Traction Control on 2010 Limited is dangerous

[kenwilliams0803]

there are many factors.. tires, brakes etc. on my oem trd pro tires and brakes. there were some braking issues. no more issues since i changed out tires and brakes. also with abs braking, and all emergency braking, you need to put your weight into the brake pedal, some people tend to go easy on the brakes when abs kicks in.

This is true. It's made for the 80% of drivers who stand on the brake pedal because they aren't used to controlling the skid themselves with manual brake and steering modulation. If you baby it with ABS, in general it doesn't work as well.

Although, its job is not to stop quicker as much as it is to keep your ability to turn, at least a little bit. I've definitely seen studies where on several different surfaces, non ABS with wheels totally locked stopped more quickly. But could they turn too? Probably not.

 

[Jakeepoo3]

I have a 2010 Limited. I have long believed my stopping distance with traction control is longer than without, but I haven't tested the theory by measuring stopping distances. I don't like the traction control on my 4runner, but it's the default setting, and we all have to turn if off manually. Hence you have to remember to turn it off every time you start the vehicle, at least when it's slippery or may become slippery. But today I determined that it is dangerous.

A fire truck was behind me with lights and sirens blaring. The car in front of me pulled of to the side of the road and I pulled off behind it. There was snow on the shoulder but my two left tires were on bare, dry pavement. I almost hit the car in front of me. That POS traction control would not stop my vehicle in a reasonable distance. With 2 tires on dry pavement.

4Runners with whatever version of traction control my 2010 has should be recalled. I think when Christmas is over I will contact the NTSB. I should have done this years ago.

I have the same year SR5. Do you have a lift?? My truck did something similar after a 3" lift. Coming into a 90 degree turn fast and hard the way I like to drive. One front on shoulder/dirt the other side on pavement. In mid turn my brakes felt like they lost about 75 % stopping power and I nearly rammed a grandma. I think she soiled herself! My dash lit up like a joint. Afterwards the VSC light came on and wouldn't turn off. My abs functions DAC and A Trac were disabled and wouldn't turn on. I neglected to recalibrate the yaw, steering angle deceleration, g sensors after the lift. I think the truck must have thought it was rolling over! I agree this system sucks ass when it gets confused and nearly killed grandma. Let us know what happens I'm curious.

 

[Jakeepoo3]

I think what you're talking about is ABS.

The traction control systems use the brakes. You ever noticed that loud shit on the trail haha! Supposed to function similar to diff lockers. I personally keep the traction controls off now unless I need them on the trail.

 

[barry581]

That's your problem right there, traction control is for traction not breaking. It has noting to do with breaking and everything to do with acceleration traction.

Sounds like you have issue with ABS as others have said. ABS improves the ability to maneuver while breaking hard. Some ABS systems are terrible and the 4Runner is definitely not terrible but it has its place. You don't want to use ABS where you need dirt to build up in front of the tire to help slow down/stop.

I think your issue was the snow not ABS, definitely not traction control.

Braking.