Traction Controls 2009-2015

Thanks for telling me which modes to use when because that was going to be my next question. I don't have mode 8 in my truck but when could I use mode 6,7? I figure disregard mode 2,3 because what's the point of using 2wd to get myself unstuck when I have 4wd. So I guess this would be my last question when is 6 and 7 valuable to me?

 

look into the yellow wire mod. Peace

 

This is great info! Thanks! I would also like to add that with my 13 Offroad I can use my rear locker in 2H with pressing the VSC off button once (says auto lsd)

 

Really? it seems like the locker cause both tires are spinning equally?

 

Correct...

Rear Locker is exactly that... via a gear, both tires are locked together. The 4WD Off Road can only lock in L4 (unless you mod it).

AUTO LSD (TRAC OFF in H2) is a very good, brake created LIMITED SLIP. I can get both tires to spin out with AUTO LSD, but mainly if it senses one tire spinning and not the other, it applies brake force (without engine regulation) to the non-traction tire.

TRAC OFF in H4 (or standard H4 'TRAC', before 2012) is like AUTO LSD, but on the front as well as the rear.

A-TRAC is a HIGHER level of limited slip... really almost NO SLIP, like lockers when it is active. It just stay active all the time so you can steer easily.

NON-A-TRAC Tacomas may find more traction in hill climbs using H4 TRAC-OFF than L4 with no traction control. The traction control without engine regulation (TRAC OFF) is very impressive. The name is just wrong.

In my early hill climb tests in the desert, H4 out-climbed L4 (A-TRAC not on). Only when I used A-TRAC or the locker could I out-climb H4 with traction control (it was called TRAC before 2012, but since 2012 it is called 'TRAC OFF').

See if this wording helps...

2012+:

*TRAC or the standard mode (H2, H4) is traction control with engine regulation.
*TRAC OFF MODE {quick press of button}(H2, H4) is traction control without regulation.
*VSC OFF MODE {stop moving, press and hold in button 3+ seconds}(H2, H4) is NO traction control and No stability control. (VSC comes back on if sensors indicate danger possible)
L4 for non Off Road TRDs has no traction control and VSC is off.

4WD Off Road TRDs have 4 modes in L4 from the factory:
*VSC OFF is standard. No limited slip.
*A-TRAC is a high level traction control on all 4 tires.
*Rear Locker in back and no control in the front.
*A-TRAC + Rear Locker for control in front and locked in back.

 

Both will spin equally if conditions are equal under both tires. Typically one tire will only spin, and specially if one tire is on slippery surface and the other isn't.
Limited Slip, AUTO LSD, TRAC OFF helps by transferring power away from the spinning tire. A locker absolutely turns both the same. That is why you must turn off the locker to steer easily, since in a turn the tires need to rotate differently.

 

This is absolutely the case. If you engage a locker, try to go in a strait line as much as posable to avoid binding and possibly breaking something.

 

Oh okay. The LSD worked pretty well that time then lol The labels are pretty stupid I agree. I understand everything else. thanks!

 

David, on my 2010, when I go to 4H is the default mode with TRAC or do I need to push a button?

 

When you want to do donuts without the traction control kicking in its when you use 6 and 7.
I believe that's what you're asking.

 

Donuts in 4wd? Wat.

 

You write some helpful stuff, David.

Thank you.

 

FWIW, I read most of this a few years ago. It is confusing but does make sense eventually.

I have been off road with the TRD Sport oem method of electronic limited slip. Have had the throttle cut back from wheelspin, had one tire spinning and all kinds of other crazy stuff.

In the end, I installed a TruTrak rear diff. Now, off-road, I use the button to disable all the electronics and both tires dig in.

I'm not sure there is any right or wrong, but the more serious you get, the simpler and more effective the aftermarket diffs become seems to get more apparent.

PK

 

Since I have traction control in mode 5 with 'TRAC OFF' indicated on my dash board I have a strong limited slip without engine regulation. But in mode 6 VSC OFF is indicated, traction control is off, so why is 'TRAC OFF' also indicated? Wouldn't that give me strong limited slip because I thought the whole point of Mode six was to be able to make the tires spin (ie no limited slip)? Could the limited slip part be disabled since there is no traction control and it's only alerting me to the fact there is no engine regulation?

