Sequoia 4WD Questions

I have a new Tacoma, and in the process of studying up on all the different 4WD modes, it occurs to me that nobody at my work really knows all the different 4WD modes on the 2010 Sequoia that we have.

I have read all the Tacoma stuff like: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...uto-lsd-explained-easy-understand-i-hope.html

The Sequoia seems to be basically similar.....but there is no A-TRAC button, and there is a center differential lock. From what I can figure out (owner's manual), it is in A-TRAC by default whenever you go into 4Wd (both Hi or Low), and when they refer to TRAC in the manual, it is only in regards to 2WD. And, there is no rear diff lock.

The center diff lock is also a bit confusing. Can this vehicle be driven on dry pavement in 4WD, with the center diff unlocked (full-time 4WD)? I have something like this on a Suburban, and boy is it nice in the snow when you are going back and forth between dry pavement and icy patches ( torque sensing center diff....front only pulls when the rear begins to slip). Keeps you from having to switch in and out of 4WD constantly. The manual seems to suggest that you only lock the center diff in really severe conditions, and that it is normally left unlocked, even off-road.

Thanks for any clarification here!

 

Bump!

I see lots of center locking diffs on 4 Runners as well, so anybody know anything??? Thanks!

 

I've driven our Seqouia on snow covered roads a lot. I don't really off-road it much though, so I don't know the ins and outs of the system.

 

Do you ever run in 4wd on dry pavenent, with the center diff unlocked?

 

No, I only use 4 wheel when I need to. I just hit the button and go. I don't think you should use 4 wheel on dry roads.

 

Our 4runner has the center diff lock. It is not locked in 4hi and you can drive down the road just fine like that. We've done it for years when the roads get icy. I believe it engages with 4LO and then you can disengage it with the button. Or maybe I have that backwards... Not positive.

 

Here is what the Toyota web site says about the current Sequoia:

"Just turn the shift dial to engage the 4WD mode and let the Torsen®24 limited-slip center differential go to work. The differential can be locked to get maximum traction on slippery or uneven surfaces."

Also..."Multi-Mode 4WD with Torsen® 27 limited-slip center differential with locking feature (4x4 only)."

So, the question is whether the 2010 has a torque sensing center diff, or not. Owners manual is no help at all!

 

"The 4Runner and Sequoia can be used in either 4WD or 2WD. It is safe to leave either in the 4WD mode at all times. You will loose a bit of fuel economy, but will handle better. Unexpected loose gravel and slippery surfaces will not be a problem."

http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/1953/toyota/4runner/toyota-4wd-systems-explained

 

Yeah. I would never leave it in 4hi all day every day though. Unnecessary fuel burn and wear on front drive.

 

When you think of it, it would be a waste for a manufacturer to include a center locking diff, if it was not torque sensing and could not be used (unlocked in 4wd) on pavement.

 

I have 2gen Sequoia too so :

When your switch is in 2wd and center unlocked (you can drive on the hard pavement np) if you press traction once it will go to Auto LSD mode

When your switch is in 4hi and center unlocked - you can drive on hard pavement np. Sequoia has Torsen so it works in this mode like Hummer or Audi A8

When your switch is in 4hi and center locked - you CAN NOT drive on dry pavement. in this mode Sequoia locks center differential and you are in truck mode 4x4 This is what you use when you are tryign to take that school bus off roading.

When your switch is in 4L and center locked - you CAN NOT drive on dry pavement.
In this mode this is prety much truck mode with low gear..

Hope that helps.

 

We talkign about 2gen Seqoia right ?
Than yes My wife turns 4hi (center unlocked) and drives whole winter like this. This is the same like Driving Audi.

 

2gen Seqoia is best ever setup
you have 2wd <> AWD <> 4HI <> 4L and if you do a mod you have easy AWD low. So if you maneuvering with the trailer you can do this in low gear in AWD.

 

Thanks BlueT. Everything is as I assumed, but the manual just doesn't come out and say it.

 

np, yeah I did not read manual I let wife deal with it.

I would love to have 2gen Engine + Transmission + Transfer case in Tacoma. I think hands down its best setup on the planet.
Especially having transfer case that allows you to switch from 2wd to AWD to 4hi to 4L
No other truck does that.

 

This vehicle is shared by a group of geologists and biologists. It is interesting that I have tried to explain all the different traction modes to these folks (both verbally and written), but nobody seems to be terribly interested. I think it is all a bit to involved, for anyone who is not an enthusiast! They all do know however that they might need to use 4Hi sometimes, and with the center diff unlocked (AWD), at least this won't bind things up when they forget to go back to 2wd when they hit pavement again.

Perhaps, Toyota has at last realized this, and that is why we will be seeing different traction modes (rock, mud, snow, etc.), on the new Tacoma....

Currently, only the staff can use the Sequoia, so we are about to get a Tacoma for the graduate students. I am recommending that they get a SPORT and do the "yellow wire mod", because that is probably as complicated as everyone can handle (no A-TRAC or Diff Lock buttons to deal with).

 

A-TRAC is a low range traction system for extreme off road... which is generally any time you would use low range.

 

It's often a mistake to get caught up in how things look "on paper"!

With the yellow wire mod (gives you TRAC in 4Lo, as well as 4Hi)....our 2013 single cab Tacoma will go places I would never take my double cab, and where otherwise I might only venture on a 4X4 ATV. It is very light weight, and with its short wheelbase this little beast climbs like a goat!

Sad to see Toyota discontinue the single cab 4X4, 2.7L base model. It is a superb and very capable, and at a price where a young person might be able to afford to get into the market. While A-TRAC would certainly be nice, to get A-TRAC you need to go to an Off Road 4X4, which will cost you another $10,000+ just for starters.

 

The Off Road Package was far from being a $10,000 add on. Now maybe with 4WD over 2WD and the other SR5 stuff that is included, pehaps? To have the rear locker from the factory and since 2009 the A-TRAC system on 4WD Tacomas is why I would never consider any other model of Tacoma than an Off Road TRD... Yes, it's lots of money... but why do you buy such a vehicle... to sit in the garage or drive to the mall? NO! To do what Toyota says: Let's Go Places! With 4WD and traction systems that control slip on all 4 tires, there is almost no road or off road we cannot go on.

 

DavidK: Thanks for all your posts on this stuff, but you can get off the soap box for now. In a way, you are preaching to the choir!

I have a double cab 4X4 Off-Road with all the bells and whistles like A-TRAC and Rear Locking Diff....just like yours (even the same color, I think).

But, we also have a single cab 4X4 (primarily my son's ride), and it is the far more FUN one of the two vehicles, even though it isn't "theoretically" superior to the double cab. The double cab is a nice comfy ride for taking the wife out to Borrego looking for fossil footprints, but when there is hardcore trail bashing to do, I will personally take the single cab, thanks.