Auto LSD on with Trac off?

Auto LSD works on all 4 wheels for the SR5’s and Sports in H4 and 4Lo. It is one stout system and stronger than people give it credit for.

 

Only because this is a technical Q & A...

AUTO LSD is a 2WD mode.
In H4, it is called TRAC OFF (2012+). 2009-2011 is was called TRAC, but the function was the same as AUTO LSD and TRAC OFF in that there was no engine regulation (no throttle cut) to reduce tire spin.

Three different names but all the same function depending on what year Tacoma and if you are in 2WD or 4WD High. There is one thing I can tell you for Gen 1 and Gen 2 Tacomas, in Low Range: There is no traction control! Only if you have the Off Road TRD might you have some traction help in L4, that being the rear locker or from 2009 +, A-TRAC.

I am still not convinced there is TRACtion control in low range on the 3rd Gens.
I would like to see photos of the dash lights in L4 on 2016+ models.

 

Maybe fix this because it sounds like you are contradicting yourself. I added the ; and word WHEN to clear it up:

"in order to drift you must press and hold vsc off for five seconds. this shuts off trac and vsc. quick push vsc off and auto lsd comes on; but WHEN trac and vsc are off and you can drift".

 

I had a locker and ATRAC, it’s a different beast, but dang equal if you ask me. For those that are interested.



The Chief 86 explained how he pulled a Chevy with a locker out of a ditch, 6” of snow, iced hill, and pulled the Chevy and the SR5 up the hill to safety. Ain’t going to do it on 4H or 4LO with open diffs.

 

Yesterday in 2WD Auto LSD engaged. Imagine all 4 tires with traction. I’m still just under a 1,000. I wasn’t willing to go wild just yet.

Climbed the same steep hills with ruts at Hungry Valley as my past OR’s, but even better. Much more controlled with great power and stout traction beyond the 3mph range.

 

Don't get the 3 mph range comment?
The only thing that has a 3 mph change is A-TRAC on WITH the rear diff also locked, at the same time. You don't need A-TRAC on the front unless you speed drops below 3 mph. So, no need to have traction help if you can drive faster than that.
When the locker is off, A-TRAC works at any speed... but only if it is needed to keep you moving when tires spin... so only if you are nearly stopped. It is like a "smart locker"!

Auto LSD and 2WD are both 2 wheel traction.
Glad it felt like 4 wheel traction to you. The Tacoma is great!

 

Let me make it simple. It’s like having Atrac beyond 3mph. It’s a lot stronger than you think.

 

I forgot to mention, looking at the map of Hungry Valley, it was the Middle Wall Hillclimb and the South Wall Hillclimb. Ain’t no easy feat and properly named, yet on Firestone stock Destination’s, it conquered quite easily. For an Auto LSD equiped non locker 3rd Gen...the sleeper is ready to shock the non believers.

 

I still don't get why us 3rd Gen guys cant get a "yellow wire mod". I'd love to have atrac in 4lo. This was a lot more beneficial to me in my FJ than the rear locker. Is that even mechanically possible in a TRD Sport?

 

Better off going with an air locker, you’ll probably be ahead financially too.

 

Manual trans, hydraulic booster, with the A-TRAC button.




Automatic trans, hydraulic booster, Multi-Terrains Select

 

Several of us have experienced drive from all 4 wheels in 4LO. Also with TRAC off. The manual doesn’t make any mention of it. It acts like Atrac ( I said acts, not is) but goes beyond the 3mph range, and is a strong system. Yes, they’re not lockers, but they sure as hell act like them with 2 wheels getting maximum drive while the other two wheels are being braked, yet are still adding traction.

Go out and play a bit. It’s the only way to find out because there is a lot of misunderstanding!!!

 

I think some are saying A-TRAC when they mean TRAC? 3 mph is only a thing when the rear is locked with A-TRAC. There is no speed cut-off when just A-TRAC is used.

 

Sweet merciful mother of Abraham Lincoln. I though I was smart but after reading this thread I think I am going to start huffing a five gallon pail of white out.

I know this has been asked before and I apologize for the redundancy.

