Is ATRAC legit??

Of course it doesn't have ATRAC, a Corolla doesn't have 4-Low (I've told you three times now that ATRAC is what Toyota calls its 4-low-specific traction control). It has TRAC, which is what Toyota calls its traction control in FWD/RWD/4-hi applications. A late-model Corolla definitively "brakes the wheel that slips to send power to wheels with traction". It may suck at it thanks to narrow LRR all-season tires, but it tries. Straight from the Corolla owner's manual:


I don't think I can make it any clearer for you?

 

Now VSC I find to be the most useful one on daily driving. Sometimes you can’t tell if there is black ice when making a sharp turn. That’s saved my butt from swerving off icy roads before.

 

Sigh. Dude. ATRAC or TRAC is not a gov't mandated feature. VSC is. This system uses brakes to help correct or straighten a vehicle--does NOT appropriate power to any of the wheels. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!

From the wiki link: "Electronic stability control (ESC), also referred to as electronic stability program (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC), is a computerized technology[1][2] that improves a vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction (skidding).[3] When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go. Braking is automatically applied to wheels individually, such as the outer front wheel to counter oversteer or the inner rear wheel to counter understeer. Some ESC systems also reduce engine power until control is regained. ESC does not improve a vehicle's cornering performance; instead, it helps to minimize the loss of control.

In 1995, three automobile manufacturers introduced ESC systems. Mercedes-Benz, supplied by Bosch, was the first to implement ESP with their Mercedes-Benz S 600 Coupé.[14] That same year BMW, supplied by Bosch and ITT Automotive (later acquired by Continental Automotive Systems) introduced the system on the BMW 7 Series (E38) (DSC III)[citation needed].
Toyota's Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system (also in 2004, a preventive system called Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) appeared on the Toyota Crown Majesta in 1995.[15]

The United States was next, requiring ESC for all passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds (4536 kg), phasing in the regulation starting with 55% of 2009 models (effective 1 September 2008), 75% of 2010 models, 95% of 2011 models, and all 2012 models.[62]"

Done with this now.

 

Every vehicle sold today in U.S. has brake-based traction control. They also have VSC. The former is a constituent capability of the latter (you can't have VSC unless you have the means to sense wheel slippage and modulate brakes); this is WHY every modern vehicle has brake-based traction control, because they already had to include all the requisite sensors and actuators for VSC, so implementation is just more lines of code.

If you find a current-model road-legal passenger vehicle offered for sale in the U.S. that lacks traction control, I'll buy a Ridgeline, paint it camo, and install monster truck tires and lift.

 

This thread may help clear up some confusion as to what traction control is available on each model

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-traction-control-modes-explained.530695/

 

2005 Tacomas didn’t have ATRAC. I think the feature got added to 2nd gens at the ‘09 refresh.

Edit: looks like 2006 and up had ATRAC (on by default when in 4wd), and 2009-up had ATRAC button to turn it on and off.

 

05 had Atrac.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...vsc-trac-hac-dac-alsd-atrac-explained.184784/

 

I had an 08 and it did not have A-TRAC. But VSC + TRAC was available, this is from the 2008 brochure

 

Ok, I won't go looking at every car to see if it's got some type of TRAC, but regardless, ATRAC/TRAC is not part of the requirement mandated by the DOT, which is what you were insinuating in your first post. VSC is required. TRAC/ATRAC is NOT. If VSC is a by product of TRAC, ok, that's fine. But the TRAC itself is not a requirement. That is all.

 

Semantics really. @phsycle is right that only stability control is mandated - not traction control. That being said @the phew is also right - the same equipment used for stability control is used for traction control so it would be unlikely to have one but not the other.

As far as ATRAC though it would be unfair to consider it "just 4Lo traction control - same as everyone else's" because it's not. It's more than that. See SR5, TRD Sport and Limited 4x4s which do not have ATRAC. They have what should be considered Toyota's standard 4Lo traction control. While ATRAC does accomplish the same goal in a similar fashion, it is turned up quite a few notches via both additional hardware and software.

 

Wow, you guys are on a roll!

Because each of us hears an answer in a different way or we all have a certain way to explain things, even if we all have A-TRAC and the other gizmos... Here is my 'old guy' explanation, based on intensive use of the traction controls since 2009 and non-traction controls back to 2000 on two other 4WD Tacomas...

