Help me understand my traction control and VSC.

[jason9696]

I did some research on here, but could not find a clear answer to my question.

I have a 4.7L 4x4 and I drive on muddy roads and tar roads that often have a lot of dirt on them. As you can imagine the tires break loose often and I am tired of the VSC and the traction control kicking on.

How do I get to drive the truck in 2wd and break the tires loose without any electronic helpers?

Thanks in advance,
Jason

[Skyhammerz]

You have several choices and since you have an 08, you have one additional choice that us 07 owners don't have.
You can push the VSC off switch once, this turns off TRAC and Turns on A-LSD, but you still have VSC operating. Since you have an 08 you can also turn off VSC in A-LSD mode by stopping and holding the VSC off switch for 3 seconds. This turns off VSC leaving you with just A-LSD operating. Now, if you don't want and traction control operating, when you turn off VSC in A-LSD mode, press ans hold and hold the VSC off Switch again for 3 seconds and it will turn off everything. Be aware that while in A-LSD mode the top speed is 63mph.
Here is the File that explains the changes made for the 08.

[that1seven]

when u are parked hold down on traction control button for 3-5seconds




edit .blah slow server so i didn't see his post above o well

[jason9696]

Sweet, thanks for the help!

[Dirt Girl]

I own a 2007 Tundra Double Cab 4x4 Tow Package and love to off-road. I can NOT stand the VSC and A-LCD modes. Even when I turn off the A-LCD and I'm 4x4 the truck still slows down and wont let me have too much fun. My friends have been telling me to unhook the fuse if you know what I mean, but do any of you know another method of turning off VSC and A-LCD? Thanks in advance.

[Imdone]

I have found that if you break the rear end loose the traction control even when turned off in the above attached images will still engage and override you turning it off. I am not sure why but I haven't found out how to completely disengage the system... Still working on it...

[Zhukov]

It wasn't really clear from the owner's manual, so I figured someone here would be able to explain it to me. As I understand it, there are three modes:
1) Traction control off, Auto LSD
2) Traction control off, Auto LSD, VSC Off
3) Traction control off, VSC off (no Auto LSD)

I believe mode 1 was when one tire is stuck, the limited slip differential was for allowing the other wheel to get power.

Mode 2 was apparently for slippery road conditions, mud, snow and such.

There was no real explanation for the third mode though. If anyone can provide some details on this whole mess, I'd appreciate it.

[freedomeagle50]

ya would be helpfull to me to

[bertbear]

Actualy there is also a fourth mode, the default it starts with:
Traction control on, Auto LSD off, VSC on

As I understand it, (I could be wrong though):
Traction control uses throttle control to lower throttle when a wheel spins
Auto LSD uses rear brakes to simulate limited slip (on a 4x, not sure if it is all wheels?)
VSC uses individual wheel brakes to maintain the direction of travel

I believe your ideas on when to use them are right, and the mode three is for when you want complete manual control, and will allow the truck to get completely out of shape, or sideways.

Hope it helps.

[DocWard]

So does the A-LSD work on the 4x4 when the truck is in 4 Hi or 4 Lo? When I hit mud, I am usually more interested in being sure I can get out of it. I have seen 4x4s with open diffs sink one side of the vehicle in mud before, and it is usually something I prefer to avoid.

I didn't get a good chance to read the owner's manual before having to leave my truck in Ohio while I came to Texas and now getting ready to leave for Kuwait.

I have about nine more months to sit here and read, plan, plot, and save for my Tundra's future improvements.

[3urfe]

have 08 2wd and I dont able put only LSD ON ...and trac, vsc OFF

I push buttom for 3-sec I all situation and traction controle is always ON when I want use LSD

I look is control like 07 version...

[mxsjw]

Originally Posted by 3urfe

have 08 2wd and I dont able put only LSD ON ...and trac, vsc OFF

I push buttom for 3-sec I all situation and traction controle is always ON when I want use LSD

I look is control like 07 version...

I don't want to alienate you, but your 1st language is French, right?

Your translation is not coming through well, I am having a hard time understanding what you are getting at.
Can you rephrase (retry) please?

[Zhukov]

I think I have a better understanding now that I looked through the Tundra brochure. I'll re-type the relevant sections here:

BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

Tundra offers an advanced brake control system that includes massive vented rotors, front and rear. But it is the software that makes Tundra's brake control system so comprehensive. In addition to an ABS, Tundra also comes standard with:

Traction Control (TRAC)
TRAC helps maintain traction on wet, icy, loose or uneven surfaces. When one of the wheels begins to slip, TRAC applies a wheel brake individually and reduces engine output to help assist the driver with control of the vehicle

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
VSC helps prevent two factors that frequently cause drivers to lose traction during cornering: front wheelslip and rear wheelslip. VSC monitors your steering angle and compares it to the direction in which your vehicle is actually traveling. If VSC detects a loss of traction, two things happen to help correct the problem: First, engine output is reduced. Then, brake force is applied to individual wheels as needed.


AUTOMATIC LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (AUTO LSD)

Auto LSD uses the brakes to simulate the action of a mechanical limited slip differential. By applying brakes individually to wheels spinning with no traction, torque is sent to the wheels with grip. Even a 4x2 Tundra can dig itself out of many difficult low traction situations.

Typically, engine torque is distributed to the rear wheels through an open differential. An open differential sends power down the path of least resistance. Great for turns, when the outside wheel has to spin faster than the inside wheel. But not so great if a wheel loses traction, because the differential will send all of its torque to the spinning wheel. With Auto LSD, Tundra will apply brakes to the slipping wheel. This increases resistance at the wheel with slip, feeding power to the wheel with grip. Tundra will advance forward until traction is restored to both rear wheels.


OK - so back to the modes I originally listed:
1) Traction control off, Auto LSD
2) Traction control off, Auto LSD, VSC Off
3) Traction control off, VSC off (no Auto LSD)
To that I guess I should clarify mode 0 (default):
0) Traction control on, VSC on, Auto LSD off

In default, the traction and VSC modes are on, and the differential acts like an open differential. That makes sense for normal driving.

Mode 1 makes sense if one of the wheels is stuck. You'd want the differential acting like a limited-slip differential and apply power to the wheel that's not spinning.

I still can't figure out modes 2 and 3, even with the above explanation. Seems like it might be something for off-roading, but I don't know for sure.

[cliff clavin]

ehhhhh.....i keep the variations straight....i was stuck at the bottom of an icy and snow covered driveway....turned off traction control (held for 3 sec) and was still stuck.....just turned on four wheel drive and got out....for those with 4wd.....just turn it on and forget about it...

[pullthis]

i was burning some tires today.
found out about something.
mode 1 (vsc, atrac, no lsd - no spinning
mode 2 (no atrac(trac light on), vsc, lsd(lsd light on) - 2 tires smoking
mode 3 (no atrac(trac light on), no vsc(vsc light on), no lsd - 1 tire smoking

my question is this.
in 4hi/4lo vsc is of, and I can turn atrac off but what about lsd?
I cant make the light on the right come on.
So when I am pulling the drag I use 4lo vsc off.
when I am going down the track and start to spin I can hear the brakes ingauging. Is this atrac or lsd?

I have tried it both ways atrac off/ on in 4lo.

If the skidmarks(light) is on on my dash does that mean atrac is off or on?