Part time 4x4 etc, etc

I could use a some help. I have the following- a 2013 DCSB SR5: It states on the Vehicle Inquiry Report, "4WDemand: Part-Time 4x4 Sys W/2 speed electronically controlled transfer case, Automatic Limited Slip Differential. I have a bit of a learning disability and was wondering if one of you guys can explain that in plain english. Thanks very much for the patience and help.

Oh ---it also has the Star Safety System which includes Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, anti lock brake system, Electronic Brake force distribution, Brake assist and smart stop tech.

But mainly interested in the first paragraph

 

4 wheel drive on demand is when you want it/need it. You physically have to flip a switch (or in the old days, throw a shifter) into 4Hi or 4Lo. 2 speed transfer case is 4H or 4L. Automatic LSD is fancy talk for just your rear axle, if it was slipping in mud or snow, the truck computer applying the brakes quickly on/off so that you don't spin endlessly in one spot.

 

Check the owners manual. The explanations of your trucks features by toyota are actually pretty good. In the real world, unless you're stuck, or get pissed about rear wheel slippage, you won't use most of them (a-trac). But if you drive in snow, your transfer case selector knob will come in handy to get all 4 wheels rolling, i.e. "4WDemand: Part-Time 4x4 Sys W/2 speed electronically controlled transfer case". Nice color.

 

Thanks very much guys

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...-controls-trac-auto-lsd-trac-rear-locker.html

^^^everything you need to know^^^

 

I think your question is specific to the 4WDemand feature. "4WDemand" is marketing terminology and jargon for the 4wd dial knob that electronically controls the mode of the transfer case, thus allowing 4WD HI and LO selection, and 2WD. Thats it. Instead of calling it a basic '4WD mode knob that the driver manually turns', Toyota calls it 4WDemand since that sounds more sophisicated and impressive to the average consumer. I may be wrong on this, but I noticed the feature-term itself was created with the 2012 models. Otherwise, its refering to a pretty standard feature on the 4WD models.

The 'Star Safety' system again, is just a marketing term created to group and verbously itemize the ABS/TCS system features. It is a rather sophisticated system as driver inputs including throttle position, brake pedal position, steering wheel position, as well as vehicle speed, abs wheel sensor status and vehicle yaw are continuously monitored via sensors and fed back into software to determine if the vehicle is safely operating. If a condition is out of line (ie. certain unsafe conditions detected and met), then the proper countermeasure system is engaged to help the driver mitigate the danger and regain control safely.

As for the Star Safety features don't expect too much from the 'electronic brake force distribution', as it feels like a standard ABS system when its engaged. Brake assistance is a feature that feels like it exists and works pretty well, if the brake pedal is jabbed at higher speeds, the system detects it and applies what I would call a "smarter application of braking" to decrease speed safely while prevently the wheels from slipping forward.

Although not completely related, Hill Start Assist or Control is another minor feature they advertise, that actually feels like it exists and can be regularly used, but isn't explained how it works without delving into the manual. Basically if your on a hill, when you remove your foot from the brake pedal, the brake force is kept while the throttle is minutely applied without your foot on the gas pedal to prevent vehicle rollback. The truck actually takes itself up the hill very very slowly until the gas pedal is pressed as normal.

GM still holds the trophy for coining marketing terms for features that one would expect to already be present in modern car, but Toyota is up there too!

 

OK here is what I'm getting so far ( and I really appreciate the help) the truck has 4 wheel drive (knew that) with a knob that changes it from 2 wheel to 4 wheel to 4 wheel low (knew that) and a limited slip differential, and ABS. Thank heavens for people who speak English instead of Marketing.