A-TRAC/TRAC/AUTO LSD Explained (Easy to understand, I hope!)

I tested mine out yesterday on a hill in my backyard. Put it in H4 then put tranny in neutral and put in L4. It did blink for a few seconds but then went in L4 pretty easy. Then i put it in A-TRAC and the traction was amazing. Thanks to this post i understand A-TRAC and know how to use if i need it.

 

Came in this morn and to read a thread on traction. Last night was my first snow in my '10 Tacoma and it wasn't worth a crap in the snow. Maybe I need the A-trac on. I just put it in 4H, as i approach a turn the front wheels locked and I couldn't turn. I have driven a large F250 with no problem. Should I have hit the A-trac button? On the return home I put the tranny in low range and ease back. The buttons are kinda of confusing.

 

What do you mean the front wheels locked? Are you saying you had binding? If so, you didn't have enough slipping to even need 4WD. You should not have it on, if you have traction like that. Also, what tires you running?

 

x2... I would add that nobody should wait to use their 4WD Tacoma for the first time in a situation where they have to use it. Become familar with how it works FIRST! I have said it so many times, but once again... ALWAYS have A-TRAC on in low range... just as you always have TRAC on in 4WD High Range. L4 without A-TRAC is LESS able to cope with traction than H4 with TRAC (unless you use the locker).

 

Any issue running 2HI auto lsd ( trac off ) mode on dry pavement ?

 

No it hasn't kicked in when I go over speed bumps at the mall. Lol. Gonna go offroad this summer and do some fly fishing. I'll let you know.

 

Of course, "handicap," disabled, or impediment plates, stickers, or hangers do not apply solely to the driver. Instead, they include any person (spouse, child, family member, etc) routinely transported by that vehicle.

 

I think that's bloody obvious. Very few off-road vehicles, Toyota or otherwise, will ever be used for your idea of "serious wheeling," requiring armor or whatever. Instead, those vehicles will far more likely be used for construction, access to remote work sites, farm applications, recreational off-roading, access to remote hunting, fishing, or camping areas, and similar. Most would consider those "serious." Regardless, for those more likely tasks, nearly every aspect of the stock OR (approach angle, ground clearance, tires, etc) is exceptionally well conceived, right down to the 120v outlet in the bed (for lights, charging tools, etc).

 

I agree , seems odd that if it was really bad to be in this mode on pavement that you could accidently bump the switch on so easily .

With regards to the VSC , the sensitivity reduction would be the same in this mode as holding the button in for 3 seconds ?

 

Thanks Christian

 

I have a question, kinda of related. When I want to use 4 low, is it ok to put it in D, or should I have it shifted lower?

 

Any gear selection is fine , it just limits the gear it will shift up to .

 

Thanks OZ, thats what I thought. Just wanted to be sure.

Makes sense. Thanks.

 

Decending snowy hills in 4LO , I quite often select a low gear and drive down giving a bit of gas and no brakes

 

So last night it rained and snowed pretty good, had about half an inch of slush on the roads. I just recently discovered the auto lsd function and decided not use the 4 wheel drive. Wheels were slipping bad enough in thrid gear that i shift to second. I was loosing enough in second i decided to try the auto LSD I hit the button and the red light came on. I then gave it a little gas and it climbed right up the hill. At the top i hit the button again and turned it off. All in all I have to the say it worked really really nice. I guess its there incase you cant engadge the 4wheel drive. Its good to know it will work in the slush when I need it too. I have good tires too but it was really slick out. Sometimes my 4wheel doesnt engadge right away I have to shift a few times before it kicks in.

 

Do you use 4LO alot during the winter? And quite often I drop down in lower gears in normal driving down hills instead of braking. So that makes sense to me. And I think we already agree on how the ABS works seeing your posts in the ABS thread, so I try to keep off brakes in snow/ice when I can.

 

No , for most snowy road situations , I'm in 4HI .

 

Thanks, Ya I figured it was ok to be in D normally using 4LO, just wanted to be sure I was doing the right thing as to not damage anything.

Ditto, just wondered if you guys got enough snow that you might need it more than the average person, or atleast more than me.

 

In L4, all the gears are lower... So, if you need to really crawl slow with max. power then 1st... I generally start in D and work down as needed, unless I am at the foot or top of an übber steep grade... then 1st gear and crawl up or down it with ease.

The A-TRAC equipped trucks also have DAC which is a high tech, slip sensing/ preventing, downhill control that keeps any tire from locking and sliding. If the truck slides from too much brake lock-up, it could cause a sideways roll-over. DAC prevents that from happening.