(June 16, 2019) PLANO, Texas — Toyota has announced two feature updates to its vehicle line up — Automatic Engine Shut Off and Automatic Park.

Starting with most 2020 vehicles, Toyota will provide additional features such as automatic engine shut off or “Auto Shut Off” with an enhanced audible and visual warning to its Smart Key System (SKS).  The Auto Shut Off feature will automatically shut off the engine after a pre-determined period of time in the event the vehicle is left running.

Future enhancements will include smartphone App capabilities as an added reminder.  Currently, Toyota vehicles issue a two-step alert to notify the driver that the engine is running and requests engine to be turned off. Toyota has included this feature since its 2003 SKS introduction.

Also, starting from 2020, Toyota will begin to phase in Automatic Park, which is designed to help reduce the risk of roll-away.  The feature will be available in vehicles with electronic means of shifting and/or applying the parking brake, and is designed to automatically shift the vehicle into the “park” position and/or apply the electronic parking brake, in the event the driver exits the vehicle without placing the vehicle in “park.”