Traction Controls 2009-2015

It's been since 2010... and I don't know other than someone here on TW shared it... out of the serve rep manual online, I think. I would be wonderful (and I have asked before) to have the same chart for the 2012 changes!

A million thanks for trying to help!

 

From Toyota Owners Manual online


AUTO LSD function (2WD models)

The AUTO LSD function is activated when the system is in TRAC off
mode. It operates when one of the drive wheels is spinning, such as
when the wheel is spinning freely on ice or mud. The system applies
the brakes to the spinning wheel and transfers some of the torque to
the other wheel to secure drive power.

 

I understand when it operates, I was just saying what lights were on and what lights were off on the dash board. What year manual was that out of?

Also in my 2014 Manual there is no chart like you had posted. I wish there was it would make this a lot easier for everyone.

 

I was searching all possible links for a 2012+ VSC OFF SWITCH CHART and just happened upon that... Something like that must be in your owner's manual? It is in mine... It just doesn't go into enough detail for my liking. The VSC switch and brake action chart does and answered pretty much all my questions.

Maybe the reason your Trac Off light doesn't come on in Auto LSD mode, is because Auto LSD is just another way of saying Trac Off? It was in 2009-2011 (I have no TRAC OFF light, just a AUTO LSD light and a VSC OFF light).

 

On my 13 Offroad 4x4, but in 2wd mode when i hit the VSC button once quick it shows only Auto LSD light and VSC light (NO Trac Off light). When you hold it down for 3 sec it shows the Trac off light (NO Auto LSD light)

 

You mean the VSC OFF light, yes?

Right, being that AUTO LSD and TRAC OFF are the same thing in 2WD, I guess no need for both lights to come on?

On my 2010, the VSC OFF light is on until 30 mph... then it goes off indicating VSC has come on.

 

Yes. Also in 2wd Auto LSD allows for wheel spin while going in a straight line but once you slide to the side a bit it hits the brakes, and when TRAC OFF is turned on (Trac Off light on) means you can spin the rear wheels freely with no engine OR brake regulation.

 

There is no comparison or mention of AUTO LSD and TRAC OFF being the same in my owners manual. And I agree with you about the lights it's only necessary for one to be on at a time since they are the same.

 

Exactly!

TRAC OFF MODE is more power to turn the tire with traction.
In 2WD it is called 'AUTO LSD' and in 4WD HIGH it is called 'TRAC OFF' from 2012 on, activated by a quick push of the VSC switch moving or stopped. It was called 'TRAC' in H4 from 2009-2011 and required no button push.

 

Lol so confusing the way they word it.


Also I was playing around with the different buttons and found that sometimes when in 4LO and I press the Rear Diff Lock button it connects and the light on the dash is solid, and sometimes is blinks forever and never goes solid. Wonder why?

 

The light blinks anytime you push the Rear Locker button, but only stays on solid when the rear is actually locked. For us 4WDs, that in only in L4 (unless you mod it).

I have found that if it doesn't go solid when I am pointed straight ahead, then turning the steering wheel to ONE direction (left or right) and creeping ahead works.

Those with A-TRAC, just turn A-TRAC on, and forget the locker unless you just want to play with it.

 

Yea I read that turning the wheel a rolling a bit helps too, I tried it out this morning and it engaged. At least I never had to need the rear locker yet. Also never used the Atrac yet either. Ill turn it on next time I go off road.

 

If extreme, or pulling a buddy, sure... but locking the two rear tires unnecessarily can cause binding in a turn. The A-TRAC technology provides the traction of front and rear lockers without binding any of the gears. If A-TRAC doesn't get you there, and the rear locker without A-TRAC does, please report the conditions. I had two rear locked Tacomas before the A-TRAC Tacoma. The A-TRAC is (now) always on in L4, and it has never failed to get me unstuck, through crap, etc. Only when pulling 2WD Tacomas and Rangers up hills or out of snow have I added the rear locker with the A-TRAC just to avoid any slipping or hesitation while helping another vehicle. I did experiment running the rear locker + A-TRAC in snow... and the truck was flawless.

 

What do you mean binding? I drove with my locker on in 2wd for more fun cornering on a dirt road last weekend, didnt have any problems.

 

On hard surfaces, paved roads, rock faces, where the tires cannot slip.

A differential allows the tires to rotate independently... and as we know, feeds power to the tire the spins the easiest when they are not equal.

The locker does not allow the tires to rotate differently, so on hard surfaces while turning, there is a natural bind that causes the tires to chirp as they try and turn differently. Steering is affected when the tires are locked together. This is why Toyota warns to only use the locker in an emergency (to get unstuck/ get through a difficult section of road).

If the dirt was loose, it probably was fine... but if not, and you didn't need the locker to drive, then you placed unnecessary stress on the driveline... and when that breaks, you stop moving!

 

Thank you for sharing that!

A note is that AUTO LSD and TRAC OFF are two names for the same process (no engine output regulation). AUTO LSD is for 2WD and TRAC OFF is for 4WD HI RANGE.

Before 2012, in 4WD HI, it was called TRAC. Now, TRAC in H4 has engine regulation... it did not before 2012.

A-TRAC is a totally different animal than TRAC. A-TRAC requires a hydraulic brake booster (found on the Off Road 4WD TRDs) to firmly 'lock' or match tire rotation across the two axles. The TRAC or TRAC OFF modes found on all Tacomas (since 2009) use the vacuum break booster found in all the non Off Road Tacomas. TRAC and TRAC OFF are limited slip systems, but A-TRAC is a nearly to no slip system.

 

tested Atrac only v s Atrac with Locker today. I cant say there was much difference, with the locker on the Atrac only got used a once or twice, without the locker you could hear the Atrac more times. The Atrac got stuck at one point then I rolled back a few feet and got going again. All in all I think it was driver ability, both systems worked really well. Hill is steeper and more difficult than it looks and rutted up and really dry with loose dirt/gravel.

 

ATRAC is amazing.

 

^ This

 

It is great to see more of you testing the A-TRAC yourselves than just reading about it from me or others. The hill in TacoBrah's photo looks a lot like One Tri Hill (see YouTube link in my sig) where the steepness had briefly stopped me from climbing to the top. Back down such a steep grade is dangerous, so I just put my foot down (heavy pedal?) and the A-TRAC seemed to 'wake-up' and the truck continued to the top! That video was A-TRAC only. In the Diablo DropOff pull, I had the rear locker and A-TRAC on together... The Off Road 4WD Tacoma is amazing!