Disabling Traction Control

[03_4x4Runner]

I went out to a sand hill near my house yesterday to see what my new )3 4runner would do. it goes fine on the flat spots, but when getting to any hill where wheel speed is needed to continue climbing, the traction contorl (or some smart toyota system) kicks in and start applying the brakes, making it hard to climb in sand.


How Can I dissable this. I don't care If I have to pull a fuse, thats no big deal for the few times I go in sand, IT would just be nice to know how to get around this. thanks

 

[peter78]

In the third generation model, it has a disable switch for the traction control. After 18 MPH (+-) it turns off. I have used it for sand and gravel. It drives me crazy because it is always turning off. also there is no way I can turn off my VSC though.

I would be surprised if the 03 does not have a disable switch, maybe it doesn't. It wouldn't hurt to check.

 

[Thai]

On 2wd models, there is a Traction control OFF button.

On 4wd models, there is NO such thing. Active traction control (ATRAC) is ALWAYS on. The only thing you can disable is the VSC (stability control). And this is done by locking the center differential.

On my 3rd gen 4runner 4wd, once i lock the center diff, i am able to spin my tires in the sand. Yes, ATRAC will beep and groan like crazy, but if you apply a little more throttle, you can spin your tires easily.

So, before pulling fuses, try to be a bit more aggressive with the throttle...you'll be happy with the result!

Hope this helps.

For more info, read this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12

 

[peter78]

OOPS. Sorry about that, I guess I am showing my 2WD roots. Hey, I need all the help I can get, when you only have 2WD.

 

[GatorGreg]

it goes fine on the flat spots, but when getting to any hill where wheel speed is needed to continue climbing, the traction contorl (or some smart toyota system) kicks in and start applying the brakes, making it hard to climb in sand.

Reading things like this reminds me why I dislike computer controlled traction being used on most 4WD vehicles these days. I remember reading a review of the BMW X5 (in a comparo against the RX300 and MDX) where they said it couldn't climb a little sand hill that the MDX and RX climbed easily. The damned computer kept hitting the brakes everytime the wheels started to slip - leaving them with no momentum to climb the hill! :50cal:

My '98 LX470 does not have traction control and that's just the way I like it. I would only be in favor of having traction control if there was a button I could press that completely disables it. I know they went to a traction control system on the Land Cruiser and LX in '00 but I'm not sure if it has such a button

 

[Thai]

GG, no such button exist on LC/LX.

With the X5, it's stability control system is tied into the traction control system...and i don't think you can turn off the stability control. And, even if you could, stability control on BMW is very stubborn (you need to press the button for over 2-5 seconds).

I can assure that my 4runner can spin it's tires to get up a sandy hill...i've done it before. Apply more throttle and you will see. In fact, there is some suggestion that traction control decreases it's control when you rev past 2000-3500 rpms.

My experience with my 4runner seems to confirm that suggestion.