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3rd Gen Traction Control Modes Explained

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Doggman, Jan 25, 2018.

  1. Mar 8, 2023 at 7:16 PM
    #501
    Road_Warrior

    Road_Warrior There is nothing on my horizon except everything

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    I have a question and it may be a stupid question, so I apologize in advance.

    I have read this entire thread and my owner’s manual as well; the manual made me so confused that I’m back to where I started…

    :annoyed:

    I have a ‘21 SR5, so no crawl control or lockers.

    My question: In deep sand where 4hi is not effective and I need to use 4lo to continue moving forward, should I be hitting the “VSC off” button when switching to 4lo?

    I am trying to avoid having the vehicle apply brakes to wheels that are spinning.

    The owners manual literally says “Press the ‘VSC off’ switch to turn on the system.” I feel like I’m losing my mind trying to decipher all these modes lol
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2023
  2. Mar 9, 2023 at 2:35 AM
    #502
    Topanga Taco

    Topanga Taco BUZZING NITRO

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    The Magic of ALSD RCI-skid BlackSumos Bilstein 6112/5100
    The system shines in sand, keep it in 4HI, unless you’re climbing steep dunes(or have to reverse), then 4LO. Don’t over power the TRAC.

    Deep snow, I have no experience, but I have seen people shut off the TRAC (push vsc off) to utilize full power of the motor with no traction controls kicking in. Just know you are on open diffs, no TRAC on both axles (ALSD).
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2023
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  3. Mar 9, 2023 at 3:03 AM
    #503
    Topanga Taco

    Topanga Taco BUZZING NITRO

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    The Magic of ALSD RCI-skid BlackSumos Bilstein 6112/5100
    THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT TRAC(ALSD) IS TO LET THE SYSTEM CONTROL. GAS PEDAL INPUT IS THE DECIDING FACTOR.
     
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  4. Mar 9, 2023 at 5:27 AM
    #504
    Road_Warrior

    Road_Warrior There is nothing on my horizon except everything

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    Ok got it. So for beach driving in deeper sand, best practice would be 4hi and don’t turn any of the traction control systems off. Just be gentle and smart with the gas pedal.

    I was smelling burning rubber during my last beach drive. I’m starting to wonder if the brakes were getting cooked because of the traction control trying to apply the brakes for a long-ish distance while the wheels were spinning.
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2023
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  5. Mar 9, 2023 at 7:57 AM
    #505
    Topanga Taco

    Topanga Taco BUZZING NITRO

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    The Magic of ALSD RCI-skid BlackSumos Bilstein 6112/5100

    Most of the time you should be in 4HI. I go to Hungry Valley where washes are abound. And in some areas HEEEEAVY and deep. I have never had issues, other than getting high centered. Or having to reverse onto a steep climb, then 4LO is a must. 4HI is not strong enough.

    My suggestion is to go out and play with the TRAC. You’ll find out a little throttle goes a long way. It’s fun too to feel that “jigging” action, knowing the braking system is controlling wheel spin.

    However, if you want to feel how strong ALSD is, next time on a rainy day when you come to a stop with no one around, engage ALSD and floor it. :eek:

    I wouldn’t spend any time worrying about the system over cooking the brakes. Toyotas ALSD is pretty bad ass. The engineers thoroughly thought this one out.
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2023
  6. Mar 9, 2023 at 7:58 AM
    #506
    Topanga Taco

    Topanga Taco BUZZING NITRO

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    The Magic of ALSD RCI-skid BlackSumos Bilstein 6112/5100
    And airing down in sand helps too. Forgot that one!
     
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  7. Mar 9, 2023 at 8:17 AM
    #507
    Road_Warrior

    Road_Warrior There is nothing on my horizon except everything

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    I did do that! Thanks for suggesting it, I was at about 20psi during my last romp in the sand. Another TW member suggested the burning smell might have just been some stuck debris that eventually broke free, and after what you said I’m inclined to think that’s probably correct.

    Thanks for all the info! I take the truck a lot of places but I haven’t had the chance to get it out into legit sand until recently so I’m just starting to learn about that type of off roading. I really appreciate the advice!
     
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  8. Mar 9, 2023 at 8:19 AM
    #508
    Topanga Taco

    Topanga Taco BUZZING NITRO

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    The Magic of ALSD RCI-skid BlackSumos Bilstein 6112/5100
    It’s time to go for it old school style!!!!

