3rd Gen Traction Control Modes Explained

I know this thread is a bit old, but I just pickup up my truck and trying to sort it out. It is a OR with MT.

Does this sound right?
- 4Hi TRAC-OFF, VSC-ON (short press VSC) is good for when you're in sand or snow and want to allow for some wheel spin without cutting engine power, but don't want to slide sideways.
- 4Hi TRAC-OFF, VSC-OFF (long press) is basically for doing donuts in a parking lot or pretending to be Ken Block on a back road.
- Rear Diff is for getting unstuck or for wheeling when one rear wheel isn't biting.
- A-TRAC is generally to allow all 4 wheels to have a better chance at getting traction, but will not bind up the rear axle like diff lock does.

Am I correct that A-TRAC is not available in 4Hi?

 

You pretty much have it. You will find differing opinions on the diff lock. One camp says wait until you're in trouble while others like myself like to use it more liberally to avoid getting hung up in the first place. I also much prefer the truck's behavior getting torque to the ground in rugged terrain with the diff/s locked. I find it to be a cleaner driving experience.

A-TRAC is a good option for getting locker-like behavior without the scrubbing a locker induces. However, it uses brakes, creates heat, and burns off usable output torque in order to function. It also is not capable of full 100% torque bias like a locked diff is. A-TRAC shines best when used to manage front wheel slip while having the rear locked. A-TRAC is only available in 4LO.

 

Pretty good replies. Happy New Year. A-TRAC forever!

 

Great info here!

E
****

 

Thanks! I have had a couple of vehicles with lockers before but A-TRAC and the various VSC / TC modes looked confusing initially. I'll have to go find a snowy hill and play around a bit, then do the same in the sand come summer to see which mode works best in certain conditions.

 

I found this handy list as well. Thanks to OP @Sigfourme

https://www.tacomaworld.com/attachments/tacoma-docx.1035695/


Tacoma-- Traction control

1) 2 WD : VSC + TRAC Active, engine regulated (Limited Slip Lite)

2) 2 WD :TRAC Mode Off-Auto LSD -- (Strong Limited Slip-no engine regulation) Press VSC

3) 2 WD : VSC Mode Off (Open Differential) Press VSC 3 sec

4) 4WD-Hi : VSC + TRAC Active (Strong Limited Slip-no engine regulation)

5) 4WD-Hi : VSC Mode Off (Open Differential) Press VSC 3sec

6) 4WD-Lo : VSC +TRAC both Off in Low 4 WD (Open Differentials) Lo=VSC+A-TRAC off

7) 4 WD-Lo : A-TRAC on (Locker-Like, Super strong limited slip Front and Rear) Press VSC

8) 4 WD-Lo : A-TRAC Off -Rear Differential Locked, Front Differential Open Press Rear Diff

9) 4 WD-Lo : A-TRAC On-Rear Diffential Locked, 3 MPH Limit Press Rear Diff, 3MPH

 

It looks like an edited version of my work? 2012, a tenth drive mode was added by Toyota (4WD-Hi, TRAC Mode OFF, Press VSC).
The A-TRAC with rear locked 3 MPH means it simply goes active when the truck speed drops below 3 mph, when it is needed... like you are about to be stuck.

 

Not sure @David K However, reading through all these posts I'm still trying to distill the info in a easy way to remember. I found that list on an older thread. I could relate to it right away for trying to interpret what each mode does without complicating things.

I have a Sport so the first 7 modes still apply to me I think even if you are the original author from 2012 writing from a second gen specific perspective. I don't know if the term used in mode 1. ("LSD Light") is still accurate on the 3rd gen combined with the term in mode 2. ("Strong Limited Slip-no engine regulation"). I hope and like the term "Strong Limited Slip." is accurate for the 3gen.

 

It's all in the 1st Post. And, yes. Auto LSD applies.


The very best thing to do is go out an play. See what works best for you.

 

One of the items I tried to clear up was the use of the name AUTO LSD (ALSD to some here).
It is the name Toyota uses (sadly) but it does work to a degree, in 2WD.
It is the TRACtion control with NO engine cut-out (aka 'engine output regulation'). What I like to call 'strong limited slip'.
The same process in 4WD High is not called the same name, but called just 'TRAC' from 2009 to 2011. This was the standard 4x4 Hi mode.

