When would you want to disable traction control?

I was just reviewing all the different traction control settings on my new TRD OR, and was curious about the traction control button when in 2H and 4H. I understand you can turn off VSC with a short press of the button, and turn off both VSC and Traction Control with a longer press.

My question is when or why would you want to do this? It seems to me that if you are having traction issues in 2H then it best to just switch to 4H, and likewise if you have issues in 4H then switch to 4L. Perhaps there are situations when in 4H it might make sense because of the vehicle speed, but I really don’t see any benefit to doing this in 2H.

 

To be able to spin yer wheels, like fer spinnin' brodies an' kickin'yer rear end out. : )B

Or if you are in mud or snow or something and don't want the systems slowing your wheels due to lack of traction

 

Drifting bro

 

Or if ya just want the nanny systems off.

 

3rd Gen Traction Control Modes Explained | Tacoma World

 

Traction control uses your brakes to stop or slow the spinning wheel. This forces the differential to send power to the other wheel on that axle. Typically, the wheel with the least traction get power. By applying brake pressure to the spinning wheel, it tricks the diff to send power to the other one. Hopefully the one with more traction.

This works great in mild off-road conditions, ice, or light snow. But if conditions are really bad your rear brakes will constantly be applying brake pressure to first one wheel then the other. It's like trying to drive while dragging an anchor behind you. It is best to turn traction control off and just let the wheels spin.

Yes, 4 hi is better than traction control. But often you only need a little help to get moving for 2-3 feet. Traction control does it automatically and switches off automatically after you no longer need it. You also don't need to be using 4wd on pavement with good traction. It will damage the 4wd components.

One last thing. 4lo does not improve your traction. It just reduces the gearing in the truck by a factor of around 2.7:1 in most 4X4 vehicles. Some are as much as 4:1. Low range just allows you to drive SLOWLY up steep inclines at a much lower rpm than you'd need in high range. It also allows you to creep slowly down steep inclines without having to use the brakes.

If you're stuck in 4hi, shifting to 4lo usually only makes things worse. In mud you have to get some wheel speed up to sling mud out of the tires. In low range you can't do that as easily.

 

If you want full traction off, shift into neutral and hold the button down until it says it's off. Then you can really send 'er

 

mine turns off even in drive, as long as you are not moving

 

I’ve reviewed this, but have found some errors. For example, this resource says you can use both crawl and mts simultaneously, which according to the manual is incorrect.

 

I prefer my traction control off as it activates too often on dirt roads here. With it off it allows me do smoke the tires as a bonus.

 

So basically traction control off = fun mode on...got it.

 

When I was playing around with the 4H today on a gravel road, the traction control kicked in when the tires started slipping on a hill and the dash board made all sorts of crazy clicking sounds. Assume this is normal?

And that crawl mode…Jesus Christ it felt like the vehicle was trying to shake itself apart.

 

You've just figured out why we like to turn all that off..

 

If i got traction control on, and i press to hard on the go petal while doing 40 mph on the dirt roads, the truck starts spinning the tires bad, then the traction led starts flashing driving me nuts. I just turn it off...still have the yellow/orange dash led lit, but at least its not flashing. I don't get any clicking sounds with it activated.

 

does crawl mode actually work? like is it useful?

 

Yes, but too many people “test” it on flat ground and geek out from the noises and bucking. Toyota did that system a disservice by making that “dig itself out of the sand video.” The purpose of Crawl Control is in its name. The system really shines while ascending or descending steep slopes.

 

Stop on a snow covered hill and then try to go up. Unless you turn it off you will not get up. Gotta spin em.

 

You sir have been enlightened.

I call it the the fun police delete button.

 

you don’t get the clicking sounds when traction control is turned on, or turned off?

 

So when you folks turn it off, are you turning off just the VSC with a short press, or VSC and traction control with a long press?