Auto LSD

Sorry, I know this has been covered before but I wanted to make sure I understood correctly. I have a 2012 4wd SR5. It does not have any of the TRD packages. To get maximum traction I should put it in 4wd and turn off the VDC? Turning off the VDC activates the auto LSD? I read some threads on here and got that impression.

 

So turning off VSC will activate Auto Limited Slip Differential (ALSD)?

 

really? Toyota sure loves their gimmicky names. Same system, different name. I'll be honest though, calling it ALSD in 4H makes more sense then calling it TRAC.

So "TRAC" is only in 2wd now?

 

I did a little testing on a steep gravel road. Leaving it in 2wd with VSC on did not seem to have as much traction as 2wd with VSC off and Auto LSD on. That might be handy this winter when that same road has snow on it.

 

It would be nice to see a chart on the 2012, like there was for the 2009-2011...

VSC and TRAC go hand in hand. To turn off VSC is to also turn off traction control, except in 2WD, where AUTO LSD keeps VSC off, but only until 30 mph.

 

Correct since AUTO LSD is the higher traction level in 2WD. VSC is not a traction control, but a stability control to keep you from spinning out on slippery roads.

TRAC is light limited slip in 2WD and AUTO LSD is strong limited slip in 2WD.

 

Does AUTO LSD work in 4wd and if so does it work on the front and the rear or just the rear?

 

Yes but it is called TRAC in 4WD HI. On all four wheels. 2012 may be different .

 

When in 2wd after turning off the VSC it says Auto LSD on the dash. That gives me the stronger limited slip. Once in this condition and I switch to 4wd Hi Auto LSD goes away and "TRAC off" pops up. For maximum traction I want TRAC on so I should hit the button again to make "TRAC off" go away?

 

The 2012 is different. David K won't know. You'll have to do your own testing, but you are on the right track. You want TRAC on or AutoLSD on in 4H for maximum traction.

 

That is correct, until I see a flow chart like we had for the 2009-2011 Tacomas, I am not versed on the name changes or new features.

What it sounds like is that Toyota is LISTENING and renamed TRAC in H4 (limited slip with no engine regulation) to AUTO LSD (as it is/ was already in H2, no regulation)

That would be super... If in H4, we have AUTO LSD and NO VSC at least to 30 mph, so that beep-beep-beep is silenced as we slosh through sand, gravel, snow in H4.

On our models, to not have VSC in H4 is to also not have TRAC (AUTO LSD)... and limited slip, without engine output regulation is such a big improvement in low traction situations over open differentials (VSC OFF MODE)!

 

To make sure we are on the same page...

*Pressing the VSC button once in H2 moving or stopped, turns on AUTO LSD (only in H2 for 2009-11 Tacomas). VSC goes off only until 30 mph, then comes back on.

*If you stop moving and then press and hold down the VSC button a few seconds, you are turning OFF the VSC (and TRAC and AUTO LSD) for no traction control... this is in H2 or H4.

Pressing the button again or turning off the engine will return you to normal TRAC-ON/ VSC-ON.

 

I have not tried pressing and holding the VSC button. I will try that and let you know if it still works that way on the 2012 models.

When I have done the first step you describe in H2 and VSC is off and Auto LSD is on and I then put it in 4wd hi "auto lsd" turns off and "trac off" pops up. My thought is that being in 4wd hi with "trac off" means open differentials. Pressing VSC again while in 4wd hi makes all the dash lights go off.

I am thinking I want TRAC on while in 4wd hi.....

Is TRAC and Auto LSD the same thing?

Did the person who designed this system have some LSD at some point?

 

TRAC - traction control ("limited slip") with engine regulation (See David K's post)
Auto LSD - traction control ("limited slip") without engine regulation

Yes.

• 2005-2006
• 2007-2008
• 2009-2011
• 2012+

All four groups share the same equipment (sans a VSC button in 2005-2006; sans an ATRAC button in 2005-2008), but are programmed differently.


Which is why David has his 2009-2011 thread: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...-controls-trac-auto-lsd-trac-rear-locker.html

and I have my 2005-2008 thread: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...ds-vsc-trac-hac-dac-alsd-atrac-explained.html

 

There need to be just a little more added (at least for the 2009-2011 model)

TRAC - traction control ("limited slip") with engine regulation (IN H2)

Auto LSD - traction control ("limited slip") without engine regulation (IN H2)

TRAC - traction control ("limited slip") without engine regulation (IN H4)

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Now, what it seems like is that they renamed TRAC in H4 (without regulation) to AUTO LSD (which is a goood idea, to correct an obvious point of confusion)

It also sounds like they also added TRAC with engine regulation to H4...?

That would mean the 2012 Off Road 4WD has TEN drive modes!

 

TRAC has engine regulation while Auto LSD does not. I guess that means the system will cut power from the engine if it detects too much wheel spin?

Is there a way to get Auto LSD (no engine regulation) while in 4hi? If I am trying to climb a steep grade covered in snow I do not want the engine to cut the power on me. I would like as much limited slip help as possible though.

 

If yours is like the 2009-2011, then like David K said "TRAC - traction control ("limited slip") without engine regulation (IN H4)"

What I posted was incorrect.

 

I posted the chart from Toyota above. In H4 there is no regulation, only in H2... on the 2009-2011 Tacoma.

 

Was stuck the other nite, right rear 3 feet in the air, left front burried in sand. I had everything turned off. Would turning back on the TRAC have helped? It seems to take away to much revs for it to work in either sand or mud for me. 60" hi-lift jack to the rescue!!

 

4x4 here, I don't know if front and rear lockers would have gotten me out... All part of the fun. Wheeling alone at nite, got what I deserved. 2 hours digging and jacking in the rain, got out of the situation, smiled, looked at my now really dirty truck, and saw it was smiling also. sweeeet