Deep Snow, Icy Roads and LC200 Settings

[Crazy888888s]

Hey folks.

Had the first deep snowfall this season (about a foot of wet sloppy stuff here in NY) and my first snow experience with the LC200.

So far so good. I have 4 new Blizzaks snows mounted on the OEM wheels.

Running in 4HI without touching settings, she is running as expected. I have heard the ABS and VSC kick in here and there.

I tried 4LO but was surprised that the max speed there is only about 20-25mph. Also the trans seems limited to 4th gear. Is that the case for everyone?

So, here are my questions:

In 4HI if hit the center diff button one time, then I get the indicator and the VSC OFF indicator as well. If you lock the center diff, does the VSC always go off?

If so, then what is all this business about pushing the button and holding it for 3 seconds? What does that do?

Is it that the VSC only goes partially off with a quick push of the center diff button?

The manual is not that helpful here, folks so your commentary would be much appreciated.

If I have this all wrong, I would love an education.

Perhaps someone who knows how all this works should do a sticky post.

Thanks in advance,
Gregg

 

[1loudLX]

Yeah, when you lock the CDL VSC turns off, at least thats how its on the 100 and SHOULD be on the 200. Does the manual state you should push the button for 3s?

Should have come out drifting with me on Friday, road conditions were perfect for sliding.

 

[Crazy888888s]

The 3 sec thing is not in the manual (to my knowledge) but it has been discussed on this forum in recent weeks.

As for intentional drifting, sorry I missed it. Learned my lesson about 22 yrs ago totaling my wife's Jeep Wrangler doing donuts in a snow covered parking lot in an Ann Arbor. The only drifting I do these days is off anchor in the Summer. . . .

 

[chimyz]

I think...CDL will dis-engange VSC, but it is still active some...if you press and hold the VSC button for 3 seconds, it totally shuts it down.

I had a buddy in the car the other day, and he asked how the thing handled (we have 1" of compact snow now permanently on the ground...gets very slippery). I was hammering it around the turns, and no issues. The slip control would kick in, and beep, and ABS would go to the necessary wheel and throttle down too. When I pushed the button in for 3 seconds, it was like we were helpless. Drifting and spinning around every turn. We had a blast.

I may fool around with it a bit more, as our roads are a mess. I have never driven in 4LO unless it was necessary off road...and the only time I locked the Centre Diff was when I needed to to climb some sketchy rocky terrain.

 

[dtt255]

Loud is correct (for a change, lol) VSC does turn off when doing CDL.

I have heard the 3 second thing but nothing happens (to my knowledge) when I have tried it.

Chimyz is the best person to talk to about the 200 in snow. Coldest it has gotten here so far is 50 degrees....ooooo...chilly!

 

[dtt255]

Hey folks.

Had the first deep snowfall this season (about a foot of wet sloppy stuff here in NY) and my first snow experience with the LC200.

So far so good. I have 4 new Blizzaks snows mounted on the OEM wheels.

Running in 4HI without touching settings, she is running as expected. I have heard the ABS and VSC kick in here and there.

I tried 4LO but was surprised that the max speed there is only about 20-25mph. Also the trans seems limited to 4th gear. Is that the case for everyone?


So, here are my questions:

In 4HI if hit the center diff button one time, then I get the indicator and the VSC OFF indicator as well. If you lock the center diff, does the VSC always go off?

If so, then what is all this business about pushing the button and holding it for 3 seconds? What does that do?

Is it that the VSC only goes partially off with a quick push of the center diff button?

The manual is not that helpful here, folks so your commentary would be much appreciated.

If I have this all wrong, I would love an education.

Perhaps someone who knows how all this works should do a sticky post.

Thanks in advance,
Gregg

BTW the max speed for 4LOW is correct. I would do the speed shifter and keep it in first or second if needed. Fourth gear sounds about right for max.....

 

[chimyz]

If I hit VSC button, the light comes on showing that VSC is off...however, if I hit and hold VSC for 3 seconds, the light comes on, but also and explination point and the rig bings? I think there is a difference, just not sure what it is. If I can get out today, I'll do some experimentation in the snow.

 

[dtt255]

If I hit VSC button, the light comes on showing that VSC is off...however, if I hit and hold VSC for 3 seconds, the light comes on, but also and explination point and the rig bings? I think there is a difference, just not sure what it is. If I can get out today, I'll do some experimentation in the snow.

What have you found to be the best setup for driving in the snow?

I saw snow once.....

 

[chimyz]

What have you found to be the best setup for driving in the snow?

I saw snow once.....

The safest is to leave it as is and drive...the most fun is hold the VSC for 3 seconds and have at it.

 

[dtt255]

The safest is to leave it as is and drive...the most fun is hold the VSC for 3 seconds and have at it.

I wonder what holding it for 3 seconds does.....what did you notice?

 

[1loudLX]

I wonder if holding it down disables TRAC. I know when I lock the CDL VSC goes away but TRAC stays and keeps fighting me to try and keep traction. It doesnt understand I want to spin em, I want to slide, I want to live on the edge!

