Wait... so how does 4WD work on this truck?

There is a card in the driver's side sun visor... Never Assume, READ!

 

Your truck also comes with this awesome thing called a manual. Should give it a read it will teach you all kinds of great stuff about your truck. Typically located in the glove box.

 

The manual has 0 help on how or when to use the numerous traction systems available. It does not tell what is happening as far ar engine regulation, braking, or spin control. The only useful information is on going into and out of 4WD. The truck, since 2009, has so much more to get you further in and keeping you from getting stuck there.

 

I'm actually printing out the 9-step explanation you came up with on a little piece of paper and sticking it right under that factory info card. That way on the trail I can just refer to your summary and be confusion free!

 

Use the 2012+ revision. Your 2016 will be different with the new MTS and Crawl. Can you teach me how it works?

 

If you have an Off Road, there is a sticker on the driver door about manipulation and use of the rear locking differential

 

Err... sorry, what 2012 revision? I didn't realize you had multiple versions out there. I'd be happy to tell you about MTS as soon as I learn it myself So far all I know is what I read in the manual. What in particular are you curious about?

 

The big thread I first did about the traction choices is one, then a "cleaned-up" (and the thread was locked after one reply to keep it clean) version, that is in my sig.: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rols-trac-auto-lsd-a-trac-rear-locker.212057/

Then we learned they changed TRAC in H4 for the 2012 Tacoma. TRAC in H4 had been without engine regulation (same as AUTO LSD in H2), for a stronger limited slip in 4WD. For 2012, they made TRAC in H4 with engine regulation and added a quick button push for TRAC OFF in H4 for no regulation/ stronger limited slip. This increased the number of traction choices to 10.
Here is my post on that:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/traction-controls-2009-2014.310726/#post-8000440
===============================================================================

The Buttons do what? A discussion with simple answers to what the (up to) 10 drive modes some models have and how to use them.

Limited Slip systems called TRAC, AUTO LSD, TRAC OFF and A-TRAC use engine output regulation and/or brake force to a non-traction (spinning) tire to transfer drive power to tires that have traction and can move you ahead.
Some are automatic and others require a selection to have greater traction control or no traction control.

The newer 2012+ term TRAC OFF in H4, is the same degree of control as what was called TRAC (in H4) in 2009. TRAC in 2012 became an engine output regulated traction control in H4, as it is in H2.

2009-2011:

Press Nothing...

H2= TRAC (Limited Slip with Engine Output Regulation)
H4= TRAC (Limited Slip without Engine Regulation, front and rear)
L4= No Traction Control
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick Press (VSC OFF SWITCH) moving or stopped...

H2= AUTO LSD (Limited Slip without Engine Output Regulation, VSC OFF to 30 mph)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press and Hold In 3-5 seconds (VSC OFF SWITCH) while stopped...
H2= VSC OFF (No Traction Control)
H4= VSC OFF (No Traction Control)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Off Road TRD:

Quick Press of RR Lock Switch= Rear differential Locker (L4 only on 4WD models)
L4 Only: Quick Press of A-TRAC Switch= Front and Rear near-no slip traction control. A-TRAC works the front tires if speed drops below 3 mph, if the Rear Locker is also on.
======================================================================

2012 + (chages in bold)


Press Nothing...

H2= TRAC (Limited Slip with Engine Output Regulation)
H4= TRAC (Limited Slip with Engine Output Regulation, front and rear)
L4= No Traction Control
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick Press (VSC OFF SWITCH) moving or stopped...

H2= AUTO LSD (Limited Slip without Engine Output Regulation, VSC OFF to 30 mph)
H4= TRAC OFF (Limited Slip without Engine Output Regulation)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press and Hold In 3-5 seconds (VSC OFF SWITCH) while stopped...
H2= VSC OFF (No Traction Control)
H4= VSC OFF (No Traction Control)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Off Road TRD:

Quick Press of RR Lock Switch= Rear differential Locker (L4 only on 4WD models)
L4 Only: Quick Press of A-TRAC Switch= Front and Rear near-no slip traction control. A-TRAC works the front below 3 mph when the Rear Locker is also on.
==========================================================================

What should you use?
Standard Mode until you lose traction, then quickly press the VSC OFF button to increase the power of your traction control (more engine RPM, stronger braking on the spinning tires).

