Crawl control worth it?

Right, I've had ATRAC on a few trucks, just wasn't sure if it was omitted on ones without Crawl Control.

 

What does the manual say ? On my 4 Runner, ATrac automatically engaged when you used 4low lock ( But could be disengaged), on 2015 OR, there is a separate ATrac button.

 

No button on the OR. No button on my 4Runner either.

 

Odd. My '13 holds back great in 1st gear 4low. You do realize you have to shift the lever to the right to get it in 1st, right? Serious response as I didn't when I first tried it and 2nd was too fast.

 

Look up ATrac in your manuals in both to see if and how it is engaged. There was no button on my 4 wd 4Runner either.....but it had it. Manual .....you could be telling us. ;-)

 

Will do. Kids to school first.

 

I've used 4lo and 1st gear to get down steep hills with great results in my 2nd gen.

I also use my locker frequently when I off-road, so maybe I'm just doing it all wrong...

 

Both are right. The auto first gear does an excellent job in 4 low of slowing you down to a point....then at very low speed, the excessive torque does not allow you to "crawl" lower with out braking to near stopping conditons. That's why many people like the manual....driver control to engage the clutch takes that torque away.

 

It doesn't say specifically but appears that A-TRAC is available on trucks without crawl control judging by the diagram. There is a button for A-TRAC where the multi terrain selector is for trucks equipped with crawl control.

 

A-Trac in Toyota terms stands for "active traction control". Active traction control implies both the brakes and the throttle are used by the computer in this mode. If you have CC, you are using a version of Active traction control. My guess is, Whether it works in any other mode in an OR not in CC, is anyone's guess who does not have a manual to say so. That applies to other models to.

You might say that throttle by wire is just a suggestion all of the time.

 

I'm very familiar with A-TRAC, I've had it on several trucks. The question was whether or not trucks that do not have crawl control have or have the option for A-TRAC. The manual doesn't specify but indicates that they do. The button is on the ceiling where MTS button is.

 

I feel like forgot to put the covers on my TPS reports. "Did you get the memo?" Ha ha!

 

Define frequently.....if you leave it engaged it all of the time, continuously, in your truck, that is not the best way. It you engage it strategically and only when ever you need it, and then for short periods just to get or continue moving that is appropriate. During an entire trip though, time wise, you aren't using very much. The reason that Toyota designed them to be seldom used time wise, is they negatively affect steering and they can break.

Some think I an a dufus for feeling this way. That's the way I have driven expensive equipment, including my own trucks and tractors and 4 and 2 wd dumps with this feature for decades because the manuals in all of the vehicals say to and they are $10k just for parts in the drive train for some of them. My boss said so too...and he paid my pay check.

Btw, so strongly does Kubota, who makes some of the toughest drive trains going in their equipment feel this way, they spring load it so even a gorilla can't hold the lever down.

 

I was just being a smart ass. I use it when I need it, usually engaging it just before I think I'll need it, which depending on the difficulty of the trail, can be fairly frequently.

I've been wheeling for 16 years and owned three Jeeps and a Tacoma in that time. I will say that the Tacoma's locker gets a lot more use than any of my Jeeps because I'm usually wheeling with an empty bed and there is much less rear wheel traction compared to a Wrangler.

As far as crawl control goes; it looks really cool, but it seems like training wheels for people who may not have much off road experience. I personally think it would take a lot of the fun out of wheeling. That said, I think it's a great feature and I hope it turns more people on to off-roading

 

I tested my 4 Runner with studded tires out by putting it in low range lock on a frozen lake with it tethered to neighbor's 3/4 ton truck with the plow down. I gunned it. It dug four equal depth holes in the ice under the wheels without swerving or weaving. It worked as advertised.

 

I see it as a safety device too. It pays attention when the driver sometimes doesn't like any active traction device. locking diffs hurt steerage....this doesn't so much. I would be tempted to use it more to help around deep ditches and drop offs instead of just locking everything up.

 

I could've used it here, but 99% of my driving is road, and well California weather


Pismo beach, CA

 

Trails around here are usually a constant battle. So I normally leave mine on.



But I thought the crawl control was cool. Played with it a few weeks ago on a sandy hill. We went up normally and it got stuck so back off and went back up with CC. It was moving about a cm at a time past where it was stuck before, would have taken all day to go three feet to the top but it would have made it haha!

 

couldn't have said it better myself.

 

I'm a little surprised that the TRD Sport doesn't have ATRAC