LTA functions
- When driving on a road with clearly visible lane markings while dynamic radar cruise control is operating, the LTA system uses the front camera and radar sensor to recognize the lane lines as well as preceding and surrounding vehicles. Based on this information, steering assistance is provided to help keep the Toyota Tacoma positioned appropriately within its lane.
This function is intended for use only on highways and expressways, where road conditions and lane markings are generally suitable for Lane Tracing Assist operation.
If dynamic radar cruise control is not operating, the LTA function will not provide lane-tracing assistance.
When lane markings are difficult to recognize or cannot be seen clearly, such as during congested traffic, the system may instead provide support by referring to the path of preceding and surrounding vehicles. This enables the Toyota Tacoma LTA system to continue assisting under certain conditions even when the lane lines themselves are unclear.
If the system determines that the steering wheel has not been operated for a certain period or that the driver is not holding it firmly enough, a warning will be issued and Lane Tracing Assist will be temporarily canceled.
Once the steering wheel is firmly gripped again and the required operating conditions are satisfied, the function can resume its steering assistance.
- While the function is operating, if the system determines that the Toyota Tacoma may depart from its current lane, the driver will be warned through a display indication and an audible buzzer.
When the warning buzzer sounds, immediately check the area around the vehicle and carefully operate the steering wheel as necessary to guide the Toyota Tacoma back toward the center of the lane. The driver remains responsible for determining the appropriate steering input.
WARNING
Before using the LTA system
- Do not rely excessively on the LTA system. Lane Tracing Assist is not an automated driving system and does not reduce the level of attention required for safe vehicle operation. The driver is solely responsible for monitoring surrounding traffic and road conditions, keeping control of the steering wheel, and making any steering corrections necessary for safe travel. The driver is also responsible for taking appropriate rest breaks when fatigued, particularly during extended periods of driving.
- Failure to perform appropriate driving operations or to remain fully attentive to the road and surrounding environment may result in an accident.
- When Lane Tracing Assist is not required, switch the LTA system off using the LTA switch rather than leaving the function active unnecessarily.
Operating conditions of function
The Lane Tracing Assist function can operate only when all of the following conditions are satisfied. If one or more conditions are no longer met, steering assistance may be limited or canceled:
- The LTA system can detect lane markings or determine the path of preceding or surrounding vehicles.
- Dynamic radar cruise control is operating.
- The lane width is approximately 10 to 13 ft. (3 to 4 m).
- The turn signal lever is not being operated.
- The Toyota Tacoma is not being driven through a sharp curve.
- The vehicle is not accelerating or decelerating beyond a certain amount.
- The steering wheel is not being turned with excessive force.
- The hands-off steering wheel warning is not currently operating.
- The vehicle is traveling approximately in the center of its lane.
- Vehicles with TDA (Trailer Driving Assist): TDA (Trailer Driving Assist) is not operating.
Temporary cancelation of functions
- If the required operating conditions are no longer satisfied, the corresponding function may be temporarily canceled. Once the necessary conditions are met again, operation will automatically resume without requiring the driver to reactivate the function.
- If the operating requirements for a function cease to be satisfied while that function is actively assisting the Toyota Tacoma, a buzzer may sound to inform the driver that the assistance has been temporarily canceled.
- Steering assistance provided by the system does not prevent the driver from controlling the vehicle. The driver can override the steering assist at any time through deliberate steering wheel operation.
Lane departure warning function when the LTA is operating
- Even when the LDA warning method has been set to steering wheel vibration, a warning buzzer will sound if the Toyota Tacoma begins to deviate from its lane while LTA is operating. This audible warning is used to draw the driver's attention to the detected lane departure.
- If the system detects steering wheel input comparable to the amount normally required to intentionally change lanes, it will determine that the vehicle movement is deliberate rather than an unintended lane departure. In this situation, the lane departure warning will not operate.
Hands off steering wheel warning operation
- When the system determines that the driver is not holding the steering wheel, a message instructing the driver to grip the wheel, together with the icon shown in the illustration, will appear on the multi-information display. Once the system detects that the steering wheel is being held, the warning will be canceled. While using LTA on the Toyota Tacoma, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel at all times, regardless of whether the hands-off warning is currently displayed.
- If the system detects no meaningful steering operation for a certain period, the hands-off warning will activate and the LTA function may be temporarily canceled. The warning can also operate when the driver continuously makes only very small steering inputs, because such minor movements may not be sufficient for the system to determine that the steering wheel is being actively controlled.
Situations in which the hands off steering wheel warning may not operate properly
- Depending on the condition of the Toyota Tacoma, the manner in which the steering wheel is being controlled, and the condition of the road surface, the hands-off steering wheel warning may not operate correctly or may not activate as expected.
Enabling/disabling the system
The LTA system switches between ON and OFF each time the LTA switch is pressed, allowing the driver to activate or deactivate Lane Tracing Assist as needed.
When LTA is turned ON, the LTA indicator illuminates to show that the system is enabled and available to operate when all required conditions are satisfied.
WARNING
Situations in which the functions may not operate properly
Under the following conditions, LTA functions may not operate correctly and the Toyota Tacoma could move away from its intended lane position. Do not rely excessively on Lane Tracing Assist. The driver remains solely responsible for monitoring the road, surrounding traffic, and vehicle position, and for operating the steering wheel whenever necessary to maintain safe control.
- When a preceding or surrounding vehicle changes lanes. The Toyota Tacoma may respond to the path of that vehicle and could unintentionally follow it toward or into another lane.
- When a preceding or surrounding vehicle is swaying within its lane. Because the system may use that vehicle's path as a reference, the Toyota Tacoma may also begin to move laterally and could depart from its lane.
- When a preceding or surrounding vehicle leaves its lane. The LTA system may follow the detected path of that vehicle, which could cause your vehicle to move away from its own lane position.
- When a preceding or surrounding vehicle is traveling extremely close to the left or right lane marking. The Toyota Tacoma may follow that vehicle's position and consequently move too close to, or beyond, the lane boundary.
- When moving objects or structures are present around the vehicle. Depending on their position and movement relative to the Toyota Tacoma, the system's steering assistance may cause the vehicle to sway or shift within the lane.
- When the vehicle is affected by a strong crosswind or by turbulence generated by nearby vehicles, as these forces can influence vehicle movement and the effectiveness of steering assistance.
- In situations where the sensors may not operate properly or may have difficulty accurately recognizing surrounding conditions.
- In situations where lane markings cannot be detected reliably or where the lane boundaries are difficult for the system to identify.
- When driving conditions require the LTA system to be disabled rather than used for steering assistance.
Operation display of steering wheel operation support
The current operating status of the LTA system and its steering wheel assistance is indicated on the display, allowing the driver to confirm whether steering support is active while driving the Toyota Tacoma.
