When you need to keep going forward in the sloppy, muddy sludge or slushy, slippery mush and you require grip, the Toyota 4Runner Auto LSD, Limited Slip Differential, comes in useful.
When you are in two wheel drive mode, the Auto LSD feature operates on the rear differential.
- Simply press the VSC off button once to activate Auto LSD.
- A light that reads Auto LSD and a car icon with two wavy lines will both be visible. This shows that the auto LSD has been engaged and the traction control has been disengaged.
- The indicator flashes to let you know that Auto LSD is managing the spinning rear wheels if the rear wheels start to spin.
- When you need a little bit of extra traction but don’t want to switch to four-wheel drive, this option is fantastic.
- The Limited Slip Differential mode can be turned off by pressing and holding down the same VSC off button for three seconds.
In This Article...
Automatic limited-slip differential: what is it?
There is a good chance that you have heard of the limited-slip differential if you enjoy driving sports vehicles or 4x4s. This equipment, referred to as an LSD for short, is a component of a car’s drive system and it is made to assist the engine in transferring power to the road more effectively for improved performance and handling.
The limited-slip diff, which is a device that restricts the degree of wheelspin when the driving wheels lose grip when power is applied, essentially does what it says on the tin. The LSD does this by dispersing engine power to the wheels with the greatest amount of grip, either mechanically, electronically, or by combining the two.
Is there a limited-slip differential in the 4Runner SR5?
Numerous features in your new 2017 Toyota 4Runner help to give the capability you require. To begin with, you have a choice between two four-wheel drive systems that provide you the traction control you want. SR5 and TRD off-road versions of the Toyota 4Runner provide a part-time 4WD system with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC). You can select a full-time 4WD system with A-TRAC and a Torsen limited-slip center differential with locking feature if you select the Limited variant. When it comes to the outstanding capability options available in the 2017 Toyota 4Runner, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. A Kinetic Suspension System (KDSS) and Crawl Control (CRAWL) are also available, both of which are designed to retain the best possible traction control over uneven terrain. Multi-terrain Select, a lever/dial-style transfer case, and a locking rear differential are additional 4Runner off-road options.
Open vs Limited-Slip Differentials
Differentials vary from one another. Differentials come in at least four different varieties, each of which is appropriate for a variety of driving circumstances. The open differential found in most cars allows a wheel to keep spinning even after it slips. In essence, the inner wheel revolves more slowly than the outer wheel. If there is no rain, gravel, ice, or snow and the road conditions are normal, this is acceptable. The biggest winners from open differentials will be those who reside in tropical areas.
For open roads, the limited-slip differential is also appropriate. Due to the fact that engine torque is distributed to each individual wheel, it is similar to an open differential. However, the slipping tire is where there is a significant difference. If you were using an open differential, the tire would typically slip as you made sharp turns and accelerated quickly. However, a limited-slip differential lowers the amount of torque sent to the sliding tire. Once this has occurred, it is simpler to make quick, hard turns. In this case, an open differential would struggle.
Due to their frequent use in races, high-performance vehicles like race cars frequently have limited-slip differentials. A police car might have a limited-slip differential on normal roads to make chasing criminals around turns simpler. However, a limited-slip differential won’t be any better than an open differential on roads with snow and ice.
What is the lifespan of a limited slip differential?
As it refers to standard work vehicles rather than the countless articles I discovered that are written for performance-oriented dirt track racers, drag racers, drifters, and off-road aficionados, this information seems fairly useful.
Does anyone know what model, OEM brand, or component package the 2017 Transit Wagon axle belongs to? Any specifics on the LSD components, please? I suppose I should at the very least make an effort to learn more about the systems that our Transit is powered by so that we can take excellent care of it.
How can a limited slip differential malfunction?
