Toyotas safety sense

[Primus1]

Having watched yet another Yaris cross video, the review mentioned the safety sense system, now that got me thinking ( always a dangerous thing for me to do, just ask the mrs) , I’m sure we’ve all heard of incidents involving ( mostly) elderly drivers pressing the accelerator instead of the brake ( automatic) , if this were to happen in a Toyota fitted with the safety sense would this prevent such an accident from occurring?..

[Ralph H]

My standard Yaris is fitted with front and rear parking sensors with automatic brake assist. At home I have to park with the nose right up to a wall at those slow speeds it automatically stops the car before hitting the wall in a very abrupt and noisy way. It also works when you accidentally put the car into drive instead of reverse. I  know that this works as well, to my relief 😅 

[Roy124]

Even more alarming is reversing.  As a car behind clears my 6 I start to move.  If the Yaris thinks the obstruction is still there it slams the brakes on. 

As you know the car behind is clear you then start looking for another only to find there is no other. 

[Cyker]

My Yaris will not let me crash it, it will brake on its own if it thinks I'm closing on anything too fast with the potential to collide with it, and this works from motorways speeds all the way down to speeds so low the speedo registers it as 0mph  

It needs a lot of work tho' IMHO as it often flashes up collision warnings when I'm driving normally (Tight London roads, esp. with parked cars and islands, generate a lot of false positives!), and the system does seem to get confused sometimes, as I've had occasions where it won't let me accelerate out of a junction because I've started accelerating to follow a car that's just passed, but the system thinks I'm going to hit it (Even tho' it's now long gone!), and I get left stuck across both lanes for a second before it decides it's safe to let me go and releases the accelerator, often spinning the wheels because I'm flooring the accelerator trying to get out of the way of oncoming cars!

 

3 hours ago, Roy124 said:

Even more alarming is reversing.  As a car behind clears my 6 I start to move.  If the Yaris thinks the obstruction is still there it slams the brakes on. 

As you know the car behind is clear you then start looking for another only to find there is no other. 

It's not just oncoming cars! I've actually been 'trapped' in a car park due to the RCTA because it was so busy - The system kept seeing pedestrians, trolleys, cars etc. moving around and every time I tried to move I'd get that beeeep GRRRRKKKK sound as the system triggered the brakes preventing me from reversing!

I don't know if that was just bad luck as I've not had it happen since because now I always reverse into the bay instead of going in front-end first...

Makes loading the car a lot more awkward but at least it can't trap me  

 

[TonyHSD]

4 hours ago, Primus1 said:

Having watched yet another Yaris cross video, the review mentioned the safety sense system, now that got me thinking ( always a dangerous thing for me to do, just ask the mrs) , I’m sure we’ve all heard of incidents involving ( mostly) elderly drivers pressing the accelerator instead of the brake ( automatic) , if this were to happen in a Toyota fitted with the safety sense would this prevent such an accident from occurring?..

Not sure safety sense 2 can stop unintended starts from standstill as we witnessed a member with Corolla that had an incident happened most likely as a result of pressing wrongly on the accelerator. If safety sense 3 can do that it will be very helpful. 

[Ralph H]

21 minutes ago, Cyker said:

 

It's not just oncoming cars! I've actually been 'trapped' in a car park due to the RCTA because it was so busy - The system kept seeing pedestrians, trolleys, cars etc. moving around and every time I tried to move I'd get that beeeep GRRRRKKKK sound as the system triggered the brakes preventing me from reversing!

I don't know if that was just bad luck as I've not had it happen since because now I always reverse into the bay instead of going in front-end first...

Makes loading the car a lot more awkward but at least it can't trap me  

 

You can turn it off but then you have to put up with a warning light permanently on 

[Primus1]

I was just wondering as it will be our first automatic, I have driven an auto before but it was many years ago and swimbo has never driven one, so it’s comforting to know it should help prevent that from happening, ..

[Roy124]

Alan, I keep meaning to try it out.  I must get some cardboard boxes and see what happens. 

