ADVICE FOR NEW TACOMA 4X4 OWNERS

Please, newbies, put your truck in all the drive modes to test or see how they work BEFORE you actually need them to work. Find a dirt lot or a snow-covered parking lot and test all 10 drive modes*.

The going into and out of L4 is a challenge if you don't read the instruction card or owners manual first. You need to be in N Neutral, not P Park if you have an automatic. The clutch must be fully depressed if a stick shift.

The only other hard thing is to get the Rear Locker engaged. Remember with MTS or A-TRAC, the Rear Locker is for Emergency Use Only because the other systems basically lock all four wheels and not just the back two... a little differently than lockers but you get the same effect but without steering problems.

I have found that after trying to lock the diff first with all four tires moving slowly from a stop, you turn the wheel one direction and roll slowly... pop, it's locked!

*
The Off Road TRD 4x4 has all ten, others not so many...

1) H2 TRAC (light limited slip traction control)
2) H2 AUTO LSD (stronger traction control, no engine cut, Trac with engine regulation Off)
3) H2 VHS OFF (no traction control)

4) H4 TRAC (light limited slip traction control) (this was added in 2012, same as #5 2009-2011)
5) H4 TRAC OFF (=Auto LSD but on all 4 wheels) [Trac Off is a poor choice of names]
6) H4 VHS OFF (no traction control)

7) L4 (no traction control)
8) L4 A-TRAC/ MTS
9) L4 Rear Locker
10) L4 Rear Locker & A-TRAC/ MTS (active below 3 mph or when almost stuck)

 

Let me add that some with 3rd Gens say they do have some limited slip Trac in L4 Mode (Mode #7)...

 

But if everyone does as you ask, where will they go to whine?