Turn Off TRAC/VSC Systems And Keep Them Off

F

ftlee20723

New member
YES!!!!! I just spoke with Toyota about this. To turn off both TRAC and VSC systems and keep them off, hold your VSC button in for 3-seconds. If the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on even when vehicle speed increases.

This should allow us with bigger tires to run on a smaller spare while running to the tire store correct?

P.S. The biggest spare tire that will fit in the stock spare tire area is 265-70-17 (per Toyota).
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Cool!!! I guess that you still would want to make sure that the spare goes on the front axle??
 
I guess that you still would want to make sure that the spare goes on the front axle??
Click to expand...

Why? I would not have the ability to jack-up both locations at the same time (say if a rear tire was flat) on the road. Toyota didn't mention it in the scenario that I described to them.
 
ftlee20723 said:
Why? I would not have the ability to jack-up both locations at the same time (say if a rear tire was flat) on the road. Toyota didn't mention it in the scenario that I described to them.
Click to expand...

I think that it is probably not good for the rear (driving) axle to have two different size tires rolling. Remember, i think that you need to calculate the CIRCUMFERENCE difference b/w the two tires rather than the radius/diamter. But, since the two tires are pretty close in size, that may not make a difference. Still, i would be careful...and IMO, i would go with stock size with the BFG.
 
ftlee20723 said:
Your raining on my parade dude. :wink: There is not a whole lot of difference between the 275 and the 265. Why do you say go with the 265?
Click to expand...

I am a "better be safe than sorry" kind of person...it took me FIVE years to find a solution to my tire issue. My spare tire cover on my G500 cannot hold a 32" tire...so, i had to research every single option out there (within reasonable cost). So, yeah, i am pretty conservative when it comes to modifying my truck.
 
ftlee20723 said:
What is everyone elses opinion on this knowing this information from Toyota?
Click to expand...
You picked a TE for looks, you are picking a tire for looks, so things like load rating and fuel economy and road noise shouldn't matter... should they? Why bother with anything else now?
 
ftlee20723 said:
What is everyone elses opinion on this knowing this information from Toyota?
Click to expand...

At this point I guess we could flip a coin!
By the way...You hav'nt even shown us pics of your new Trail Ed. after 50+ post.
You know what they say in forums..... Without pics , it didn't happen!!:lol:


According to the tire shop manager today,and I asked. He has never seen or heard of a problem running one size smaller spare in 20+ years of working in a tire shop. He said you wouldn't believe some of the mixed sizes of tires people have rode in on.
 
I will take some. I brought it home last Friday and I have been trying to get this tire thing behind me so, I haven't taken pictures yet. It is gray.
 
I have a feeling it would all depend on the distance you went with mis-sized tires. I wouldn't drive across the state with them the wrong size, but to the tire shop is probably fine.
 
NOOOO!!! If the VSC system is the same as on the tacomas than this info is incorrect. Let me start by saying I own a 09 tacoma, assuming that your vsc/trac/ and auto lsd (via bake) is the same as ours than
1) you can push and hold the vsc button down for 3 sec to disable it. However, once you accelerate past 30mph the vsc will come back on again as a safety feature.
2) running different sized spares is bad (mostly in the rear) because the lsd will pick up the different rotation speed and activate the brakes because the computer will think you are not in traction.
Hope this helps you guys
 
However, once you accelerate past 30mph the vsc will come back on again as a safety feature.
Click to expand...

According to Toyota's Customer Experience Center it won't. My user manual also states "If both the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on even when vehicle speed increases." I will be back in my 4Runner in the morning and will try it out. I will report back.

running different sized spares is bad (mostly in the rear) because the lsd will pick up the different rotation speed and activate the brakes because the computer will think you are not in traction.
Click to expand...

Aren't our LSDs off unless we turn them on? I believe it can only be on while you are in 4WD-Low. If that is the case, is this still an issue?
 
ftlee20723 said:
According to Toyota's Customer Experience Center it won't. My user manual also states "If both the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on even when vehicle speed increases." I will be back in my 4Runner in the morning and will try it out. I will report back.



Aren't our LSDs off unless we turn them on? I believe it can only be on while you are in 4WD-Low. If that is the case, is this still an issue?
Click to expand...
Well I guess they changed the VSC for the 4runners then. But I'd look into the LSD still. For tacoma's they actually only work in 2wd. Once you put it in 4HI you loose the LSD, but TRAC still works, which is similar to an LSD as they are both brake controlled. The whole TRAC/VSC/LSD/ATRAC system can be confusing at first. You should run same size spare so you dont activate them unintentionally and heat your brakes up. I'll post a link explaining the whole system if you guys want, but keep in mind its for 09+ tacoma's so I'm not quite sure how much applys to you, but I would assume most does.
 
For tacoma's they actually only work in 2wd.
Click to expand...

I don't think that is the case on our 4Runners. LSD can only be enabled while you are in 4L. Can someone confirm or deny this?

Is there a difference between a locking rear differential and LSD?

If TRAC/VSC/LSD are all turned off and cannot come back on, is there still going to be an issue running a smaller size tire as your spare on the rear axle?
 
Last edited:
I just did some google work and looks like you're getting it confused with ATRAC. From what I read the 4WD models dont even have an LSD. Maybe someone who's more familiar with the new 4runner system can chime in. I would still advise on spending the extra money to get a full size spare, then cutting out what you need to so it will fit up there.
 
mgrande said:
You should run same size spare so you dont activate them unintentionally and heat your brakes up. I'll post a link explaining the whole system if you guys want, but keep in mind its for 09+ tacoma's so I'm not quite sure how much applys to you, but I would assume most does.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum mgrande!
Is this a proven fact or "Forum Urban Legend"passed on thru the net.
The difference in upsizing from a 265 to a 275 is approx. 1/2" in diameter or 1/4 " in radias .That's a fact.
Here are some questions....My tread depth on my 275's is over 1/2 inch,so what if they are worn down 1/4" ,to half life and I have a 265 spare,then what?Then they would be the same circumference as my new spare 265.

If that's the case what would happen if your stock tires are worn down 1/4" and then you had to use the spare which is still brand new and 1/4" bigger?Set off the LSD and heat up the brakes.?Doubt it.
It takes more then one upsizing of tire like alot of truck,suv owners do when they buy new tires to set off LSD. I always have.Never upsized my spare,used it several times with no ill effect
 
Last edited:
7harper said:
Welcome to the forum mgrande!
Is this a proven fact or "Forum Urban Legend"passed on thru the net.
The difference in upsizing from a 265 to a 275 is approx. 1/2" in diameter or 1/4 " in radias .That's a fact.
Here are some questions....My tread depth on my 275's is over 1/2 inch,so what if they are worn down 1/4" ,to half life and I have a 265 spare,then what?Then they would be the same circumference as my new spare 265.

If that's the case what would happen if your stock tires are worn down 1/4" and then you had to use the spare which is still brand new and 1/4" bigger?Set off the LSD and heat up the brakes.?Doubt it.
It takes more then one upsizing of tire like alot of truck,suv owners do when they buy new tires to set off LSD. I always have.Never upsized my spare,used it several times with no ill effect
Click to expand...

It's not an urban legend. If you want to run 275's with a 265 it may not cause any problems. But if you go to a 285 or more you will. Your differential may be "open" but when the computer detects one wheel spinning faster that the other, TRAC will turn on. I guess since you guys can turn it off it's not an issue though.
 
I can't remember the last time I had to run a spare - onboard plugs & a portable compresser always did the job for me. But in general, I find it difficult to believe one size different tire would cause problems on a short trip to a tire store.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 388 (members: 0, guests: 388)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,083
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top