That said, there was a video here recently with the Toyota presented with many situations.  The hazard car looked like a Toyota but was I think cardboard.  Crossing traffic, head on traffic, approach from rear, and at different speeds. 

The cardboard car was comprehensively wrecked on many instances. 

[Cyker]

Don't worry about it - It's not like normal automatics; The hybrid system is very responsive to what you want to do and is very well set up, from the way it accelerates, to the way the regen braking emulates engine braking.

Coming from a manual car, all you're likely to do is try and push a non-existent clutch from time to time when braking, but the way it drives you don't even feel like you need to go for a gear stick because the torque delivery is very linear and the engine revs don't pick up like they do in a normal car unless you're really hammering it.

I normally hate driving automatics, but the way hybrid system drives is more like driving an EV, and I found it much easier to adapt to, which is fairly strong praise given I'm normally a die-hard manual driver!  

I've found most cars feel like they prefer to be driven a certain way, but the hybrids are very neutral and feel fine accelerating gently or 'enthusiastically', and the brakes are very strong if you do need to use them in a pinch!

They'd suck on a track, which annoyingly seems to be how most car reviewers gauge how 'good' a car is, but the hybrids are set up perfectly for the real world, and these new generation ones especially are just as happy crawling through traffic in town as they are hauling donkey up a motorway.  

 

[Primus1]

11 hours ago, Cyker said:

Don't worry about it - It's not like normal automatics; The hybrid system is very responsive to what you want to do and is very well set up, from the way it accelerates, to the way the regen braking emulates engine braking.

Coming from a manual car, all you're likely to do is try and push a non-existent clutch from time to time when braking, but the way it drives you don't even feel like you need to go for a gear stick because the torque delivery is very linear and the engine revs don't pick up like they do in a normal car unless you're really hammering it.

I normally hate driving automatics, but the way hybrid system drives is more like driving an EV, and I found it much easier to adapt to, which is fairly strong praise given I'm normally a die-hard manual driver!  

I've found most cars feel like they prefer to be driven a certain way, but the hybrids are very neutral and feel fine accelerating gently or 'enthusiastically', and the brakes are very strong if you do need to use them in a pinch!

They'd suck on a track, which annoyingly seems to be how most car reviewers gauge how 'good' a car is, but the hybrids are set up perfectly for the real world, and these new generation ones especially are just as happy crawling through traffic in town as they are hauling donkey up a motorway.  

 

Thanks for that, but does that mean I have to buy a donkey 🫏?

[Primus1]

12 hours ago, Roy124 said:

Alan, I keep meaning to try it out.  I must get some cardboard boxes and see what happens. 

That said, there was a video here recently with the Toyota presented with many situations.  The hazard car looked like a Toyota but was I think cardboard.  Crossing traffic, head on traffic, approach from rear, and at different speeds. 

The cardboard car was comprehensively wrecked on many instances. 

My puma supposedly has this system, but I can’t persuade the wife to stand in front of the car while I try it out…

[ISL]

1 hour ago, Primus1 said:

My puma supposedly has this system, but I can’t persuade the wife to stand in front of the car while I try it out…

Classic 😂😂😂

[ISL]

The anti-collision system is definitely more sensitive than other cars I have driven, particularly with parked cars on the side of the road and pulling into busy roundabouts. You just have to be ready to floor it in order to override the system. I’ve even had the system trying to brake for a pedestrian walking down the pavement.

The main thing I worry about is traffic following too close behind not being ready for an impromptu emergency stop (ok if their car I guess is fitted with the same system). Now imagining a queue of self braking cars all doing this at the same time. 🥳

[Roy124]

Getting the garden furniture out today.  Will leave the cushions in tga garage a bit longer.  They are in a bag, 6 feet wide and 2 feet by 2 feet. 

Will see how the car handles that. 

 

[TonyHSD]

26 minutes ago, ISL said:

The anti-collision system is definitely more sensitive than other cars I have driven, particularly with parked cars on the side of the road and pulling into busy roundabouts. You just have to be ready to floor it in order to override the system. I’ve even had the system trying to brake for a pedestrian walking down the pavement.

