Traction control TRC and beach sand driving

[George77 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close George77]

Hi
I need to turn off my TRC when driving/4wd in soft sand. .The TRC seems to be activated too often (trc dash light comes on and there is a funny vibration noise...i assume that is the trc).

When I turn off all is ok.

Is this the correct thing to be doing? What are others doing?

Cheers

[blw Member Find all posts View Profile Close blw]

Yeah, turn off TRC when driving on Sand - also press and hold the TRC button for about 5 seconds - needs to be done every time you start the car which is a pain if your staying on Fraser Isand

[teamex Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close teamex]

I've been finding that even with the TRC off some alarms occur and something is trying to correct the steering. Does anyone know of a full override? or am i just not holding the button long enough (i just pressed it, didn't hold for 5 seconds)

[Grinbot Member Find all posts View Profile Close Grinbot]

Pressing the TRC button disables traction control. Pressing and holding the TRC button for 3 seconds also disables Vehicle stability control (VSC).

[spencerm106 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spencerm106]

Generally TRC is not a problem in sand, the VSC is. In high range you can't turn VSC off without TRC, which is done by holding down the TRC/VSC button for 3 seconds. If you feel something is still kicking in, I believe that it may be linked to the centre diff still being open, so try locking it (the computers seem to realise you have the centre diff open and TRC off so lifting even one wheel will stop you in your tracks). If you have your tyre pressures low enough and don't drive like an F1 driver, the VSC/TRC doesn't really interfere much. I'm from WA so drive a lot of soft sand.

I'd recommend using low range for sand as it'll keep your transmission much cooler and no more than S4 so the torque converter is encouraged to lock up. In this case VSC will be disabled and TRC left on, also lock the centre diff. Generally speaking though, if these controls are kicking in it's because you have little traction to begin with, so let the tyres down.

[Colin S Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Colin S]

I noticed on Fraser after turning of the VSC with the difflock on it was still turning back on. I've asked at the dealers and apparently as part of the programming now once you exceed 35km the VSC/ESC will switch back on. Not great when navigating a bendy single lane track in soft sand. Toyota aren't being too forth coming on how to get around the it coming back on at speed.

[Hendrix13 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hendrix13]

I had been having this exact same problem!
I drove along the beach to a camp spot near Lucky bay, no worries at all, but on the way back I was ALL OVER THE PLACE with TRC off. Reading this made me realise that I didn't know what VSC was or how to even turn it off. Glad I know now!

I am having my centre diff lock light blink at me from a past experience so I'm not sure how that would affect TRC/VSC? Any advice here?