Manual TRD OR - ATRAC vs MTS

The manual TRD OR doesnt have crawl control or MTS but, as I understand, it uses ATRAC as it's traction aid.

So I want to understand the difference between MTS and ATRAC in 4Lo.

When you select 4Lo in the manual OR, is ATRAC automatically enabled or is it something that is enabled via a switch?

Does ATRAC function similarly to MTS but without the ability to dial in the amount of slippage that's detected before braking forces are applied?

Sorry in advance, I'm sure that this has been covered before the info is probably buried in the middle of a multiple page thread.

Thanks

 

ATRAC is activated via a switch. The switch can be left on so as soon as you go into 4lo it's activated.

Similar but it decides how much slippage instead of user specified. Plus crawl runs the throttle for you, with ATRAC you run the throttle.

 

Does ATrac have all the various modes (mud, rock, sand, dirt etc) like MTS does?

 

No

 

I guess that is the difference then.

 

Does ATRAC only function in 4Lo like MTS?

 

I think in both Auto and Manual Tacomas, there is traction control and vehicle stability control that is always active, no matter what. The more aggressive and noticeable forms are only enabled in 4lo (atrac/mts). Truthfully, I don't know why the systems aren't the same in both builds. I can't really see a reason MTS wouldn't work with a manual or vice/versa with Atrac. I believe Crawl Control would work fine with a manual as well.

My suspicion, is that it is no less expensive, or perhaps even more expensive (due to smaller numbers being made) to produce the manual transmission. As the public expects to pay less for a manual (because Autos were historically sold as an upgrade), Toyota needs to delete some features (keyless entry, Crawl Control, MTS) to keep the cost lower on the MT. There is a lot of wiring and antennas for the keyless entry, and the MTS/Crawl control requires a larger master brake cyclinder etc (EDIT: apparently I'm wrong about the brake cylinder - see below). I think that's all it is. Keep the cost of the manual low by deleting features, as the transmission itself is no cheaper to produce. Just a guess.

 

ATRAC and Crawl Control equipped Tacoma's share the same Brake Booster/ Master Cylinder as that is what controls the Systems.

 

Ok, I didn't know that. I thought the CC equipped trucks had a larger brake booster.

 

The SR, SR5, Sport, Limited use the Traditional Style Vacuum Booster, and the Off Road and Pro use the big Electro/Mechanical Unit.

 

Yes.

 

I was recently on a trip in Colorado with my son, and we got stuck going up a short, steep, rocky section of trail. I was in 4-lo and 2nd at the bottom, but as we got near the top, it got steeper, and I could tell the engine was bogging and not going to make it. When I shifted to first I lost the momentum and traction at the same time and the tires started to spin on a small rock step-up. We stopped, I pushed the ATRAC button, and the truck walked up the rest of the way with absolutely no drama. My son and I looked at each other like "holy sh!t!". FWIW, I couldn't get the rear locker to engage while we were sitting in the steep slope, but I was able to lock it later on.

At the beginning of the trip I was a bit worried that I would miss some of the gizmos that come with the automatic, but the manual and ATRAC were all we needed.

 

The ATRAC System is really good, used it on my old 2nd Gen, haven't needed it yet on this one.

 

To simplify it, ATRAC is the electronically controlled limited slip diffs (brake actuated)

ATRAC is more agressive than just the LSD mode, and it includes the front wheels as well. It'll cut throttle if excessive slippage occurs, and articulate based on which wheel is slipping.


MTS is electronically controlled as well, but it'll modulate a lot more and controls throttle.


So think of MTS as more of a off road cruise control that'll apply brakes and gas for you as well as modulate like crazy.

ATRAC is just a smart electronic LSD for the front end (rear is usually locked if you're rocking atrac)

 

The truck would have to auto clutch to keep speeds THAT low and the modulation MTS does would destroy a clutch

 

I think Crawl Control is more similar to "off-road cruise control" than MTS. MTS does not drive the truck for you, you still have to press the gas pedal.

The Auto TRD OR Tacomas have both MTS and Crawl Control, but they are different buttons/functions/modes.

 

I run in MTS quite often and do not notice any modulation of the throttle. If it's happening, which is likely is, it's hardly noticeable. Crawl Control is a totally different animal, and for sure does extreme modulation of the throttle. I think MTS would work fine on a manual transmission based on what I have observed.

 

MTS is not the same as Crawl Control...

 

ATRAC - brake controlled limited slip on all 4 wheels

MTS - same as ATRAC but you can "adjust" the amount of wheel slip the system will allow with the overhead knob

Crawl Control is offroad cruise control completely separate thing than MTS

 

the difference is one thing: ATRAC has no automated throttle, we MT folk do our own throttle while the AT's get the MTS stuff which is simply software-based throttle control programs. the only difference is the throttle control. the programs (like sand, mud, etc) come from throttle control combined with sensing and braking.