Simplified Guide to Traction Controls (TRAC, AUTO LSD, TRAC OFF, VSC OFF)

How did you get out?
Rear locker no help, I would guess?

The front tires don't look stuck and with just one front tire with traction, the A-TRAC can pull the truck out.
Did you turn the front tires left and right while attempting to drive (so they could grab at fresh soil)?

Next time: try just feathering the gas in A-TRAC to simulate what CRAWL control does on the 2016+. The system rotates different tires to find which ones have traction... Just go slow.. never give up!

 

Yeah it was slick as owl shit. I just had another truck pull me out, I was starting to scratch my back wheel pretty bad from some small rocks in the soil. More wheel speed to clean the lugs may have done it but there was just zero traction. It had been raining for about two weeks and I forgot that we had dug a hole there with the bobcat about 9 months before. What was the hole for you may ask? Well we buried a dead mule there.

 

We got some snow around here, and was really impressed with the AUTO LSD in 2WD from a stop.

Made a stop at an intersection, when it was time go, the wheels just spun. Turned on the AUTO LSD and took off with ease.

I have a question...

If I hold the the button, turns off TRAC and VSC, am I pretty much running with open diffs?

Is AUTO LSD possible in 4HI and 4LO?

With the AUTO LSD, am I only limited to certain speed?

 

Wow-zers! Glad you didn't bring up the mule (out of the grave)!
I have heard that East Coast clay is pretty bad... maybe tires were more of an issue? It seemed odd your front went through without them getting stuck (where all the weight is) but the back end dug in? Almost like you were in 2WD at first, and that only the back tires spun??
Thanks for sharing! I have done clay-like mud on a (usually) dry lake bed in Baja. I had mud tires on, and that probably helped (Cooper Discoverer STT). Most often the mud I cross is sea water filled mangrove mud, again in Baja. Never stuck in it... fortunately.

 

Looks like three questions, so I am adding letters to help:

a) If you stop the truck and press and hold-in the button for a few seconds, you go into VSC OFF mode. That is turning off the VSC and TRACtion controls... so yes, like open differentials and no limited slip.

b) No, AUTO LSD is only in H2. In H4 it is called TRAC OFF (but essentially is the same thing as Auto LSD). In L4, the ONLY traction system is A-TRAC and MTS, on the Off Road TRD only.

c) AUTO LSD stays on until you press the button again or restart the truck. The VSC goes off until you reach a speed of 30 mph, in AUTO LSD. I do not know if the same is true of TRAC OFF in H4?

 

How about a favor to ask of you all with 2012 or newer 4x4 Tacomas?

When you press the VSC OFF button in H4, you get a light 'TRAC OFF', yes? Do you also get the VSC OFF indicator (car with wavy lines)? Does it go out at 30 mph, as it does in H2 with Auto LSD?
Thank you!

 

I can check on this for you.

 

Yeah I think thats what happened, I was in 2wd to begin with. I had brand new KO2s on but they just clogged right up with the red mud. They are great for alot of conditions but you really need a dedicated Mud tire for stuff like that.

 

You.... don't have ATRAC. You have a 2015.

 

You.... are wrong. Are you confusing ATRAC and Crawl Control?

 

Guess I'd thought ATRAC was added into 3rd Gens. Probably am thinking crawl control. That's what I get for posting while at work.

Doesn't matter though cause I got air lockers front and rear.

 

I just got a 4x4 and am coming from a 2wd off road package. I do mostly higher speed desert stuff. In my last truck I would just Lock the rear diff but I've read you can't lock it in the 4x4 unless you're in 4lo. I'm guessing my best setting would be 4hi with the Vdc held down?

 

I thought so!!! ALWAYS go into H4 when you leave the pavement... even if only to "lube" the parts.

 

Well, if you want locker traction, that is meant for slow crawling/ climbing... so L4.
If you were locked just to scream across the desert, then the 4x4 won't lock in anything but L4. However, there is a "locker anytime" mod. Just search TW.

H4 with VSC (Vdc?) turned OFF (stop and hold in 3 seconds) is 'no limited slip' and 'no stability control'... unless you drive dangerously, then they will come on automatically to keep you from rolling.

 

A-TRAC was available on all 4x4 Off Road Tacomas beginning in 2009.

 

Yeah ATRAC has been around in various forms for at least 15 years.

 

Y

Yes, it has been on other Toyota and Lexus vehicle before it was added to the Tacoma in 2009.

 

Just to clarify - short press results in *more* traction control than normal and long press results in *less* traction control than normal. Do I have that right?

 

Yes... and yes, but actually no control at all.

 

So I've read through most of this but still a little uncertain. Please forgive me. I'm trying to find out if you can totally shut off traction control it might be more than that. I have a 2016 TRD Off road. What I'm trying to achieve is the ability to play around in 2wd you know be able to spin it in the snow kinda stuff. But, even when i hit the traction control button to turn it off it still kicks in when i go to get sideways.. Please and thank you for all the help! Sorry if i missed this in a previous post. Cheers!