Auto LSD/traction control

Just got my 2016 tacoma love it so far but just out of curiosity the button next to the sunglass holder that supposed to be traction control, do I leave that on or off in normal situations? Because when you first turn the truck on the does not come on but if you press the button the "Auto LSD" light comes on along with traction control (if at 35 MPh or belong) and at the dealership the salesman said to turn it off unless it is necessary. So my question is should I turn the button off every time I turn my truck on? Or does it not make a difference? And what does the "Auto LSD" light mean? And I'm assuming that the traction control light only comes on under 35 mph because if you get above 35 mph you clearly won't be needing it, but I could be wrong about that. Thanks for any information and help that is provided

 

The way I understand it is you press the button only in a low traction condition. Otherwise leave it alone. Normal operation the rear is just a simple open diff. Hit the button and the ABS sensors will be used to determine if a wheel is spinning and apply a bit of brake to the spinning wheel. Has nothing to do with the differential itself. Kind of a cheater limited slip, but I guess it works.

 

When you post it helps if we know what trim level you have too in many cases. TRD OR? Sport? SR5? However I've never used the button you're speaking of. I have taken my truck off road, used MTS, Crawl Control, 4wd, etc. Pretty sure have felt the LSD kick in on its own in slippery situations where not in 4wd...never had to push a button to get that action. However it is also confusing sometimes when a Light is on, it means that feature is active (Headlights, 4WD) other times when a light comes on it means something is off or not working. Probably something in the manual about this but don't feel like digging it out and reading through it.

 

traction control is on when you turn the truck off. push that button and it turns it off and enables the auto lsd. hold that button for 5 seconds or so and it turns off trac control AND the auto lsd.

 

So if you hold it for 5 seconds, all traction control is off and i can do gnarly donuts?

 

totally gnar donuts.

 

Lol! Only if you found another 100 horsepower that the rest of us don't have!

 

we don't want HP we want TORQUE more of it and lower in the rpm range.

 

Watch this...it helps explain in a real world driving situation.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0IUfFdMDaW4

 

You just need snow or sand or mud

 

Here's what I've discovered--part from Tacoma World, part from owner's manual, with italics to tell you how to turn on the function.

 

Default is the anti-skid system. Only engage auto-lsd in low speed stuck or likely to be stuck situations.

 

Subd because I was going to post the same thing

 

According to the manual... you aren't supposed to drive long distances with the auto lsd on. Auto lsd is for when you need more traction. You simply hit the button once and it'll turn on. Hold it when stopped and it'll shut off all traction control.

Day to day driving, just leave it default.

 

Page 248, 249 of the manual:

 

now that is understandable, but why would it have the auto lsd system on wihile turning traction control off at the same time?

 

Im not sure. The whole set up is sort of odd to me. Especially the nomenclature Toyota uses for its switches- Sometimes a light ON means its OFF, other times it means you turned it ON. For example, the ECS switch- ECS is default to ON, press the switch turning it OFF gives you a light. I have an aviation background and this mix and match would be a cockpit disaster. Anyway, so traction control (VSC) is default to ON, and Automatic Limited Slip is default OFF until you turn it ON, which turns OFF VSC. Got it?

So to answer your question, I think the VSC would be hampering the Limited Slip by cutting throttle in a slippery situation.

 

You're turning the vehicle stability control off, to allow for increased throttle inputs and variable wheel spin.

 

VSC is an electronic program designed to prevent skids. It is very effective. It cuts power, does differential wheel braking etc. This is the default. Unfortunately, in limited circumstances, it can prevent traction. Those are when there is insufficient tractions at the rear axle to get moving. Then Auto LSD helps. It acts like old school traction control and brakes the slipping wheel to send power to the wheel with traction. Turning it all off I can't see why you would want to do that other than for donuts or something dumb or where you need a lot of wheel spin. What is annoying is that the is no ATRAC (all wheel traction control) or even Auto LSD, in 4x4 on non-TRDOR MT trucks.

I see things about a wire mod or something and would wonder if this works with the third gen. I would love to have auto LSD rear wheels or all four, in 4x4 high and low.

 

Ok so default Trac control keeps me safe on the highway. If I'm stuck in mud one click is almost a diff lock to unstuck me. And long press allows for donuts and fun. Thanks fam!