Winter Testing

Winter Testing



Toyota builds products specifically for the markets in which they are sold. This commitment has brought teams of factory engineers to the Canadian north each winter since 1974, to conduct extensive testing which, early on, led to the adoption of comprehensive anti-rust protection, as well as heavy-duty batteries, starters, alternators and heaters.

Vehicles are first tested in a cold chamber at one of Toyota's test labs. Then, they are transported to the Toyota Canada Cold Research Centre in Timmins, Northern Ontario for a healthy dose of "Genchi-Genbutsu"... scientific testing under actual local operating conditions... in this case often in sub-zero conditions. Many of these vehicles are in the early stages of development, but Toyota also examines competitive vehicles and recently introduced production models.

Winter testing confirms things like cold starting, efficient heater/defroster and wiper/washer operation, and tire traction. Driving 500 kilometres a day on highways coated with sand and salt checks for corrosion and chipping. ABS and traction control systems can be fine tuned under severe winter conditions.

All data is analyzed and forwarded to Toyota test labs, where winter simulation tests are refined so that vehicles can be evaluated all year round. This ongoing development process is further enhanced by the constant feedback from dealership technicians and Toyota Canada quality assurance specialists

THE GUY to the far left, "Im the proud owner of the camry incased in the snow block"