I have a 2015 TRD Off Road

From what I think I know;

In 4H - the VSC and Traction Control are engaged and if you want to shut them off to "rock yourself out of a ditch" as the owners manual states you press once to shut off VSC and hold for three seconds to shut off the traction control. Got it.

In 4L - the VSC and Traction Control are automatically shut off and if you want to engage any of these feature you have to press the ATRAC button to turn on. ok

In 2H - the VSC and Traction Control are engaged and you have to press to shut off same as in 4H??????



So what the hell is the LSD feature in 2WD. (I know what it is, how do you turn it on)?

In 2WD drive if you need traction by shutting OFF the VSC and Traction Control it engages the LSD feature?

If you press the button in 4WD is a different reaction that if you are in 4H?

My last truck was a 93 Ford Bronco and cutting edge technology was auto locking hubs and we were all amazed that you did not have to get out of the truck to lock the hubs.

In the Taco I feel like I'm on the helm of the Enterprise.

As others have stated let me know if I am totally off base here.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...2016-4x4-models-non-trd-offroad.437814/page-4

Pay particular attention to post #71/72. Onwards bypass the atrac stuff. I believe we have auto lsd on all fours all across the board. Several of us in that thread have experienced 4x4 nirvana using this system. I was able to climb two hills that have the word wall in their known names. On street tires, mind ya’ll. As one member put it in the towing thread...”the auto lsd is aggressive.” I totally agree. Is it the best? Hell no. However, it works quite wicked, and it will shock in the right hands. My money is on 86 if TW ever sponsored a wheel off!

 

So your saying that in 4H when your wheeling to shut off the VSC and Traction Control (in 4H, pres VSC button once quick then hold for three seconds) with those features off you enter the LSD mode?

I get hitting that feature in 4H but why would you need in 2H.

If you need more traction why not put it into 4H.

The whole 2H thing has me confused.

And am I correct that everything is shut off in 4L and if you want traction control you have to hit the A-TRAC button?

 

Guys, guys... I really dislike the LSD term because the differential is not involved, but since Toyota made the term AUTO LSD for the electronic "strong" traction control, so be it.

*TRAC is electronic traction (spin) control using brakes and engine regulation. Normal Mode
*TRAC OFF or AUTO LSD is traction control without the engine regulation. Quick Press of button
*VSC OFF is to turn off all traction control and the stability control. Stop, Press, and Hold In button

In H2, your truck is normally in TRAC (think of it as LSD Light)
Quick Press of the VSC button = AUTO LSD (think of it as LSD Strong)

In H4, your truck (2012+) is normally in TRAC on all 4 corners (LSD light)
Quick Press of the VSC button = TRAC OFF (like Auto LSD, but on all 4, a stronger traction control).

The OFF part (in TRAC OFF) is the engine regulation or throttle cut of TRAC that is turned off, so your tires with traction will not be restricted from getting power. TRAC OFF and AUTO LSD are essntially the same thing as far as what's working. Toyota should have called in AUTO LSD in 4WD, too, instead of TRAC OFF. It is MORE TRAC, not less!

Now, if you don't want any traction control or stability control, stop moving, press and hold in the button until the VSC OFF light comes on (about 3 long seconds). It will come back on if you do dangerous driving, however... as well as when you restart the truck of press the button again, quickly. VSC OFF is like open differentials on an older truck so that one tire in front (in 4WD) and one in the rear spin freely.

 

^ worthy of printing and keeping in the glovebox.

 

Thank you for the clarification. You are the bomb-a-digity. (That’s a good thing)

I guess what confused me was that in the owners manual there is one section about turning off “traction control” and another section about turning on LSD.

And it is the same exact directions. Now I realize what they were saying.

I run a Cubscout Pack and asist on a Boy Scout Troop. I mostly have my bed loaded to the hilt with gear and tools and only wheel low and slow in 4L and bounce off the pines. Never played with any of the fancy buttons except the rear diff lock. That’s a fun one to roll with.

 

I think this will help some understand the similarities and differences between stability(VSC) and traction(TRAC) control.

TRAC uses speed sensors for control.

VSC uses speed sensors in addition to steering angle, G-sensor and Yaw-sensor for control.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/class...action-control-autos-1112-20151110-story.html