2014 ATRAC question

[bruskie24]

First time poster/long time reader here.

I'm looking at purchasing a 2014 SR5 4wd and I'm wondering if ATRAC is active in 2wd mode or 4Hi? I've looked through the threads here and have read the 2014 owners manual section on it, but there is no clear indication of if it is operable in any range other than 4L. I've seen the ATRAC button in the 2014's and have seen the Toyota video on ATRAC, but that only talks about 4L.

Is ATRAC on by default in 2wd mode or even at all in 2wd mode?

 

[phillyd2]

4L only. But there is a common mod to change it, although I never fully understood the point. Google: 4Runner ATRAC Mod and all will be revealed.

:welcome:

 

[Ol'Baditude]

Just thinking and writing this down on the fly, but it seems to me ATRAC has ever only been available in 4Lo because 4Lo limits your speed severly. It's not something you want kicking in at speeds you can reach in 2Hi or 4Hi(although I could think of a few instances where it might be handy). Traction control yes, as that's what it's designed and programmed to do; ATRAC no. It also seems to me that the 2014 would be no different in this regard as it's a pretty serious safety concern, therefore I would have to say the answer to your question is no.

 

[Intruder]

You do get TRAC/TRC and VSC in 2Hi and 4Hi.

 

[Intruder]

It's not something you want kicking in at speeds you can reach in 2Hi or 4Hi(although I could think of a few instances where it might be handy).

Pretty sure ATRAC can only engage at speeds lower than 5mph even in 4Lo.

 

[Ol'Baditude]

Pretty sure ATRAC can only engage at speeds lower than 5mph even in 4Lo.

I've heard the same thing, however I've only ever engaged it at a dead standstill so I can't comment on that; only that it will remain engaged up to whatever speed I'm travelling in 4Lo until I disengage it.

 

[Intruder]

My mistake, ATRAC only kicks in below 5mph when the rear diff is locked as well according to the owner's manual. Nothing about speed limitations when the diff is open, but considering that Tacos and 4th Gens can't turn ATRAC off (afaik) I don't think it's too big a deal.

 

[Bigsurprise]

Pretty sure ATRAC can only engage at speeds lower than 5mph even in 4Lo.

+1

ATRAC only activates in 4Lo at speeds of 4mph or lower. Actually, I just did a bit of searching and I am not sure if it will activate at 4mph, or if you have to be UNDER 4mph?

Here are a couple links over at Tacoma World that say 3mph is the limit:
Post #36
Post #1

 

[diverscale]

In 4HI, TRAC does the job well enough to keep all wheels spinning/distributing torque.

 

[Canazes9]

My mistake, ATRAC only kicks in below 5mph when the rear diff is locked as well according to the owner's manual. Nothing about speed limitations when the diff is open, but considering that Tacos and 4th Gens can't turn ATRAC off (afaik) I don't think it's too big a deal.

My 2012 Tacoma can turn ATRAC off.

+1

ATRAC only activates in 4Lo at speeds of 4mph or lower. Actually, I just did a bit of searching and I am not sure if it will activate at 4mph, or if you have to be UNDER 4mph?

Here are a couple links over at Tacoma World that say 3mph is the limit:
Post #36
Post #1

ATRAC works as long as the button is pressed and you are in 4Lo, the rear diff is unlocked and you haven't overheated the ABS. Once the rear diff is locked it only works at speeds below 5mph (if you have a rear locker).

David

 

[bruskie24]

Atrac

So in 2wd or 4hi it basically has open differentials with traction control. Is TRAC aggressive enough to prevent the one wheel spin situation that is common with 2wd cars in wet/slippery conditions?

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[phillyd2]

ATRAC works as long as the button is pressed and you are in 4Lo, the rear diff is unlocked and you haven't overheated the ABS. Once the rear diff is locked it only works at speeds below 5mph (if you have a rear locker).

David

That makes more better sense :zoom:

I know I've had Atrac engaged at higher speeds in 4L but I have air lockers.

 

[Canazes9]

So in 2wd or 4hi it basically has open differentials with traction control. Is TRAC aggressive enough to prevent the one wheel spin situation that is common with 2wd cars in wet/slippery conditions?

Thanks for all the replies.

TRAC in 4WD provides pretty good traction and in some situations it is significantly better than open diffs, but it also limits wheel spin which is not desirable in loose traction situations (mud, gravel, deep snow, etc.)