 

[dtt255]

I wonder if holding it down disables TRAC. I know when I lock the CDL VSC goes away but TRAC stays and keeps fighting me to try and keep traction. It doesnt understand I want to spin em, I want to slide, I want to live on the edge!

Interesting thoughts. I wonder why they would not have a label indicating that is happening. It seems like that would be useful!

 

[1loudLX]

with the Lexus sedans (IE: GS350, etc), the ones with VSC if you press the trac off button it turns off trac. Hold trac off down and it disables stability control also. The new ones with VDIM I do not believe you can disable stability...then again I havent tried.

 

[chimyz]

Went out today...holding down the VSC button for 3 seconds disables TRAC...can slide all around. There was nothing really going on when I just pressed the VSC.

 

[chimyz]

To be honest...I am even more confused now!

 

[1loudLX]

Just enjoy being able to turn VSC AND TRAC off

 

[dtt255]

Ok so lets clarify this.

Confirmed:

Just pressing the VSC button turns the VSC off.

Pushing the CDL button, locks the center diff and shuts off the VSC but TRAC is still activated.

Not Verified:

Pushing and holding the VSC button for 3 seconds shuts off TRAC but keeps the VSC on?

 

[chimyz]

Not Verified:

Pushing and holding the VSC button for 3 seconds shuts off TRAC but keeps the VSC on?

Not verified, but I'm pretty sure this shuts both VSC and TRAC off.

 

[JBHorne]

On my other thread, mo.africa is right on. This is the same issue I had when driving in deep mud.

VSC = Vehicle Stability Control -- it's what keeps the vehicle from compensating when it senses it's leaning or skidding sideways.
TRC = Traction Control -- this system prevents the wheels from spinning.

So....
with VSC off (but TRC on) which automatically turns off when you are in 4LO and lock the CD, the vehicle will not correct itself if it skids sideways or whatnot, but you still cannot hammer down on the trottle. The TRC button (with the car and skidmarks icon) doesn't do anything unless you press AND hold it for 3 seconds. You will see the "TRC off" light come on. This will allow you to hammer down on the throttle. In snow, obviously, this is dangerous (although hella fun), but thats why it's there. 400HP on snow = fun.

Basically though, know that if you NEED to spin tires, you MUST hold down the TRC button. BUT, if you just want to drive normally on snow (maybe if 4LO was required), then leave it on and just lock the CD to disable VSC.

Does that help your understanding or make it worse? I didn't know about the 3 second hold thing until mo.africa posted, and driving through mud was a PITA because the system would loose traction and cut power which is the last thing you want happening in mud!!!

I found this in my manual. on page 238.I'll reproduce it here for the benefit of those that have not seen it and to clarify what I posted earlier.

"TO DISABLE ACTIVE TRC AND/OR VSC SYSTEM
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud,Active TRC and VSC system may reduce power from the engine to the wheels.You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.

Turning off Active TRC
Quickly push and release the button to turn off Active TRC."
(this is the button next to the centre diff lock button and illustrates a car skidding and the word "off")
"The slip indicator light should come on.Push the button again to turn the system back on.

Turning off Active TRC and VSC
Push and hold the button for more than 3 second while the vehicle is stopped to turn off Active TRC and VSC.
The slip indicator light will come on and the "VSC OFF" will be shown on the multi-information display.
Push the button again to turn the system back on.

Turning off VSC
Push the centre differential lock/unlock switch to turn off VSC system.
The centre differential lock indicator light will come on and VSC OFF" will be shown on the multi-information display.
Push the switch again to turn the system back on."

 

[Crazy888888s]

Yes, this is in the manual. Even the 3 second thing. I stand corrected. In my manual it is pages 203 and 204. If I knew how to attach a PDF, I would attach it here.

So here is my summary:

**********************
TRAC - Traction Control - The button showing the skidding car - Controls wheel spin on slippery surfaces
*PUSH ONCE QUICKLY TO TURN OFF THE TRAC ONLY*

**PUSH AND HOLD FOR 3 SECONDS WHILE VEHICLE STOPPED TO TURN OFF TRAC AND VSC. SLIP INDICATOR (exclamation point triangle) WILL COME ON AND "VSC OFF" WILL SHOW -- THIS WILL ALLOW YOU ROCK THE VEHICLE**

***ONE QUICK PUSH OF THE BUTTON RESTORES ALL TO NORMAL AND ALL LIGHTS SHOULD GO OFF***

Note, if TRAC and VSC are both off, they will remain off no matter what the vehicle speed. If only TRAC is off, it will reengage as vehicle speed increases

***********************
CDL - Center Differential Lock - The button with the four wheels and the x in the middle - This puts equal power to all four wheels. Whenever CDL is engaged, VSC is off. Never drive on a dry road surface with the CDL engaged as system damage can occur.

***********************
VSC - Vehicle Skid Control - This controls the sideways movement correction of the vehicle, either skidding, leaning or tipping
***********************