2009 "safety" options

I just upgraded my 07 TRD Off Road to an 09 for the side curtain air bags and stability control--it's my understanding that not onlyis ESC going to be mandatory in the next few years it is a life saver, based on statistics. This truck will be used for transport, work, light off-road, towing and in sun, rain, muds, snow, ice and everything Minnesota can throw at us.

But I got a lot more. ABS, brake assist, VSC, ATRAC, hill-start assist, DAC, locking rear differential, auto LSD ... lots of terms. My main confusion is between ATRAC, auto LSD, locking diff and what all the buttons do and when each one should be used. There is also a section in the manual that talks about TRAC and VSC. My inventory report states that I have VSC+ATRAC in place of "standard VSC+TRAC."

I think I've got the following:
1) ATRAC: Keeps all 4 wheels from spinning in 4wd (uses brakes). "Put into L4, press ATRAC button." Can be used with locked rear diff.
2) AUTO LSD: Keeps from having one rear wheel spinning in 2wd (uses brakes). "Press VSC OFF (AUTO LSD light turns on)." Swtiches between VSC and AUTO LSD based on speed.
3) Rear diff lock: keeps both wheels rear wheels turning together. "Put into L4, engage lock." With lock, VSC and ATRAC are off.


Why use ATRAC and a locked rear diff?
When AUTO LSD vs. locked rear diff?
Do you have to be in L4 to use lock? Can you be in 2wd?
What is the difference between ATRAC and TRAC?


And from a practical point of view ... which mode or combination of modes are best in the following situations? (i.e. when should I take it out of the standard mode). Assume that I want to take advantage of the electronics and not depend on 4wd and skill.

1) Driving in snow in the hills, sliding around.
2) Slowly driving on city streets in ice/snow/crud. Stop signs, turns, etc.
3) Driving on highway at faster speeds in snow and ice.
4) Stuck in a ditch.
5) Pulling out someone stuck in snow when the roads are bad too.
6) Bogged down in mud.
7) Pulling boat up steep slippery ramp.


Thank you in advance for your help.


TC


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2009 Tacoma TRD Off Road. Automatic with towing package. Stock.

 

haha i was reading my manual the other day and wondering all the same stuff...

 

Damn good questions. I didn't get much help from the salesman in terms of any of this, not that I expected it. I was hoping to have the mechanic at the dealership explain some of these features when I take it in for my complimentary oil change.

A slightly off topic question for you other '09 guys... Are your intermittent wiper controls wired backwards? Mine has a short delay when it's on the fat (top) white line, and a long delay on the skinny (bottom) white line... I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be the other way around.

 

I turned that mess off the other day when I was stop and go in heavy rain and the auto lsd light came on along with the other one thats yellow then when I was up to speed the yellow light went off and the auto lsd remained but both rear wheels were engaged when I would take off at the lights. I figure when in 4x4 that mess should be turned off so you have as much power and traction as possible?

 

so u got a 09 off-rd edition too?

 

So - do they make an 09 TRD SPORT?

All the 09's come with an Auto LSD - then where did the mechanical LSD go?
Or don't they come with that anymore?

 

That sucks.... they're taking away all the mechanical goodies and making it all electronic.

What's next? AWD & no low-range?

 

Mojo22, welcome. Despite the fact the 09 Off-Road has more traction combos than a Land rover, dont think much changes vs your 07.
You'll use 2wd, 4hi, 4l0 & locker like you always did, theres just more buttons to toggle thru whether you want stablity or traction control on or off.

You 09 Off-road guys should do a good off-road test and break down real world difference of each setting.

Janster, the 09 Sport vs SR5 has usual upgrades, but no more traction upgrade. Mech LSD and VSC/TRAC, guess a no for Toyota.

 

I was told my 09 had LSD, but it's just accomplished by the stability control & ABS working together.

 

+1

 

My variable wipers are reversed too. I'm going in tonight for something else--I'll ask.

 

I'll return to this thread later to answer the diff lock question.

 

Yeah, I'm curious about that one too. I was planning on asking them to fix it when I drop mine off for it's 3k service.

 

My wipers are backward too!!

 

If it ever rains here again, I suppose I'll try the wipers and find out if they're backwards. Oh, I guess I could wash the truck and turn them on to see, but we're trying to conserve water due to the drought.