Traction Controls 2009-2015

When did Toyota start putting traction control on the Tacoma's?

 

2009 as standard

 

I have been following all these traction control threads and I'm still confused. I have a 2014 4x4, no off road package and no sport package. So what are my driving modes? I have no a-trac button either. And David K I really appreciate all your threads on this topic I'm just easily confused especially when different years have different functions. You threads are much better than the manuals or the dealerships.

 

I do try!

ALL TACOMAS (since 2009) have:

1) H2 TRAC
2) H2 AUTO LSD (VSC OFF to 30 mph)
3) H2 VSC OFF

ALL 2WD OFF ROAD TACOMAS have:

1) H2 TRAC
2) H2 AUTO LSD (VSC OFF to 30 mph)
3) H2 VSC OFF
4) H2 Rear Locker

ALL 4WD TACOMAS (2012+) have:

1) H2 TRAC
2) H2 AUTO LSD (VSC OFF to 30 mph)
3) H2 VSC OFF
4) H4 TRAC
5) H4 TRAC OFF
6) H4 VSC OFF
7) L4 VSC OFF
(2009-2011: No #5, as #4 was the same as the new #5)

ALL 4WD OFF ROAD TACOMAS (2012+) have:

1) H2 TRAC
2) H2 AUTO LSD (VSC OFF to 30 mph)
3) H2 VSC OFF
4) H4 TRAC
5) H4 TRAC OFF
6) H4 VSC OFF
7) L4 VSC OFF
8) L4 & A-TRAC
9) L4 & Rear Locker
10) L4 & Rear Locker & A-TRAC
(2009-2011: No #5, as #4 was the same as the new #5)

 

Disclaimer: the write up to follow has information originally posted by David K and others around the forum. I put pieces together in order to help myself and those with 2012+ non-off road 4x4 Tacomas understand the driving modes. Feel free to correct anything that may be off. I did go out to my truck to play with the different driving modes to see what dash indicators go on or off depending on which mode the truck is in and that help provide some info in the following write up. The text in red is the only thing I'm still unsure about so any help with that topic is appreciated.
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ALL 4WD TACOMAS (2012+) have:

1) H2 TRAC
2) H2 AUTO LSD (VSC OFF to 30 mph)
3) H2 VSC OFF
4) H4 TRAC
5) H4 TRAC OFF
6) H4 VSC OFF
7) L4 VSC OFF
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Press Nothing and engine output IS regulated....

1) H2= TRAC ON (Limited Slip with Engine Output Regulation) VSC ON?
4) H4= TRAC ON (Limited Slip with Engine Output Regulation, front and rear) VSC ON?
7) L4= No Traction Control (VSC OFF, No Traction Control) "TRAC OFF" was also indicated on my dash.
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Quick Press (VSC OFF SWITCH) moving or stopped and engine output is NOT regulated...

2) H2= AUTO LSD (Limited Slip without Engine Output Regulation, VSC OFF to 30 mph) (TRAC maybe on since AUTO LSD is a 2nd level of TRAC. "TRAC OFF" dash indicator was NOT illuminated on my dash when in this mode so that leads me to believe TRAC would be on. Any thoughts?)

5) H4= TRAC OFF (Limited Slip without Engine Output Regulation) (Would VSC be ON in this mode? "VSC OFF" indicator was NOT illuminated on my dash when in this mode. Any thoughts?)
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Press and Hold In 3-5 seconds (VSC OFF SWITCH) while stopped...

3) H2= VSC OFF (No Traction Control) "TRAC OFF" was also indicated on my dash.
6) H4= VSC OFF (No Traction Control) "TRAC OFF" was also indicated on my dash.
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From Toyota Tech support and found on another thread:

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC):
Part of the Star Safety System™ standard on all Toyotas, this feature interprets data from a steering wheel position sensor and the ABS wheel-speed sensors to determine if the vehicle is following the driver’s intended path. If the vehicle is deviating from the direction in which the driver is steering, VSC is designed to reduce engine power and pulse the left- or right-side brakes to help correct the situation.

Traction Control (TRAC),
By interpreting data from the ABS wheel-speed sensors, TRAC can tell if a drive wheel is turning faster than a non-drive wheel, which indicates loss of traction. When TRAC detects slippage, the system can automatically reduce engine power until the wheel that is slipping slows and regains traction. If reducing engine power isn’t enough, the braking system will gradually slow that wheel through pulsed brake action.

