STEERING


  1. General


    1. A power tilt and power telescopic steering column is used.

    2. The intermediate shaft is equipped with a mechanism capable of controlling the length of the shaft during driving so smooth steering can be attained.

    3. An energy absorbing mechanism and intermediate shaft contraction mechanism are used to ensure driver safety in the event of a collision.

    4. An electrical steering lock system is used. For details, see the ENTRY AND START SYSTEM.

      A01W76IC01
      *1 Intermediate Shaft *2 Steering Column Assembly
      *3 Steering Wheel - -
      *a Intermediate Shaft Cross Section - -

  2. Power Tilt and Power Telescopic Steering Column


    1. General


      1. The power tilt and power telescopic steering column consists of the tilt and telescopic ECU, tilt motor and telescopic motor.

        A01W7DTC02
        *1

        Telescopic Motor


        • Motor

        • Position Sensor

        		 *2 Multiplex Tilt and Telescopic ECU
        *3 Telescopic Worm Gear *4

        Tilt Motor


        • Motor

        • Position Sensor
        *5 Tilt Worm Gear - -

        Figure 1. System Diagram

        A01W7G2E01

    2. Operation


      1. Manual Operation


        • A stepless adjustment enables the tilt mechanism to be tilted 15.25° vertically, and the telescopic mechanism to be moved 45 mm (1.77 in.) longitudinally.

          A01W738C01
          *A Tilt Mechanism *B Telescopic Mechanism
          *a 8.5° *b 6.75°
          *c 20.0 mm (0.79 in.) *d 25.0 mm (0.98 in.)

      2. Automatic Set Function

        Function Outline
        Auto Away When the engine switch is turned from ACC or IG-ON to OFF, the steering wheel automatically tilts up and retracts all the way for easy exit and entry.
        Auto Return When the engine switch is turned from OFF to ACC or IG-ON, the steering wheel automatically returns to the previous position which was set before the engine switch was turned OFF.

      3. Memory Function


        • Three steering wheel positions can be memorized, allowing different positions to be restored by the memory system.

      4. Position Detection


        • To detect the position of the tilt and telescopic steering column, position sensors that utilize hall elements are located in the tilt and telescopic motors and are used to detect the changes in the magnetic field of the magnets, which are attached to the shafts of the motors.

    3. Fail-safe


      • If the multiplex tilt and telescopic ECU detects a malfunction in the power tilt and power telescopic steering column system, the ECU changes the control mode to a fail-safe mode as follows:

        Detection Item Fail-safe
        Key Code Confirm Signal Malfunction Auto away or auto return stops.
        Tilt Position Sensor or Tilt Motor Circuit Malfunction Tilt operation is suspended.
        Telescopic Position Sensor or Telescopic Motor Circuit Malfunction Telescopic operation is suspended.
        ECU Power Source Circuit Malfunction Tilt and Telescopic operations are suspended.

      • If a communication problem has occurred in any ECU related to the tilt and telescopic ECU and the power tilt and power telescopic steering column system, the power tilt and power telescopic steering column system allows the following controls to continue:

        Control ECU in which Communication is Lost
        Main Body ECU Mirror ECU Driver Seat ECU Related All ECU
        Manual X*1 ○ ○ X*1
        Auto Away X X ○ X
        Auto Return X*2 X*2 ○ X*2
        Memory X X X X

        Tech Tips

        *1:


        • The operation is permitted if the engine switch is ACC or IG-ON while the signal from the main body ECU is interrupting.

        • The operation is prohibited if the engine switch is OFF while the signal from the main body ECU is interrupting.

        *2


        • In case that the signal from main body ECU is interrupted after the operation was started, the operation will be continued if the engine switch is ACC or IG-ON.

        • The operation is prohibited if the engine switch is OFF while the signal from main body ECU is interrupting.

    4. Diagnosis


      1. If the multiplex tilt and telescopic ECU detects a malfunction in the power tilt and power telescopic steering column system, the ECU stores the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in memory. Then, by a Global TechStream (GTS) to the DLC3, the DTC can be read and an active test can be performed to test the operation of the tilt motor and the telescopic motor. For details, refer to the Repair Manual.

  3. Energy Absorbing Mechanism


    1. The energy absorbing mechanism mainly consists of a breakaway bracket, energy absorbing plate, lower bracket, main shaft, and intermediate shaft.

    2. When an impact is transmitted to the steering wheel in a collision (secondary collision), the steering wheel and the steering wheel pad help absorb the impact. In addition, the breakaway bracket and the lower bracket separate, causing the entire steering column to move forward. At this time, the energy absorbing plate becomes deformed to help absorb the impact of the secondary collision.

      Figure 2. Energy Absorbing Mechanism (Before Collision)

      A01W766C02
      *1 Lower Bracket *2 Energy Absorbing Plate
      *3 Breakaway Bracket *4 Instrument Panel Reinforcement

      Figure 3. Energy Absorbing Mechanism (After Collision)

      A01W7QEC02
      *1 Lower Bracket (Separate) *2 Energy Absorbing Plate (Deform)
      *3 Breakaway Bracket (Separate) *4 Intermediate shaft (Contract)
      *5 Main shaft (Contract) - -
      *a Primary Collision *b Secondary Collision