physics

Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension

Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension is a physics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension rather than just read about it. In short: TEMS (Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension) is a shock absorber that is electronically controlled (Continuous Damping Control) based on multiple factors, and was built and exclusively used by Toyota for selected products during the 1980s and 1990s (first introduced on the Toyota Soarer in 1983). The semi-active suspension system was widely used on luxury and top sport trim packages on most of Toyota's products sol…

Key takeaways

Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension belongs to physics; place it in that map before memorising details.
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Connect Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

TEMS (Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension) is a shock absorber that is electronically controlled (Continuous Damping Control) based on multiple factors, and was built and exclusively used by Toyota for selected products during the 1980s and 1990s (first introduced on the Toyota Soarer in 1983). The semi-active suspension system was widely used on luxury and top sport trim packages on most of Toyota's products sold internationally. Its popularity fell after the "bubble economy" as it was seen as an unnecessary expense to purchase and maintain, and remained in use on luxury or high performance sports cars.

Summary TEMS consisted of four shock absorbers mounted at all four wheels, and could be used in either an automatic or driver selected mode based on the installation of the system used. The technology was installed on top-level Toyota products with four wheel independent suspension, labeled PEGASUS (Precision Engineered Geometrically Advanced SUSpension). Because of the nature of the technology, TEMS was installed on vehicles with front and rear independent suspensions. The technology was modified and installed on minibuses or minivans like Toyota TownAce/MasterAce rear independent suspensions, and the top trim package on the Toyota HiAce. Based on road conditions, the system would increase or decrease ride damping force for particular situations. The TEMS system was easily installed to suit ride comfort, and road handling stability on small suspensions, adding a level of ride modification found on larger, more expensive luxury vehicles. The technology was originally developed and calibrated for Japanese driving conditions due to Japanese speed limits, but was adapted for international driving conditions with later revisions. As the Japanese recession of the early 1990s began to take effect, the system was seen as an unnecessary expense as buyers were less inclined to purchase products and services seen as "luxury" and more focused on basic needs. TEMS installation was still achieved on vehicles that were considered luxurious, like the Toyota Crown, Toyota Century, Toyota Windom, and the Toyota Supra and Toyota Soarer sports cars. Recently the technology has been installed on luxury minivans like the Toyota Alphard, Toyota Noah and the Toyota Voxy. The TEMS system has been recently named "Piezo TEMS" (with piezoelectric ceramics), "Skyhook TEMS" "Infinity TEMS" and more recently "AVS" (Adaptive Variable Suspension).

Configuration settings The system was deployed with an earlier two-stage switch labeled "Auto-Sport", with a later modification of "Auto-Soft-Mid-Hard". Some variations used a dial to specifically select the level of hardness to the driver's desires. For most driving situations, the "Auto" selection was recommended. When the system was activated, an indicator light reflected the suspension setting selected. The system components consisted of a control switch, indicator light, four shock absorbers, shock absorber control actuator, shock absorber control computer, vehicle speed sensor, stop lamp switch, with a throttle position sensor and a steering angle sensor on TEMS three stage systems only. All the absorbers are controlled with the same level of hardness.

Operation parameters of TEMS The following describes how the system would activate on the earlier version installed during the 1980s on two stage TEMS

During normal running 100 km/h (62 mph) The system chooses the "SOFT" selection, to provide a softer ride.

At high speeds 85–100 km/h (53–62 mph) The system selects the "HARD" selection and determines that at high speeds, it assumes a more rigid configuration for better ride stability, and to reduce roll tendencies.

Braking (reducing speed to 50 km/h (31 mph)) In order to prevent "nose dive", the process proceeds to "HARD" automatically damping force until it senses the brakes to be at the"SOFT" setting. It will return to the "SOFT" state when the brake light is off, and the pedal has been released after 2 seconds or more.

(Only 3-stage systems) during hard acceleration To suppress suspension "squat" the system switches to "HARD" based on accelerator pedal position and throttle position.

(Only 3-stage systems) during hard cornering To suppress suspension "roll" the system switches to "HARD" based on steering angle sensor position.

SPORT mode The system remains in the "HARD" position regardless of driving conditions. (For 3-stage systems, the system automatically chooses between the "MID" and the "HARD" configurations - by the other words, the "SOFT" stage is excepted)

Vehicles installed The following is a list of vehicles in Japan that were installed with the technology. There may have been vehicles exported internationally that were also equipped.

Starlet (EP71-based Turbo S, EP82-based GT) Tercel / Corsa / Corolla II (EL31-based GP turbo) Cynos Sera Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno (AE92 • AE101GT GT-APEX) Corolla FX (AE92-GT) Corona (ST171-based GT-R) Celica (ST183 models) Carina ED and Corona EXiV (ST180 models) Century Crown Majesta Camry / Vista (SV20-based GT and Prominent G, SV30-based GT) Pronard Aristo (S140) Town Ace / Master Ace Lite Ace Mark II / Chaser / Cresta (GX71-based Twin Cam Grande, GX81-based Twin Cam Grande system, JZX91 Grande G, JZX100 Grande G, JZX101 Grande G, JZX110 Grande G) Windom (MCV10 system G, MCV20 system G, MCV30 system G) Hiace Hilux Surf (KZN130) Hilux Surf (KZN185)) Crown Soarer (GZ20 system 2.0GT Twin turbo L, JZZ30 system 2.5GT twin turbo L) Soarer (1UZ-FE V8 UZZ31). Supra (Select Models) Celsior: Piezo TEMS Noah / Voxy Alphard Land Cruiser (100 series) Ipsum (acm20 system)

Super Strut (MacPherson modified strut)

Super strut suspension is a high-performance suspension for automobiles developed by Toyota. On vehicles equipped, the abbreviation listed was "SSsus" and was first installed on the AE101 Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno for 1991 .

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Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In physics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension

In research: Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension appears in physics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Auto parts, Automotive suspension technologies, Automotive technology tradenames, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension in 20 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

What is Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension in simple terms?

Why does Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension matter?

Because it connects several physics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension.