4x4 question on limited

[Rdfish1]

I have been pleasanty surprised at how well the 4wd system has worked in nasty mud and water on my hunting lease, even when left i. Awd vs 4wd on the selector. I hear the traction control kicking on a lot, not sure how helpful that feature is in mud, im used to be able to hammer it when needed, creating enough wheel spin to clean the lugs and keep it moving. This system doesnt allow that unless i put it in low range which is the only time i can take the trac control off. Why cant i turn it off when in 4 high?

What is different about reg awd vs 4h, seems the same

 

[NoDak]

1. awd - the most common does not have a center differential
2. most awd (excluding Subaru and Audi (Quattro drive not the haldex system)) are really fwd systems using a computer to mimic a awd system (all Toyota's except FJ, Tacoma, 4Runner, Tundra, LC).
3. 4runner has a full time 4wd system, difference being, most 4wd systems have a low gear where as awd never have a low gear.
4. is semantics really if you want to call the Limited an AWD (fancy 4wd system with low gear) or more appropriately a full time 4wd system.

there are exceptions to the awd system having a low gear, but that was a long time ago and hasn't been employed since.

as far as the traction control, there is a button to turn it off on the limited, its up by your front dome lights, just hold it for 5 secs (at a standstill) and it will turn off until next ignition start.

examples of fwd drive cars for Toyota :

1. rav4
2. highlander (awd)
3. venza (awd)
4. sienna (awd)
5. matrix x series (the x series denoted awd)

mostly these are fwd, then shifts power to the rear as needed. good exmaples are to look on youtube of comparison of Subaru vs the above vehicles.

 

[1engineer]

I have been pleasanty surprised at how well the 4wd system has worked in nasty mud and water on my hunting lease, even when left i. Awd vs 4wd on the selector. I hear the traction control kicking on a lot, not sure how helpful that feature is in mud, im used to be able to hammer it when needed, creating enough wheel spin to clean the lugs and keep it moving. This system doesnt allow that unless i put it in low range which is the only time i can take the trac control off. Why cant i turn it off when in 4 high?

What is different about reg awd vs 4h, seems the same

Read how it works from the link in my signature.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

The next time you are in this situation try turning off the VSC. On my 14 it is the button to the left of the atrac button on the overhead counsel. Experiment with h4f and h4locked on the 4x4 knob to find what combination works best in that situation.

 

[m85476585]

The next time you are in this situation try turning off the VSC. On my 14 it is the button to the left of the atrac button on the overhead counsel. Experiment with h4f and h4locked on the 4x4 knob to find what combination works best in that situation.

H4 Locked is good for maximum traction in conditions such as mud, deep snow, sand, loose rocks, or extremely steep hills. Unlocked gives you more neutral handling (less understeer), so it's better for going fast, snowy or slick roads, etc. but it will still do fairly well in deep stuff with the help of ATRAC/traction control which uses the brakes to control wheel slippage.

Even in H4 Locked you will still have ATRAC activate in slippery conditions because it transfers power between the left and right wheels.

With the center unlocked, there is a limited slip center differential that helps transfer power to the front and rear axles while still allowing them to turn at different speeds if you are going around a corner. The front and rear axles are always powered, so it's better than FWD based systems NoDak mentioned.

 

[JayceeP]

This system doesnt allow that unless i put it in low range which is the only time i can take the trac control off. Why cant i turn it off when in 4 high?

What is different about reg awd vs 4h, seems the same

After you turn TRAC off by pressing the button, have you then tried holding the button for several seconds? It will disable everything. Came in handy for me last year. Was stuck in a traffic jam during a blizzard and the only detour was up a super steep neighbourhood street that had not been plowed. I locked the centre diff and turned TRAC/VSC off and floored it up the hill. I was fish tailing a bit but otherwise made it up no problem at all. Had traction control kicked in, I'm sure I would have lost momentum and possibly slid back down the hill if I stopped.

Full-time 4wd doesn't have an even split of power between axles. You need to lock the centre diff so it's "50-50." I much prefer this in low traction situations like snow covered roads.

 

[Rdfish1]

Thank you, lots of good feedback, i appreciate it. I am running in some really nasty, slippery mud and so far, so good. I was always impressed w the z71 tahoes mud capabilities with the locking rear but the 4runner is doing great.

However, i tried holding the atrac button and it doesnt do anything unless the system is in 4 low. Am i doing something wrong? It is a 2015.

 

[bloodninja]

Thank you, lots of good feedback, i appreciate it. I am running in some really nasty, slippery mud and so far, so good. I was always impressed w the z71 tahoes mud capabilities with the locking rear but the 4runner is doing great.

However, i tried holding the atrac button and it doesnt do anything unless the system is in 4 low. Am i doing something wrong? It is a 2015.

I believe he was instructing you to hold the TRACtion control button (swervy tires button), as opposed to ATRAC, which is right next to it