HELP, please

Always wanted a Tacoma. Finally got one. 2015 TRD Off Road 4 door. Can anyone please explain in moron terms (so I can understand) how and when to use or not use all of the 2W and 4W options. I read the manual and my brains are hanging out of my ears...HELP!!!

 

Hey welcome to the forum.

2wd for driving, 4wd hi for when your back two tires are slipping. But only up to a certain speed I believe, that should be in your manual if it says not to go above a certain speed.

4wd lo when you are stuck and 4 hi wont cut it.
And your locking rear diff only if 4 lo is on and you still have a problem with traction.

4hi is great for snowy days or driving through sand when you dont want to bury yourself.

I was in a creek bed one time and had 3 tires buried and 1 tire in the air. Turned on the locking rear dif and it sent power to the stuck tire and pulled me right out.

does this make sense or do I sound like an idiot?

 

4wd never on dry pavement, unless traveling in straight line no turning.

 

1) Shift Tacoma into gear
2) Does Tacoma Move? (If YES, 2wd is correct choice. Proceed to step 12; if NO, proceed to step 3)
3) Engage 4x4-Hi
4) Apply Throttle
5) Does Tacoma Move? (If YES, 4x4-Hi is correct choice. Proceed to step 12 If NO, continue to step 6)
6) Engage 4x4-Lo and Rear E-Locker
7) Apply Throttle
8) Does Tacoma move? (If YES, 4x4-Lo & E-Locker correct choice. Proceed to step 12. If NO, proceed to step 9)
9) Engage A-TRAC.
10) Apply Throttle
11) Does Tacoma Move? (If YES, A-TRAC correct choice. Proceed to step 12. If NO, skip to step 13)
12) You have made the correct choice! Proceed to enjoy your drive, reveling in the knowledge that you have chosen wisely!
13) You have failed to make the correct choice. Call a wrecker, and hang your head in shame.

 

why couldn't they have just put that in the manual??? Is E-locker the same as RR Diff Lock?

 

Yes. E-Locker is "Electric Locker". This is different than an "Air Locker". The concept is exactly the same for both, just different means to the same end. Stock, you have one located in the rear axle only. You can add a locker to the front axle as well, but that costs money.

 

And if you aim to misbehave in a serious fashion, you'll need the E-Locker eventually. The RR Diff Lock switch is what controls it, but unless you do a grey wire mod (or whatever color it is in the 2nd Gens) you can only engage it in 4-lo. I miss having it in my truck; I had it in my '99, but I don't have it in my '10. It was a nice security blanket, so to speak. If I ever got into anything really troublesome I could always lock the rear end and stroll out.