ATRAC replaced TRAC with Toyo Off Road Package

Purchased 2011 Tacoma for Toyota's renoun "Star Safety" features. Liked sound of TRAC in 2WD/4WDH modes, for icy, wet Winter driving around town. Window sticker states ATRAC replaced Trac. ATRAC ony for 4WDLow and extreme rock climbing, etc. TRAC would be for most of our driving in new Tacoma. Contacted Toyota who said sticker is correct. Since we purchased the Off Road Package, TRAC is removed, which was not disclosed at time of purchase. Find it hard to believe that Toyota would remove the TRAC system, which protects 2WD/4WD High. Does not make sense as ATRAC is only for 4WD Low applications. Anyone have information on this for the 2011 Tacoma's with Off Road Package?

 

Wait a second...I thought TRAC stood for Traction Control? Isn't that always on?

When Toyota had their exhibit in the Houston Auto show one of their truck "Specialists" talked to me and they told me even if you get the 4x4 ONLY (no TRD OR) you still have the Traction Control System limiting the slipping tire. ATRAC is the same system, but just with out the engine output control that the traction control does.

god someone elaborate please...

 

Just got a 2011 (in mt as well)
There's atrac, and then trac.
You have the trac system running all the time (unless you turn it off)
atrac is used when your in low, and in a situation that necessitates more traction (which it does provide)
So don't worry. there's always a traction control on, but you can beef it up if you want when the conditions call for it.
At least this is how i have understood it.

 

^^ not on the '08 unless it's an option, not on miine however.

 

That's what happens when you choose style over function.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...uto-lsd-explained-easy-understand-i-hope.html

 

Re-read window sticker on our 2011 Tacoma and it states VSC+ATRAC replaced VSC+TRAC. According to Toyota Customer Care, they advised me that according to my vin number, after purchasing with Off Road Package, TRAC is no longer on the vehicle. I was in disbelief as TRAC and ATRAC are two seperate applications. If this is true, they need to advise people accordinly, prior to the purchase, called disclosure. We were really hoping that the window sticker was a typo or something.

 

You are absolutely correct!

 

isn't that the VSC button, not the TRAC button?

 

It's all good, your truck looks pretty badass, so I'm no complaining. I just love my locker. It's awesome. And a dud apparently.

 

gotcha

 

VSC and TRAC work together... You do have TRAC.

A-TRAC is one big step higher in traction control, and much more like lockers on the front and rear than like limited slip... sort of super-limited slip (for the guys who spent $$$ for a front locker and cringe when they hear that the free A-TRAC is awesome).

The sticker was translated from Japanese perhaps... A-TRAC Tacomas have TRAC, and the A-TRAC equiped Tacos replaces those just having TRAC only (is what they meant).

If you have the VSC OFF switch (button) shown in whipper's photo above, you have TRAC... Here is how to use it:



Becaue you have the OFF ROAD 4WD Tacoma, you have NINE choices on how you want to direct power from the motor to the tires... but you don't have a fake hood scoop, sorry!

1) H2, TRAC (limited slip with engine regulation)
2) H2, AUTO LSD (limited slip without regulation)
3) H2, VSC OFF (no limited slip/ open differential)
4) H4, TRAC (limited slip without regulation, same as A-LSD but in 4WD)
5) H4, VSC OFF (no limited slip, open differentials)
6) L4 (no limited slip, open differentials)
7) L4 with Rear Locker
8) L4 with A-TRAC (automatic rotation matching/ locking on all 4)
9) L4 with Rear Locker and A-TRAC (adds auto locking to front, if speed drops to 3 mph or less)

Enjoy your truck!

 

there it is!!! was waiting for it

 

i thought the 09-11 had STRAC?

 

I see oswego and whippersnapper mental maturity has not gone up in the last few months.

Thanks to david k for clarifying this up to the Op, in the best possible way, while the 2 others are acting like kids.

In brief, watherver your dealer tells you, STAR system is active in 2HI and 4HI, I have the off road package and it went off quite a few times in those modes, enough to tell you it does not only work in 4LO.

 

Yeah I'm probably starting a but you are a little A-TRAC is not like locked front & rear and if you think that you might want to go wheel a little. A fully locked Tacoma will out preform A-TRAC 10 times over any day all day.

Now commence

 

Okay how about you boys get out of the sand and drive up here to Norcal and I'll show you some lines David can't hit with the amazing A-TRAC.

 

Ha i just read you had a mini

All I'm saying when it comes down to needing a front locker A-TRAC is no comparison. Hell Ive hit lines better then some bad ass rigs did right before me that don't make my open front diff better then a front locker it just makes me a better driver

 

Yeah it's great but comparing it to lockers front & rear is a little

 

Lockers front and rear is is not always a benefit offroad. straight line its great but throw some tight turns in there and the lockers can become a liability. This is just my opinion as someone who has driven both, A typical toyota truck built in a typical fashion 3'' lift 32 to maybe 35 inch tires is going to be limited by the truck itself far before you will see any benefit to the lockers over the atrac. Meaning approach/departure/breakover angles etc.. are going to limit you before atrac fails and you could realize the 5-10% better traction of lockers front and rear. This is still assuming you are going in a straigh line, since if you have to lock and unlock to negotiate a section you have LESS traction than atrac always has.

So for the locker guys, good on ya I'm not saying atrac is the best for absolute traction just that the slight benefit you may see in CERTAIN situations will most likely never be realized because the other limiting factors will come to play before you see any benefit.

Again, just an opinion, give it some thought.