4WD Modes Explained

Yeah, I'm an idiot or the system isn't intuitive. Years of ownership and I finally had to put this together to help me. I just figured out I've been doing donuts wrong. I hope this helps somebody else out of a bad spot.

Update: edited to correct misinformation, create PDF version, and then re-uploaded.

 

There's just a lot going on, hard to keep it all straight. I like this a lot, I might laminate and put in the glove box. Thanks!

 

Yes. We have all the accoutrements of old school 4WD plus all the new-fangled gizmos of AWD.

Nice work Bodie! It would be great to have a PDF version of that cheat sheet. The text is a little fuzzy to these old eyes in the jpeg.

 

Love the inset with “donut” button! Lol.

I didn’t figure that out until after a group snow trail ride. As we pulled into a huge empty parking area with fresh powder, a few in the group did some sweet donuts. I decided to jump in, but failed…for all to see.


I couldn’t figure, it out since I had turned off traction/stability control. Eventually somebody told me about the three second press lol.

Just yesterday I had to try it again in some fresh snow. I left it in 4wd and was almost able to pivot around the front inside tire. Scha-weeeet!

 

I see a few changes I want to make, and will create a two page PDF afterwards.

 

For the Donut button, add that you must be stopped while holding it down. A lot of people still don't know that you can truly defeat the traction control.

I like this!

 

Great guide, thanks for sharing.

I'm 99% sure the only MTS mode that can be used in 4H is Mud/Sand if you want to clarify that.

 

There's a boat launch parking lot out here in the middle of nowhere that's perfect for shenanigans. I stopped there last winter and had some fun! I'll have to try it in 4wd the next time I swing through there.

 

I like the way you guys think. Can’t wait to get out in the sands of NM again to join in the sand shenanigans with a checklist!! LOL

 

It's nice to have everything all together, as many times as I review the modes, I always forget. +1 for PDF.

 

This is great! Thanks for putting this together! In for a PDF version as well.

 

This checks out, I tried it this morning. I also had to be stopped in order to turn the MTS mode on (I was still in "D" just not moving). For the other three modes I got a message telling me to switch to "N" and then to "4L".

 

Yeah, Multi terrain select is not crawl control so the first part looks wrong, but the descriptions seem good.

Crawl control is just low speed cruse control that happens to also assist with maintaining slow speeds down hill. (this is noisy)

Multi terrain select just limits/allows a certain amount of slippage depending on terrain you select in the picture.

A-Trac is just a front/rear locker simulator.

Rear locker is just that.

All can be used in 4L only.

 

Yes, 100% correct. The first symbol/setting in MTS (Mud/Sand) can be used in 4H, everything else 4L.

 

Not too bad. MTS is ABS pump volume control, mall control is offroad cruise control and ATRAC and the locker are there for when you're off camber. ATRAC needs heavy throttle to work properly.

 

+3 on the pdf. Appreciate it.

 

Below is my simplified version that I keep in the glovebox.
Here is a link to a pdf file you can print - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ekjckI3Ww6zsVhHfJlU_SpZ2kKDTwNfD/view




Also this link is the best video explanation I have found
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELw7xhWHNnY&t=868s

 

Thanks! Like I said, I'm a bit slow sometimes. Expect changes next version.

 

Thank you too

 

These are pretty good videos too. The first one deals with A-Trac and Multi-terrain-select. The second one talks about crawl control in great detail. @Bodie the Dog , you may want to have a look at these while you are making revisions. Thanks again for your efforts to compile a cheat sheet. It is a fantastic resource.

 

+1 for a clear pdf of this awesome guide—thank you!

 

isnt atrac just front?

Edit: I guess not, according to the owners manual “The active traction control system automatically helps prevent the spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is started or acceler- ated on slippery road surfaces”

 

If you have the rear differential open, it will work on all 4 wheels. If you have the rear differential locked, it will only work on the front.

 

Seldom discussed, we have TRAC traction control which is always on unless you deselect. It works in 2wd and 4H. Similar to ATRAC which only works in 4L.

 

+1 here as well!

 

Sorry to be a nitpicker, but in the first photo you have mislabeled multi terrain select as crawl control.

MTS is just a control that varies how hard TRAC/ATRAC engage.


You can make it much simpler:

1. Normal driving 2H
2. If you get on ice/snow/mud and feel slip when accelerating (vsc light may flash) go 4H. MTS to sand if needed.
3. If you start slipping in 4H or get on big rocks, stop and go 4L. I usually just leave ATRAC on in 4L, but you may need to turn it off in situations where you want wheelspin to dig out.
   
4. If still struggling, appropriate MTS mode.
5. If even that doesn’t work or it’s big rock and you have wheels in the air, or your stuck in mud and nothing above worked: try rear locker.
6. If you need help getting unstuck or going up/down very steep inclines use crawl control.

 

Great vids, thanks for sharing them.

 

Great Thread !!! hanks for starting.

 

Excellent guide, mate! Thank you for putting it together. I too, sometimes, get myself into a situation, then remember some of these features like MTS.

Cheers,

Sean

 

Those videos were pretty good, although this one recommends always driving with the rear locker on, while the Toyota manual says turn it off as soon as possible. I'll go with the manual's recommendation.

Thanks again, everyone, for your input. Couldn't have figured it out without you, or a lot more searching online.