A-TRAC/TRAC/AUTO LSD Explained (Easy to understand, I hope!)

This is correct, if you don't have A-TRAC then the closest thing is front and rear lockers. The rear being the first choice and what will get the most use. Do the '4-low trac mod' (yellow wire mod) to get TRAC limited slip to work in low range... That alone will make a lot of improvement!

 

Thank you Chris for removing the childish stuff! There are a lot of Tacomans getting help from the info we post here... It isn't all about who has a bigger ****, afterall.

 

You tell'em Dave. ATRAC is one awesome feature, that sets the Tacoma apart from other pickups, IMO.

 

I agree sir....

Just bought my 2012 taco 2 weeks ago and was having trouble understanding all the 4x4 modes...

I did drive it on the beach when it was just a few days old and had no trouble at all, even in the soft deep sand(with full air pressure).

Thank you again for the info David

 

Glad it helped and that you are enjoying your new Toy!

See my link below about sand driving (32 to 15 psi)...

 

Dave,i sure did read your low tire pressure post and most of the rest of your excellent posts, I used to own a 1988 wrangler back then and drive on the sand all the time with low pressure. But in the taco,i didn t need to drop the pressure to my surprise, I just aimed her at the dunes and she just went! I was expecting to get stuck and have to get out and drop the pressure to 15, but that was not needed, granted it would make it a bit easier, i will probably drop pressure next time. with the ATRAC system I'm way more confident to say the least, and their offroad technology is the main reason I bought my taco.

 

Let me ask you, did the salesman just not explain that the Off Road has all the equipment for traction (rear locker and A-TRAC) and the Sport is only a 'looks' package, with no additional traction devices over all other Tacomas? I ask this because you are not the first Sport owner who didn't know how much more came with the Off Road and was lured to the Sport by the hood scoop (much the way the ancient sailors were lured to the rocks by the songs of the sirens)...[/QUOTE]

My salesman didn't know the immense difference between the sport and the off road either, thank god I had done my research, he told me they were almost equal in capability, just the looks were different, the sales people just want to get paid, they really need to b more educated about what they are selling!

 

Can someone with a 2009 + 4X4 Sport chime in on what brake booster they have: vacuum or hydraulic?

I know that 2009 + Prerunner Sports have the vacuum booster. I'm curious about 2009 + 4X4 Sports now.

 

It is a vacuum booster... ONLY the Off Road 4WD TRD has the hydraulic booster... it is so the A-TRAC can work, and what makes the TRAC limited slip stronger in the Off Road, it would seem.

 

Thanks for the confirmation and that is why I think my A-TRAC rants have some value... I am not trying to piss off anyone... it is just such a great truck because of this added traction technology from the factory.

 

I joined this forum to simply say thanks for the great thread. I have been watching the Tacoma since the body style change in 2005 and finally had the $$$ to buy a new 2012. 7 years of research, now that's delayed reward!

Anyhow the traction options were totally confusing in the manual and the explainations here were most helpful. Now to get into some dirt in the farm fields behind the house!

 

Thank you for making this your first post on TW (and welcome!!!).

It is folks like you that I made this thread for... We really want to know about the (up to) 9 drive modes, how they work, what they do, etc.

Have fun experimenting and playing with your new 'Toy'!

 

David K,

Thanks for all the info. Just spent the last however long reading over the whole thread. As everyone else has said this is by far the best explaination of all the features the TRD OffRoad provides, can't wait to get back home and test them all out now.

 

Just ran through all 9 traction modes in the back fields. Freshly plowed, somewhat soggy, and surrounded by the waterfowl ponds. All modes work as advertised on the 2012 TRD Off Road!


One thing to note, I was able to get the VSC mode to kick in two different ways.

1. 2WD Auto-LSD front wheel cranked to the right and heavy on the gas plowing donuts. In that soft dirt the truck was bucking up as I hit the various sized mud clods and the VSC would light up here and there.
2. 4WD TRAC, by climbing 1/2 way up a log on the driver's side front tire, then stopping and letting the truck roll back down while still in forward gear.

In the 2nd case the VSC went crazy every time, clicking and strobing the breaks for as long as I sat there. To get out of it I had to either apply gas and creep forward or tap the breaks. 100% repeatable.

Odd little, No? Anyhow, Happy New Year.

 

HAC - Hill Assist Control.

It's activating to prevent you from rolling backwards while in forward gear. There's no button. It's just there.

 

This would be true if his truck was a manual. But he is hearing the traction control. Its normal, when the truck is in gear and you roll back wards, the computer thinks your slipping and tries to correct it.

 

"Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) is designed to help minimize backward rolling on steep ascents. Downhill Assist Control (DAC) is designed to help the driver maintain vehicle control and speed on steep, downhill descents. Neither system is a substitute for safe driving judgment and practices. Factors including speed, grade, surface conditions and driver input can all affect whether DAC and HAC will be effective in preventing a loss of control. Please see your Owner's Manual for further details. Automatic Transmission models only."

 

My bad, is there something else on Manuals? I could of sworn I read something about that. The owners manual is confusing on all that shit.

And shouldn't it keep you from rolling back at all?