Auto mode 4WD

Why Tacoma has no option for "auto mode 4WD" ?

4H may not be used in rainy slippery pavement, also even at snowy days some roads are full of ice, but other roads are dry. So technicaly 4H cannot be used in city driving.

I found that Colorado and Silverado have the option "auto 4WD" called autotrac, which drives RWD but in the case of slippery condition front wheels are running. This option is very useful and safe in city driving at winter and rainy days.

Does Toyota think that most owners of Tacoma drive in off-roads only?

 

If you need 4wd in the rain you’re either driving too fast for conditions or your tires are worn out and need replacement. People have been safely driving trucks for decades without an automatic 4wd mode.

If it’s snowy/icy then use 4hi and avoid sharp corners on dry pavement. If you turn off a snowy road onto a clear road put the truck back into 2hi.

 

Maybe Toyota thinks thier owners are smart enough to know when to use 4wd?

 

Welcome to TW... I believe the 4x4 tacomas come with atrac

 

You should just buy a Colorado then.

 

Perhaps, and this is only a guess, the system that allows for an automatic switch between 2HI and 4HI has not been developed and tested to the point where it is as reliable as Toyota would like it to be.

My buddy just got a 2019 Raptor with this feature, and watching it engage in person, 3 feet from the truck on his icy driveway, was interesting. Front and rear driveshafts moving at different speeds (he was spinning his rear wheels a lot) all of a sudden being locked together. From a design standpoint that seems like a system that has a limited life expectancy, long term.

 

I'm on the OPs side, pretty silly there is no auto 4x4 option imo.

 

Also, note that actuators take a beating with auto-4wd.

 

Geez, get a Subaru

 

The Ridgeline is AWD not 4x4. There's a difference and it's not ideal for off road conditions. However, this post further proves my thoughts that 'most' Tacoma drivers here don't actually use their Tacoma for its intended use and would actually be much happier with a Ridgeline.

 

I might've bought a ridgeline if it didnt look gay AF

 

Auto 4wd is stupid. No interest

How about full time 4wd with front, rear and center lockers?

 

Okay. Auto4wd is a terrible idea.
And does shorten the life of the drivetrain.

A 4wd has a mechanical lock between the front and rear driveshafts, and also in the case of the taco, the front axle.

A systen engaging and disengaging like that, is akin to jamming a manual into gear from a stop, with no use of the clutch.

An AWD is a different system, as it uses a center differential.

Jeep used a Selectrac tcase(np242), that had, 2hi, 4hi full time, 4hi part time, neutral, and 4low

The tcase had a differential that was open in full time mode, and locked during low, and part time.

Only way it could be made reliable.
I know other manufacturers used a similar system.
If you want AWD, get an AWD vehicle.
However, this is a truck. Not a car... so, it has a proper tcase.

 

Auto 4wd uses a clutch in the transfer case.

 

New 4Runners have full time 4WD on the Limited.

New Landcruiser has full time 4WD.

FJ got 4x4 all the time when you got the manual.

Toyota could do it reliably but has not in the trucks...probably because rear drums so what's the point. Meaning why change something that is working and cheaper when they are raking in tons of cash. But I do have heated seats in my 2017...so I guess that was more important than rear discs or reliable full time 4WD?

 

My Silverado has auto 4x4. Rarely used it. It does take a fraction to engage as it does it by detecting slippage. I messed with it a few time on ice. At faster speeds by the time it engages the truck can easily be out of control. Honestly if I need 4x4 or think I might I just put my taco in 4x4. Been through 5 Toyota’s over the last 35 years. Never been an issue. Gong to work there are dry spots and there are icy spots. Not a lot of heavy turning you not doing much on areas where it is patchy and straight line driving like on a highway

 

Interesting. So, it uses a clutch, and pressure...

My auburn ected was essentially the same thing, until the clutch was enough, it wouldnt hold
Fwiw, 4wd wont work when they wear.
A center differential that can be locked is much better(land cruiser)

 

FWIW, full time 4wd, and auto4wd are 2 very different things

 

Greener grass is a thing. A lot of 80 guys wish they had a part time case for simplicity.

To OP, Toyota chain cases are notoriously stout. I wouldn’t worry about using 4h in any situation you deem it necessary, just avoid super sharp turns.