3rd Gen Traction Control Modes Explained

Roughly, MTS controls the amount of TRAC force applied. CC is offroad cruise control in 1mph increments. You use them in combination when stuck.

The systems are voodoo and work well with less abuse to the driveline. I saw it with my own eyes when I was stuck in the same snowy incline as an OR. I was able to work my way out. The OR could not until MTS / CC was engaged. Then, it just walked free effortlessly.

Also, there are a couple companies that make shields for the ABS sensors. If you can't find the threads, lemme know and I will see if I can dig them up.

 

I have owned three 4WD Tacomas with the locker. The third one had A-TRAC (=MTS, without terrain settings). I discovered that A-TRAC was more able than the locker because it controls slip/ traction on the front and the back. The locker only does so on the back. You also cannot steer easily with the locker on.
I used A-TRAC and no locker everywhere I needed the locker on my previous two Tacomas, and A-TRAC was the champ.
Only in the snow did I think the locker on WITH A-TRAC on did well or better than A-TRAC alone (for low range conditions). The reason is that with the locker on, A-TRAC only activates under 3 mph, i.e. when you are stuck or almost stuck. At that point, A-TRAC works the front tires with locker-like traction assist. You need some tire spin in snow (unlike in sand or rocks) and A-TRAC won't let you spin the tires. So adding the locker automatically de-activates A-TRAC over 3 mph. Perfect!
Except in snow*, I recommend you use the MTS and never again the locker, except (as Toyota recommends) only in an emergency, if MTS/A-TRAC fails to get you out or over a road.

*MTS may have a snow setting that allows some tire spin? If yes, then no locker.

 

Thank you for the explanation.

I’ve since purchased SDHQ’s ABS guards. However, the funny thing was that the ABS itself wasn’t damaged, it was the wiring harness. The dealer said it was pulled out of its socket.

OK, so would I use MTS and/or CRAWL instead of the locker while off-road?

 

ALWAYS!
Never be in low range without MTS on... or A-TRAC on.
CRAWL is just a 'cruise' control for crawling or dropping down steep, rocky grades or getting unstuck.

You paid extra for the Off Road TRD to have its advantages over all other stock Tacomas.
MTS (A-TRAC) is locker-like traction on ALL 4 tires, not just the back. You can steer better without the locker on, too.

The locker is for emergency only (per Toyota), so keep it in the 'back pocket' if MTS doesn't do it. Please practice and learn how each traction choice works before being alone somewhere far from help.

 

Roger. Thank you for clarifying and point taken. I did pay extra so I’ll just have to experiment and learn The different modes.

I’ve just gotten used to the 4LO and locker combination. Old school, I suppose.

 

There is an almost confusing amount of options! I think someone should be a boss and add an example of what to use when.

 

That is up to you to decide. This thread is just an explainer.

Go out and test to see what works for you. Posting any kind of guide like that on TW is likely to start a war of a thousand shitposts.

 

How often does anyone's TRAC yell? I feel like mine comes up far too often. I drive easy and slower than most, but it makes noises at me at seemingly any light motion that is more than regular road bounce. Whether it is coming out of a parking lot to the street (so a small grade) or forest/washboard roads. It tends to be from the front end having trouble, rather than the back.

The pickup is on Bilstein 5100's up front and a 1" block out back.

 

I don't remember much from my Sport in its early days since the stock tune (04B12) didn't really hook up well at low speeds and I had the sway bar off quite soon. Now, it will light up on just about any uneven bumper or hard corner in the lower gears. It is usually the rear inside tire losing traction as expected, esp with the increased body roll.

Although, I don't think that I ever had TRAC trigger from something up front unless I was on some low traction surface playing around. It doesn't look like you are on the stock tires, but the Toyos just seem to be like that. My hope is for more wet and dry stick when I swap mine out.

 

I have been wanting to take off my sway bar, no reason that I haven't. So maybe I will get that done and see how that helps. The light coming on, I can reason with that especially in the low speeds and corners, but making a grinding noise seems excessive to me. The tires are 285/70/17 Patriot MT's.

 

The ABS pump is mounted on the right wheel well just in front of the firewall, so you are going to hear and feel it in the cab. I've had some cars where the pump is nearly silent and some that were louder than the Taco. The sound itself is very normal.

Given the stiff Sport springs and shocks, the sway bar delete (SBD) was perfect for me on and off road. Since, I have tested it thoroughly for myself and had a couple unexpected swerves. Zero issues for me.

I had a drive in an OR and feel the stock suspension was great on road with the sway bar. The feel is completely different between them. My only remaining complaint about the Sport suspension is the wiggle from the rear hangers. I'll reinforce or swap those someday.

 

Did you have the alignment checked and adjusted after adding new suspension? 5100's up front are height adjustable, so did you raise the front with them set above stock? That may cause the VSC/Trac sensors to go off...?

 

I did have the alignment taken care of and raised the front up.

 

But in the opposite order, right? i.e. Raised the truck, then had the alignment.

 

Wish we had the option of just turning it all off so we can get sideways easier when we want

 

Congrats 3G'rs, pretty nice of Toyota to prevent open diffs in 4LO on the non-TRDOR trims. Long overdue.

 

Cool video showing off the traction control at work on a SR5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=188&v=BXYFxXUcdYA

*edit ignore the bad terminology he don't know what he says*

 

SR, Sport, and Limited also. Just the bad terminology in 4Hi / 4Lo and the ridonkulous test method could use an update.

 

yeah, i"m going to go back and edit my post to warn everyone to ignore the filmer as he doesn't know the terminology.

 

It's all good, but it was a struggle getting everyone on the same page about the functions when mapping it out. The auto industry could use some standard terminology for safety related features though.