Unusual abbreviation added to the acronyms and abbreviations page

Acronyms and abbreviations

We have a unusual new entry on our acronyms and abbreviations and abbreviations page: TDA (Trailer Drive Assist).

Unusual because the system, from Toyota, uses no less than seven driving assist systems in the vehicle to aid with towing control, and does not have its own indicator.

When active, it uses the Pre-Collision System, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Alert, Proactive Driving Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Emergency Driving Stop systems.

Taken together, TDA “adjusts the driver assist settings to support towing functionality”.

In addition, some functions are disabled when towing a trailer is detected, such as moderate braking for pre-collision warning, acceleration suppression at low speed, emergency steering assist, and intersection collision avoidance support.

And of course Toyota finishes the discussion of TDA by saying “it is the driver’s responsibility to always be aware of the surroundings and drive safely”. Ah well…

In any case we remain surprised that TDA does not have an indicator to inform a driver that the system is functioning or perhaps not functioning once it has been employed.

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new abbreviation or acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble — a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

Our automotive acronyms and abbreviations page with its ~240 entries can be seen here.

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The material on these pages is provided for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

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