auto LSD- what is the point?

hey all. 2010 DC sport 4x4. I am probably going to get flamed for this but i just do not get it. What is the point of the auto LSD in these trucks??? It turns off in either 4x4 mode and in 2wheel drive the vsc and trac basically does the same thing. It really pissed me off that toyota did not offer the Locking rear in the DC ( canada) for the 2010 lineup and added the Auto lsd instead BUT you can not use it in 4wheel drive. We just had our first snow and i have used every configuation possible leaving out the lsd all together for maximum traction (4hi w/vsc and trac on snow covered roads is better than 2wheel with lsd engaged).. thoughts??? am i missing something?

 

Well...You got a sport- so that's why you got no locker. Did the OR TRD model not offer a locker either??

I'm not sure I can tell you what the difference is between using the Auto LSD and TRAC.

 

in canada, toyota did not offer the offroad package with the double cab, only the access cab. This made me mad while buying it but i wanted a tacoma and need a double cab. I did not realize how useless the auto lsd is. When in 4low, you are wheeling with two open diffs. WTF. This is when you would want more of the cool stuff toyota is famous for.

 

The rear locker is a very nice tool to have, but it isn't necessary to wheel with it engaged all the time. I only use mine when I get stuck in 4-LO. I can't speak to the trails up in Canada as the terrain is very different from So Cal.

If you really need the locker why not just save up for an ARB locker? I hear they're awesome.

 

In 4 Low you are correct, it is open diffs. In 4 High you have Auto Lsd front and rear. That is the most capable mode. Auto Lsd is only there so you can give'r, and not have the truck cut the throttle.
Or you can do the 4L TRAC mod, and have an incredibly capable truck in 4 Low.....

 

Let me try to answer this for you...
many common misconceptions that people have about toyota's Auto LSD is that it should help you get "unstuck" or better off roading capabilities...This is NOT what toyota designed it for at all...I use to sell Toyotas so we went through alot of training on this subject...

Basically the Auto LSD is part of the "traction control system" it is only inteded to help a driver maintain control while driving down the road...EXAMPLE: if you were driving down the road at say 55mph...and hit a slippery spot, or puddle or slush with one tire...The auto LSD will transfer power to the other rear wheel...Also the VSC and trac control will reduce engine power to keep the "slipping" tire from spinning out of control...All this will help keep the intended path of the vehicle and keep it from spitting the ass end out...

Now...there is no need for Auto LSD to be "on" when in 4x4 drive because the transfer case does all this work but allipes it to all four tires...So now when wheels start to slip, it transfers the power.

If you Shut off the VSC button...it turns off the LSD and the VSC because if you need the tires to spin you dont want the engine to reduce power and not let the wheel be free to spin and power through a snowbank...and if your stuck thats why it has 4x4 so toyota figured for the general public, and for cost reasons, they dont need to put a locking diff in the truck because 99% of owners wont benfit from it as much...

 

It is there to stop the torque limiting function of the traction control system, while still allowing for the benefit of both wheels pushing.

The auto lsd will not engage above 30 mph by design. The last thing you want is torque being tranfered at 55 mph, this will most definatly cause a slid / skid. At 55 mph, the traction control (with throttle intervention) has re-activated automatically.

Not below 30 mph, if you have selected "Auto Lsd" via the VSC switch.....which is what this discussion was about.

The T-case splits torque front and rear, the open diffs send torque via the easisest path. The T-case does not transfer power to all 4 wheels, it splits it front and rear, thats all.....

Auto Lsd is the second mode available throught the VSC switch, it does not limit power in this mode.

This is why you don't rely on the salesman.........I have the Toyota tech document, it disagrees with most of what was said by SportyTurd.

 

Toyota Tech:

6. Auto LSD (2WD)​

Auto LSD fulfills the function of LSD (Limited Slip Differential) by using the system of TRAC. It controls to focus on ’getting​

out’, which ensures to recover from run–off condition and to take off on roads with much travel resistance such as sand.

 

Toyota Tech:

6. Auto LSD (2WD)​

Auto LSD fulfills the function of LSD (Limited Slip Differential) by using the system of TRAC. It controls to focus on ’getting​

out’, which ensures to recover from run–off condition and to take off on roads with much travel resistance such as sand.

 

ummmm ok???

When you push the button it shuts everything off...It is always Engaged automatically...Then when you press and hold the button it Turns the VSC off...

 

i think its dumb...its on my 2010 prerunner..itns not 4x4, but i got lockers in the rear..it beeps all the time, annoying!

 

Auto Lsd doesn't beep. The only beeping is from the VSC system. Which can be shut off if you don't care for it.

 

im pretty sure i can turn the VSC off..but not sure what it does..when its off it squeeks alot..ive read a lil obout it, but its all too confusing lol

 

Read more.

 

can somebody with out getting heated or ignorant please tell me in lame mans terms the difference in modes.
i have a 09 dc 4x4 with lsd.
when i push the button the simbol with the (truck burning wheels off) lights up i am guessing that is trac controll and my (Auto LSD) also comes on. so does this mean only my auto lsd is ingauged?

If i hold the button only (Auto lsd) light comes on.
so can some one please tell me the difference between the two modes.

sry i am a newb this is my first truck.

 

now i am confused. i have an 08 dc w/off road package and locking rear diff. i do not have any buttons for lsd or vsc, so i dont have those options at all, right? - one rear wheel will spin all day untill I press the locking rr diff. button or put it in 4x4

 

Dman, this site is full of people who are more than willing to help a fellow owner out, but you shouldn't use that as a crutch. Try the search feature at the top of the screen; this is well-covered territory.

And if you're going to ask everyone not to be ignorant, I recommend at least using spell check.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/in_layman's_terms

 

I would use spell check but I am at work and I cannot install the program but just for you I will write in word and copy and paste.

 

The spell check feature is built into the website. If you misspell something it will be underlined red.

Here's a link to a thread that should answer your question:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/27223-2009-vsc-trac-auto-lsd-snow-test.html

 

No offense but i have to call BS. You sort of imply that the TRAC was not designed for offroading but rather designed for maintaining traction....uhhh thats why it works offroad to maintain traction. The whole purpose of LSD is to add traction to a slipping wheel. If you spent so much time in learning this sytem its no wonder salesman dont know there ass from their elbow.

If you guys are sitting there "learning" that the transfer case is transfering power to all four wheels this explains alot to why salesman dont know shit. The salesman i talked to didnt know what lsd was soo...

Also, LSD and VSC does cut power, in 2wd only. There is no throttle intervention in 4hi.

You also metion there is no need for LSD in 4x4... BS again... why does toyota have lsd on by default in 4hi?

Nothing personal, but they taught you wrong. I have a real hard time believing the "training" said the Tcase tranfers power. The tcase simply engages the front driveshaft. The front and rear drive shaft spin the same speed, its designed that way mechanically no electronics involved

...ATRAC is meant for offroading... TRAC is almost the exact same system.

As far as the "not meant to "unstuck"" comment why does it say to use the system:

"only when one of the wheels spinning occurs in a ditch or rough surface" pg. 183 owners manual


BTW when did you go through this training?