FJ Cruiser traction control explained

Demo on various settings/modes

[@jarrodholiway2187]

Easily the best video explaining these features, when they can be engaged, and how they work together - or don't. Thank you!

[@joepham7116]

Most useful video I have found so far!

[@sibco96]

This is just what I needed. I test drove an FJ today and had trouble figuring out if all those yellow lights were a problem or not when I tried ATrac and diff lock. I was just pressing the buttons in park with the transfer case selector in 4L. The diff lock red light was flashing but now I understand that maybe it didn't engage because the vehicle didn't move.

[@spinphoto]

FJ is ballin'. Manual transfer case is way cooler than turning a knob.

[@welwellwell71]

Good video thanks. I have an FJ and don't go off enough. I forgot about those features.

[@WCPena]

Thanks for sharing. You made it simple to understand. You have another subscriber now.

[@jemshiyasputhuparambil2850]

Well explained. Thanks

[@westrup173]

When my 08 is in 4lo with rear diff locked I can still use my a-trac. It only uses it on the front wheels. It’s rare I need it but it’s good to have.

[@West_Cascade_Rail]

It was something they fixed with newer models iirc

[@r.8033]

Thx for making this.

[@KL00100]

Thank you for this.

[@jenniferbedford7468]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@designgipsy]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@chainlink4241]

A lot of people from the FJ Cruiser Forums have installed a switch that allows you to completely disable the traction control, vehicle stability control and ABS no matter what position the transfer case is in, I believe it's called the VSC Hack. It's not difficult to do, but it makes a huge difference playing in the sand dunes and washes in 4-HI because some of the traction controls will still override that factory switch in high range, as well as disabling the ABS which you really don't need in the sand. I was driving off a large sand dune in 4-HI and thought everything was disabled by doing what you did with the stock disable switch, but had to do a bit of a side arc coming down to avoid a huge hole where another vehicle had been stuck. Traction control still cut the throttle completely and VSC/ABS engaged and tried to turn the FJ dead sideways coming down a steep dune, (the very last thing you want to happen) and made driving out of it a little difficult. I installed my own switch that day and never looked back, it puts me 100% in control of the vehicle until I manually turn everything back on.

[@op2352]

What would be the best FJ set up (e.g. track off? , diff off?) for driving on soft sand?

[@chainlink4241]

A lot of people from the FJ Cruiser Forums have installed a switch that allows you to completely disable the traction control, vehicle stability control and ABS no matter what position the transfer case is in, I believe it's called the VSC Hack. It's not difficult to do, but it makes a huge difference playing in the sand dunes and washes in 4-HI because some of the traction controls will still override that factory switch in high range, as well as disabling the ABS which you really don't need in the sand. I was driving off a large sand dune in 4-HI and thought everything was disabled by doing what he did with the stock disable switch, but I had to do a bit of a side arc coming down to avoid a huge hole where another vehicle had been stuck. Traction control still cut the throttle completely and VSC/ABS engaged and tried to turn the FJ dead sideways coming down a steep dune, (the very last thing you want to happen) and made driving out of it a little difficult. I installed my own switch that day and never looked back, it puts me 100% in control of the vehicle until I manually turn everything back on.

[@bananaman1199]

@@chainlink4241 hey, so out of curiosity, would that VSC Hack be a good setup for driving in snow and ice? I’m a bit of a newer driver and where I’m at we don’t get much snow but when it comes the roads go to crap, and sometimes I find my VSC almost throwing me further into a slide

[@chainlink4241]

@@bananaman1199 I can't speak for anyone but myself as far as performing the mod. It really depends on your own judgement and experience. Have you driven many older vehicles and 4x4's that didn't have any type of VSC/ABS/Traction Control in those conditions? The main reason I installed the switch was so I could disable everything for off-road use where I wanted 100% control of the vehicle. If a person were to have a wreck on a public roadway and insurance investigated and found those systems were disabled at the time of the incident, it could open up a whole new world of trouble for them. It's one of those decisions that if done, you'll have to accept any and all consequences that may result in using it. I live in a very small town in a remote area (Northern US), so the fastest I ever need to go is usually only 30 mph or so and no more than 50 mph in just about any conditions. I run more aggressive tires, but even all terrains do really well in snow & ice. Check the air pressure too. I run my 33's as low as 28 psi in the winter where I am, and no higher than 32 psi in the summer for highway driving. The tires wear dead even and I get excellent traction especially in winter storm conditions. I've even aired down as low as 10-12 psi for ice a couple times years ago where it was really bad (oilfields) and involved off-road and iced over roads just to get home. I can stab the brakes at 45 mph on snow/ice without even activating the ABS on my FJ, so I've never felt the need to disable anything on public roads myself. I see a lot of people over-inflating their tires to try to get an extra couple MPG's, but I prefer the added traction/handling at the expense of a little fuel mileage. I really can't tell anyone else what to or what not to do with their vehicle, I can only say what's worked best for myself from my own experience. Tires flex more the lower the pressures are, which creates heat. Heat sticks to cold, frozen surfaces well, and you won't overheat them to the point of damaging them around 28-32 psi. Hope this helps you, Happy New Year!

[@mattgraves7193]

So you've been in N the whole time, should I always be in neutral when shifting on the 4WD gear shifter?

[@neilfrasersmith]

No, you can change on the go.

[@ishwardeepsingh508]

A-track and RR diff lock buttons did they come factory or installed later?

[@bigdayfoto]

Yes those features all factor items on my vehicle...

[@prophetseven728]

Do all FJs come with this from 2010 on?

[@zadioayyoub6624]

How much TRC is off because in a car like the Pajero pressing the TRC button off only turns it odd by 60%

[@johnyanderson6604]

The diff lock only works in low range, correct me if i'm wrong..

[@chainlink4241]

You are correct, but there is also a wiring hack you can find on the FJ Cruiser Forums that allows you to use the rear locker in 4H and even 2H. I did mine about 6 years ago, I can't remember exactly how I did it but it was really easy to do. I believe you need a ring terminal and some electric tape, it's about a 10 minute job.

[@chainlink4241]

@@zodeefinance5151 I'm not sure if anyone ever made a video showing how to do it, unfortunately I'm disabled now and couldn't get back under the driver's side dash/kick panel again to save my life. Are you a member of the FJ Cruiser Forums? There's always people willing to help there, you might even find someone close to you who can show you how it's done if you're not comfortable doing it yourself. Reach out to the user 'FJtest' on the FJ Cruiser Forums, he's on just about every technical thread there. He's by far one of the most knowledgeable people I've ever encountered regarding FJ Cruisers. I'm also on the forums with the same username/pic as here. If FJtest can't help you or tell you how something is done, he'll get you in touch with the right person who can...