Forgive my ignorance, I don't have the owners manual with me. My dad has a 2014 200 series and I have a couple questions. On my FJC I have to have it in Lo 4wd and push the Atrac button to engage it but on his 200 there isn't a button. Does it work automatically when in lo 4wd? How about the center diff lock? Please educate me. Thank you in advance.
Atrac and vsc are engaged always by default. It is the normal state of operation. Engaging low range makes no difference. There are many instances when you may wish to disable o e or both systems.
When you engage the center diff lock the ecu will automatically disable VSC (vehicle stability control but leave Atrac in operation. (this is because VSC looks for differences between front and rear axles before firing the brakes whereas Atrac looks for differences in wheel speeds across an axle. You can manually disengage VSC or Atrac by pushing the VSC button (this turns VSC off). If you then push and hold the VSC button for 3 seconds Atrac will turn off too.. I usually turn both off at same time with single push and hold 3 secs.
Atrac and vsc are engaged always by default. It is the normal state of operation. Engaging low range makes no difference. There are many instances when you may wish to disable o e or both systems.
When you engage the center diff lock the ecu will automatically disable VSC (vehicle stability control but leave Atrac in operation. (this is because VSC looks for differences between front and rear axles before firing the brakes whereas Atrac looks for differences in wheel speeds across an axle. You can manually disengage VSC or Atrac by pushing the VSC button (this turns VSC off). If you then push and hold the VSC button for 3 seconds Atrac will turn off too.. I usually turn both off at same time with single push and hold 3 secs.
Thank you. That helps me a bit, I don't have the vehicle with me but I drive it when we go to our cabin and it's been a bitch to make it up the 1/4 mile upgrade in the icy snow, only my FJC has made it up with the atrac and rear locker. I think I will lock the center diff and keep the atrac engaged next time.
Thank you. That helps me a bit, I don't have the vehicle with me but I drive it when we go to our cabin and it's been a ***** to make it up the 1/4 mile upgrade in the icy snow, only my FJC has made it up with the atrac and rear locker. I think I will lock the center diff and keep the atrac engaged next time.
Also try different settings on the terrain control feature (only works in Low Range). I am thinking the mud/snow position might help some as it will allow a little more wheel slip before kicking in and killing any momentum you have.
Just FYI the stock tires on the 200 are crap!!! I live in the hills in Salt Lake City and my 200 slips around a little bit compared to my fjc. I have bfg atko on the fjc and they do way better than the stock 200 tires. basically when you pop it in 4wd with the fj the center diff is locked. the land cruiser has a Torsen limited slip differential which will work better than locking the center diff in the snow IMO. It can switch power 75/25 f/r 25/75 f/r or if you want to do a full lock it is still manual. Only thing I would do is tap the vsc button this will allow the tires to spin freely if you hold it down for 5 seconds this will turn of the side to side slippage I wouldn't do that even with full time 4wd you can get the car sideways.... It's really really hard but I was able to do it in an empty mall parking lot with 12 inches of snow while cranking the wheel and gunning it lol.
Try the factory tires out and if you have a hard time go to discount tire they will give you credit for the oe tires towards a new set. Or you can do what I'm doing and just wear out the factory tires and replace then. I'm going for good year duratracs
Read this to find out more about Torsen differentials
