Do I need traction control?

[BrianR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BrianR]

Folks,

I'll be ordering a GX/GXL Prado in January. Primary use will be tow vehicle for a caravan however in the next couple of years will be doing a few tag alongs with Simpson Desert being the most adventurous. I do plan a suspension upgrade before the Simpson.

I appreciate few Prados will blow the rear diff but I will be keeping this car for a long time and was wondering if traction control would in any way help potect the vehicle from this possibility.

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Hey Brian

Here's a couple of really useful threads on the advantages / disadvantages of TC.

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?t=1857

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?t=762

When it comes right down to it you really want to be able to answer two questions ...

1. What do I want to do with the vehicle ?
2. Is it worth the extra cost ?

Then it will come down to personal preferences .... some guys hate all the electrickery and want to be in total control while off-road. Others (Justo in particular) swear by TC in all sorts of conditions ... including soft sand where many pundits claim TC is nigh on useless.

Enjoy making your choice.

Cheers
Chippy

[Gordo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gordo]

Hi Brian,

I have recently ordered a new GXL prado auto D4D due for delivery in Mid March 2008. I ordered Option Pack 1. This incorporates TRC (Traction Control) and VSC (Vehicle Stability Control). Other inclusions are the wiring for a reverse camera and side curtain airbags for passenger safety. For the extra $2k or there abouts, I would always take a safer option rather than not.

If you order the Prado Standard, GX or GXL then you can get the Option Pack 1 for the auto. Not sure about the manual Prado.

Hope this helps you out. Here is a link to help make your mind up. http://www.toyota.com.au/toyota/vehicle ... 82,00.html

Gordo

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

My opinion (FWIW) is that you generally don't need these items as you drive 'sensibly' 99% of the time OR your driving habits don't necessitate these kinda options.

I would rather have 'it' than not but I wouldn't be prepared to pay the difference to VX money for what should be standard equipment on GXL (IMO, as Pajero has MATTS standard on GLX).

You have to be a realist sometimes and just say "so what?"

PS I can't wait to place my order for a GXL next year.

[xvprado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close xvprado]

I think the point is SS, it is now 2k as an option with side curtain airbags, cheap in my opinion

TC is sensational and worth every cent of 2k by itself, IMO as someone who has driven with and without it, in 120's

It doesnt intefere with your driving style and can be very surprising at what extra it delivers

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

I think the point is SS, it is now 2k as an option with side curtain airbags, cheap in my opinion

TC is sensational and worth every cent of 2k by itself, IMO as someone who has driven with and without it, in 120's

It doesnt intefere with your driving style and can be very surprising at what extra it delivers

My question is: When would you use it? I doubt I'd ever NEED it to get me out of trouble.

I'd go the airbags but I can't justify $000's just for traction/stability control alone. This should be standard even in GX.

[bitdist Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bitdist]

I heard an "expert" say that stability control would have as big an impact on accident trauma as the introduction of seatbelts back a few decades ago.
While I agree that it should be standard on all the models, being able to get it and curtain airbags for under 2k is a option I could not go past. IMHO I would not buy one without it. And with the bonus of traction control for those who would use it, its a cheap option to put on (I have used traction control for 4 years (before adding twin lockers :twisted: ) in a previous vehicle where it wasn't as good as the Prado one and it makes any vehice go further in the rough stuff and be safer doing it as you don't have to use momentum as much (where you can break things) or have multiple goes at some obstacles.

Well worth it, and my guess is, in a few years time the ones with it (stability control) will have a lot better resale value as it will be standard on everything then and people will expect it

[Gordo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gordo]

My question is: When would you use it? I doubt I'd ever NEED it to get me out of trouble.

From my opinion, I would rather have Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control, then not have it. You can't put these options on to your Prado the instant you are in a precarious predicament in the middle of the country sliding around a corner just about to roll your new Prado, or worse still, crashing into an oncoming car full of people, all because you underestimated the corner or overestimated your driving capability on unknown roads.

You need to think WHAT IF? "Should I purchase VSC etc as a safety measure or save my dollars for other accessories". What is your family's safety worth to you! To me, this is a no brainer. Get the Option Pack if only for peace of mind.

The Option Pack will hold higher resale value than a Prado without it. So have fun enjoying your forthcoming decision.

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

My question is: When would you use it? I doubt I'd ever NEED it to get me out of trouble.

From my opinion, I would rather have Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control, then not have it. You can't put these options on to your Prado the instant you are in a precarious predicament in the middle of the country sliding around a corner just about to roll your new Prado, or worse still, crashing into an oncoming car full of people, all because you underestimated the corner or overestimated your driving capability on unknown roads.

You need to think WHAT IF? "Should I purchase VSC etc as a safety measure or save my dollars for other accessories". What is your family's safety worth to you! To me, this is a no brainer. Get the Option Pack if only for peace of mind.