No button push (VSC* OFF button):

1) TRAC is a 2WD or 4WD-HI limited slip that will cut power or apply some brake pressure to one of the driving wheels that is spinning... so the other one will get power to move you. I call it "Limited Slip Lite" and is the standard mode when driving (since 2009). Most vehicles now have this.

*[VSC is a vehicle stability control that keeps you driving in the direction intended when the truck goes into a sideways slide (there is beeping and flashing when it is working). It is great!]

Quick button push (VSC OFF button), moving or stopped:

2) AUTO LSD is a 2WD stronger limited slip that does NOT cut the engine and only uses brake force on a spinning wheel. It is also known as TRAC OFF, but this is confusing as the TRAC is still on and the engine regulation is what is off.

3) TRAC OFF in 4WD-HI was added on 2012 models to select the stronger limited slip (as described above in #2). 2009-2011 models were in this mode normally in 4WD-HI, no button push.
[There is debate on changes in the 3rd Gen Tacomas that has been reported saying TRAC OFF was no longer the stronger limited slip choice and regular TRAC was. ???]

Quick press of the A-TRAC button in 4WD-LOW:

4) A-TRAC (MTS on 3rd Gen automatics) provides the traction nearly that of locked front and rear differentials while still allowing for easy turning on the trail. The system, when activated, will lock or match tire rotation speed across both axles but only when traction is lost. It is like "automatic lockers", but will free-up when not needed so steering is not affected as it is with a locked differential. As there is some spinning and hesitation with A-TRAC (and weird noises), fans of lockers will dismiss A-TRAC as not being as good, but it works and costs nothing extra on the Off Road models.
Note, when using the rear locker, A-TRAC is only active under 3 mph.

Press and hold in the button a few seconds when stopped (VSC OFF button) in H2 and H4:

5) VSC OFF MODE is to turn off both traction control and stability control, so you have nothing assisting. I have never found a benefit to VSC OFF. It makes my enhanced 2010 Tacoma the same as my 2005 and 2001 4WD Tacomas. I do not do donuts in the snow, however.

 

David, I can’t thank you enough for your detailed write up. I found it several years ago when I was still learning how to use my truck’s tech (it was a pavement queen the first couple of years). 6 years later I’m sure thousands can say the same.

 

You are welcome. I write them different each time for the reasons I stated. Just play with your TOYota and have fun learning how it works!

 

I sure would like an opportunity to go out to the desert with a 3rd Gen Off Road 4WD to actually witness the TRAC system in H4 and L4 as well as the MTS operation. That is the only thing missing in my quest to clearing up the mysteries of 3rd Gen traction controls.

When my 2010 was new, I couldn't wait to see what the gizmos did... I went to the Welk Run (Drug Airport) in San Marcos first then out to Ocotillo Wells, finally on the beaches and rocky grades in Baja. I had a 2005 and a 2001 (Off Road 4WDs) before. The 2010 is a world class off road machine thanks to TRAC and A-TRAC. The other two Tacomas had the rear locker and that is why they were great... but the A-TRAC turns the Tacoma into a Sherman Tank off road!

If any of you want to see the difference... just hold in the VSC OFF button and turn off the TRAC and drive about in sand or climbs. It will not be easy if you pick places I picked. Next, go to TRAC in H4 (and TRAC OFF) and do the same course. For me, a world of difference in not getting stuck in sand or being able to climb grades (without deflating). Finally, A-TRAC or MTS... You get the idea.

 

I'd like to see an ATRAC equipped Taco dig out of sand like all the crawl control equipped ones all over YouTube. I'd give it a try but I don't wanna shame us by getting stuck. Lol.

 

Guess what, it works... you just have to barely press the gas pedal and be patient. Last year, leaving the coast near San Quintín, we took a road that went up a long sand dune. I was loaded (heavy) and not wanting to drop my air pressure just for this quarter mile sand climb The truck just bogged into the dune when I lost the momentum climbing. I went from H4 to L4 (my A-TRAC is always on in L4) and just feathered the accelerator... slow but sure, the Tacoma worked on up the hill... just like the video shows Crawl Control do.