Modern Vehicle Traction Systems

[Mad Manny]

Vehicles with Traction Control AND Diff Lock:

In many basic bakkies with TC & DL, if you push the Diff Lock knob the TC automatically cancels.

This is because you don't need TC (ABS in reverse)when the DL is on.
In fact, in some vehicles the ABS cancels too.
So basically, pressing DL cancells all Electronic Brake interventions.

The Alaskan, apparently, still allows the FRONT TC to work if you press the rear DL button.
This effectively gives the Alaskan a de facto 3 Diff Lock system (front, centre & rear).

However, the Amarok, I believe also does this & so to the top of the line 2.8 Hilux 4x4's.

This Thread is to discuss these systems & how they work across different brands...

[XJ Junkie]

Like I said, all modern 4x4s with DL should have this, not just bakkies. But they don’t.

[XJ Junkie]

Here is an extract from a very good article on the Prados highly selectable system:

“The Kakadu has a rear cross-axle locker, and here’s some great news – brake traction control remains in effect when the rear locker is engaged, unlike say Fortuner or Hilux. This one feature massively improves the Prado’s offroad capability. In the case of Fortuner and Hilux most of the time you’re best off not bothering with the rear locker, so good is the traction control, because you lose traction control on the front axle when the locker is engaged. For those cars, traction control on all four wheels is better than rear locker and no traction control on the front axle.”

https://4x4.practicalmotoring.com.au/te ... tems-work/

[Quack]

Modern TC is safe, nice, easy, foolproof, great in rocky terrain, oorkruisgate!

But it’s BORRING!

On long sand dunes I personally believe real lockers will still be better of!


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[XJ Junkie]

On long sand dunes I personally believe real lockers will still be better of!

This also depends on your direction of travel & the softness of the sand. If your going across the face of a soft dune then lockers will take you further. Lockers also help you to get going quicker for short approaches.

But then there are instances where they will slow progress. On very soft technical stuff you need big power to keep locked axles turning.

[Mad Manny]

Neil, that extract about the Kakadu you quoted above - I believe the top Hiluxes & Fortuners now have a version of A-Trac, so they too can have rear DL engaged but front TC still operational.

Seaching for info overseas for info is difficult because here in SA our bakkies all come with DL, but overseas DL is VERY uncommon.

[ThysleRoux]

Real lockers will always be better off, Quack - TC relies on ABS sensors and I have seen it rendered useless when the sensors get clogged up with mud for instance

[Outlaw Shaun]

On my tj i have selectable front and rear elockers .
I love this system .
I am in control

On thr jk it has tc and selectable lockers .
Switch lockers on and tc goes off
Still struggling with this vehicles full potential offroad

[XJ Junkie]

Manny it’s reasonable to expect that later Hiluxes & Fortunas do have it, but if they do then it isn’t clearly specified on the websites I’ve looked at previously.

It’s the sort of thing that should be mentioned.

[XJ Junkie]

Quack if you’re finding that your TC is boring then I’d suggest that maybe you aren’t putting your vehicle into situations where it’s effectiveness can be tested to the max?

Here is a double locked 300kw Cruiser being challenged

https://youtu.be/jELw_QW1bW0

[Quack]

Trust me I’m always open to a challenge!

I will even combine launch control with traction control and then even better, pull an abs sensor to get rid of all the moffie knoppies!

I still feel mechanical difflock is better than electronic!

After all the electronic systems rely on the brakes to maintain traction, so ultimately you loose momentum!

For the run of the mill, I agree that acronyms will get you out of dwang, but for the real stuff I prefer mechanics


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[Martin de Jager]

good day all,
my personal experience on this subject, I owned two Pajero's with TC, my second had cut out switch that disabled the ABS, and they work really well, I have pushed my last Pajeroto the point that the traction control alarm sounds.
My choice would remain an conventional mechanical select and difflock, its just so much more reliable and can endure more strain, in my opinion. leaves with more options not to get stuck and extract myself.
When it comes to the really hard and enduring routes and day to day situations, you have a lot less that can go wrong, and its by cheaper to repair should it go wrong.

mdj

[XJ Junkie]

A mechanical locker is always going to be better because unlike TC, it isn’t a reactive system. TC will only intervene once traction is lost, whereas a locker can just be left on.

But in reality there’s only about 2 or 3 vehicles that can be bought with both front & rear lockers.

The rest have to rely on TC.

[Johannes]

I have watched a few 4x4's with traction control , some 4x4's you have to actually keep the rpm up for TC to work ?? My son has a D3 V8 , his TC kicks in very quick with minimum wheel spin .
But i still prefer the proper locker . Pity it cost's a arm and leg !

[XJ Junkie]

I have watched a few 4x4's with traction control , some 4x4's you have to actually keep the rpm up for TC to work ??

TC pretty much won’t work at all if there’s no throttle input.