No, the other half isn’t missing. It’s just the name of the short axles that deliver power from the differential to the drive wheels in front-wheel-drive (FWD) or rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicles with independent rear suspension. In a straight-axle vehicle (one without independent suspension), the term “axle shaft” is often used.

This system stores its map and address data on a hard drive like your home computer, rather than on a DVD.

Similar to the technology used by fighter pilots, the Head-Up Display projects certain information (e.g., speed) onto the windshield, where reflection makes it visible to the driver.

Headlights are the “eyes” of your vehicle—but when they’re dirty, you’re the one who can’t see clearly. The headlight cleaner uses a high-pressure pump to lift sprayers from the front bumper and then rinse the headlights with windshield wiper fluid. The headlight cleaner pump and fluid reservoir are interconnected with the windshield washer and are located in the left front fender of the vehicle.

A bright idea. These bulbs are filled with pressurized xenon gas that is “stimulated” by a pair of high-voltage electrodes. In effect, the gas becomes a filament that quickly ignites, turning other gases in the bulb into white-hot plasma light. Xenon bulbs are capable of producing up to three times the light of a traditional halogen bulb of the same size, use less electricity, and last several times longer.

Perfectly suited to San Francisco residents, this feature can help prevent a vehicle from rolling backward on a steep hill when the driver moves his or her foot from the brake to the accelerator. With the vehicle at a standstill, HAC is automatically set when the driver presses down forcefully on the brake pedal for approximately three seconds. A chime sounds and the brake lights illuminate when HAC is activated. After approximately three seconds, or when the driver steps on the accelerator, HAC releases the brakes. A chime sounds twice when HAC releases brake pressure.

HomeLink^® makes your Toyota an extension of your home. This system learns the codes for up to three remote-controlled devices through a simple training process. HomeLink^® can then activate those devices at the push of a button—all from one permanently mounted unit in the vehicle’s sun visor, overhead console or rearview mirror. HomeLink is rolling code compatible, is powered by the vehicle’s charging system, can be reprogrammed at any time, and can activate home lighting with the available HomeLink^® Lighting Package.

A functional or cosmetic addition to the hood of a performance-oriented vehicle that can draw in cool air, or just make you look cool. Often, a vehicle with a functional hood scoop has a turbocharger, supercharger or high-performance intake system that benefits from high volumes of cool air. Cosmetic hood scoops provide the aggressive look of a high-performance vehicle, but do not open into the engine compartment.

Nope, not a dance—this is a manual or pressurized gas rod that holds the engine hood in the open position.

Can be a window incorporating a single pane of glass that slides left or right, or two panes of glass that are split in the middle. Designed for ventilation, but also perfect for talking to your dog when he’s/she’s riding securely fastened in the bed.

Coming home late? Your neighbors will love EV mode. It’s a feature of some Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive^® (HSD) vehicles that enables you to operate the vehicle as an electric vehicle (EV) without using the gas engine. EV mode is engaged by pushing a switch on the dashboard, but will only activate if certain conditions have been met. Some of these conditions relate to hybrid system temperature, coolant temperature, road speed, battery charge, accelerator pedal position, distance traveled, etc. When in EV mode, an indicator light on the dashboard illuminates.

Perfect for squeezing in and out of traffic, this driver-selectable feature adjusts the throttle pedal input to power output relationship, known as the throttle-response curve. When Power mode is engaged, the power control ECU raises the percentage of engine power produced by a given pedal input. For example, depressing the accelerator halfway produces more than half of the engine’s maximum power. Power mode is turned on and off by a button on the dashboard, and turning the vehicle off automatically cancels Power mode. An indicator light in the instrument cluster illuminates when Power mode is active.

Where man, machine and nature exist in harmony. HSD^® refers to a Toyota hybrid drivetrain that combines a gasoline engine, two electric motor/generators, a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and a high-voltage battery pack that powers the larger of the two motor/generators when it’s driving the wheels. Depending on the situation, Hybrid Synergy Drive^® can operate in electric-only, gas-only, or combined electric/gas modes.

Accessible via the Multi-Information Display of Prius, these three graphic screens make it easy (and fun) to monitor the hybrid system for better fuel economy, or just to keep tabs on the system’s function.

If you’ve ever driven a car without power steering, you can appreciate hydraulic power-assist. This system uses a hydraulic cylinder to exert pressure on the rack to turn the vehicle in the desired direction. Hydraulic power-assist makes steering the vehicle easier, especially during low-speed maneuvers such as parallel parking.