Automatic Limited Slip Differential (Auto LSD)
It is a second-level, low-speed traction control feature on some 2-wheel-drive (2WD) trucks and SUVs. The first level, Traction Control, is designed to reduce drive-wheel spin. The key difference in the activation of Auto LSD is that, along with brake application to a spinning wheel (which helps engage a non-spinning wheel), Auto LSD also allows engine power to spin the drive wheels faster than the non-drive wheels. This comes in handy on boat ramps and when driving in modest off-road terrain, where some wheel slippage is desired.

 

Thanks Dave, that's great.
I have had my 2014 TRD Offroad 4x4 about five months.
I'm am still trying to figure out all the driving possibilities.

I have little sticky notes in the owners manual.

 

I think I am too tired to answer Scott tonight, but will tackle it tomorrow. VSC OFF Mode is no traction control along with no stability control... BUT, TRAC OFF mode (H2) is also AUTO LSD ON. In H4 they don't call it AUTO LSD, only 'TRAC OFF'... but essentially the same process, just through four tires instead of two.

I would like to see a 2012+ 4WD Off Road dash lights in person. I wonder why you get a TRAC OFF light in Low Range? What happens when you turn on A-TRAC... is there still a TRAC OFF light on?

De nada Dan... I like to standardize or simplify things... Toyota is making it hard with the names they are using. They are playing with our heads!

 

#2 AUTO LSD is also TRAC OFF or MORE TRAC
#5: TRAC OFF here is MORE TRAC
The other places you have TRAC OFF listed should say Traction Control Off, because TRAC OFF is more traction control (limited slip without engine regulation). It is a dumb name 'TRAC OFF'.

 

Because ATRAC doesnt work over 3mph with L4 and rear locker, what drive mode would be best for a tough hill climb where your speed exceeds 3mph? ATRAC and no locker or locker and no ATRAC?

 

David K, that was a pretty good explination. So let me see if I got it now:
VSC OFF=No Traction Control?
TRAC OFF=Stronger traction control?

I think an easier way to look at the term TRAC OFF is engine regulation is off?

And what's even more confusing is now apparently there is 'no traction control' in some modes but what is confusing is TRAC stands for traction control and TRAC OFF=more traction unregulated engine output. It seems the VSC OFF button has more to do with traction control than the term TRAC does.

I also found for modes 3,6,7 David K you listed those as a true no traction control mode because VSC OFF is indicated but in those modes TRAC OFF is also indicated which now means more traction. So how could those modes be a true 'no traction control'? Also it seems VSC OFF is what turns off traction control but I always thought they were two different systems.

It's also strange to think in modes 3 and 6 you have VSC OFF for traction control but TRAC OFF is also indicated in those modes for stronger traction. Kind of seems like the 2 systems are working against each other. This is the same case for 4Lo. And I'm guessing since TRAC OFF is indicated there is no engine output regulation for modes 3 and 6?

Now let's take a closer look at mode 3) H2= VSC OFF (No Traction Control) "TRAC OFF" was also indicated on my dash. Why is it in mode 2, H2= AUTO LSD (Limited Slip without Engine Output Regulation, VSC OFF to 30 mph), do they call it AUTO LSD but in mode 3 they call it TRAC OFF, I thought the TRAC OFF term was used in H4. And in mode 3 I'm guessing VSC OFF is still that way above 30mph? It seems as if mode 2 and 3 are the same up until 30 mph. Only with mode 3 it never says AUTO LSD. My dash indicates VSC OFF and TRAC OFF.

 

2) I get AUTO LSD=TRAC OFF. I'm guessing this only applies to mode 2 and no other mode?

And for mode 3 why would they use the term TRAC OFF instead of AUTO LSD? Also with mode 3 is VSC OFF still off above 30mph?

 

Hi Scott... Since my Tacoma is a 2010, I must rely on you for the 2012 changes. I summarized them from bits and pieces reading here... as no Toyota Tech has provided the one page that could clear it up (the chart showing the VSC switch functions, as we had for the 2009 changes).

The VSC button (switch) is dual function as it activates or deactivates both stability control and traction control, depending if you touch it briefly or stop and hold it down for a few seconds.

The idea you have is good: TRAC OFF = No engine regulation to traction control, providing a stronger limited slip. (#2, 5).

Why the TRAC OFF light goes on in L4 is puzzling? Seems because there is no engine regulation, they are alerting you to the fact?

The Truck has traction control in all modes except #3, 6, 7. In 3, 6, 7 there is no braking or engine regulation to stop tire spin.

