Toyota Tacoma (N400, 2024-2026) Owner's Manual: Pre-Collision System (PCS): Operation and Warnings

The pre-collision system uses sensors to detect certain objects in the path of the Toyota Tacoma. When the system determines that there is a high possibility of a frontal collision with a detectable object, it activates a warning to prompt the driver to take evasive action and increases the available brake pressure to support the driver's braking response. If the system determines that the possibility of a collision is extremely high, the brakes may be applied automatically to help avoid the collision or reduce the severity of the impact.

The pre-collision system can be enabled or disabled, and the timing of the warning can also be adjusted. These settings affect how the system responds but do not replace the driver's responsibility to monitor traffic and surrounding conditions while operating the Toyota Tacoma.

WARNING

For safe use

• Safe operation of the vehicle remains solely the responsibility of the driver. Always pay close attention to traffic, road conditions, pedestrians, and other surroundings so that appropriate action can be taken whenever necessary.

  Never rely on the pre-collision system as a substitute for normal braking or attentive driving. The system cannot prevent a collision or reduce its impact under every possible condition.

  Excessive reliance on this system when driving the Toyota Tacoma may contribute to an accident that could result in death or serious injury.

• Although the pre-collision system is designed to assist in avoiding certain collisions or reducing their impact, its effectiveness can vary depending on road, traffic, environmental, vehicle, and other operating conditions. As a result, the system may not always provide the same level of detection or assistance.

  Read the following information carefully to understand the capabilities and limitations of the system.

  Do not depend excessively on the pre-collision system. Remain attentive and drive carefully at all times.

Detectable objects

The system can recognize the following types of objects as detectable objects when the applicable detection conditions are met.

(The types of detectable objects vary depending on the specific system function being used.)

• Vehicles
• Bicycles*
• Pedestrians
• Motorcycles*
• Walls (except for manual transmission)

*: Bicycles and motorcycles are detected as detectable objects only when they are being ridden.

System functions

 Pre-collision warning

When the system determines that the possibility of a collision is high, a buzzer sounds and an icon together with a warning message appears on the multi-information display. These alerts are intended to prompt the driver to recognize the potential hazard and take appropriate evasive action.

If the detectable object is a vehicle, there may also be situations in which moderate braking is applied together with the warning to assist the driver in responding to the developing risk.

1. "Pre-Collision System"

If the system determines that the accelerator pedal is being strongly depressed, the following icon and message will appear on the multi-information display to inform the driver of the detected accelerator input.

1. "Accelerator Pedal is Pressed"

 Pre-collision brake assist

If the system determines that there is a high possibility of a collision and also determines that the driver's braking effort is insufficient, braking power is increased to supplement the brake operation performed by the driver. This function is intended to provide additional braking assistance when the Toyota Tacoma is approaching a detectable object under the applicable conditions.

 Pre-collision brake control

If the system determines that the possibility of a collision is extremely high, the brakes are applied automatically. This automatic braking action is intended to help avoid the collision when possible or, if avoidance is not possible, help reduce the severity of the impact.

 Emergency steering assist

If the system determines that the required conditions are satisfied, steering-related assistance is provided to help enhance vehicle stability and reduce the possibility of lane departure while the driver performs an evasive maneuver. The assistance supports the driver's steering operation but does not eliminate the need to control the Toyota Tacoma carefully throughout the maneuver.

During assistance, in addition to the pre-collision warning, the following icon will appear on the multi-information display to indicate that the system is providing steering-related support.

• The system determines that the possibility of a collision is high.
• There is sufficient space within the current lane for the driver to perform an evasive steering maneuver.
• The driver is actively operating the steering wheel in response to the detected situation.

While assistance is being provided, the pre-collision warning will also operate and a message will appear on the multi-information display to alert the driver. The driver must continue steering and remain attentive to the surrounding traffic conditions while controlling the Toyota Tacoma.

 Intersection collision avoidance support (left/right turn)

In situations such as those described below, if the system determines that there is a high possibility of a collision, the pre-collision warning and pre-collision braking functions may operate to assist the driver in responding to the detected hazard.

Depending on the shape, visibility, traffic conditions, or other circumstances at the intersection, assistance may not operate correctly or may not be provided as expected.

• When the Toyota Tacoma is turning left or right at an intersection and crosses the path of an approaching vehicle or motorcycle.

• When turning left or right and the system detects a pedestrian or bicycle in or near the vehicle's intended path.

