Turning off the traction Control?

Is there a way to turn off the traction control while in 4 wheel drive.. The button does not seem to do anything unless you are in 2wd... can anyone help. I got stuck in snow and would have loved to have more wheel spin to get me out of the powder to power me out of a bad place without the traction control cutting in and out.

 

anyone?

 

I tried doing the locker mod switch on a friends 09 with vsc to disable the abs and it disabled the vsc. He tried scrambling a bit and it got loose but abs kept it from drifting. Learned that you can disable the abs if you remove the 30 amp ABS fuse under the hood...............hope this helps.........look for the locker mod under the mod section

 

I had the same problem over the weekend - very frustrating. Had all kinds of momentum and speed and a tire started to spin and the power to the wheels was stopped. Instantly got stuck. Toyota dealer says traction contol comes off in low lock but not true. I dont want a truck that gets stuck in 12 inches of snow because the tires won't spin themselves out of the situation. Did you try the fuse trick and if so, did you lose your anti lock breaks? Thanks!!

 

Be interested in finding out

 

this weekend i was off road in 14"snow for 300 miles.i finally read the owners manual.
hold in the button for 5 seconds and the icon in the dash will come on.
i had no problems with all the safty bullshit after that.when ya shut the truck off it will be back on or use the same button.just hold it in until the light turns on

 

Interesting, I haven't had my Tacoma anywhere where I needed 4 wheel drive yet but this post got me thinking, so I reviewed the owners manual, if I read it correct it says to turn off the traction control simply push the TRAC button (doesn't indicate moving or not so I assume either is OK)
The manual reads to turn off both the TRAC and VSC one should push and hold the button for 3 seconds while the vehicle is stopped, So if I am anticipating some trouble with mud or snow, I should stop and disengage both the TRAC/VSC, or if I happen upon mud or snow unexpectedly just quickly push the TRAC button, am I correct? The old truck I just locked in the hubs and pulled it into 4 wheel, (but the new is much nicer!) Doc

 

For those with an allergy to reading your owners manual you can disable VSC by pressing the VSC OFF Switch for 3-5 seconds with the vehicle at a standstill.

 

DocD, Yes. I highly recommend disabling VSC while off-roading. The traction systems can interfere when you don't want them to.

Remember this: TRAC attempts to detect and control wheel spin. VSC detects and attempts to control lateral vehicle slides.

The owners manual says it all but it can be a bit confusing at first.

 

^ what he said

 

Crom, Thanks, your right the manual can be a little confusing, I am quite sure my truck will never see any "Off Road" use it will see country roads that become snow packed at times and farm roads (private) where the snow can get deep, when I encounter these roads would turning off the VSC be advisable? In the old truck I would lock the hubs in around Oct. and leave them locked in until May, and if need be I just shifted into 4wheel, this newer technology is great, but I have a lot to learn, Thanks Doc
The old

The New

 

Nice trucks DocD! VSC on those roads will never interfere with your driving unless your driving out of control and your vehicle begins to drift sideways (front or rear slides). I have done this on dirt roads while traveling 40+ mph and VSC will brake (hard) whatever wheel lost traction with the road.

In your case, TRAC might be an issue with wheel spin and going up hill. So pushing the VSC OFF switch once will enable Auto-LSD mode which disables TRAC. That would suite your needs best. (Auto-LSD/TRAC Off only works in 2WD).

It's worth mentioning too that ABS will probably affect you in the snow and ice. Our vehicles only disable ABS while in for 4LO. If you're in 4WD-HI, you will have to endure whatever ABS system decides to do--and it can range from annoying you to putting your life in danger by not allowing you to stop short distances on wash-boarded, snowy or ice roads.

 

Crom (and others) Thank you so much, clears a lot of things up, I am glad I found this thread, Thanks bj46taco for starting it!! Doc
ps
Crom, I have to give a "thumbs up" to your city, SD, our GRANDdaughter go's to school out there and we get out there a couple of times a year, (mostly winter) wonderful place!!!

 

Thanks for the info - I may have a different problem then - I do not have a TRAC button - it is the VSC that only turns off in 2 wd. If I am in 4wd and in park, pushing and holding the button shuts it off. When I put it in drive, VSC comes back on. I have an appt with the service department this afternoon - mine might be a unique problem

 

Deerehunter, I am sorry your having problems. Please allow me to refer to you this thread here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/75648-possible-traction-control-problem.html

Read it carefully and see if anything in there will help you.

 

Crom - thanks for all of your help. I hope this is all operator error on my part. Somehow everything is working as described by you and owners manual now. More snow to drive through this weekend so only time will tell!! Thanks

 

Awesome! Glad to hear it! Welcome to TW

 

You have to be in park or nuetral
never mind, just re-read ur post

 

The Truck has to be in park before you can hold the button down to disable the traction feature, as far as I can tell? I've tried doing it in drive with my foot on the brake, and it doesn't seem to work.

 

for later