1) H2 TRAC
2) H2 AUTO LSD/TRAC OFF (VSC OFF to 30 mph)
3) H2 VSC OFF
4) H4 TRAC
5) H4 TRAC OFF
6) H4 VSC OFF
7) L4 VSC OFF
8) L4 & A-TRAC
9) L4 & Rear Locker
10) L4 & Rear Locker & A-TRAC
(2009-2011: No #5, as #4 was the same as the new #5)

 

Mode 2 and 5 are the same (TRAC OFF, no regulation, more traction control)
Mode 3 and 6 are the same (VSC OFF, no traction control or stability control)
Modes 2 & 3 are 2WD and 5 & 6 are 4WD.
In Modes 3 & 6 VSC stays off unless you are about to flip your truck, then the system comes on at the last minute to save your butt. The primary reason for VSC OFF (3 & 6) is so you can get the tire(s) to spin and clean out snow or mud for a fresh bite.

1) H2 TRAC
2) H2 AUTO LSD (VSC OFF to 30 mph)
3) H2 VSC OFF
4) H4 TRAC
5) H4 TRAC OFF
6) H4 VSC OFF
7) L4 VSC OFF
8) L4 & A-TRAC
9) L4 & Rear Locker
10) L4 & Rear Locker & A-TRAC
(2009-2011: No #5, as #4 was the same as the new #5)

 

The A-TRAC is on as a standby when you are in L4 and have pressed the A-TRAC button. Anytime you have a tire spin (loss of traction) the A-TRAC 'activates' and brake-locks the rotation on the two tires on that axle together... just long enough for you to begin moving again... automatic lockers is how I describe the action.

If your truck is doing more than 3 mph (rear locked, A-TRAC on), then you are not stuck and there is no need for the A-TRAC to brake-lock the front two tires. However, if you are about to stop, but don't want to stop climbing or crawling then the A-TRAC provides the affect of front lockers just long enough to get you moving again.

Personally, I have used A-TRAC only for some of the craziest Baja and San Diego County hill climbs, mud bogs, etc. I have only added the rear locker when I was pulling another truck out of a stuck or up a grade...

So, A-TRAC EVERY TIME I am in L4, without hesitation. I find 0 benefit to L4 without A-TRAC.

The Rear Locker (as Toyota suggests) is for EMERGENCY ONLY, such as getting a stuck friend out... along with the A-TRAC on.

The Rear Locker without A-TRAC on would be what my previous two Tacomas had, and that locker really makes a difference. However, now that they have added the A-TRAC device to our trucks, there is no reason to not take advantage of its power and ability... I come from 40 years off road driving experience (more if you count the years before I was 16 in my dad's 4WDs) and this A-TRAC equipped Tacoma just blows me away for a factory stock vehicle ability. It is just that good!

 

David K, awesome answers as usual. I think things are finally sinking in. However I do have one and hopefully final question about modes 2 and 3 (2wd). Since mode 2 is AUTO LSD (aka TRAC OFF) and VSC OFF up to 30 mph it seems that would be the same as mode 3 which on my dash as VSC OFF and TRAC OFF. I included some pics of my dash in mode 2 and mode 3. Could the main difference be that in mode 2 VSC turns back on over 30 mph and in mode 3 this does not happen?

MODE 2


MODE 3

 

So since there is no braking regulation in mode 3,6,7, is there breaking regulation in mode 2 and 5?

And with mode 3 and 6 I do get VSC OFF is indicated so there is no traction control or stability control but TRAC OFF is still indicated which actually means more traction. So I guess in still asking WHAT THE HECK TOYOTA?!?!?

 

Thank you for the response.

So if I have L4 with ATRAC on, and my locker is not activated, then I am running open/open until I am under 3mph?

 

Nope... the 3 mph thing is ONLY with the rear locked.

A-TRAC keeps the differentials open and uses the ABS brake system to stop spin of any one tire and matches the rotation speed to the traction tire's rotation on the same axle ('locks' them together) but just long enough to get you moving, the frees up for easy steering.

Don't need the locker with A-TRAC... but it is there for emergency pulls or to experiment, as we have done.

 

1) H2 TRAC
2) H2 AUTO LSD (VSC OFF to 30 mph)
3) H2 VSC OFF
4) H4 TRAC
5) H4 TRAC OFF
6) H4 VSC OFF
7) L4 VSC OFF
8) L4 & A-TRAC
9) L4 & Rear Locker
10) L4 & Rear Locker & A-TRAC

VSC is not traction control, and while my 2010 does not have a TRAC OFF light, I do know that #3 and #6 I have no traction control. I can get stuck unless I use TRAC (or TRAC OFF as it is called now in H4).

Before your head explodes, if you are like me and want the most traction, then forget VSC OFF MODE (3, 6, 7).

Everyday driving use Mode 1, Tires slipping from snow/ ice use Mode 4, Deep sand or rough off road use Mode 5, Low Range steep hills or deep doo-doo (not sand) use Mode 8.

 

Cool. Im gonna experiment this weekend with ATRAC vs Locker/open, and see whats better.