display.

Each time the PCS switch is

pressed with the warning timing

displayed, the warning timing

will change as follows.

The operation timing setting is

retained when the engine switch

is turned off.

Far

1

The warning will begin to oper-

ate earlier than with the default

timing.

Middle

2

This is the default setting.

Near

3

The warning will begin to operate later than with the default timing.

203

4-5. Using the driving support systems

■Operational conditions

Availability of the pedestrian detection function depends on the region in

which the vehicle was sold. (For specific countries/areas: →P. 198)

Read the following for details:

 Region A

(The pedestrian detection function is available)

The pre-collision system is enabled and the system determines that the pos-

sibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle or pedestrian is high.

Each function is operational at the following speeds:

●Pre-collision warning:

• Vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and 110 mph (10 and 180 km/h).

(For detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and

50 mph [10 and 80 km/h].)

• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or pedestrian

ahead is approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.

●Pre-collision brake assist:

4

• Vehicle speed is between approximately 19 and 110 mph (30 and 180 km/h).

(For detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is between approximately 19 and

50 mph [30 and 80 km/h].)

• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or pedestrian

ahead is approximately 19 mph (30 km/h) or more.

●Pre-collision braking:

• Vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and 110 mph (10 and 180 km/h).

(For detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and

50 mph [10 and 80 km/h].)

• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or pedestrian

ahead is approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.

The system may not operate in the following situations:

●If a battery terminal has been disconnected and reconnected and then the

vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of time

●If the shift lever is in R

●If VSC is disabled (only the pre-collision warning function will be opera-

tional)

●If the PCS warning light is flashing or illuminated

204

4-5. Using the driving support systems

 Region B

(The pedestrian detection function is not available)

The pre-collision system is enabled and the system determines that the pos-

sibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle is high.

Each function is operational at the following speeds:

●Pre-collision warning:

• Vehicle speed is between approximately 10 and 110 mph (15 and 180 km/h).

• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is

approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.

●Pre-collision brake assist:

• Vehicle speed is between approximately 19 and 110 mph (30 and 180 km/h).

• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is

approximately 19 mph (30 km/h) or more.

●Pre-collision braking:

• Vehicle speed is between approximately 10 and 110 mph (15 and 180 km/h).

• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is

approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.

The system may not operate in the following situations:

●If a battery terminal has been disconnected and reconnected and then the

vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of time

●If the shift lever is in R

●If VSC is disabled (only the pre-collision warning function will be opera-

tional)

●If the PCS warning light is flashing or illuminated

205

4-5. Using the driving support systems

■Pedestrian detection function*²

The pre-collision system detects pedestri-

ans based on the size, profile, and motion

of a detected object. However, a pedes-

trian may not be detected depending on

the surrounding brightness and the

motion, posture, and angle of the

detected object, preventing the system

from operating properly. (→P. 209)

*²: For countries/areas specified as Region B (→P. 198), the pedestrian detec-

tion function may not be available.

■Cancelation of the pre-collision braking

If either of the following occur while the pre-collision braking function is oper-

ating, it will be canceled:

●The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly.

●The steering wheel is turned sharply or abruptly.

4

■Conditions under which the system may operate even if there is no pos-

sibility of a collision

●In some situations such as the following, the system may determine that

there is a possibility of a frontal collision and operate.

^{• When passing a vehicle or pedestrian}*²

• When changing lanes while overtaking a preceding vehicle

• When overtaking a preceding vehicle that is changing lanes

• When overtaking a preceding vehicle

that is making a left/right turn

• When passing a vehicle in an oncom-

ing lane that is stopped to make a

right/left turn

206

4-5. Using the driving support systems

• When driving on a road where relative

location to vehicle ahead in an adja-

cent lane may change, such as on a

winding road

• When rapidly closing on a vehicle ahead

• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered, such as when the road sur-

face is uneven or undulating

• When approaching objects on the roadside, such as guardrails, utility

poles, trees, or walls

• When there is a vehicle, pedes-

^trian*², or object by the roadside at

the entrance of a curve

• When driving on a narrow path surrounded by a structure, such as in a

tunnel or on an iron bridge

• When there is a metal object (manhole cover, steel plate, etc.), steps, or a

protrusion on the road surface or roadside

• When

a

crossing

pedestrian

approaches very close to the vehi-

^cle*²

• When passing through a place with a

low structure above the road (low ceil-

ing, traffic sign, etc.)

207

4-5. Using the driving support systems

• When passing under an object (bill-

board, etc.) at the top of an uphill road

• When rapidly closing on an electric toll gate barrier, parking area barrier,

or other barrier that opens and closes

• When using an automatic car wash

• When driving through or under

objects that may contact the vehicle,

such as thick grass, tree branches, or

a banner

4

• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a vehicle ahead

• When driving through steam or smoke

• When there are patterns or paint on the road or a wall that may be mis-

^{taken for a vehicle or pedestrian}*²

• When driving near an object that reflects radio waves, such as a large

truck or guardrail

• When driving near a TV tower, broadcasting station, electric power plant,

or other location where strong radio waves or electrical noise may be

present

*²: For countries/areas specified as Region B (→P. 198), the pedestrian

detection function may not be available.

