Auto LSD Vs Traction Control

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Black4runner

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I was wondering what the difference is between Auto LSD and Traction Control. I own a 2007 2WD 4runner. According to the manual, it says only to press the Auto LSD button when stuck or in really slippery situations (not exact wording).
I get the impression that Auto LSD uses the braking system to cut power to a slipping rear wheel and transfers the power to the other wheel. Isn't that what the traction control does or does the traction control just cut the power to the slipping wheel.

So here are the questions
1) Difference between Auto LSD and our Traction control.
2) When Auto LSD is on is Traction control still on?
3) Why can I only turn on the Auto LSD in very slippery situations?
4) Would the Auto LSD help driving in the snow?


I am visiting family up in NJ around christmas time. I know a 2wd will not be that good in the snow. I just put new tires on so that should help. I am hoping that the 2wd 4runner drives well in the snow considering it has traction control AND auto LSD.
 
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Black4runner said:
I was wondering what the difference is between Auto LSD and Traction Control. I own a 2007 2WD 4runner. According to the manual, it says only to press the Auto LSD button when stuck or in really slippery situations (not exact wording).
I get the impression that Auto LSD uses the braking system to cut power to a slipping rear wheel and transfers the power to the other wheel. Isn't that what the traction control does or does the traction control just cut the power to the slipping wheel.

So here are the questions
1) Difference between Auto LSD and our Traction control. Traction Control uses two 'mechanisms' to help maintain/regain traction: Brakes and throttle reduction. It's "goal" is to have all 4wheels spinning at about the same speed. It compares front wheel speed to rear wheel speed. Auto LSD uses one mechanism, the brakes. It has one goal; have the drive wheels spin at about equal speeds without regard for overall vehicle speed.

2) When Auto LSD is on is Traction control still on? No.

3) Why can I only turn on the Auto LSD in very slippery situations? Lawyers. When the Auto LSD mode is engaged the vehicle can do donuts, fishtail etc. hence the warning. In normal mode Traction Control/VSC work together to minimize/correct skids and slides. The bottom line is they want you using it only when necessary and at low speeds. It will be necessary to get up a steep driveway or get moving. Without it the engine power will be cut so severely the vehicle may not move; sometimes you need a little wheelspin to get things moving.

4) Would the Auto LSD help driving in the snow? Yes, especially to get moving. In the 0mph-20mph realm it will be a tremendous help. Once up to speed the 'normal' mode with full VSC\traction control will be more helpful.


I am visiting family up in NJ around christmas time. I know a 2wd will not be that good in the snow. I just put new tires on so that should help. I am hoping that the 2wd 4runner drives well in the snow considering it has traction control AND auto LSD. More than 100lbs and less than 200lbs in the cargo area will be tremendously helpful as well... 3-40lb bags of playsand from the Home Depot/Lowes or similar...
Click to expand...

:cheers:
 
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Black4runner said:
Thanks for the help. I will have luggage back there during the drive so if I hit any bad weather, I hopefully will be ok.
Click to expand...

Good deal... I'd highly recommend tucking at least two bags in there if space allows. It doesn't take much to produce impressive results. Once you get up there all the luggage and Christmas goodies come out. If your family is like my family you'll need to go for a drive at some point during the visit:lmao:
 
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So if I am driving in say 4" of unpacked snow. I am accelerating slowly and I am not spinning the wheels. If I am driving 20mph or less should I turn on the Auto LSD even if I am not slipping? Wouldn't it possibly cause my back end to possibly fishtail?

Yeah I plan on picking 2 bags up just in case.
 
Black4runner said:
So if I am driving in say 4" of unpacked snow. I am accelerating slowly and I am not spinning the wheels. If I am driving 20mph or less should I turn on the Auto LSD even if I am not slipping? Wouldn't it possibly cause my back end to possibly fishtail?

Yeah I plan on picking 2 bags up just in case.
Click to expand...

This is hard to describe/advise you on... The best advice IMHO is to leave the 'auto lsd' switch off until you need it. When do you need it? You'll know:D

Have you spun a back tire in the rain or pulling out of a dirt road? Did you note the power reduction and the rattling of the brake solenoid that sounds like it's coming from inside of the dash? If so then when that's excessive and it feels like the engine is cutting out too much use the auto-lsd.

As for how to drive the majority of the time; drive with the auto-lsd in the off or 'normal' mode.


IIRC Toyota will help you with your choice. I think your auto-lsd will shut itself off once you hit 30mph or some pre-determined speed. You'll have to push the button again when you need. (I may be wrong on that but I'm pretty sure that's what you're going to discover.)
:cheers:
 
CJ3Flyr said:
This is hard to describe/advise you on... The best advice IMHO is to leave the 'auto lsd' switch off until you need it. When do you need it? You'll know:D

Have you spun a back tire in the rain or pulling out of a dirt road? Did you note the power reduction and the rattling of the brake solenoid that sounds like it's coming from inside of the dash? If so then when that's excessive and it feels like the engine is cutting out too much use the auto-lsd.

As for how to drive the majority of the time; drive with the auto-lsd in the off or 'normal' mode.


IIRC Toyota will help you with your choice. I think your auto-lsd will shut itself off once you hit 30mph or some pre-determined speed. You'll have to push the button again when you need. (I may be wrong on that but I'm pretty sure that's what you're going to discover.)
:cheers:
Click to expand...

Ok that is what I was thinking.

Traction control rarely comes in when I drive in the rain. Since I live in the South, it rarely snows so I only drove it once in the snow last winter. Traction control did come on frequently with only 2" of snow but the tires had 45k on them and I live at the bottom of a hill.
 
An Update (yes I know this is an old thread but I have been MIA for awhile).

I did actually get caught in the big snow storm PA and NJ had Christmas time 2010. I think NJ got over 15" (don't quote me but I think some may area got over 20").
I had to drive from NJ to PA. It was a hour and a half trip. I started when there was 2" of new snow on the ground. I even had take a detour due to an accident. It was down a narrow, hilly, and windy back road. Traction came on a few times but I was ok. I just was light on the accelerator, light on the brake, drove slow, and didn't follow close. It took almost 4 hours to get to PA.

Once I got there the house was on a steep hill. I just kept on the accelerator with even slow pressure and made it up the slow covered hill (4" of snow). When I got to the top I decided to try and come to a stop to test the traction control. Well it came on and I couldn't make it any further. I then hit the Auto LSD button. I felt the brakes make a fast drumming type sound and I slowly inches forward and gained enough traction and momentum to make it the rest of the way.
 
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