Another Auto-LSD question, 2nd. Gen

I've read the owner manual, and several threads here about how the Auto-LSD operates, but some of it still confuses this old fart's brain. In order to attempt a real-world clarification, I went out in my pasture with my new-to-me 2011 DblCab 4x4 SR5 to try things out. The pasture is on a 5% hill, not much, but soft ground and wet grass makes for better testing. The only button my truck has related to traction control (other than the 4WD control knob) is the one on the lower left of the panel below the steering column and next to the remote mirror control, that has the squiggly lines under a vehicle icon and says "OFF". When you push it, the inst. panel says in red "auto LSD" and there is a yellow icon comes on that mimics the button picture and says "OFF".

1st test was 2wd, pointed uphill, without pressing the button. I'm in drive, give it gas; right rear tire spins, then left rear also spins, both together and separately, until I let off the gas. I've gone about 25 yards up the hill.

2nd test was also 2wd (I know it doesn't work in 4wd), with button pushed. In drive, apply throttle, right wheel spins, then left wheel, then I feel power reduction (pretty severe), both tires spin together and/or alternately, until I release throttle. Another 25 yards or so. The only difference I could tell between auto lsd ON and auto lsd OFF was the change in engine power as the computer reduced it to avoid wheel spin. Can't say I liked it much, I can moderate a throttle just fine by myself , thankyewvarymuch.

I didn't try holding the button for the 3 seconds and turning both off, but I assume the traction control doesn't help hook up both wheels, nor does the engine computer cut power to avoid wheelspin. The traction control is pretty nice (the default mode active when the car is started and not pushing any buttons), but I didn't care for the other mode much. I suppose my question(s) would be: is this how it's supposed to work?, and why isn't it available in 4WD?

This isn't my first 4WD vehicle. I've owned an FJ40 and five 4WD pickups before this one.

One other, completely non-related question: Does it matter which way the spare tire is turned when it's underneath the truck suspended on its cable, outside down or inside down? I was getting familiar with the truck and removed the spare to check pressure and condition; it was "inside down". I replaced it "outside down" so I had access to the valve stem so I could check the tire pressure without having to remove the tire from its storage position.

I discovered also that apparently the spare has never been removed, ever. Pressure was only 10 psi when I checked it, and the frame had imprinted several "dents" in the tire sidewall where it was pressed against the frame. All the rubber tits are still present, even the colored stripe down the tread center, which shows it's never rolled on pavement. Brandamnew, and I hate that I'll have to replace it, but the date code shows it's 7 years old (same age as the truck). I just replaced the tires yesterday; they had quite a bit of tread left, but I'm now assuming they were the original tires, since they were the same brand and model as the spare and had similar date codes. I couldn't believe they were originals, too much tread left for the 60K the truck has on the odometer.

 

Although I’m 2wd, this is how I use the auto-lsd button.

If I want a little more traction in the rear, I push it once, and it allows me to go up silty / “steel” hills easier. Especially when it’s pitted and a tire may get light or almost off the ground.
It isn’t 100% locked, and I will eventually get a rear locker though.

I push and hold the button for 3 sec (turning off all trac control and stability control except for abs braking) when I want to drive fast over rougher terrain (ie out in the desert trails).
This allows me to slide the truck through turns more and go fast over rough terrain without it cutting power and applying brakes.

Hope that helps?

 

My spare has been upside down for 3 years with no issues. Makes checking tire pressure way easier.