Simplified Guide to Traction Controls (TRAC, AUTO LSD, TRAC OFF, VSC OFF)

Hold the button down for 3 seconds.

 

That seems simple enough... thanks!

 

See my opening post at VSC OFF (2WD and 4WD).

 

subd

 

A lot of good info here. Thanks all for the contributions.

 

Guess Rear diff lock would not help this situation, or 4 Low?

 

I thought that was understood but, looking at my "cheat sheet," I guess it wasn't obvious, so I changed it a little. Maybe this one will help a little more.

 

Ok sorry i'm a little dense. I've read through the thread and believe I understand but the quoted posts above kind of go against what I thought the process was. Tell me if I'm wrong but according to what I think I'm comprehending here these are my conclusions:

1. Stock setup (pressing no buttons): Highest amount of traction control
2. Pressing button once: Medium amount traction control
3. Pressing and holding button for 3-5 sec.: No traction control

Is this correct? The quoted posts above indicate to me that #1 would be medium amount and #2 would be highest amount, which to me doesn't make sense as why would pressing the button once lead to more control?

Again sorry if I'm being redundant and thank for all yalls help.

 

Nope, you've got them ranked wrong. Correction in quote above.

Yep, that's correct. Indeed it is a bit counter intuitive. Especially since the dumb thing is called "TRAC OFF" and pressing it once actually gives you "more TRAC"!!!

Think of it this way though and it makes a little bit of sense: The "medium" amount of control is the best default. They only wanted one button on the dash so they need that button to both select "more" or "none". A quick press is probably the best option for "more" since that's the more likely case for you to use. Turning everything off is much more of a special case hence that is chosen for the long press.

I don't know if it is a cultural thing or a language thing but some of the control buttons on imports are unfathomable. My favorite was a '92 Volvo my parents had. The climate control had a push button labeled "A/C Off". So when pushed in is the A/C on or off? Worse still at night when you couldn't tell whether the button was in or out easily the button light color changed to either red or green. So red "A/C Off" means what now? And green means? AGGH!

 

Isn't sad that Toyota USA doesn't help with the language when these things are named? OR, maybe they do and that's why the names are so screwed up?

TRAC = Traction Control (electronic/ brake limited slip system)
TRAC OFF = Traction Control with the engine regulation part turned OFF (name of system while in H4)
AUTO LSD = Same as TRAC OFF (name of system while in 2WD)
VSC OFF = No traction control or Vehicle Stability Control (will come back on automatically in danger condition)

The truck is awesome and pressing nothing in H2 and H4 will be fine in nearly all cases.
Have tire spin? Press the VSC button quickly (moving or stopped). Press again or restart the truck to return to normal TRAC.

ALL 2WD and 4WD:
Press Nothing in H2 and H4: Light Limited Slip, called TRAC. Has brake and engine regulation to prevent tire spin.

Press the button once in H2 and H4: Strong Limited Slip, called AUTO LSD (H2) and TRAC OFF (H4). Has brake limited slip, but no engine regulation, so no power restriction. Stability control (VSC) is off until 30 mph. [2009-2011 no button press needed in H4, already in the stronger mode]

Don't want any traction control (or stability control)? Stop the truck, press and hold in the button until the VSC OFF light comes on (3+ seconds). Press quickly or restart truck to return to normal TRAC.

OFF ROAD TRD:
A locking rear differential is available dividing power equally between the two back wheels. Use only in emergency stuck or to prevent stuck situations. Steering is affected and difficult when locked. Toyota recommends to not exceed 5 mph when locked.

OFF ROAD TRD 4X4:
In L4 you must press the A-TRAC button the first time you go into L4. There just is no reason to not have the most traction when in low range. 3rd Gen automatics... I guess you need to turn on Multi-Terrain, or is it on at some level in L4? Without A-TRAC the truck is in VSC OFF (no traction control) mode in L4. A-TRAC does not affect steering and has no speed limit. It is an automatic standby system for when any one tire spins.

 

You are the man thank you for the clarification!

 

Currently reading my manual trying to understand all this garbage. Thank you very much for your helpful posts, Toyota's "explanations" are awful.

It appears that Multi-Terrain must be turned on in 4L only. Crawl Control must also be off. VSC cannot be switched on or off in Multi-Terrain.

Now I am going to wade into the depths of the Crawl Control explanations... hopefully I'll come out the other side an expert.

 

Multi Terrain and Crawl Control (I thought) work together if desired?
Crawl only if you want the automatic drive system on... Multi Terrain would be the first selection you make.
VSC is a (mostly) highway speed stability control to keep you going where you want when the truck tries to slide sideways. There's no speed in Low Range, so no VSC.

My quick explanation (without ever using it, mind you):
Multi-Terrain is A-TRAC with intensity choices (Adjustable A-TRAC).
Crawl Control is Cruise Control for A-TRAC (like DAC for level ground, no touchy the brake or gas).
A-TRAC (the core ingredient) only works in Low Range, so that is why the others only do, as well.
Most drivers don't use Low Range (L4) all that much, but boy oh boy, THIS truck will outperform anything like it when it comes to crawling up and over anything and getting itself unstuck, too. It is a Sherman Tank, and then some!

 

This is from my 2013 sport. This is while in 4wd hi. 1st picture is quick push of VSC button. 2nd picture is VSC button pushed for 3 seconds.

 

Thanks... TRAC OFF is more traction, as the engine regulation is turned OFF for more drive power to the traction tire(s). This is you not moving, yes?

VSC OFF is NO (0) traction control or stability control. Open diff tire spinning. It overrides the TRAC OFF light.

Can you do the photos in 2WD with the quick push?
On mine, (2010) I have an AUTO LSD light and a VSC OFF light, but only until 30 mph, when VSC comes on.

 

Yeah, I'll get pictures. This was while sitting still. Yes, TRAC off is no engine power management. I can't remember if auto LSD works in this mode while in 4wd. In 2wd auto LSD only works until 30 mph also on the newer trucks.

 

This is in 2wd. 1st pic is quick push. 2nd pic is 3 second hold.

3rd pic is 4wd Lo. Only option. TRAC and VSC are off with no option to turn it on.



Quick push of button 2wd.




3 second hold of button 2wd.





4 Lo, only option.

 

Interesting... we 2009-2011 Tacos don't have a TRAC OFF light. Funny that it goes on in VSC OFF mode, sort of a contradiction there!?? TRAC OFF = More traction control & VSC OFF = No traction control!!

You will see that when you are driving in AUTO LSD (which is the same as TRAC OFF, but in 2WD) the VSC OFF light goes out at 30 mph.

 

There is a difference between the auto LSD and trac off. Auto LSD will apply brakes to slipping tires to send power to the tire with more traction, kind of like a mechanical LSD. Trac off just turns off engine power management. But yes, auto LSD will turn off above 30 mph.

They seem to have lumped Trac off and VSC into the same light. They should have had 2 separate lights for this.

 

TRAC in H2 (and 2012+ H4) is limited slip traction control using both brakes and engine output regulation.

TRAC OFF in H4 and AUTO LSD in H2, both use brakes to slow the spin without engine regulation. They are just two names for the same level of traction control (limited slip).

It is VSC OFF that has no braking or engine regulation. No traction or stability control.

AUTO LSD does not shut off until you press the button or restart the truck. It is VSC which begins off that turns on at 30 mph when in AUTO LSD mode.

Apparently, 2012+ models with the newly named TRAC OFF in H4 do not have VSC OFF to 30 mph. THAT is what is different from AUTO LSD, at least that is what I have discovered, so far.

Isn't this all so crazy?