It’s got your back. Toyota Parking Assist uses sonar sensors in the bumper to detect and then warn the driver about objects he or she might not see while parking or maneuvering at low speeds.

The choice of serious off-roaders. Unlike full-time 4WD or AWD systems, which use a center differential to distribute power between the front and rear axles in varying percentages as conditions change, a part-time system is only in 4WD mode when selected by the driver. Part-time 4WD effectively locks the front and rear axles together for a 50/50 power split, which offers optimum traction, but limits turning on dry surfaces because the axles cannot slip or turn at different speeds. Therefore, part-time 4WD is not recommended for everyday driving or for use on dry pavement.

Part of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) rating system, a PZEV has a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) exhaust emission rating, plus zero evaporative emission and a 150,000-mile emission system warranty.

Some Toyota models feature a passenger airbag cutoff switch that can manually be set in the “on” or “off” position by turning the ignition key in the cutoff switch located in the center console.

The maximum allowable cargo weight that a vehicle can carry, as determined by the manufacturer.

A premium finish that has a slightly iridescent quality (like a pearl), or the ability to change color when exposed to sunlight or viewed from different angles.

Illumination around the outside of the vehicle that can come from a number of sources, including lights in the sideview mirrors (“puddle lamps”), door handles, lower interior door panels (used when the doors are opened), running boards, tailgate license plate garnish, and in some cases, the Reverse lights. Perimeter lighting is usually triggered by the remote keyless entry system.

A cylindrical casting that moves up and down in the cylinder, pushing the engine’s air/fuel mixture in and out while transmitting energy to the crankshaft via the connecting rod.

A 21^st-century weapon used against microscopic enemies. Seriously. This air purification system charges ions so they can help neutralize microbes, fungi, mold, allergens, bacteria and germs. By converting humidity (airborne water) into positive hydrogen ions and negative oxygen ions, the oppositely charged ions can use their magnetic attraction to cluster around foreign particles in the air and eliminate them.

This fantastic invention lets you thumb your nose at Old Man Winter, thanks to an electric element that warms the cabin before the engine has reached sufficient operating temperature. Located above the regular heater core, the PTC not only heats the air in the cabin while the engine is warming up, it also helps the heater core reach operating temperature faster. The PTC is automatically turned on when the engine is cold and the climate control is adjusted to warm. In extremely cold temperatures, the electric element may even assist the heater by “multiplying” the warmth created by the heater core.

Yet another amazing feature of the Hybrid Synergy Drive^® powertrain, this device converts the battery’s direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC), and also changes the battery’s output to higher or lower voltage as required by the system.

Makes deploying/stowing the third-row seat almost completely effortless. In fact, this seat can be raised or lowered by controls in two different locations. If you’re in the right sliding side door opening, you can reach buttons located at the forward edge of the seat cushion. From the cargo door, you can reach a second set of buttons located at the upper edge of the door opening. There’s also a separate button for the left- and right-side seats, and an indicator light on the instrument panel informs the driver when the seats have been fully raised or lowered.

Hands full? Open or close the liftgate automatically at the touch of a button or with a quick pull on the liftgate handle. The liftgate handle can trigger the automatic opening or closing function, or it can be triggered by a button elsewhere on the vehicle or on a key fob.

Whether you’re short or tall, big or small, this feature puts the steering wheel right where you want it. Controlled by a small joystick mounted on the lower steering column or dashboard, it uses two motors to adjust the steering wheel position: one to tilt the wheel, the other to telescope the steering column (move it closer/farther away from the driver).

Power-assisted brakes use a reserve of vacuum or hydraulic pressure in the brake system that helps the driver apply the brakes without a great deal of pedal effort.

A catalytic converter requires high heat to work effectively—so many contemporary emissions systems incorporate a pre-catalyst, a small catalytic converter mounted upstream from the main (or secondary) catalytic converter. Because of its close proximity to the engine’s exhaust manifold, the pre-catalyst heats up much more quickly and can begin treating exhaust emissions before the secondary catalytic converter reaches operating temperature. Once hot, the secondary converter then captures any untreated emissions before they exit the vehicle’s exhaust system.

Using a radar sensor located in the vehicle’s front grille, PCS monitors the position of the vehicle relative to other vehicles and certain objects directly in the road ahead. If PCS determines that a collision is imminent, the Brake Assist (BA) [6] system is placed in standby mode, a warning is displayed and a buzzer sounds. If PCS determines that a collision is unavoidable, the system will still alert the driver via a warning light, warning display and buzzer, apply the brakes and automatically retract the driver and front passenger seatbelts.

A pretensioner automatically retracts the seatbelt and helps secure the occupant at the moment of severe forward deceleration. If the shoulder belt forces applied to the occupant reach a predetermined amount, then the force limiter allows the webbing to extend to help reduce pressure on the occupant’s chest.

Roll like a celebrity. These dark-tint windows offer some “one-way” visibility, so passengers can see out, but pedestrians and people outside the vehicle will have difficulty seeing in.

Locked doors are not only better for safety, but also security. Programmable Automatic Door Locks can be set to lock or unlock depending on the position of the transmission shifter or ignition switch, or based on vehicle speed. For example, the doors can be programmed to unlock when the shifter is moved into Park or when the vehicle reaches approximately 12 mph. In a separate mode, the doors can be programmed to unlock when the ignition is switched off or the key is removed from the ignition and then the driver’s door is opened within 10 seconds.

It’s not as complicated as it sounds. A PES is simply a compact headlight that combines both the low and high beams within one reflector/magnifier unit. A moving “shade” between the bulb and ellipsoidal magnifying lens can create a “cutoff” that directs the lights in a low-beam or high-beam pattern. Using a solenoid, a shade moves either forward or back inside the headlight, directing the light down for low beams, or up for high beams.

These headlights are small but bright. They incorporate a deep reflective dish that “projects” the beams through a frontal “condenser” lens that both focuses and magnifies the light. The deep profile of the reflective dish allows the headlight to have a very small diameter, which in turn frees the designer to make lower, more highly stylized and aerodynamic front bodywork.

When you walk up to your Toyota at night, these exterior lights shine down from the sideview mirror housings to illuminate the area around the driver and front passenger doors.

You’ll wonder how you’ve lived without it for so long. Part of the Smart Key System [4], the process begins when the vehicle detects the key fob within approximately two to three feet of a door. It then activates the door handles and unlocks the vehicle when a handle is pulled. The key fob also signals that the engine can be started, and from there, the driver simply depresses the brake and pushes the Start/Stop button. As long as the key fob is inside the vehicle and the driver’s foot is on the brake pedal, the engine can be started.