In 2012, Toyota made 4WD-HI TRAC have engine cut-out/ output regulation, and made you press the VSC button (quick press) to go into (what Toyota calls) TRAC OFF mode. TRAC OFF in 4WD-HI = AUTO LSD in 2WD (just with all four wheels).

2012+: TRAC ON = Light limited slip (no button press) and TRAC OFF = Strong limited slip (quick button press).

Three modes in 2WD and three in 4WD-HI:

• Light traction assist: TRAC
• Strong traction assist: TRAC OFF
• ZERO traction assist: VSC OFF (stop and hold in button for 3+ seconds)

(Pressing the button again or restarting the truck returns to the standard TRAC mode.)

LOW RANGE is a different animal and I am still hoping to test or ride along in a 3rd Gen to see what is new.
2nd Gen Off Road TRD 4x4s have four modes:

• Low Range with zero traction controls (standard mode).
• Low Range with A-TRAC (press A-TRAC)
• Low Range with Rear Locker (press RR Diff)
• Low Range with A-TRAC & Rear Locker

 

@David K Thanks again for the detailed reply.

It's unfortunate Toyota either by choice or accident named these systems with so much ambiguity. I don't want to beat a dead horse with this either. Just looking for a way to somehow keep in mind an easy way to remember what each setting does.

Again as others have mentioned, I'll have to just get out and test different real world scenarios.

 

90% of the time, the standard mode (no button pressing) works in H2 and H4. In L4, always have A-TRAC on (or MTS on the 3rd gens).
The quick press in H2 or H4 is if you get tires spinning too much (they shouldn't spin at all).
That's really all.
The rear locker is more for playin with the variety of functions and maybe towing someone out of a stuck, maybe snow driving... but A-TRAC gives you true 4 wheels of drive power... the locker only the back two with one spinner in front, or add A-TRAC to have both front tires working for you.

 

My 07 Tacoma is soo jealous of this thread.

But my wifes 2021 4runner pro is Hella fun to drive Trac off in manual mode. Something about switching from auto to manual makes it slip and slide in the snow

 

Nice

 

This has been super helpful - thanks!

 

2019 TRD model, When I turn off the the trac control, and my tires slips boy a whole bunch of lights turn on the dash, didn’t know what to do, so I turn off the engine and restarted , it clear it. But I found every time you turn off the Truck , you need to press the Trac control off button every time?

God bless for the multiple safety features, a blessing and a ? I really like my lane departure feature, as you get older it helps. My daughter was following a car (TRD) , she didn’t notice the car slow down all of a sudden, the front collision sensors brake for her, avoiding a accident,

Will we need a driver license when self driving cars become, a self driving car? The future for self driving is getting closer?
Auto body shops will be gone? Car insurance maybe gone? Driving schools will be gone? Something to think about?
Aloha

 

Restating the truck returns the traction settings to standard mode.
I agree, TRAC-OFF (2012+) is the preferred mode, off road. It is poorly named since it is a higher level of TRACtion control, with the engine cut (regulation) turned OFF... 'TRAC OFF.'

We with 2009-2011 4x4s are normally in the Trac Off mode in 4WD HI (but it was still called TRAC). The button doesn't change anything when pressed in H4. In 2012, the button-push, to go from TRAC with the engine regulation to TRAC OFF (with the regulation turned off), was added.

 

Always great info’s .
Aloha

 

John, been a while. Having played with the SR 4x4 since we started this thread as a collective unit, I have come to appreciate how advanced the system is for not having a locker. Good stuff.

 

Alright, I just made my last payment yesterday and am totally free to put the dinero elsewhere.

I’m thinking of installing the Harrop ELocker. As that will allow the option of keeping the traction controls when in 4lo(?) when the locker is not needed. I honestly don’t need one. I don’t wheel hardcore anymore, but it would be a nice feature to have and be able to keep the traction controls when in 4lo, and also for trade in value.

And forget the SR5 Trail