Mud, sand, snow multi Trac dumb question of the day

[PROFILER]

I've read the manual on how to use the multi Trac. Very clear the first setting (mud, sand, snow) can be run in H4 or 4lo with the rest of the settings only in 4lo. From what I gather anything over 7mph and the system shuts down. Now my question is when your using the first setting for mud, snow, and sand and you choose 4hi is that also limited to 7 miles an hour? I understand you'll have less torque in 4hi for greater wheel spin in the mud but when you get the wheel spin isn't it going to register your speed over 7mph and knock you out of your chosen setting? Or am I just not getting something here?

 

[Titanpat57]

http://youtu.be/FM9DT-TIJYY

 

[PROFILER]

Thanks, I would say the video clearly showed them traveling over the 7mph it lists in the manual. makesmore sense for that setting. I didn't want to be the guinea pig for myself with a brand new 4runner and an angry wife I'm a firm believer in Murphys law

 

[Jeremy556]

1st setting certainly works above 7mph. As soon as I shift into 4HI (off pavement), I select the 1st setting on MTS, it makes the TRAC and ABS far less sensitive. In 4lo, I just use ATRAC all the time, and/or lockers, depending on the obstacle.

 

[DocAdams]

http://youtu.be/FM9DT-TIJYY

You learn something new everyday I guess. I had no idea you could use it at higher speeds...

 

[Titanpat57]

You learn something new everyday I guess. I had no idea you could use it at higher speeds...

It actually says "3 of 6" so I may also ake a look at the other stuff too.

 

[BobsTrail]

Mts

Mine will not let me select MTS above 7mph, but appears to work above 7 as in the video.

 

[wfo9]

It's just sort of a gimmick right?

My understanding was that it just changes the sensitivity of the throttle and the traction control system. So you should be able to drive around it.

I don't have it it on my truck, but I have found all the other gadgets (besides a-trac) like DAC to just get in the way.

 

[Oeconomia]

It's just sort of a gimmick right?

My understanding was that it just changes the sensitivity of the throttle and the traction control system. So you should be able to drive around it.

I don't have it it on my truck, but I have found all the other gadgets (besides a-trac) like DAC to just get in the way.

Changing the sensitivity of the throttle and traction system doesn't sound like a gimmick to me. Sounds like pretty cool engineering.

I agree with Jeremy556 though, first setting seems to be much less sensitive, and most likely the best for most conditions in 4 high.

 

[DocAdams]

Mine will not let me select MTS above 7mph, but appears to work above 7 as in the video.

I have a '14 and mine won't even let me turn on MTS without it being in 4LO. I try it in H4 and it just tells me to shift the tranny to N and put it in L4. Won't even activate the system until it's in low. And then if I try to put it back into H4 it deactivates it.

Am I doing this wrong or what?

 

[st8rocks]

It's just sort of a gimmick right?

My understanding was that it just changes the sensitivity of the throttle and the traction control system. So you should be able to drive around it.

I don't have it it on my truck, but I have found all the other gadgets (besides a-trac) like DAC to just get in the way.

It also changes brake response. Normally there is a good amount of travel in the brake pedal when using MTS the travel is greatly decreased, which is really nice offroad.

 

[Jetboy]

I believe the switching only occurs under 7mph, but the 7mph isn't a limit on the speed of each setting.

Some of the electronic "helpers" aren't all that useful. I've never used most of them. For me the A-TRAC plus rear locker are fantastic. And crawl control is great for snow/rock - basically it's the next best thing to a manual transmission with a low geared transfer case. Since Mr. T didn't give us either of those, crawl control does an admirable job given the hardware it has to work with.

The functionality I'd LOVE to have is the Turn Assist from the Land Cruiser. Factory front dig? Yes Please. I wish these systems were easier to hack so we could install our own programming and add stuff like front digs, or even skid steer.

 

[wfo9]

Changing the sensitivity of the throttle and traction system doesn't sound like a gimmick to me. Sounds like pretty cool engineering.

I agree with Jeremy556 though, first setting seems to be much less sensitive, and most likely the best for most conditions in 4 high.

I guess it depends on how you look at it. I'm sure there is some aspect of it that is useful, but I would rather have the controls be consistent and very predictable.

 

[wfo9]

I believe the switching only occurs under 7mph, but the 7mph isn't a limit on the speed of each setting.

Some of the electronic "helpers" aren't all that useful. I've never used most of them. For me the A-TRAC plus rear locker are fantastic. And crawl control is great for snow/rock - basically it's the next best thing to a manual transmission with a low geared transfer case. Since Mr. T didn't give us either of those, crawl control does an admirable job given the hardware it has to work with.

The functionality I'd LOVE to have is the Turn Assist from the Land Cruiser. Factory front dig? Yes Please. I wish these systems were easier to hack so we could install our own programming and add stuff like front digs, or even skid steer.

The turn assist looks like it would be useful. I have been in tight switchback where it would have saved a lot of time. As long as you could turn it on alone and not be forced into crawl control...

For crawling, I'm always in 4LO with the tranny typically in first gear using engine braking...Would not see myself using crawl control if I had it. I just like more direct control of everything (including the brakes if I need them), but ATRAC is obviously a winner.

 

[Jeremy556]

Never noticed a difference in throttle or actual brake feel, just traction control and ABS engagement. In MTS, it will allow more wheel spin before cutting throttle and applying brakes. Similarly, the ABS doesn't kick in and release the brakes when a wheel stops and digs in. I made an ABS cancel switch in my old Tacoma for the same effect.

 

[wfo9]

On a related note, I've never notice abs getting in the way in crawl conditions and I know I have slid down a hill locked up a few times. I'm assuming the abs controller just assumes anything below ~5mph is fair game for a wheel lockup (if it is all 4 wheels). Or maybe 4LO changes up the sensitivity. Never given it much thought.

 

[enkrypt3d]

It's just sort of a gimmick right?

My understanding was that it just changes the sensitivity of the throttle and the traction control system. So you should be able to drive around it.

I don't have it it on my truck, but I have found all the other gadgets (besides a-trac) like DAC to just get in the way.

I disagree - its better than having your wheels slipping and potentially getting you stuck and not having to have air lockers to get you thru the hairy sections of a trail...

 

[enkrypt3d]

I have a '14 and mine won't even let me turn on MTS without it being in 4LO. I try it in H4 and it just tells me to shift the tranny to N and put it in L4. Won't even activate the system until it's in low. And then if I try to put it back into H4 it deactivates it.

Am I doing this wrong or what?

The only one that works in 4H that I know of is the first and second settings?

The moguls and rock settings only work in 4L i believe.

 

[DocAdams]

The only one that works in 4H that I know of is the first and second settings?

The moguls and rock settings only work in 4L i believe.

I spent like 20 minutes gimping around my parking lot at work. So you have to go into 4LO to get it into MTS, then if you're in the 1st setting, you're able to go back into 4HI and keep MTS on. If you're in 4LO and put it in Mogul or something, it deactivates when you shift into 4HI

 

[wfo9]

I disagree - its better than having your wheels slipping and potentially getting you stuck and not having to have air lockers to get you thru the hairy sections of a trail...

ATRAC does that, but I'm still not seeing how MTS keeps you from getting stuck. If you can explain it, I'll quickly agree. So far, nobody has ever been able to, thus it is a gimmick to me.