Sequoia 4WD Questions

No soap box here, just speaking from the heart. Toyota makes different models for different needs... My first pickup truck was a standard cab Mitsubishi Mighty Max... my second was a Toyota Tacoma 2 door Xtra Cab... my 3rd and 4th were/are both double cab Tacomas...

My 2 door Tacoma was more fun to drive off road fast... the suspension on these second gen double cabs is just not as strong to bump around the same way. However, the A-TRAC double cab is way more fun in low range, as it is a tractor or tank off road.

 

I recently picked up a 2016 4wd Sequoia, and have been trying to sort out the different drive modes and functions. When you include all the settings that can be turned off and on in combination with each other, there are 13 different drive modes by my count, but I see only 4 of them as being particularly useful.

2wd, 4Hi, and 4Lo
2wd only powers the rear wheels, 4 hi powers front and rear axles, 4 lo does too but at a lower gear ratio

Center differential
By default it is unlocked and allows variable front and rear axle speeds, allowing it to be used on road on dry pavement (like AWD system). It can be locked in either 4Hi or 4Lo by push button. Should not be used on road with center diff locked.

Vehicle stability control (VSC)
Computer controlled system that applies brakes to selected wheels to reduce skidding/lateral sliding/rollover risk. Good on road, may be detrimental offroad if it kills your momentum unexpectedly. I believe this automatically turns off when the center diff is locked, can be turned off by press button in any other mode, and automatically turns back on if center diff is unlocked and speed exceeds ~30 mph.

TRAC/ATRAC
Similar to VSC, this is a computer controlled system that applies brakes to selected wheels to prevent wheel spin/slippage. Per owner manual, TRAC is used in 2wd and ATRAC is used in 4wd. On road, this can be useful for maintaining traction if you hit a slippery spot. Offered, this can be bad if it kills your momentum unexpectedly, but could be useful for acting like a limited slip differential when trying to get unstuck or going slow through loose/slippery material. Can be turned on or off in any mode with push button.

ALSD
Similar to TRAC in 2wd, but used for locking a wheel at low speeds, similar to mechanical LSD or rear diff lock. I'm not sure why you would ever use this in a 4wd model, but it would be nice in a 2wd model.



The four useful modes, IMHO:

1. Normal driving in good weather on dry pavement: 2wd, VSC and TRAC on (default mode); best fuel mileage and computer controlled safety systems engaged

2. On road driving with potential for slipper conditions (rain, ice, snow): 4Hi, center diff unlocked and VSC and TRAC on (default modes); better traction with front wheels powered, unlocked center diff allows for on road driving, computer controlled safety systems engaged

3. Normal off road driving: 4Hi, center diff locked, ATRAC and VSC off (VSC turns off when center diff is locked, ATRAC needs to be turned off with push button); locking center diff improves traction, turning off ATRAC and VSC preserves momentum through slippery/loose footing

4. Offroad crawling (getting unstuck or ascending or descending steep hills with loose footing): 4Lo, center diff locked, VSC off, ATRAC on; low gear gives better control and torque, ATRAC on helps prevent wheel spin and sends power to the wheel that gets traction

 

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