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

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by David K, Jan 19, 2010.

  1. Dec 16, 2012 at 2:14 PM
    #1021
    Leggo

    Leggo slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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    sorry, I had a stupid question again.
     
  2. Dec 16, 2012 at 2:32 PM
    #1022
    Leggo

    Leggo slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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    Lastly, do you have engine regulation as well?
     
  3. Dec 16, 2012 at 2:41 PM
    #1023
    Leggo

    Leggo slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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    thanx for the help.
     
  4. Dec 16, 2012 at 3:05 PM
    #1024
    Leggo

    Leggo slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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    I am still a little pissed that I have open diffs in 4H unless I have a governed down throttle it seems. WTF do I want trac for?
     
  5. Dec 16, 2012 at 3:30 PM
    #1025
    Leggo

    Leggo slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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    Yes, aparently it governs the throttle down to the point of being useless tho. People are recommending shutting off the VSC.
    Then David says this;
    You are in High Range and do not have the hydraulic brake booster... so braking action is less forceful... and while I don't ever say the chart is wrong, I can only say there isn't supposed to be any regulation in high range 4WD TRAC... any restriction must be coming from braking... if the chart is correct.

    If you feel there is restriction, why don't you use low range, or turn TRAC/VSC OFF (as I mentioned before)? If you want some limited slip in low range, then perform the 4-low-trac mod.

    I am still lost. HAHa.
     
  6. Dec 16, 2012 at 3:45 PM
    #1026
    Leggo

    Leggo slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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    which is it?
     
  7. Dec 16, 2012 at 3:47 PM
    #1027
    Leggo

    Leggo slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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    you guys are going to get mad at me soon I can tell, but you just said one thing then the other.:rolleyes:
     
  8. Dec 16, 2012 at 6:38 PM
    #1028
    Leggo

    Leggo slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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    my bad, got it now.. Thanx for the patients.
     
  9. Dec 16, 2012 at 7:37 PM
    #1029
    David K

    David K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Great photos and trying!

    1) Auto LSD is a 2WD only feature (2009-2011).
    2) No lights for Trac, but it and VSC are always on together. VSC Off mode is also Trac Off.
    3) Trac in H4 and Auto LSD in H2 are the same, unregulated limited slip.
    4) In L4 both VSC and Trac are off.
    5) Pressing and holding the VSC button, while stopped, turns off VSC and Trac in H2 and H4.
     
  10. Dec 16, 2012 at 7:49 PM
    #1030
    David K

    David K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I understand. There are lots to straighten out and Toyota didn't help by the naming of Trac to be two different levels depending if you are in H2 or H4.
    In L4 there are no features unless you are an Off Road.
    You can turn off VSC/Trac in H4 the same way as in H2, by stopping, pressing and holding the button for 3+ seconds. This will be old fashion, open diff. 4WD.
     
  11. Dec 16, 2012 at 10:53 PM
    #1031
    Leggo

    Leggo slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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    Yes thats fine. It just depresses me that trac will act like an ALSD for me, but shut the engine down to the point it's useless and I need to shut the VSC/ trac feature off, which puts me back at the beginning, needing a limited slip front and rear end.:confused:
     
  12. Dec 17, 2012 at 7:43 AM
    #1032
    David K

    David K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Not on mine... Much earlier in this thread, I posted photos of the dials and gauges/ lights for each traction mode. In L4, the ABS and VSC OFF lights comes on.

    AUTO LDS= 2WD TRAC without regulation up to 30 mph, at 30+ VSC comes on.
     
  13. Dec 17, 2012 at 7:50 AM
    #1033
    David K

    David K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Normal H4= Trac (no regulation) & VSC together = good limited slip traction control + beep beep beep if you spin or slide off roading.

    Stop, Press & Hold 3+ seconds= No Trac/ No VSC (open diffs.).

    Press button quickly again (or restart motor)= Back to Normal H4.

    Yes, Yellow (4-low trac) Mod. = Trac in L4 (for non A-TRAC/non Off Road Tacomas). A-TRAC is a higher level of limited slip than TRAC, much closer to locking differentials.
     
  14. Dec 17, 2012 at 10:02 AM
    #1034
    GP3

    GP3 Well-Known Member

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    Says the guy trying to explain to Leggo what TRAC and VSC modes he has with a hacked version (yellow wire mod). Apples to oranges. :)
     
  15. Dec 17, 2012 at 10:04 AM
    #1035
    David K

    David K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    A-Trac only works in L4 and only is on Off Road TRDs.
     
  16. Dec 17, 2012 at 10:10 AM
    #1036
    GP3

    GP3 Well-Known Member

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  17. Dec 19, 2012 at 9:06 AM
    #1037
    David K

    David K [OP] Well-Known Member

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  18. Dec 27, 2012 at 10:10 AM
    #1038
    mikestoy

    mikestoy Member

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    I have a 2013 TRD/OR 4.0L Automatic.
    This is my first Toyota truck ever. I live in Maine where we have four seasons. It is winter now and my question is this.
    On snow, ice, and slush covered roads what is the best way to set the vehicle 2WD and H4 modes in.
    Also once set will they stay activated all the time or will I have to reset everytime I shut the vehicle off.
    Thanks for your advice.
     
  19. Dec 27, 2012 at 11:27 AM
    #1039
    David K

    David K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The transfer case will remain set (H2, H4, L4) when re-starting, also the A-TRAC will remain active in L4 after you press the button once for the first time in L4.

    In H2 if you press the VSC Off button once (for AUTO LSD ON), or in H2 or H4: hold it down while stopped for 3+ seconds (for VSC OFF and TRAC OFF)... the system goes back to normal TRAC ON when re-started.

    While I do not live in snow, I have driven in it a few times in our area mountains...
    Go to H4, normal settings (TRAC ON). We are not sure of 2013 changes, but if you have AUTO LSD in H4, then turn that on (2009-2011) is normally in this mode in H4, but Toyota called it TRAC in H4 with no lighter degree of limited slip in H4. AUTO LSD was only a 2WD setting for stronger limited slip.

    In deep raw snow, I use L4 and have used both the A-TRAC and Rear Locker together with great results. Having the locker on, prevents any A-TRAC action until you are nearly stopped (under 3 mph) so there isn't the noise and braking of A-TRAC until you are close to being stuck.

    The manual says that spinning tires is sometimes helpful to get out of snow, and the various traction controls limit or halt spinning. So do the VSC OFF procedure or use L4 without A-TRAC and spin to your hearts content.
     
  20. Dec 27, 2012 at 1:19 PM
    #1040
    mikestoy

    mikestoy Member

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    Thank you, David;
    For being kind in your many responses to our questions.;
    I just need to actually get out there and try these things and become used to it. I feel like a child in a candy store.:D
     

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