The main thing I worry about is traffic following too close behind not being ready for an impromptu emergency stop (ok if their car I guess is fitted with the same system). Now imagining a queue of self braking cars all doing this at the same time. 🥳

This is actually good to teach the majority of drivers that they do need to keep distance behind. 👍

[Roy124]

Rather you than me gunda din.  I have had the car brake when the preceeding car has moved off into a slip road.

It's only a matter of time before some Sense car brakes and some senseless driver behind doesn't. 

"why did you brake? The road ahead was clear." 

"I didn't, the car did.  You should have paid attention." 

Who was at fault?  One or both? 

[TonyHSD]

2 hours ago, Primus1 said:

My puma supposedly has this system, but I can’t persuade the wife to stand in front of the car while I try it out…

With the joke on the side when switch from manual to automatic there is always a risk and possibility to press brake pedal with your left foot thinking you need to press the clutch and that usually happens at low speeds just before coming to a complete stop. 
To avoid this best to take your time when do manoeuvres or driving slow and make sure your right foot it’s on the brake. 
If you mistaken the accelerator for the brake the car will very likely launch forward abruptly and it is dangerous. Another tip here for new comers is to use an “ Eco mode” where throttle response is softened and the car is a bit sluggish. This will also help to learn how to drive efficiently a hybrid and will minimise the risk of sudden acceleration from standstill. Once you get used to it can switch to normal mode. Avoid driving in sport mode for the beginning. 

[Roy124]

2 hours ago, TonyHSD said:

Eco mode” where throttle response is softened and the car is a bit sluggish. This will also help to learn how to drive efficiently a hybrid and will minimise the risk of sudden acceleration from standstill. Once you get used to it can switch to normal mode. Avoid driving in sport mode for the beginning. 

I would have said has more resistance and in Sport mode it is more responsive. 

[Cyker]

I think unless you're sat weird in the seat, it would be difficult to accidentally press the brake pedal with the left foot as it isn't in a natural position for your left foot like a clutch pedal is - You'd just end up stamping on the dead pedal and hurting your foot (I did this a lot when I first got the car!!   )

That's partly why I decided left-foot braking was a no-go, as it's really awkward to hold your left foot over the brake with your right over the accelerator, at least in the Yaris, as your feet are literally touching and you'd have to sit with your knees together. I reckon I'd have gotten severe cramp from the waist down trying to sit like that for any length of time!

12 hours ago, Primus1 said:

Thanks for that, but does that mean I have to buy a donkey 🫏?

Absolutely, although a mule might also work. The TV has informed me you can sponsor one as an alternative...

 

[Roy124]

We just have very strong left legs.  IIRC US Car pedals are positioned differently and the brake is a broad pedal.  Guess it is what they are brought up with. 

[Rhymes with Paris]

11 minutes ago, Roy124 said:

We just have very strong left legs.  IIRC US Car pedals are positioned differently and the brake is a broad pedal.  Guess it is what they are brought up with. 

It's been a deal breaker for me on several cars over the years,I remember a Merc with the"emergency brake pedal"I test driving the thing, I couldn't release it.

It was either me having uncoordinated muscle memory,or a daft design.

[TonyHSD]

13 hours ago, Rhymes with Paris said:

It's been a deal breaker for me on several cars over the years,I remember a Merc with the"emergency brake pedal"I test driving the thing, I couldn't release it.

It was either me having uncoordinated muscle memory,or a daft design.

That was the parking brake, many Mercedes’ from the past had it. Engaging is to step on but then there is a release lever on the dashboard at the right side of the steering wheel. Priuses were similar, but the parking brake pedal push to engage and push agin to disengage. These times gone now it’s everything electric and automatic 🙂

[Primus1]

With all the use my right leg will get I bet it’ll look like a Queen Anne table after a bit….

[Cyker]

I thought that but I've been abusing the heck out of the radar cruise control so I'm not even using the pedals that much a lot of the time  

 

[Roy124]

49 minutes ago, Cyker said:

I thought that but I've been abusing the heck out of the radar cruise control so I'm not even using the pedals that much a lot of the time  

 

How's your right thumb?