Auto Limited Slip Diff - what is it?

Sand climbing (dunes or blow-sand against mountains) is fun to try and something you may not be able to do without greatly reducing tire pressure.

Last week I was playing on blow-sand with my new Dynapro tires, and having fun... but I only did what I could do with full pressure in the tires. Yet, except for the steepest part of the sand dune, I motored about fine.

Low Range/ A-TRAC won't get you any further up a sand dune that High Range/ TRAC... from my tests... Both got to about the same point. The locker didn't change the climb, and low range with oppen differentials only got half as far up the dune.

By all means, try different methods on your sand... and if none of the traction choices climbs the dune you need to climb, drop the air pressure and you WILL climb... I think High Range with TRAC will be the key... less digging in and more speed to stay on top.

Let us know!

 

http://www.tacomahq.com/4641/inside-tacoma-differentials/

I consider myself an intelligent person when it comes to different things, however the AUTO LSD toyota sells is very misleading to me. When I read AUTO LSD I think hydraulic or mechanical differential. After reading the article above AUTO LSD is nothing more than rear differential traction control.

I wonder how AUTO LSD responds to aftermarket differential lockers.

 

I find the system a little confusing as well. I have 2015 trd sport. Because I have 4x4 I know I don't really need to worry to much about it but I'm trying to understand it better. For every day driving I should just start it up and drive. I don't need to turn anything off? is that correct?

 

when you start up, trac/vsc is on for everyday driving. when you turn trac/vsc off, auto-lsd comes on. it is recommended to use auto-lsd/2hi on slippery roads and auto-lsd/4hi on icy roads.

 

ok I understand now. Thanks for clearing that up I'll test it next snow storm.

 

In the winter with snowy/icy roads, I just get in and drive. VSC is on by default which gives you traction control when cornering, etc. I turn VSC off and Auto LSD on when I'm at a stop sign or stop light. That helps provide more traction when starting from a slick surface. Once I get going, I hit the button again to turn Auto LSD off which automatically re-engages VSC.

 

ok. I thought you weren't supposed change in and out of those modes while in motion. also if going up a snow covered hill would you engage auto lsd. just trying to uderstaND it's use. I would probably just use 4x4. Thanks everyone

 

You can hit the switch to engage Auto LSD anytime. If you leave it on, "VSC Off" will disengage once you hit like 25-30 mph. Which means VSC will be turned back ON.

I live in a city basically built into the side of a hill/mountain. I live at the top and work at the bottom. So I deal with tons of hills to go along with the snow/ice. I do turn on Auto LSD often when going up slippery hills. Why not use 4x4? Well personally, I only use 4x4 when I have to. I prefer to keep it in 2wd, slow down, and use the traction control the engineers designed the truck for. I only use 4x4 if there's like 3 or more inches of unplowed snow. I also have (3) 70lb bags of tube sand over my rear axle. That helps a lot.

 

ok I see. Thanks, all very helpful information.

 

This is an old thread and more/ better explanations have been posted.

 

ok thanks. I'll look through the threads. One more question. What is the best practice for going into 4H. Should I stop and put in neutral or is it safe to switch on the fly ect...
Thanks to everyone

 

No need to stop... it is shift-on-the-fly, 0-62 MPH. However, it may be smoother if you let off the gas when you rotate into H4 from H2. It is L4 that requires you stop and go into Neutral (automatic or depress clutch fully if manual) before rotating from H4 to L4 and the same when you go back to H4.

 

ok thanks for the info. This forum is awsome

 

I found the smoothest in and out of 4wd is an ever so slight push on the gas, you dont want to be accelerating, just a slight load

 

Sure... I really don't put a lot of thought into it, as it is not tricky (like using the rear locker)... But for sure, don't be accelerating... or cornering... drive straight and easy on the pedal when you go into H4.

 

ok guys. I was curious because my buddy with his ram stops to switch in and out.

 

Well, you were smart and got a Toyota product!
By-the-way, these questions are answered in your owners manual and in that handy 4WD user guide in the pocket of your sun visor...

 

got it. I just hear different guys on different things but thanks you for clearing stuff up, especially the auto lsd/lsd/trac and exactly what they all do.

 

Been doing a lot of searching and can't find much, I have a 2006 Sport with an LSD, I have none of the fancy traction control buttons to turn anything on or off regarding the LSD or traction control options, my questions is (and it may be stupid) but when will the LSD engage, is it only while in 4 wheel drive?

 

The Sport from 2005-2008 has the internal mechanical limited slip differential, not electronic/ ABS traction control of 2009 and newer.
When one of the two wheels spins rapidly (loss of traction), the clutches inside your differential will slow that side down so the rotation and energy is balanced between the free spin side and the traction side.