In L4 (Low Range) and your tires spin, press the A-TRAC button (Off Road TRD only) to nearly lock-up any spin. I always have A-TRAC on in L4... unless you need to spin the mud out of the tires.

Emergency stuck if A-TRAC doesn't work in any situation, press the RR Lock button (works with or without A-TRAC working on the front tires). The rear locker connects both rear tires from inside the differential (0 spin). Turn off RR Locker, once you are unstuck.

1) H2 TRAC
2) H2 AUTO LSD (VSC OFF to 30 mph)
3) H2 VSC OFF
4) H4 TRAC
5) H4 TRAC OFF
6) H4 VSC OFF
7) L4 VSC OFF
8) L4 & A-TRAC
9) L4 & Rear Locker
10) L4 & Rear Locker & A-TRAC

 

So, Mr. Metalnut what I would find valuable is the same outline as above for 2016 Off Road 4WDs.

 

Thank you for the detailed explanation, I'll be using the above for my adventures. I'm happy to take this as homework with me, I just need to find some time to hit the forest road behind my house and try these out. I'll try to do that this week if work allows, but it may have to wait till the weekend.

 

This is my first vehicle I've had with Traction control... I shut it off half the time anyway lol. (for all those who think trucks will just kill you without it... I'm still alive! lol) Funny enough I've lived from Alaska, to Germany and WV, and never had traction control. Now in California I have it...

I ran 4x4 around town, especially when it's nasty out. Snow/Ice in WV... They're notorious for not clearing roads there. If there's a small section of "cleared" roads I usually just leave it engaged unless I am turning. You cannot make a sharp turn in 4x4. Slight turns, lane changes, curves in the road will be ok. Parking lots, intersections, etc, you will feel it bind up.

 

There is a speed limit of 62 mph for engaging 4x4 on the 16's (per manual) There is no specified sped limit for driving.

 

I live in Atlanta and use 4WD when traveling dirt roads in N. GA ('16 Tacoma Limited) and in our occasional dose of winter weather. But that's not every week or even every month for the dirt roads and definitely not for the weather. Was interested to read in the manual that they recommend driving the truck in 4WD at least ten miles each month. I'm a newbie but I think it mentioned this was for the sake of lubrication. Anyway hadn't seen this in the thread. I've just run my ten in town without any sharp turns and it's done fine.

 

Just a heads up, when engaged in 4Hi and TRAC OFF, the ABS controls are still used for spinning wheels on 2016. We were in the mud today and when TRAC OFF was lit, it would still fire the brake system to separate wheels to control wheel spin.

 

This is the same as before, and still a need for clarification (as before). You sound like you are desiring VSC OFF MODE?
=============================================================================

TRAC OFF MODE [also called "Auto LSD" in 2WD] (quick push of button, any speed): Is MORE TRAC-tion control (stronger limited slip).
Think of the wording as meaning the engine output regulation is OFF. The VSC goes off to 30 mph.

TRAC MODE is limited slip with engine regulation and TRAC OFF is more limited slip without the engine regulated.

VSC OFF MODE (stopped truck, hold in button a few seconds): Is to disable the VSC AND TRACtion controls. They do come back on automatically if you drive in a dangerous manor, push the button again, or restart the truck.

 

Ahh, I see. I guess I though TRAC OFF meant all traction control was off.

 

Exactly! It means the opposite, MORE traction control than TRAC ON. Isn't that a hoot! I am not sure if it is just messed up in translation from Japanese or the techies don't know how to speak in understandable terms?

Here are the 10 levels of traction, from least to most for the Off Road 4x4 Tacoma, 2012+:
(#2, 5, 7 are the standard modes, all others require pressing a button. VSC OFF requires the vehicle to be stopped and the button held in for 3+ seconds)

1) H2, VSC OFF MODE
2) H2, TRAC ON MODE
3) H2, TRAC OFF MODE (AUTO LSD MODE)

4) H4, VSC OFF MODE
5) H4, TRAC ON MODE
6) H4, TRAC OFF MODE

7) L4
8) L4, REAR LOCKER
9) L4, A-TRAC
10) L4, A-TRAC + REAR LOCKER

 

...and (on my 11 anyway) you can't engage it over 62. It will beep at you in the same way that it would beep if you tried to go into 4 LO without being in neutral.

 

If you are already at 62 mph, then there is no reason to need 4WD... you are doing fine without it! LOL