■Situations in which the system may not operate properly

●In some situations such as the following, a vehicle may not be detected by

the radar sensor and camera sensor, preventing the system from operating

properly:

• If an oncoming vehicle is approaching your vehicle

• If a vehicle ahead is a motorcycle or bicycle

• When approaching the side or front of a vehicle

• If a preceding vehicle has a small rear end, such as an unloaded truck

• If a preceding vehicle has a low rear

end, such as a low bed trailer

208

4-5. Using the driving support systems

• If a vehicle ahead is carrying a load which protrudes past its rear bumper

• If a vehicle ahead has extremely high

ground clearance

• If a vehicle ahead is irregularly shaped, such as a tractor or side car

• If the sun or other light is shining directly on a vehicle ahead

• If a vehicle cuts in front of your vehicle or emerges from beside a vehicle

• If a vehicle ahead makes an abrupt maneuver (such as sudden swerving,

acceleration or deceleration)

• When suddenly cutting behind a preceding vehicle

• When a vehicle ahead is not directly

in front of your vehicle

• When driving in inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or a

sandstorm

• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a vehicle ahead

• When driving through steam or smoke

• When driving in a place where the surrounding brightness changes sud-

denly, such as at the entrance or exit of a tunnel

• When a very bright light, such as the sun or the headlights of oncoming

traffic, shines directly into the camera sensor

• When the surrounding area is dim, such as at dawn or dusk, or while at

night or in a tunnel

• After the engine has started the vehicle has not been driven for a certain

amount of time

• While making a left/right turn and for a few seconds after making a left/

right turn

• While driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving on a curve

• If your vehicle is skidding

209

4-5. Using the driving support systems

• If the front of the vehicle is raised or

lowered

• If the wheels are misaligned

• If a wiper blade is blocking the camera sensor

• The vehicle is wobbling.

• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds.

• When driving on a hill

• If the radar sensor or camera sensor is misaligned

●In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking force may not be

obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:

• If the braking functions cannot operate to their full extent, such as when

the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet

• If the vehicle is not properly maintained (brakes or tires are excessively

worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)

4

• When the vehicle is being driven on a gravel road or other slippery sur-

face

●Some pedestrians such as the following may not be detected by the radar

sensor and camera sensor, preventing the system from operating prop-

^erly*²:

• Pedestrians shorter than approximately 3.2 ft. (1 m) or taller than approx-

imately 6.5 ft. (2 m)

• Pedestrians wearing oversized clothing (a rain coat, long skirt, etc.), mak-

ing their silhouette obscure

• Pedestrians who are carrying large baggage, holding an umbrella, etc.,

hiding part of their body

• Pedestrians who are bending forward or squatting

• Pedestrians who are pushing a stroller, wheelchair, bicycle or other vehi-

cle

• Groups of pedestrians which are close together

• Pedestrians who are wearing white and look extremely bright

• Pedestrians in the dark, such as at night or while in a tunnel

• Pedestrians whose clothing appears to be nearly the same color or

brightness as their surroundings

• Pedestrians near walls, fences, guardrails, or large objects

210

4-5. Using the driving support systems

• Pedestrians who are on a metal object (manhole cover, steel plate, etc.)

on the road

• Pedestrians who are walking fast

• Pedestrians who are changing speed abruptly

• Pedestrians running out from behind a vehicle or a large object

• Pedestrians who are extremely close to the side of the vehicle (outside

rear view mirror, etc.)

*²: For countries/areas specified as Region B (→P. 198), the pedestrian

detection function may not be available.

■If the PCS warning light flashes and a warning message is displayed on

the multi-information display

The pre-collision system may be temporarily unavailable or there may be a

malfunction in the system.

●In the following situations, the warning light will turn off, the message will

disappear and the system will become operational when normal operating

conditions return:

• When the radar sensor or camera sensor or the area around either sen-

sor is hot, such as in the sun

• When the radar sensor or camera sensor or the area around either sen-

sor is cold, such as in an extremely cold environment

• When the radar sensor or front grille emblem is dirty or covered with

snow, etc.

• If the camera sensor is obstructed, such as when the hood is open or a

sticker is attached to the windshield near the camera sensor

●If the PCS warning light continues to flash or the warning message does not

disappear, the system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected

by your Toyota dealer immediately.

■If VSC is disabled

●If VSC is disabled (→P. 252), the pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision

braking functions are also disabled.

●The PCS warning light will turn on and “Pre-Collision Brake is Disabled Due

to VSC OFF” will be displayed on the multi-information display.

Driving -> PCS (Pre-Collision System) for Your Toyota Avalon 4 Door Fourth Generation (2013-2018)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals