4WD Noob - First Impressions

After my plow shift in Fairfax on Saturday I went out and played around with the 4WD until 2AM. This is my first 4WD vehicle and it was my first time really using it. There was about 6" of powder on the ground and many of the roads had not been treated or plowed yet.

I learned a lot and had a good bit of fun doing it. I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know if I'm mistaken in anything I've written here.

-Found out that 4WD doesn't just help the truck go, it also helps keep it going straight, especially uphill and on curves where 2wd would kick the rear out.

-The shift from 2H to 4H while moving was faster if I pushed the clutch in.

-Shifting from 4H to 4L and back was hit or miss. Even with the clutch pushed in like the manual says, I got the chime a few times and had to roll the truck back and forth before it would engage. Any tips? I didn't need 4L - I just wanted to know how low the gearing was.

-Turn radius (cul-de-sac) in 4WD is much wider. I found it easier to put it back in 2WD and whip the back end around like an asshat.

-I didn't notice too much difference between 2WD, 2WD w/ Auto-LSD, and 2WD w/ VSC off. They were all pretty much useless if the truck was stopped, especially on an incline.

-4WD has incredible moving traction. When starting from a stop it felt like I was on dry pavement. I didn't find too many steep hills but I could not get the truck stuck.

-I think traction control is off in 4WD but VSC is still on. Is this correct?


I couldn't help myself...on Sunday I was out running errands with the girlfriend and I passed a gravel parking lot that hadn't been touched yet. I turned around, we had a snowball fight, and then I did a few donuts in 4WD. We had a good laugh and went to the supermarket.

 

I was also out playing around Centreville in the snow, first time with the new truck. Hoping that any cop who gave me trouble for messing around in the parking lot would buy the excuse that I was familiarizing with the different drive modes.

4WD felt pretty much the same as my Subaru Outback, although I couldn't get the back end to slide out at all unlike the Subaru's AWD which will still let you have fun if you gun it. RWD seemed almost useless for actually getting anywhere in the snow, but definitely fun.

 

sounds like you got some fun out in the snow...I haven't seen much in a couple of weeks! Post up some pics!!

And yes turning in 4WD, as in a parking lot space, you gotta put it in 2WD otherwise its
Glad you were able to have some fun with your new truck!

 

This is the only video I got. This was on Sunday in the gravel lot. I had a lot more fun the night before but didn't have a camera with me or a partner to hold it. Admittedly the donuts we got video of are kind of lame

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgZHvV7_X1w

 

when doing donuts do you leave it in 4hi or throw it into 2wd?

 

TRAC is on in H4, and no engine output regulation as it does in H2.

See my signature below (9 modes) for some help...

Now, I have the TRD Off Road, so it may have some things the Sport doesn't have, like A-TRAC (Active Traction Control) when in L4. You can do the yellow wire mod. to give you TRAC in L4, however.

 

I was in Suffolk doing the same thing Found that the Auto LSD didn't help as much on icy roads when starting at a stop light, the front would slip, or a rear would. Popping into 4Hi helped start quicker/smoother. I also felt that on the freeway I had a lot more control than I expected, even though I kept it to about 30mph

Overall, I thought the 4Hi was great for this weekend, even when I was on some non-plowed roads and an empty lot (muddy before the snow, so pretty rutted). The Auto LSD did OK on Sunday and this morning on the icier parts of the road for keeping it straight. Turning was difficult though.

The lot, BTW (for all you legal-beagles) was being used by about a dozen folks playing in the snow with ATVs and 4wd vehicles, and I just used it for a U-turn.

 

I personally wouldn't do donuts while in 4WD. Even in snow, I try not to make sharp turns while in 4WD. Besides that, you'll have a lot more fun in 2WD doing that.

 

Yep, that's because you're cutting power to the rear wheels allowing the front and rear to turn closer to the same speed.

Generally when both engaging and disengaging the 4WD, if moving, I try to be moving in a straight line with no acceleration or deceleration applied to either set of wheels.

 

Nice video, I recognize that parking lot. I was messing around in the office park about a half mile from there near Westfields. Several secluded empty back lots and roads with sharp bends to drift around.

 

I left it in 4H but didn't try to disable traction or VSC. The VSC buzzer was going off almost the entire time.

I didn't know VSC and traction could be disabled in 4H. Good to know! I tried but I guess I didn't wait long enough. I can disable it in 2WD, but its a looooong 5 seconds!

 

hows come you keep saying 9, but your sig has 7?

 

Just general fyi, when you use the auto-lsd, VSC and TRAC automatically come on after 35mph (32 on my speedometer)

Also, even if you hold down the VSC off and turn VSC and TRAC off, they are both on during braking and high yaw rates per the fsm. I havent personally seen anything noticable, but that is the claim.

Note also that A-trac only works I believe under 4mph.

And if your confused with all the braking and traction controls just know this

VSC - helps control slides by braking the front (typically, but can also brake the rear as appropriate) inside wheel to help correct your slide.. It is very noticable in 2 and 4wd. I find it to work exceptionally well in snow. There used to be a demo video explaining this very well on toyota's site, dunno where it went.

Trac - lightly brakes a spinning wheel, cuts engine power when a wheel is slipping in 2wd or 4wd

Auto-Lsd - funcitons like Trac and brakes a spinning wheel, but where trac is a lighter brake, Auto-lsd is a more moderate brake. Rear only, 2wd only.

A-trac - functions like Trac, but with an aggressive brake. Front and Rear, 4L only. Rear locked will have no A-trac intervention, or shouldnt being its locked. Only works at low speed (<4mph I believe). I find this a bit problematic in deep snow and ice. Its hard to slowly crawl out of ice chunks and snow, where you need a bit of throttle. Even with the rear locked I found a couple situations 4 high worked better due to Trac. Would be kinda nice if Trac could also funciton in 4L in addition to A-trac once out of the speed condition.

 

Thanks Pyrite,

I'm trying to find a description of all the drive modes available in the 4x4 Sport. I've found the 4x4 O/R drive modes. When I find it I think I'm going to have to print it out and tape it to my visor.

 

Donuts in 2WD are the best.

Cheers.

 

Ok! I found a post by David K, that described the various drive modes. Just by ignoring the ones mentioning A-TRAC I got a list of whats available in my 4x4 Sport.

This is pretty much a direct copy of David K's list, but I've changed it a little so that I could understand it. I'm going to print this out and put it in my truck.

One question...is it possible to turn on Auto LSD in 4H?

--------------------

Normal Mode
2H – TRAC (LSD) & VSC On
4H – TRAC (LSD) & VSC On. Eng output not reg.
4L – TRAC (LSD), VSC, A-LSD Off. Open diff.

Short Press VSC Switch
2H – Auto LSD (LSD+) On. TRAC, VSC Off
4H/4L – Same as normal mode.

Long Press VSC Switch
2H/4H/4L– TRAC, VSC, A-LSD Off. Open diff.

 

Glad to hear you're havin fun in the new truck! Donuts are best in 2wd like others have said. Disabling all the traction control systems makes it more fun.
From looks of the weather for the rest of the week, it looks like more snow is on its way to play in. I heard a "possibility of significant accumulations" this weekend again

 

Its white gold for me! I love being a plow truck driver :-D Hopefully I'll get to play around some more at the end of my shifts. It sounds like we won't get much, but thats what they said about the 'dusting' we were supposed to have this past weekend.

 

No kidding. This winter has been brutal. Glad I traded my camry when I did
If you find any good spots shoot me a PM maybe the wife will let me come out to play

 

my corrections included.