 Intersection collision avoidance support (crossing vehicles)

At an intersection or similar location, if the system determines that the possibility of a collision with an approaching vehicle or motorcycle is high, the pre-collision warning and pre-collision braking functions may operate. This assistance is intended to support the driver's response when another road user is approaching across the Toyota Tacoma's path.

Depending on the configuration and conditions of the intersection, the system may not detect the situation correctly and assistance may not operate as expected.

 Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed (except for manual transmission)

When driving at low speed, if the accelerator pedal is depressed strongly and the system determines that there is a possibility of a collision, engine output may be restrained or the brakes may be applied lightly to limit acceleration. While this function is operating, a buzzer will sound and a warning indicator together with a message will appear on the multi-information display so the driver can recognize the condition and respond appropriately.

1. "Accelerator Pedal is Pressed"

 Suspension control (vehicles with Adaptive Variable Suspension system)

When the system determines that the possibility of a collision is high, the Adaptive Variable Suspension system adjusts the damping force of the shock absorbers to assist in maintaining an appropriate vehicle posture. This control works together with the applicable pre-collision functions of the Toyota Tacoma when the required operating conditions are satisfied.

WARNING

Pre-collision braking

• When the pre-collision braking function operates, a substantial amount of braking force may be applied automatically. The resulting deceleration can be strong, so the driver must remain prepared to control the vehicle.
• The pre-collision braking function is not designed to keep the vehicle stationary after it has stopped. If the Toyota Tacoma is brought to a stop by pre-collision brake control, the driver must immediately operate the brake pedal as necessary to keep the vehicle stopped or respond to the surrounding situation.
• The pre-collision braking function may not operate when certain driver inputs are detected. If the accelerator pedal is being depressed strongly or the steering wheel is being turned, the system may determine that the driver is already taking evasive action and may therefore prevent pre-collision braking from operating.
• If the brake pedal is already being depressed, the system may interpret this as an evasive action being performed by the driver. In such a situation, the operating timing of the pre-collision brake control may be delayed.

Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed (except for manual transmission)

If the steering wheel is being turned, the system may interpret the driver's steering input as an evasive maneuver. In this situation, the Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed function may not activate, or its operation may be canceled if assistance has already begun. The driver should therefore not assume that this function will intervene whenever the Toyota Tacoma is being steered around an obstacle.

Emergency steering assist

• Emergency steering assist will be canceled when the system determines that the lane departure prevention control associated with the assistance has been completed.
• Emergency steering assist may not operate, or assistance that is already being provided may be canceled, depending on the driver's actions and the inputs detected by the system.
  • If the accelerator pedal is depressed strongly, the steering wheel is turned significantly, the brake pedal is depressed, or the turn signal lever is operated, the system may determine that the driver is performing an evasive maneuver independently. Under these conditions, emergency steering assist may not activate.
  • While emergency steering assist is operating, strongly depressing the accelerator pedal, making a large steering input, or depressing the brake pedal may be interpreted as intentional evasive action by the driver. If this occurs, emergency steering assist may be canceled and control of the Toyota Tacoma remains with the driver.
  • While emergency steering assist is active, holding or turning the steering wheel in the direction opposite to the steering assistance provided by the system will cause emergency steering assist to be canceled.
  • If the driver continues to hold or turn the steering wheel against the direction of system operation while emergency steering assist is functioning, the assistance will be canceled because the driver's steering input takes priority.

 Operating conditions of each function of the pre-collision system

The pre-collision system is enabled when its operating requirements are satisfied and the system determines that there is a high possibility of a frontal collision with a detected object. Individual functions may operate differently depending on the detected situation and the applicable conditions.

However, the pre-collision system will not operate in the following situations:

• When the Toyota Tacoma has not yet been driven a sufficient amount after a battery terminal has been disconnected and then reconnected.
• When the shift lever is in R.

The following information describes the operating speed ranges and cancellation conditions for each function of the pre-collision system:

• Pre-collision warning

While the pre-collision warning is operating, a large or sudden steering-wheel input may cause the warning to be canceled because the system may recognize that the driver is already taking action to avoid the detected hazard.

• Pre-collision brake assist

• Pre-collision braking

If either of the following actions occurs while the pre-collision braking function is operating, automatic braking assistance will be canceled:

• The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly.
• The steering wheel is operated heavily or turned suddenly.

• Emergency steering assist

Emergency steering assist will not operate while the turn signal lights are flashing. The system takes this driver input into account when determining whether steering assistance should be provided.

Emergency steering assist will also remain unavailable when the VSC OFF indicator is illuminated. Under these conditions, the driver must control the Toyota Tacoma without assistance from this function.