David

 

[diverscale]

TRAC in 4WD provides pretty good traction and in some situations it is significantly better than open diffs, but it also limits wheel spin which is not desirable in loose traction situations (mud, gravel, deep snow, etc.)

David

In 4Hi wheel spin is not eliminates. Try it in the snow, wheels spin as much as you give it gas. Only the torque distribution system and anti skid is active.

 

[Canazes9]

In 4Hi wheel spin is not eliminates. Try it in the snow, wheels spin as much as you give it gas. Only the torque distribution system and anti skid is active.

I have tried wheel spin in loose traction offroad in 4Hi and I agree - the issue is the VSC, but it does limit wheel spin, often at the most inopportune times. Seems like it is difficult to spin all 4 wheels w/o having some slide/skid which kills the wheel spin...

ATRAC works w/o VSC and I find it to be preferable in most loose conditions off-road.

YMMV

David

 

[diverscale]

I have tried wheel spin in loose traction offroad in 4Hi and I agree - the issue is the VSC, but it does limit wheel spin, often at the most inopportune times. Seems like it is difficult to spin all 4 wheels w/o having some slide/skid which kills the wheel spin...

ATRAC works w/o VSC and I find it to be preferable in most loose conditions off-road.

YMMV

David

My wheelspin was interrupted, when in relatively straight line, only when the engine didn't have enough torque to wheel spin the 4 wheels. What happens is when the torque is finally distributed, the engine can't spin all 4. This does not happen in lose snow or ice.

 

[Canazes9]

My wheelspin was interrupted, when in relatively straight line, only when the engine didn't have enough torque to wheel spin the 4 wheels. What happens is when the torque is finally distributed, the engine can't spin all 4. This does not happen in lose snow or ice.

I'm not sure I'm following you - what doesn't happen in loose snow/ice?

I don't get to drive in snow/ice very often. I've driven in mud quite a lot w/ both my '12 Tacoma and '13 SR5 4Runner. In sloppy conditions either has more than ample power to spin the wheels to great excess in 4Hi. When spinning all 4 wheels in sloppy conditions, the vehicle tends to slide - when it slides VSC kills the power to the engine and wheel spin stops. This might be the bees knees for snow driving on the street, I don't know (like I said, I rarely get to try ANY winter driving).

Off road in sloppy conditions TRAC blows cause it kills the wheel spin when you slide (which is seemingly the instant wheel spin starts). 4Lo and ATRAC and you can slide, spin the tires till your hearts content...

David

 

[BobsTrail]

So in 2wd or 4hi it basically has open differentials with traction control. Is TRAC aggressive enough to prevent the one wheel spin situation that is common with 2wd cars in wet/slippery conditions?

Thanks for all the replies.

I played with mine on the street in the rain. Trac off, inner wheel spins on a turn. Trac on - Trac uses the brakes to grab and release the inner spinning wheel and get you started quicker. I had the same results in shallow show - maybe 4 to 6 inches and a berm while going straight. This was all in 2wd.

 

[diverscale]

I'm not sure I'm following you - what doesn't happen in loose snow/ice?

I don't get to drive in snow/ice very often. I've driven in mud quite a lot w/ both my '12 Tacoma and '13 SR5 4Runner. In sloppy conditions either has more than ample power to spin the wheels to great excess in 4Hi. When spinning all 4 wheels in sloppy conditions, the vehicle tends to slide - when it slides VSC kills the power to the engine and wheel spin stops. This might be the bees knees for snow driving on the street, I don't know (like I said, I rarely get to try ANY winter driving).

Off road in sloppy conditions TRAC blows cause it kills the wheel spin when you slide (which is seemingly the instant wheel spin starts). 4Lo and ATRAC and you can slide, spin the tires till your hearts content...

David

sorry, didn't read your last post well, that happens on a Iphone

we are basically saying the same thing.

As for my experience in winter conditions:

(at least 4 months/year here we have snow), the most efficient setting is 4HI with TRAC/VSC on. I get quicker accelerations most of the time. Sure, sometimes VSC kicks in and bogs it down, but the advantage of having 4 wheels spinning instead of 2 is worth it IMO. When I turn off VSC, which turns off TRAC, I only get more control over the acceleration.

 

[LI4runner]

What is most ideal for beach driving? I'm using 4 hi and terrain select for sand (only option available in 4hi). I've turned off VSC a few times and there is definitely less intervention when side sliding a bit, but either way truck drives similarly through the sand. Any thoughts?