    Have mucho fun:cheers:

    FEC7F426-DCF6-472B-98A5-9A1C7341C46B.jpg
     
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  9. Mar 9, 2023 at 8:20 AM
    #509
    Road_Warrior

    Road_Warrior There is nothing on my horizon except everything

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    :rofl:

    Thank you sir! Extremely helpful stuff :thumbsup:
     
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  10. Mar 21, 2023 at 11:43 AM
    #510
    Topanga Taco

    Topanga Taco BUZZING NITRO

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    The Magic of ALSD RCI-skid BlackSumos Bilstein 6112/5100
    I was thinking a ton last night. For the wheeling I do, I’m going to pass on the front locker and utilize the ALSD up front, and see how it goes. I’m more than positive that is sufficient enough. Unless otherwise noted.

    Nice features all around for our SR, SR5’s, Sport’s when a rear locker is utilized.

    72B00FA3-2C59-40A2-988F-FC36CA0110BA.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2023
  11. Mar 21, 2023 at 2:05 PM
    #511
    Canadian Caber

    Canadian Caber R.I.P Layne Staley 67-2002

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    I found this video interesting. Fella is visually showing the difference between Auto LSD being on or off. May help some visually see the difference.

    https://youtu.be/hc6vPXnpPZU
     
  12. Mar 21, 2023 at 2:27 PM
    #512
    Topanga Taco

    Topanga Taco BUZZING NITRO

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    The Magic of ALSD RCI-skid BlackSumos Bilstein 6112/5100
    Great find CC!!!
     
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  13. Mar 21, 2023 at 7:22 PM
    #513
    Road_Warrior

    Road_Warrior There is nothing on my horizon except everything

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    Awesome, thanks for sharing!
     
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  14. Mar 21, 2023 at 8:41 PM
    #514
    Topanga Taco

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    Very good find CC. I’ve watched it a couple of times to fully understand what he was describing. And he did a hell of a job getting the point across. It’s a strong system. Gets high marks and respect.
     
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  15. Mar 23, 2023 at 12:41 PM
    #515
    Topanga Taco

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    The Magic of ALSD RCI-skid BlackSumos Bilstein 6112/5100
    ALSD gettin’ it done.

    C3E22351-CA7D-4109-99EC-D208F239C603.jpg
    AA8ABC82-CD1C-49A2-BE8C-50AF1C35D531.jpg
     
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  16. Jan 26, 2024 at 7:23 PM
    #516
    Topanga Taco

    Topanga Taco BUZZING NITRO

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    The Magic of ALSD RCI-skid BlackSumos Bilstein 6112/5100
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  17. Mar 15, 2024 at 6:27 PM
    #517
    Topanga Taco

    Topanga Taco BUZZING NITRO

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    Now who’s the one being repetitious!!!!:anonymous:

    However, good stuff. I absolutely love Toyota’s TRAC system.

    I was out wheeling today and realized I never engaged the locker while using ALSD. Shoot, it works. I couldn’t get a good picture because the road was hard outside the edges. I was afraid I would gain too much traction. But the Taco took it nicely. The TRAC kicked in. The picture wasn’t a good one, but I could see the “modulations” of sort that the traction control created.

    I’ll have to test it further at Hungry Valley where I know I can jam on it on lose stuff.

    I was also thinking… how bitching it would be to have the 2LO mod.

    2LO + rear locker + ALSD = a bad ass boat ramp hauler.

    You can recoupe your money and then some with those too timid without ever having to engage 4WD!!!!!:hattip:

    IMG_0909.jpg
    IMG_0914.jpg
    IMG_0898.jpg
    IMG_0884.jpg
     
  18. Mar 15, 2024 at 6:42 PM
    #518
    Topanga Taco

    Topanga Taco BUZZING NITRO

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    The Magic of ALSD RCI-skid BlackSumos Bilstein 6112/5100
    Hard to stop a 3rd Gem Tacoma TRAC system in mud.

    IMG_0926.jpg
     
  19. Mar 21, 2024 at 8:42 AM
    #519
    icer22x

    icer22x Well-Known Member

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    I am curious - why no throttle intervention with 4H TRAC, but we get the throttle intervention with 2WD TRAC?
     
  20. Mar 21, 2024 at 9:26 AM
    #520
    ShimStack

    ShimStack Well-Known Member

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    Pretty sure there is and that's one error in the chart.
     

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