Toyota has revealed that it will begin introducing two key safety features for its 2020 models. The first system shuts off the engine if it’s left idling for too long, while the other automatically engages park mode when the driver exits the vehicle without shifting it into park (thus preventing the car from rolling away).
According to Automotive News, Toyota will upgrade its current system, which issues a two-step alert to request the driver to turn off a long-idling engine, to one that automatically shuts off the engine at a predetermined interval with enhanced audible and visual warnings on its Smart Key system, depending on equipment. An additional warning delivered via the smartphone app will be introduced as well.
The announcement follows days after the automaker was criticised by Safety Research & Strategies for the number of carbon monoxide-related deaths attributable to the keyless ignition system in Toyota’s vehicles.
According to the vehicle and product safety company, at least 37 known deaths in the US have been linked to keyless ignition-related carbon monoxide poisoning. Founder Sean Kane said the numbers cited likely don’t include all such deaths.
Following Toyota’s announcement, Kane told Automotive News that it “is a positive announcement, and we’re glad to see it happen. But with that being said, they’re late to the game and there ar eno plans in that announcement to fix the vehicles that are already on the road.”
In response to that statement, a Toyota spokesman said: “The safety and security of our customers are top priorities, and we sympathise with anyone in an accident involving one of our vehicles. We are pleased to see the positive response to this proactive approach. We will continue to comply with all applicable standards now and in the future.”
The second safety system, which Toyota calls Automatic Park, will either shift the vehicle into park or apply the electronic emergency brake if the driver exits the car without shifting the automatic transmission in park.
A Toyota spokesperson said the feature is activated when the driver’s side door is opened and the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled and the brake is disengaged. Toyota did not say how long it planned to take to phase in the safety features across its line-up, and it’s unclear if the move will scale over globally.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
For the lazy drivers who couldn’t be bothered to switch of their engines while they wait for girlfren/wife/mistress.
For the lazy drivers who couldn’t be bothered to switch of their engines while they idling in the car with Girlfren/wife/mistress.
and also for those lazy arses in Penang who cant turn off their engines when they ARE supposed to while waiting for the ferry- effing selfish buggers, clean and green Penang my foot- cakap cantik while poisoning pedestrians waiting for ferry
Bro. Not just at ferry but the whole island too lah. Cakap tak serupa bikin. The island is the one responsible in coining the term ‘botak hills’ while trumpeting their ‘green efforts’.
This is good for those big families especially those with 6 to 12 children. Because they are so busy attending to their kids when they reach to the destination, many forget to even switch off their cars.
Bear in mind these latest features only applicable for all Toyota model worldwide except Malaysia.. For Malaysian drivers who are dreaming of getting this should wait at least 10-15 years.. Just wish you all don’t die first.
Meanwhile, UMW spokesman said: “Malaysian don’t need this extra feature, The profit margin and lucrativity FROM our customers are top priorities
Can’t blame them when they are only parroting those Japanese bosses in Toyota Southeast Asia.
Toyota in Malaysia close shop soon
You are right, the lazy UMW workers just think about profits and how to have easy life instead of working hard and ensuring Malaysians have higher safety spec
2NR-FE will still be used at least 14 years more in Malaysia.
tl;dr; Wait until around year 2034 then Vios might have this feature.
Aiyo, how to double-park if the Automatic system intervene? All future toyota will have broken window r after this
This only happen in M’sia. Too lazy to walk. Park betul2lah. Biarpun jauh. And as for limited apartment parking space, again, my respond is similar. Find other parking spot, request to the building manager or any other ways. X boleh ikut, building management or city council sila saman/clamp/etc. Other country boleh, kenapa Malaysian x boleh? Now, with new gomen, surely any improvement can happen. What else Malaysian want?
Under new gomen, with black tints they can’t see you so they can’t saman you. Hooray for lawbreakers.
You are not suppose to double park. Nuff said.
too many electronic nanny. Making human driver less involved, less observant, less aware, etc. Maybe in 20 years, human would not have the skill to do reverse parking oredi….
I suspect manufacturers are stuffing in such gadgets, to prop up the car prices (read more profit to them). while making cars problematic with electronic after many years of ownership.
Toyota Malaysia don’t bother anything about their customer, for a long time toyota Malaysia cut off as many feature as possible in their car and sell the car with such a premium price. If they can sell the chassis and engine only, they will. But the pride will never last, their sale will slowly going down day to day. Honda as well, how on earth the important safety feature Honda Sensing never found in civic range. This is call great greedy.
But for Proton. At least nowadays, Proton got lots of specs, Safety features, engine more powerful. Even service quality is better nowadays
Partly, Malaysian consumers are to be blamed for still supporting and buying below-par products from T and H manufacturers. Malaysians are lapping up the stock standard cars, with little safety features, while they didnt mind paying through their nose…
honda city hybrid currrent version already use this system of auto park brake when the car is idle.
toyota slow poke.