Down hill assist

H

hamdog

New member
I took my 2008 4runner sport off reading for the first time this afternoon. As most know through several other previous post I purchased this vehicle with only 14k miles certified pre-owned.

I was going down some steep descends in 4-lo with the DAC button active and as expected it kept the 4-runner at a crawl down the descends nicely but at the same time made a god awful noise. I just want to know what others sound like when using the DAC. Thanks!
 
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Yeah, it's an awful noise, but works like a charm! It has kept me out of trouble a few times on icy, downhill trails!
 
Yours sounds like it's working just fine - noisy as can be and it makes you think your 4Runner is going to fall apart.
 
Used my DAC while in 4Lo for the first time this past weekend and was also alarmed at the noise. Glad to know that's normal.
 
Loud on mine as well. However, on an '07 RAV4 it's far quieter.

Mine also doesn't keep the vehicle at a steady speed - it'll let you roll, then slam on the brakes. Is that normal?
 
Arcking said:
Mine also doesn't keep the vehicle at a steady speed - it'll let you roll, then slam on the brakes. Is that normal?
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It should hold your speed pretty constant. I've used mine on gravel, ice, and dirt with the same results... constant speed, but the noise seems to vary depending on the amount of available traction.
 
Arcking said:
Loud on mine as well. However, on an '07 RAV4 it's far quieter.

Mine also doesn't keep the vehicle at a steady speed - it'll let you roll, then slam on the brakes. Is that normal?
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Make sure you put it manually in 1st gear otherwise it goes to fast. That is how it is on mine at least. If I want it to go a little faster I put it in 2nd gear.
 
I've never seen this system before and know very little about it other then it is awesome and uses the ABS. Its used everytime I go wheeling but only in my lowest possible gear and I always tend to keep my foot pressed about 5 to 10% on my break as it is only meant to "assist" with downhill decent. Saying that I only use it on gnarly terrain that is never even. I find that by touching the break, it reduces the ABS banging to a less frequent and slightly more quiet clunk, but I know it's working great. I only touch the breaks because I thought it was hard on the ABS components with all the banging - this could be wrong but I think Ill stick with this as it seems to work.
 
it seems like every time I get in the 4R my wife has managed to hit the DAC button.

She never knows that she does it. I hope this doesn't mess up anything if she is driving around the city. Will it?

I've got to get one of those flip up cover protectors for it.
 
Huskey said:
I've never seen this system before and know very little about it other then it is awesome and uses the ABS. Its used everytime I go wheeling but only in my lowest possible gear and I always tend to keep my foot pressed about 5 to 10% on my break as it is only meant to "assist" with downhill decent. Saying that I only use it on gnarly terrain that is never even. I find that by touching the break, it reduces the ABS banging to a less frequent and slightly more quiet clunk, but I know it's working great. I only touch the breaks because I thought it was hard on the ABS components with all the banging - this could be wrong but I think Ill stick with this as it seems to work.
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I've never used my DAC since I've been 4 wheeling for years on vehicles that never had it.

But what I have read online, touching either the brake or gas pedal will over ride the DAC so you aren't actually using DAC if you're on the brake pedal
 
I use DAC occasionally but more of something to play with as opposed to being necessary. Sometimes it's just fun to take your foot off the pedals and go down a 45deg slope. I don't worry too much about the noise. I know exactly whats going on inside the actuator so it doesn't bother me at all.
 
DAC is a neat little toy to have. I don't know if I would ever use it regularly but it is a good tool to have. Yes, hitting the brake and gas overrides the DAC, you are supposed to just steer the vehicle and let DAC do its magic.
 
I have been searching for a full expanation or writeup on the exact operation, funtions, and limitations of the system and have come up pretty dry. I fully agree that by pressing any substantial amount on the brake overides the DAC system. From my experience, touching the break very lightly helps limit the banging to a mild clunk, thats why I said I only touch it 5 -10% or so, but I can still feel it in the peddle so I know its still working. I'm still not sure if its just limiting the movement of the actuator or if the slight contact from the break is helping or what...At no point have I tried hitting the gas with it, but I'm only using it on very steep slippery terain.

I've done alot of offroading in my old ford 250 which didnt have it, and now that I do have it, I do enjoy having it there as an option.
 
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