While emergency steering assist is operating, the system may cancel the assistance if it detects any of the following driver actions. These inputs can indicate that the driver is taking direct control of the Toyota Tacoma and performing an evasive maneuver independently:

• The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly.
• The steering wheel is operated heavily or turned suddenly.
• The brake pedal is depressed.

• Intersection collision avoidance support (left/right turn)

Intersection collision avoidance support for a vehicle turning left or right will not operate when the turn signal lights are not flashing. The system uses the turn signal condition as part of determining whether the Toyota Tacoma is performing a turning maneuver for which this assistance is applicable.

• Intersection collision avoidance support (crossing vehicles)

The operating conditions for intersection collision avoidance support involving crossing vehicles are shown below. This function operates only when the required detection and system conditions are satisfied.

• Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed (except for manual transmission)

The Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed function will not operate while the turn signal lights are flashing. Under this condition, the system does not provide the low-speed acceleration suppression described for this function.

While the Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed function is operating, either of the following driver actions will cause the low-speed sudden acceleration suppression function to be canceled:

• The accelerator pedal is released.
• The steering wheel is operated heavily or turned suddenly.

 Detection of detectable objects

The system identifies detectable objects based on characteristics such as their size, shape, and movement. These characteristics are evaluated by the detection system when determining whether an object ahead of the Toyota Tacoma corresponds to a supported object type.

Detection may be affected by ambient brightness as well as the movement, posture, orientation, or direction of travel of a detectable object. Depending on these conditions, an object may not be recognized correctly and the pre-collision system may not operate as expected.

The system recognizes shapes similar to the examples shown below as detectable objects. Actual detection can vary according to the surrounding conditions and the appearance or movement of the object.

 Situations in which the system may operate even though the possibility of a collision is not high

• Under certain circumstances, including those listed below, the system may interpret the situation as presenting a high possibility of a collision and may activate even when an actual collision risk is low:
  • When the Toyota Tacoma passes close to a detectable object.
  • When changing lanes while overtaking a detectable object.
  • When suddenly approaching a detectable object.
  • When approaching a detectable object or another roadside object, such as a guardrail, utility pole, tree, wall, or similar structure.
  • When a detectable object or another object is positioned beside the road near a curve, where its location may cause the system to interpret it as being closer to the vehicle's path.

• When markings, patterns, painted surfaces, or similar visual features ahead of the vehicle resemble the shape or appearance of a detectable object.
• When passing a detectable object that is changing lanes or making a left or right turn.

• When passing close to a detectable object that has stopped while preparing to make a left or right turn.

• When a detectable object stops immediately before entering the path of the Toyota Tacoma, causing its position relative to the vehicle to change suddenly.
• When driving beneath or through an area with a structure positioned above the roadway, such as a traffic sign, billboard, or similar overhead object.

• When approaching an electric toll gate barrier, parking lot barrier, or another movable barrier that opens and closes across the vehicle's path.
• When the Toyota Tacoma is turning left or right and an oncoming vehicle, motorcycle, pedestrian, or bicycle crosses in front of the vehicle.
• When attempting to make a left or right turn in front of an approaching vehicle, motorcycle, pedestrian, or bicycle.
• When turning left or right and an oncoming vehicle, motorcycle, pedestrian, or bicycle stops or suddenly changes direction immediately before entering the vehicle's path.
• When making a left or right turn and an approaching vehicle or motorcycle also turns left or right across or near the intended path of the Toyota Tacoma.

• When the steering wheel is turned toward the path of an oncoming vehicle, causing the system to interpret the developing situation as a possible collision risk.
• When an object is moving above or below the roadway and its position or movement is detected by the system.

