[DesertCanyons]

I test drove a 2015 T4R TE Premium with KDSS today. It drove real nice at freeway speeds and around town at 35 to 40 mph. Cornered well and had a good stiff ride on bumps and turns. No body roll, as advertised.

So I pulled over to put it in 4 wheel low and try to set all the A-Trac, Hill assist and most importantly, the KDSS. I didn't set the A-Trac, etc. but I could not find a control for the KDSS. We sat there reading the manuals for a couple of minutes. I had the Quick Start short manual. We didn't find anything on setting the KDSS.

So I have to wonder if KDSS engages automatically and releases the wheels for long travel at slow speeds. I had the truck in 4WL and drove one side up a driveway and onto a curb and then down over the curb. At 2 to 3 miles per hour all 4 tires stayed on the ground, but maybe that curb wasn't enough to really over-extend the axles and test large articulation of the wheels/tires.

Any tips? Did I miss finding the KDSS switch? Does it release the sway bars automatically at slow speeds?

BTW, I'm not going to buy this truck. It's black, which I don't want in sunny So Cal. It's the Premium with a sunroof I can't open because I'm too fair to sit in the sun. It has a sliding cargo tray I don't want ($350), a cargo cover I couldn't close with one hand ($155), NAV I don't need, Leather-like upholstery that is very nice but not for the Premium price. The sticker price is around $42,500. So if this is what you want call or go to Toyota of Pasadena and ask for David James. He's a good guy and capable of making the deal for you.

I've seen the sticker price on several T4R TE with KDSS and without a lot off accessories at around $39,000. That's what I'm looking for.

[BrianSD_42]

I had the truck in 4WL and drove one side up a driveway and onto a curb and then down over the curb.

Why are you driving in 4WD on cement?

I don't have a 5th gen. Is this something that 5th gen-ers do?

It is a mortal sin in most 4WD trucks to drive on pavement in 4LO.

[hearno]

Originally Posted by BrianSD_42

I don't have a 5th gen. Is this something that 5th gen-ers do?

Yea, we all like to go drive trucks we have no intention of buying over curbs in 4lo on pavement. We keep it ultra real.

[K9trainer]

If you want a truck with KDSS don't you think you should do a search and see how it works?

[BrianSD_42]

thanks for confirming. lol.

If you had been there you could have cited him.

[etc.]

OP, check YouTube. There are great videos on KDSS.

[Danimal]

Great work, community. You guys really provided some useful guidance for this guy, and you should all be proud. Especially the 3rd gen guy who felt the need to chime in and chastise the OP because cars 'splode when you put them in 4wd for a minute on a test drive on pavement.

The KDSS system is automatically active below a certain speed (12mph I believe). This does indeed make it tough to test and see the benefit. But like you mentioned, you can find a ditch or something to nose the car in to at an angle.

Good luck in your search!

Dan

[4Surfin]

Originally Posted by Danimal

The KDSS system is automatically active below a certain speed (12mph I believe).

you mean KDSS is not active all the time?

[GabrielM]

Check the video here:
KDSS Long term reliability?

Someone post a link recently on a Toyota Training PDF file that was explaining how the system work, but I cannot find it on this computer. I'll try to find it later and post back an answer.

[st8rocks]

Originally Posted by Danimal

Great work, community. You guys really provided some useful guidance for this guy, and you should all be proud.

The KDSS system is automatically active below a certain speed (12mph I believe).

Wrong. Useful guidance, you should be proud.


It's a completely passive system, constantly active. When one wheel goes up enough, and the other goes down enough as determined by the hydraulic sensors, the system simply "disengages" the sway bar. You have no control over it other than deciding where to drive. It is speed sensitive. According to the service manual, the KDSS system is tied into the vehicle speed sensor, wheel speed sensors, steering position sensor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLF6...e_gdata_player
@DesertCanyons this ^ helps alot. Check it out.

[sandcrawler]

there is no "switch" @DesertCanyons . KDSS responds to conditions automatically and independently without driver input. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NLF6n3nMwww

[badhabits]

Here are some links that will explain what KDSS is and does:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHWwBk_6Y5Q

KDSS vs Non-KDSS?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLF6n3nMwww

[4Surfin]

Originally Posted by st8rocks

wrong. Useful guidance, you should be proud.


It's a completely passive system, constantly active. When one wheel goes up enough, and the other goes down enough as determined by the hydraulic sensors, the system simply "disengages" the sway bar. You have no control over it other than deciding where to drive. It is speed sensitive. According to the service manual, the kdss system is tied into the vehicle speed sensor, wheel speed sensors, steering position sensor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlf6...e_gdata_player
@desertcanyons this ^ helps alot. Check it out.

Originally Posted by 4surfin

you mean kdss is not active all the time?

lol.....

[LandCruiser]

Originally Posted by BrianSD_42

Why are you driving in 4WD on cement?

I don't have a 5th gen. Is this something that 5th gen-ers do?

It is a mortal sin in most 4WD trucks to drive on pavement in 4LO.

It's okay to drive it in a straight line for a periodic function test.

Also, wet boat ramp.

[Intruder]

Originally Posted by LandCruiser

It's okay to drive it in a straight line for a periodic function test.

Also, wet boat ramp.

And when towing space shuttles.