5 Important Safety Tips for Your Offroad Adventures

For generations, drivers have depended on Toyota to deliver safe and reliable vehicles. Toyota continues to do so with its Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 Plus (TSS 2.5+) suite of intelligent safety features. The suite includes all-new safety technologies along with some familiar favorites. Let's explore how the Safety Sense 2.5 Plus suite allows you to drive more confidently. more Pre-Collision System With Pedestrian Detection Like previous versions of the Toyota Safety Sense suite, TSS 2.5+ features a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. In the TSS 2.5+ suite, this feature is enhanced to not only prevent collisions with the vehicle in front of you, but to also help prevent and mitigate collisions when you're making a left-hand turn. The system detects vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists, even in poorly lit environments. The system automatically applies the brakes and also helps you make emergency steering maneuvers. Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control The dynamic radar cruise control is another feature carried over from previous Safety Sense suites. In the TSS 2.5+ suite, the feature can activate at speeds over 30 miles per hour and control the distance between your Toyota and the vehicle in front of you down to 0 mph. If your Toyota has to come to a complete stop, the cruise control is capable of resuming once traffic picks back up. New to the feature is a technology that assists you with passing slower vehicles. If the vehicle in front of you is traveling slower than your preferred cruising speed, all you have to do is engage your turn signal, and the cruise control will accelerate enough to let you safely pass. Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist Another favorite feature is the lane departure alert with lane tracing assist. If your Toyota starts to leave its lane and your turn signal isn't engaged, the feature will apply corrective steering. The system can also detect road edges and warn you when it's time to pull over if you've drifted too many times. Blind-Spot Monitoring With Rear Cross-Traffic Alert Toyota fans will be happy to know that blind-spot monitoring is still included in the newest version of Safety Sense. This feature can detect vehicles when they enter your blind spots, issuing both a visual and an audible warning. The system also monitors traffic when you're driving in reverse, so you know when a vehicle or pedestrian is about to cross your path. Road Sign Assist Using a forward-facing intelligent camera, the road sign assist system can read speed limit signs, stop signs, and other traffic signs. The system displays them on a multi-information display. With this innovative feature, the road ahead holds fewer unpleasant surprises. Automatic High Beams The TSS 2.5+ suite's automatic high beams can detect the headlights and taillights of other vehicles and adjust your Toyota's headlights accordingly. When no other vehicles are nearby, the headlights will give you more light when you need it. You'll enjoy not having to constantly fuss with your high beam settings. As you can see, the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 Plus suite offers plenty of features to keep you safe and secure. Test drive a Toyota today and experience the system for yourself. Image via DealerOn

Traffic can not only be a nuisance, but it can make you miss out on certain events or make you late to appointments that you need to be on time for. Even simple accidents can cause a significant delay, and during construction season, those delays can even be worse. To avoid the complications that traffic can cause and help keep yourself on time, check out the three traffic apps below. Google Maps Probably one of the best-known maps and navigation systems for drivers is Google Maps. Google Maps helps you map your route and lets you choose the best course to take based on travel time and mileage. The app also takes into account the time of day and average traffic to provide you with an accurate estimate of how long it will take to get to your destination. Additionally, when the route is mapped, the app will also indicate areas where there are traffic delays, what is causing them, and how much time it will take to get through them. The great thing about Google Maps is it is most likely already on your smart device. more Waze Another popular traffic app is Waze, which takes traffic monitoring into a new direction. It works by monitoring the time and travel speed of drivers taking the particular route and sharing that information with other Waze users who may be planning to travel that route and want an up-to-date traffic report. Waze utilizes user interaction to help create the most up-to-date reporting on things like road kill, construction, traffic accidents, and even the presence of police officers. The app gathers its data from users by assigning points that can be earned for each of the users which can be redeemed at a later time. The app also integrates with your calendars to help you plan routes for appointments you can anticipate in advance. Beat the Traffic The Beat the Traffic app is free for both iOS and Android users and provides drivers with detailed traffic reports letting them know what they will encounter along certain routes as well as how long traffic delays will be. The interface is extremely user-friendly and will allow you to log and save your favorite traveled routes. It also provides you a detailed account of events and incidents that will affect travel such as where construction areas are located, how much traffic is expected, and how long of a delay you can expect. On the app, you can also view traffic cameras, avoid tolls along the way, and receive notifications about traffic problems along with your route. One of the unique aspects of the Beat the Traffic app is that it will factor weather into the time delays and route times to give you the most accurate arrival times. Help get the best of traffic by using one or more of the three apps above to avoid traffic delays along your trip and help get you where you are going and get there on time. Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay

Toyota Sienna The Toyota Sienna offers drivers peace of mind. The Sienna is the only minivan in its class with an AWD system. In addition to the smooth and safe drive, you will also enjoy the Safety Connect system. You won't have to worry about getting stuck in the cold snow because this safety feature connects drivers to a 24/7 response system. The response system offers emergency and roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, and even a stolen vehicle locator. You can gain assurance, knowing the 2017 Toyota Sienna received the NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating. more Toyota Highlander The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) of the Highlander will make you feel even safer in winter driving conditions. The Highlander comes standard with a Pre-Collision System, Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, and Steering Assist Setting. In addition to the AWD, drivers can also be confident about their drive with the advanced Star Safety System. The Highlander features enhanced stability control, traction control, an anti-lock brake system, electronic brake distribution, a brake assist, and a smart stop technology feature. With more safety than ever, the advanced airbag system comes with front seat-mounted airbags, driver knee airbags, and roll sensing airbags for all rows. RAV4 The Toyota RAV4 is the newest model in the RAV line. With a completely innovated all-wheel drive system and torque control, you will find winter weather driving easier, thanks to optimal traction. The sport-tuned suspension system will improve your drive, even on the toughest of road conditions. With automated paddle shifters, you can feel comfortable with the safety features while also adding a little excitement to the drive. The blind spot monitor feature and rear cross-traffic alerts will help you with parking and reversing when your windows are frozen with ice. If you experience problems, this vehicle is covered under the Toyota Care program, which offers 24-hour roadside assistance. RAV4 HYBRID Whoever said you had to choose between economically efficient and winter safe? The unique RAV4 HYBRID design gives you the same advantages of the safe drive of a RAV4, but with advanced hybrid features. This vehicle boasts an exciting 194 net horsepower but is also equipped with AWD-I. This on-demand all-wheel-drive system with intelligence is specifically designed for added torque that gives you better traction and an electric motor that will make you feel safer on your drive. Drivers will also enjoy the dynamic radar cruise control. The vehicle keeps pace with your preset cruise speed but adjusts to the distance of nearby vehicles. A pre-collision warning system will also help when navigating those icy roads. Make sure you're ready for winter driving with any of these AWD vehicles. Schedule your test drive to see which one best fits your driving needs. Image Via Pixabay