Driving the streets of Panama City in a Toyota car, truck, or SUV, you do so confidently, knowing you have the support of Toyota's Safety Sense suite of driver-assist systems. These systems work with advanced optical technology and radar to monitor your Toyota's surroundings. So whether you take a drive up the Gulf Coast to Laguna Beach or head inland for a day of hiking at Pitt and Sylvan Springs, Toyota Safety Sense has your safety covered.

Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) technology works in various ways, and elements vary by vehicle. That's why Panama City Toyota created this guide to help you better understand how TSS works, which cars have the technology, and what you need to do to get the most out of your Toyota's TSS systems.

Toyota Safety Sense Suite

Image via Toyota Media Press Kit

Toyota Safety Sense-C: Toyota designed Toyota Safety Sense-C specifically for compact vehicles manufactured in 2019 or later. The suite includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beams.

Toyota Safety Sense-P: Engineers at Toyota developed Toyota Safety Sense-P for midsize and large vehicles manufactured in 2019 or later. The suite includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beams.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0: This suite of driver-assist systems represents the evolution of TSS and appears in vehicles manufactured in 2019 or later. It builds on the TSS-P in several key ways. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection adds Bicyclist Detection to its capabilities and works in daytime and low-light conditions. It also upgrades the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control to a Full-Speed Range Dynamic Cruise Control. This full-speed cruise control system allows for low-speed following, speed matching, stopping, and acceleration/deceleration to a preceding vehicle.

Enhancements to the Lane Departure Alert system include Steering Assist and Road Edge Detection. In addition, the suite introduces two new systems, Road Sign Assist and Lane Tracing Assist, while continuing to provide Automatic High Beams.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 and 2.5+: Available on select 2021 Toyota models, the newest version of TSS offers enhancements to the six TSS 2.0 systems. The pre-collision system adds two new functions — Intersection Support and Emergency Steering Assist. Toyota's Lane Departure Alert system now features steering wheel vibrations when it detects an unintentional drift out of marked lanes. If the driver fails to react, the Steering Assist system engages.

Toyota enhanced the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system to include Curve Speed Management. In addition, the Road Sign Assist system now provides alerts in certain circumstances, like when you exceed the posted speed limit or ignore a stop sign.

TSS Systems Explained

Toyota Safety Sense systems have many different functions. To help you understand how they work, we've provided a detailed description of each.

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Toyota's Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection uses a combination of cameras and radar to scan the road ahead. When the system detects a potential hazard, it sends visual and audio alerts to allow you to react to avoid the likely situation. Should you fail to respond in time, the system provides emergency brake support to help mitigate or prevent a possible accident.

This advanced technology differentiates between vehicles and pedestrians that enter the roadway ahead, improving your ability to react to myriad situations. Depending on your Toyota model, some pre-collision systems also include Bicyclist Detection, adding another support layer.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Radar mounted behind the Toyota badge works with a windshield-mounted camera to keep you at a preset speed and distance to the vehicle ahead. This system enhances traditional cruise control by automatically slowing your car as the traffic slows, even to a complete stop. Then, when the way ahead clears, the system returns you to your preset speed and distance.

Lane Departure Alert: The Lane Departure Alert system uses a camera to monitor your Toyota while traveling within marked lanes. When the system detects an unintentional drift, it alerts you. Some models include Steering Assist, which provides gentle steering correction to help return you to your lane.

Automatic High Beams: A forward-mounted camera scans the road ahead for oncoming headlights and preceding taillights while driving at night at speeds above 25 mph. The system toggles between high and low beams as it detects the presence of other vehicles.

Lane Tracing Assist: Lane Tracing Assist works with the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and tracks your Toyota within marked lanes. The system provides gentle steering input to keep you centered within your lane.

Road Sign Assist: Intelligent cameras detect common road signs like Speed Limit, Stop, Yield, and Do Not Enter. Then, it sends the image to your Multi-Information Display (MID) to help you stay informed of changing road rules.

Intersection Support: This system works with the Pre-Collision System to detect an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian when making a left-hand turn at intersections. It can detect a pedestrian when making a right-hand turn.

Emergency Steering Assist: As part of the TSS 2.5 and 2.5+ suites, Emergency Steering Assist activates when the driver initiates an emergency steering maneuver to avoid an obstacle. The system works to stabilize the vehicle, improving control. TSS 2.5 can respond to preceding pedestrians and  TSS 2.5+ can react to a preceding vehicle and a bicyclist.

Curve Speed Management: Toyota added Curve Speed Management to the TSS 2.5 and 2.5+ Pre-Collision Systems. This intelligent system uses cameras and the vehicle's yaw sensors to detect curves in the road. Curve Speed Management reduces your Toyota's speed as it enters a curve and then returns you to your preset speed when exiting a curve.

Toyota continues to set the standard for safety, constantly developing new technology and enhancing existing technology to elevate your driving experience. At Panama City Toyota, we know the importance you place on driver safety. That's why we have an expansive inventory of Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs equipped with the latest Toyota Safety Sense systems. 

We invite you to contact us with questions or visit our showroom for a hands-on demonstration of Toyota Safety Sense. One of our friendly, knowledgeable staff will show you all the features of Toyota Safety Sense, discuss which version comes with each vehicle, and let you take your favorite for a test drive. So if you want to enhance your drive around Panama City, see how a new Toyota with TSS technology improves your ride.