 

While I wait for an answer to my previous post I also put together a new guide for 2012+ NON off road Tacomas. Most of the credit goes to David K, who is the master of the driving modes, the tacoma owners manual, and my own observations in my truck. Hope everyone enjoys.
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ALL 4WD TACOMA 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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From the Tacoma Owners Manual:

VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.

TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintains drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.

L4 (low speed position, four-wheel drive)
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use L4 for climbing or descending steep hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in sand, mud or deep snow.

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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

TRAC or the standard mode (H2, H4) is traction control with engine regulation. Mode 1 and 4.

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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)

5) H4= TRAC OFF (Limited Slip without Engine Output Regulation)

Mode 2 and 5 are the same (TRAC OFF, no engine regulation, more traction control)

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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.

Mode 3 and 6 are the same (VSC OFF, no traction control or stability control)

7) L4= No Traction Control (VSC OFF, No Traction Control) "TRAC OFF" was also indicated on my dash. L4 for non-Off Road Tacoma has no traction control and VSC is off. NOTE: there is no need to push the 'VSC OFF' button at all. You only need to turn the knob to 'L4'.

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Everyday driving use Mode 1, Tires slipping from snow/ ice use Mode 4, Deep sand or rough off road use Mode 5.

AUTO LSD (TRAC OFF in H2) is a very good, brake created LIMITED SLIP. I can get both tires to spin out with AUTO LSD, but mainly if it senses one tire spinning and not the other, it applies brake force (without engine regulation) to the non-traction tire.

TRAC OFF MODE {quick press of button}(H2, H4) is traction control without regulation. Mode 2=AUTO LSD, Mode 5=TRAC OFF.

VSC OFF MODE {stop moving, press and hold in button 3+ seconds}(H2, H4) is NO traction control and No stability control. (VSC comes back on if sensors indicate danger possible). 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.

------------------------------------------

 

Nope... I also have a 2010. 2009-2011 models the standard mode when you go into H4 is called TRAC, but it is TRAC with regulation turned OFF (TRAC OFF), the same as AUTO LSD in H2. The button does nothing in H4 with a quick push because the TRAC OFF mode is standard.

In 2012, they decided to make TRAC in H4 the same as TRAC in H2 (regulation ON). So, they added TRAC OFF with a quick push of the button in H4 to give you the stronger un-regulated traction control, like we have in our 2009-2011 Tacos.

 

I can only guess that TRAC OFF light comes on anytime the engine output is not regulated (REGULATION OFF may have been a better name than TRAC OFF!)?

Is this where you see 'TRAC OFF' lit up (anyone with an Off Road 4WD 2012+ please confirm):

2012+
1) H2 TRAC
2) H2 AUTO LSD (VSC OFF to 30 mph) 'TRAC OFF'=ENGINE REGULATION OFF
3) H2 VSC OFF 'TRAC OFF'=ENGINE REGULATION OFF
4) H4 TRAC
5) H4 TRAC OFF 'TRAC OFF'=ENGINE REGULATION OFF
6) H4 VSC OFF 'TRAC OFF'=ENGINE REGULATION OFF
7) L4 VSC OFF 'TRAC OFF'=ENGINE REGULATION OFF
8) L4 & A-TRAC 'TRAC OFF'=ENGINE REGULATION OFF
9) L4 & Rear Locker 'TRAC OFF'=ENGINE REGULATION OFF
10) L4 & Rear Locker & A-TRAC 'TRAC OFF'=ENGINE REGULATION OFF

 

You're welcome Adam... I am glad my way of explaining it is helpful. Lord knows the owners manual and anyone at the dealer is no help in any of this!

 

As you know I can only speak for modes 1-7 but that does look correct. I guess the only thing I could be picky about is in mode 2 the AUTO LSD indicator light comes on and the TRAC OFF indicator light is off.

 

That is funny... Toyota in translating or whatever the reason sure made it complicated for those of us who like to know what our truck is doing.

See on the 2009-2011 chart and brake control function table, where AUTO LSD and TRAC OFF are one and the same thing?




I sure would appreciate if someone could provide the chart for 2012 functions!