Your wheels’ differentials may experience apparent indicators of wear or malfunction. Tyre damage, vibrations, trouble controlling, and grinding gears are the top 5 signs of faulty front and rear differentials. As soon as you notice these symptoms, you may take action and bring your car to a differential-specialist mechanic to have the issue evaluated and fixed before further harm to your vehicle is done.
Damage to Tyres
To minimize unequal wear and tear, your car’s tyres must rotate at various speeds when rounding a corner. Your tires will wear unevenly and have worn, flat tread if your differentials aren’t working properly. Before your tyres deteriorate and you have to replace them as well, having your LSDs examined early will save you money.
Whining Sounds and Vibrations
There are several ways that poor LSDs can result in this. First, the universal joints in your diff may fail, resulting in drive shaft vibrations and a whining sound. Your diffs may also be leaking fluid and causing unpleasant vibrations; in that scenario, they will start to fail very soon.
Control
Since the purpose of LSDs is to improve vehicle control, if you feel like you’re losing some control of your car while driving, there’s a significant probability that something may be wrong with them. Time to have it looked at.
Grinding Gears
You will feel and possibly hear a perceptible grinding of the gears, especially during change, when your differentials malfunction or become faulty. You will hear a whining sound and a low humming sound that intensifies over time.
Shared Features
The SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, Limited, and Nightshade Edition are the seven model levels available for the 2020 Toyota 4Runner. A 4.0-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic power each 4Runner. Each one also boasts the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, which includes automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian recognition. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon, Alexa, satellite radio, HD radio, Bluetooth compatibility, voice recognition, and an 8-inch touchscreen are all features shared by the SR5 Premium and TRD Off-Road.
SR5 Premium Features
The SR5 Premium costs $39,215 at launch. Incorporated navigation, heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and SofTex synthetic leather upholstery are all included as standard features. Although it can be modified to 4WD, the SR5 Premium comes with 2WD.
TRD Off-Road Features
At $39,740, the TRD Off-Road is affordable. It receives the features of the base model SR5 rather than those of the SR5 Premium. Its off-road abilities, however, greatly outpace those of the SR5 Premium. Crawl control, a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select driving mode selection, and standard 4WD are all features of the TRD Off-Road.
Visit Arlington Toyota to test drive the 2020 Toyota 4Runner and choose which model is best for you.
What does a 4Runner TRD package entail?
The SR5 trim level will offer the TRD Sport package. The package swaps out the 17-inch wheels from that level for 20-inch machine-faced wheels with dark grey highlights, color-keyed external details, a front spoiler, black roof rails, and a hood scoop in the TRD style.
Is there an open differential on the 4Runner?
All 2WD 4Runners come equipped with an automatic limited slip differential as standard equipment. This function, which is a part of the traction control system, aims to provide the wheels just enough slippage to offer grip on slippery terrain like snow or sand.
What button is the VSC?
To switch off your TRAC, just push and hold the VSC Off button next to your gear shift. Near your speedometer, look for the TRAC OFF indication light. You will also find your VSC Off indication light here. Simply press the button once more to turn the TRAC back on.
The Toyota Rav4’s traction control is activated in what way?
To turn off TRAC and VSC, push and hold the switch while the car is still moving. Both the TRAC OFF and VSC OFF indicators lights ought to turn on. To restart the system, press the switch once again.
What makes a limited slip differential desirable?
Although no differential is flawless, limited slip differentials do provide a number of advantages over a typical open differential.
When one tire loses traction, limited slip differentials adjust, giving you more control even on slick or bumpy roads.
A limited slip differential makes use of engine power more effectively to boost a car’s power and speed, resulting in a smoother and more pleasurable ride.
Even on common roads, LSD units can aid in maintaining near-perfect traction to provide a safer and more comfortable ride.
By keeping one wheel from spinning unnecessarily, limited slip differentials can help to reduce tire wear and tear. The same is true for axle shaftsshifting torque results in less pressure, which prolongs life.
A limited slip differential delivers significantly more traction and grip than a typical open differential system, even while driving over dust, sand, and rocks.