 Situations in which the system may not operate properly

• Under certain conditions, including those described below, the front sensors may have difficulty recognizing a detectable object. As a result, the object may not be detected correctly and some functions of the Toyota Tacoma Pre-Collision System may not operate as intended:
  • When a detectable object is approaching the vehicle rather than moving in the same general direction.
  • When the Toyota Tacoma or a detectable object is wandering or moving inconsistently within its path.
  • When a detectable object makes an abrupt maneuver, such as suddenly swerving, accelerating, or decelerating.
  • When the vehicle suddenly approaches a detectable object, leaving limited time for the sensors to recognize and evaluate the situation.
  • When a detectable object is positioned close to a wall, fence, guardrail, manhole cover, steel plate on the road surface, another vehicle, or a similar surrounding object.
  • When a structure is located directly above a detectable object and may make its outline more difficult for the sensors to distinguish.
  • When part of a detectable object is obscured by another item, such as large luggage, an umbrella, guardrail, or another obstruction.
  • When several detectable objects overlap visually, making their individual shapes and positions difficult for the system to distinguish.
  • When strong light, such as sunlight, reflects from a detectable object and affects the way it appears to the front sensors.
  • When a detectable object is white or another very bright color and appears extremely bright under the surrounding lighting conditions.
  • When the color or brightness of a detectable object is similar to its surroundings, reducing the visual contrast needed for reliable recognition.
  • When a detectable object suddenly cuts into the path of the Toyota Tacoma or unexpectedly emerges directly in front of the vehicle.
  • When approaching a vehicle that is positioned diagonally relative to the direction of travel.
  • If a bicycle is child-sized, carries a large load or an additional passenger, has a rider leaning far forward, or has an unusual overall shape, such as a bicycle equipped with a child seat or a tandem bicycle.
  • If a pedestrian or bicycle is shorter than approximately 3.2 ft. (1 m) or taller than approximately 6.5 ft. (2 m), its dimensions may fall outside the shape that the system can recognize reliably.
  • When the outline of a pedestrian or bicycle is unclear, such as when a person is wearing a raincoat, long skirt, or other clothing that significantly changes the visible silhouette.
  • When a pedestrian is bending forward, crouching, or squatting, which can make the person's shape more difficult for the system to identify.
  • When a pedestrian or bicycle is moving at a high speed and its position changes rapidly relative to the Toyota Tacoma.
  • When a pedestrian is pushing a stroller, wheelchair, bicycle, or another vehicle, altering the person's visible outline and movement.
  • When a detectable object visually blends into the surrounding area, such as in dim conditions at dawn or dusk, or in dark environments at night or inside a tunnel.
  • When the vehicle has not yet been driven for a certain period after the engine was started and the system has not reached the conditions required for normal operation.
  • While turning left or right, or during the first few seconds immediately after completing the turn.
  • While driving through a curve and for several seconds after the Toyota Tacoma has completed the curve.
  • When turning left or right and an approaching vehicle or motorcycle is traveling in a lane that is three or more lanes away from the vehicle.
  • When making a left or right turn and the direction of the Toyota Tacoma differs significantly from the normal direction of traffic flowing in the oncoming lane.

• When the Toyota Tacoma is turning left or right and a pedestrian or bicycle approaching from behind moves forward and crosses in front of the vehicle as though overtaking it.

• When an approaching vehicle crossing the path of the Toyota Tacoma at an intersection has a particularly long overall length, such as a large truck, a vehicle towing a trailer, or another similarly extended vehicle.

• In addition to the situations described above, emergency steering assist may not operate correctly under certain conditions, including the following:
  • When a detectable object is extremely close to the vehicle, leaving limited distance for the system to evaluate the situation and provide steering assistance.
  • When there is not enough space to perform an evasive steering maneuver, or when an obstacle is present in the direction in which the vehicle would need to move.
  • When an oncoming vehicle is present and the system determines that steering assistance cannot be provided appropriately.
• Vehicles with an automatic transmission: In addition to the conditions described above, there are situations in which a wall may not be recognized correctly as a target object. In these cases, the Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed function of the Toyota Tacoma may not operate as intended:
  • When scenery or objects behind the wall remain visible, such as through a glass door, grid-style fence, or another partially transparent or open structure.
  • When the wall is positioned at an angle or is too low for reliable detection.
  • When the wall is very narrow, such as a pole or similarly shaped object.
  • When the apparent wall consists of vegetation, such as a hedge or other plants.
  • When the road surface or surrounding scenery is reflected on the wall, making its shape or position more difficult for the system to distinguish.
  • When the Toyota Tacoma approaches the wall at an angle rather than directly from the front.

Changing the pre-collision setting

• The pre-collision system can be enabled or disabled through the vehicle's customization settings, allowing the driver to change whether the function is active.

The pre-collision system is enabled automatically each time the engine switch is turned to ON, even if the system had previously been disabled through its settings.

• When the system is disabled, the PCS warning light will illuminate and a corresponding message will appear on the multi-information display to indicate that pre-collision assistance is unavailable.
• The pre-collision system settings, including the applicable warning preferences, can be adjusted through the customization settings of the Toyota Tacoma.
• Changing the timing of the pre-collision warning also changes the operating timing of emergency steering assist.

  When " (Later)" is selected, emergency steering assist will not operate in most situations because of the later intervention timing.

• When dynamic radar cruise control is operating, the pre-collision warning will use the " (Earlier)" timing regardless of the warning timing selected by the user.