3rd Gen Traction Control Modes Explained

good info. thx.

 

absolutely goated

 

Great thread. Thank you!

 

hey guys, when on 4hi do you turn off trac? thank you.

 

Per Toyota, this is done to rock the vehicle (if ever needed) to get unstuck. In doing so, you have full power via the open differential.

 

so on 4hi should i turn off trac or keep it on?

 

It will depend on the situation. If you're traveling off-road and are not stuck, I would keep it ON. Even if you did get slightly stuck, I would try to escape with TRAC on first. You also have 4LO with A-TRAC (or MTS if you drive automatic) and lockers (if equipped).

I would only turn it off if I wanted equal power to the wheels - which would be limited situations. Or if you wanted to have some fun and do some drifting, you would need to turn it off as well.

 

thank you very much for your help. appreciate it a lot.

 

No worries. When I got my truck, it took me a while to understand the plethora of Toyota's traction control systems and the different combinations with 4x4. There is a lot of good material on this forum. Just takes a bit of muscle and a shovel.

 

yea, i didnt read the entire thread but i read the eibach tread all 281 pages.
am gonna read this thread now. thank you again.

 

I was at Jawbone at CA103(?, can’t recall the letters) yesterday and at one point I engaged the 4WD. (I came in using auto LSD) I came to a sandy area and squirmed around some but got through. That was a rush as I thought at one point I was getting stuck. So it wasn’t until further down when I pulled over to the side and happened to look down at the instrument panel that I noticed TRAC was off. I assumed engaging 4WD would keep it in TRAC mode. A single press would turn on TRAC or off as noted in the first post.

Lesson learned. I also been finely learning throttle control IS KEY for TRAC to do its magic.

BTW, looking forward to the 4th Gen traction controls!!!

 

Hm, that’s odd. We’re you in 4 hi or low? Default mode for 4 hi is TRAC on/VSC on.

 

I thought that was odd too as I assumed one had to hold the button for three seconds. But apparently that is only when one is in 4WD mode, and auto lsd was not engaged prior. Seems counterproductive. 4 HI, but I tried it today in 4lo and same deal.

 

I guess they figure since you already had VSC off and since ALSD is a 2WD function only, that it automatically goes to TRAC off when entering 4WD?

 

The front differential has some form of alsd. You can see it in action in a video near the front of this thread. The front left wheel locks in the air and transfers all power to the right. I just find it puzzling if one is in ALSD mode in 2WD, and wants to change to 4WD on the fly and QUICK, one has to push the button before selecting 4WD in order to keep the TRAC magic.

I have found out that feathering the throttle control down low is where this system shines. I used it recently to pull my Chevy ‘63 Apache stepside that was sitting and sank deep into the soil from sitting for about 13-14 years. Only one Eagle of the four was not good! The others held air even though the rubber had cracks. I gave it to my niece to restore as it was going to her brother that passed many years ago. I used ALSD in 2WD. I was on cement. Great system.

 

I too have been very impressed by the traction control in these trucks… especially ATRAC in 4LO. I went up a 15 degree hill last night, stuck in slippery muddy ruts that even 4LO was having trouble navigating. I switched to ATRAC and climbed up without a second thought. MT as well, so my “crawl control” is my foot.

 

Agreed. The 2012 I used to own had Atrac and down hill assist. Awesome controls.

What I hope the 4th Gen has in the OR is TRAC on when in 4WD. That would be a game changer. And a sole ATRAC button would be great too

 

In my 3rd Gen, TRAC is on in 4WD by default. We also have a sole ATRAC button.

 

He apologized for the poor quality, and what a bummer as I could feel all 4 tires digging in once I started pulling and the backend squatted. I was hoping to see the ALSD on both axles at work. What I remember the most was the “jigging” that was occurring. The best way I can explain it. Alls I could see was the rooster tail from the front at the end.

3rd Generation is and will be the BEST EVER.

BTW, the girlfriend knew exactly what to do when the work was ready to begin!


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eTg2ebE1qei4di0HhgPNAiVVKmosWZYj/view

 

I forgot to mention the most important part. The magic. I started off by giving it a little gas. So once I felt the jigging action and I could see that I was moving forward, I stopped giving it more pedal. ALSD can easily be overpowered. BUT, if you don’t overpower it, and you let it control, it’ll get you out 90% of the time.