The Option Pack will hold higher resale value than a Prado without it. So have fun enjoying your forthcoming decision.

Do I need to think 'what if' or do Toyota?

Toyota are trying hard to dissuade me as you need to spend near VX money for the 'needy' safety devices.

Think about it. Toyota are not really worried about our passive safety, are they?

[xvprado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close xvprado]

My question is: When would you use it? I doubt I'd ever NEED it to get me out of trouble.

When would I use it..is that the question

Oh, about everytime I go offroad

Or is the question that you have decided it cant/wont get you out of trouble, then maybe it might just stop you getting in trouble

Look, I have driven some difficult tracks (Zig zag powerline) in idenitcal vehicles on the same day with and without TC, it adds considerable ability to the vehicle

No point debating its value or otherwise SS. You need to experience a modern TC, it is not an "add on" it is always on and performs the most basic of tasks in a inherent way

Lift a wheel, you get power down on the opposing wheel, lift two wheels in most 4wd's you stop, not so in a quick reacting TC equipped vehicle

The Prado TC is the most advanced I have experienced in terms of reaction speed, this is the essence of its success

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

My question is: When would you use it? I doubt I'd ever NEED it to get me out of trouble.

When would I use it..is that the question

Oh, about everytime I go offroad

Or is the question that you have decided it cant/wont get you out of trouble, then maybe it might just stop you getting in trouble

Look, I have driven some difficult tracks (Zig zag powerline) in idenitcal vehicles on the same day with and without TC, it adds considerable ability to the vehicle

No point debating its value or otherwise SS. You need to experience a modern TC, it is not an "add on" it is always on and performs the most basic of tasks in a inherent way

Lift a wheel, you get power down on the opposing wheel, lift two wheels in most 4wd's you stop, not so in a quick reacting TC equipped vehicle

The Prado TC is the most advanced I have experienced in terms of reaction speed, this is the essence of its success

So what did the folk do during the era, pre-TC? :wink:

Let me guess... continue going off-road and not getting stuck.

[xvprado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close xvprado]

So what did the folk do during the era, pre-TC? :wink:

Let me guess... continue going off-road and not getting stuck.

Happy to have a debate on aspects of 4wd'ing SS but I cant help but think that you are intent on arguing a negative position without an opinion based on anything
If you dont like TC all is good, you know, you said when would I need it, maybe the question you should ask is when should I try it to form an opinion based on experience :wink:

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

So what did the folk do during the era, pre-TC? :wink:

Let me guess... continue going off-road and not getting stuck.

Happy to have a debate on aspects of 4wd'ing SS but I cant help but think that you are intent on arguing a negative position without an opinion based on anything
If you dont like TC all is good, you know, you said when would I need it, maybe the question you should ask is when should I try it to form an opinion based on experience :wink:

My point is... in most cases, you don't NEED it, but you'd rather have it.

I notice you conveniently neglected to answer my question re: what you did in the days before TC.

As I said, Toyota should include TC/SC as standard, I'm not arguing against the feature, full stop. I'm just taking the pragmatic view even if some are preaching to me its a 'necessity'.

Btw, you do sound like a Toyota salesman, are you?

[xvprado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close xvprado]

I notice you conveniently neglected to answer my question re: what you did in the days before TC.

As I said, Toyota should include TC/SC as standard, I'm not arguing against the feature, full stop. I'm just taking the pragmatic view even if some are preaching to me its a 'necessity'.

Btw, you do sound like a Toyota salesman, are you?

1) In answer to your original question what did "folk" do pre TC
They did what folk do now, sometimes winched, sometimes locked diffs, sometimes got dragged pout of the poo and sometimes didnt attempt difficult sections of track, nothing has changed in that respect. They did of course drive much more robust/agricultural vehicles that would take an absolute hammering, as compared to todays 4wd

2) Moot point, Prado outsells the others as is, why should they be benevolent, they exist to make money

3) didnt read anyone preaching...sharing experience and views, sort of like assisting in a learning process I guess

4) No, I dont sell any sort of vehicle for a living. As a matter of fact I am close to an Anti Christ in the opinion of some Toyota salesmen

Anyway, enough of this, I get the feeling that you arent receptive to taking on alternate points of view on the basis that Toyota are being unfair or unkind in providing electronics that meet opposition specs, the rest is problematic old mate

Good luck and have a nice Christmas

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

I'm just a person who seeks value. If Kluger offers a plethora of features standard and Pajero ditto, I'm sure Toyota is already making a healthy profit on Prado... they could offer more for the near $60K ask. I don't believe that's too much to ask for.

Sooner or later, I'm hoping Toyota offer the safety features as standard equipment. We shouldn't be debating the TC option at all as the GX should have it (IMO)! Toyota should value safety more seriously than they do. That's my basic argument. I don't care that Prado outsells the rest, that's really a moot point.

Anyway, I've had my say. You have a nice Christmas, too!