CDL

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eizenjin91

10 Year
Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Threads
18
Messages
112
Location
Eagle County, CO
Question on the CDL activation. On my 200 I’ve always stoped the truck, put in neutral, hit CDL, and started going again.
I just got back from a month in Iceland where I had a LC Prado for a month. With how their roads transition from tar to gravel and back I got in the habit of putting the truck in neutral at 100kmh hitting CDL and when it locks in then just putting it back in drive without slowing or stopping. Is that harmful to the vehicle? I never felt any thunks, thuds, lurches, grinding, etc. It was so much easier and quicker. Anybody do that with their 200? Would I have any long term issues doing it that way with my 200? Thanks
 
To my knowledge the CDL can be engaged while driving without putting the vehicle in neutral (at least I do). It's better to engage it at lower speeds, though. You do need to be in neutral to switch into low range.
 
From the LC manual:

The center differential lock/unlock switch can be operated when
●The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
●The vehicle speed is less than 60 mph (100 km/h).
Click to expand...

You don't need to stop and put the LC into neutral to lock or unlock the center diff. I find it works best when the vehicle is moving in a straight line and not braking or accelerating.
 
Yup, on the fly is how it's used. Which is important for those situations when you see upcoming sand/loose dirt/hill, or you realize you're losing traction, and don't want to come to a stop and loose all momentum to engage it. It also turns off traction control to allow one to power out or keep momentum when bogging down. It may take a second to engage, and may even need a slight turn to align the engagement dogs.
 
Somewhat related, but it's a good practice to exercise it, to make sure it doesn't bind from being unused too long. I will often click it on as I'm coming down the last straight stretch in my neighborhood. Then click it off before turning into my driveway. Note that one doesn't want it on when making sharp turns on tarmac, as it'll cause the axles and CV's undue stress.
 
stiffarm said:
Guys where is the CDL switch? Hate to be a dumbass---
Click to expand...

On our 08’ LX it is to the right of the steering column top row, closest to the steering wheel. If I remember correctly.

I have been pressing it often with the slick conditions around here. It seems to make the vehicle much more controllable with oversteer and throttle instead of understeer.
 
stiffarm said:
Guys where is the CDL switch? Hate to be a dumbass---
Click to expand...

On your 2015LC it's to the left of the steering wheel in the row of switches below the mirror switch - last one on the bottom right showing the 4 wheels with an X in the middle:

LC200DashLights_06OCT17_zps3kgtbwbw.jpg


Press once to engage - press again to disengage.

HTH

P.S. Sorry for the bad pic
 
stiffarm said:
Guys where is the CDL switch? Hate to be a dumbass---
Click to expand...

Toyota seemingly flung the buttons all over the place with each refresh. :) On my 08, it’s sorta hidden to the right of my steering column. Lots of other seemingly random spots hidden the the left... Go figure...
 
I wonder how hard it would be to relocate ALL of the scattered buttons on my 08 to a collective panel of some kind...
 
Markuson said:
I wonder how hard it would be to relocate ALL of the scattered buttons on my 08 to a collective panel of some kind...
Click to expand...
I've debated this as well, mostly because I use the CDL and heated steering wheel buttons the most and I cannot see them unless I tilt my head over to the window. The CDL location in particular is just dumb dumb dumb.

The wiring behind these is short. I know because I tapped the green wire to get backlighting for the additional switches I installed. You could certainly move the buttons easy enough, but you'd need to cut and splice additional wire to make the harnesses long enough. Not hard, just some effort and a willingness to cut your wires
 
So with the 2016+ they moved them again. Onto the console just in front of the cup holders. I actually like where they are now though some people may not like that these buttons can be bumnped by the passenger or whatever or maybe have some hot coffee spilled on them. But I find them there. I find it easier to "feel around" for them than when they are tucked in by the steering column.

Oh, and I now realize that I should be exercising the CDL from time to time so it is good to know where it is. I had never used it!

IMG_0862.webp
 
CDL next to crawl control?!?! Brilliant!

Just needs a knob for front and rear lockers there as well...
 
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