What I learned about my truck playing on the ice today. Do keep in mind I've only owned my first 4WD for all of 8 months. After 2 hours of playing in the ice and snow this morning I learned a lot. Well actually I didn't learn that much, but I had a good time. Here're my somewhat cynical observations with my 08 4Runner today for your entertainment or for anyone to correct me if my understanding about anything is wrong.
First off, traction control and stability control (VSC) work by killing the power when the wheels might spin. So today I learned that when on a sheet of ice these systems are very effective in assuring you will remain stuck and become strandad on the ice. So it's important to know the proper technique for using these systems: find the "off" switch, and press it. On mine, there is a secret trick. Press the "off" button and it turns off traction control; but, you have to hold it for 3 seconds before it turns the VSC off too. Those engineers thought they were sneaky hiding this, but I still found out about it. I haven't been able to see how to turn off the anti-locking brakes (I know, there likely ain't one
) so the doughnuts I did spinning on the smooth ice I found today weren't as tight as they could be. 
Next, having "multi-mode" 4WD is better then all time 4WD because the fun comes from getting into trouble in 2WD, then bailing yourself out with 4WD. But if you're always in 4WD, well, gee, what's the challenge?
This is a good reason to get the Sport trim which has multi-mode (2WD, 4Hi, 4Lo) vs the Limited's all-time hi/lo 4WD. Plus considering I can ride in 4WD with the diff unlocked all day I also get the joy of confusing people by telling them I have "full-time 4WD that's part-time", and being technically correct. And that's priceless. 
I have a center diff with a lock, its a Torsen T-3. But my rear axle also has an auto limited slip diff. Oddly, it works (as indicated by the "Auto LSD" light coming on) only when I am in 2WD and turn off the traction control. I guess it's handy if you get stuck in 2WD and can't switch into 4WD and lock the center? Ok. Fair enough. But my question is, why can I not get the Auto LSD to turn on when I am in 4WD? Would it not work well with a center locking diff? Or maybe it does work but the "on" light just doesn't come on? I understand that LSD's work by either appliying the brakes to the spinning wheel (which shifts torque to the other wheel), or by viscous coupling in the actual diff. I am trying to research to see how it is in my 2008. I tend to think mine is brake-based since if it was the viscous coupling variety it would seem to always be on; especially since I understand that is what all-wheel-drive vehicles use (vs real 4WD) and you can't typically turn off AWD in vehicles with it.
So let's consult the owner's manual as it's certainly written in a way to easily answer all my questions (yeah, right). It says the "Auto LSD" works by using the traction control system. I guess that implies its brake-based as we thought. But then later it says in order to turn on the "Auto LSD" you need to turn off the traction control. Allrighty then. That's clear as mud, thanks.
And lastly, today we learned that commercial warehouse parks are the best places inside the perimeter to find parking lots with smooth ice, and steep icy drives to spin wheels and find ourselves sliding backwards and sideways on.
No arrests and only one encounter with private security force was encountered in today's test driving.
First off, traction control and stability control (VSC) work by killing the power when the wheels might spin. So today I learned that when on a sheet of ice these systems are very effective in assuring you will remain stuck and become strandad on the ice. So it's important to know the proper technique for using these systems: find the "off" switch, and press it. On mine, there is a secret trick. Press the "off" button and it turns off traction control; but, you have to hold it for 3 seconds before it turns the VSC off too. Those engineers thought they were sneaky hiding this, but I still found out about it. I haven't been able to see how to turn off the anti-locking brakes (I know, there likely ain't one
) so the doughnuts I did spinning on the smooth ice I found today weren't as tight as they could be. Next, having "multi-mode" 4WD is better then all time 4WD because the fun comes from getting into trouble in 2WD, then bailing yourself out with 4WD. But if you're always in 4WD, well, gee, what's the challenge?
This is a good reason to get the Sport trim which has multi-mode (2WD, 4Hi, 4Lo) vs the Limited's all-time hi/lo 4WD. Plus considering I can ride in 4WD with the diff unlocked all day I also get the joy of confusing people by telling them I have "full-time 4WD that's part-time", and being technically correct. And that's priceless. I have a center diff with a lock, its a Torsen T-3. But my rear axle also has an auto limited slip diff. Oddly, it works (as indicated by the "Auto LSD" light coming on) only when I am in 2WD and turn off the traction control. I guess it's handy if you get stuck in 2WD and can't switch into 4WD and lock the center? Ok. Fair enough. But my question is, why can I not get the Auto LSD to turn on when I am in 4WD? Would it not work well with a center locking diff? Or maybe it does work but the "on" light just doesn't come on? I understand that LSD's work by either appliying the brakes to the spinning wheel (which shifts torque to the other wheel), or by viscous coupling in the actual diff. I am trying to research to see how it is in my 2008. I tend to think mine is brake-based since if it was the viscous coupling variety it would seem to always be on; especially since I understand that is what all-wheel-drive vehicles use (vs real 4WD) and you can't typically turn off AWD in vehicles with it.
So let's consult the owner's manual as it's certainly written in a way to easily answer all my questions (yeah, right). It says the "Auto LSD" works by using the traction control system. I guess that implies its brake-based as we thought. But then later it says in order to turn on the "Auto LSD" you need to turn off the traction control. Allrighty then. That's clear as mud, thanks.
And lastly, today we learned that commercial warehouse parks are the best places inside the perimeter to find parking lots with smooth ice, and steep icy drives to spin wheels and find ourselves sliding backwards and sideways on.
No arrests and only one encounter with private security force was encountered in today's test driving.
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here's my on/off 4wd button 
