Disabling TRAC and VSC temporarily on Camry Hybrid
#31
01-09-2011, 11:06 AM
Re: Disabling TRAC and VSC temporarily on Camry Hybrid
I have a 2007 TCH. I've had trouble getting up an incline in snow multiple times, so I've been researching possible solutions on the Internet. This traction control disable procedure looks promising, but I'm wondering if there is any chance of possible physical damage to the car hybrid system using it. I'm seen some people saying this, but I don't have the technical knowledge to tell if this is accurate or not. Here are some quotes I've seen:
"The traction control in the Toyota Hybrids is there nearly as much to protect the motor generators as it is to help the stability of the cars. If the motor generators spin too rapidly with no load resistance, bad things can happen."
That was posted by Bigsk8r here:
https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...ter-mpg-11666/
Here is another post from another forum by a poster named qbee42 about the Prius, but the TCH is similar:
"The electric motor on the Prius gives it a lot of low end torque. Without some sort of traction control system it would be easy for inexperienced drivers to spin the drive wheels. Spinning drive wheels present two possible problems: 1) Overspeed of critical parts, and 2) Shock loading if and when the drive wheels grab. Either of these can destroy your HSD."
Is hybrid system damage a real concern if you disable traction control? If so, what steps can be taken to minimize the risk? I'd appreciate any thoughts on the matter. Thanks.
"The traction control in the Toyota Hybrids is there nearly as much to protect the motor generators as it is to help the stability of the cars. If the motor generators spin too rapidly with no load resistance, bad things can happen."
That was posted by Bigsk8r here:
https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...ter-mpg-11666/
Here is another post from another forum by a poster named qbee42 about the Prius, but the TCH is similar:
"The electric motor on the Prius gives it a lot of low end torque. Without some sort of traction control system it would be easy for inexperienced drivers to spin the drive wheels. Spinning drive wheels present two possible problems: 1) Overspeed of critical parts, and 2) Shock loading if and when the drive wheels grab. Either of these can destroy your HSD."
Is hybrid system damage a real concern if you disable traction control? If so, what steps can be taken to minimize the risk? I'd appreciate any thoughts on the matter. Thanks.
#32
01-09-2011, 02:49 PM
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Re: Disabling TRAC and VSC temporarily on Camry Hybrid
I would think that anyone disabling TC would then know to be "gingerly" on the throttle. I also would expect the system to be self-protecting insofar as rev limits are concerned.
#33
01-09-2011, 04:11 PM
Re: Disabling TRAC and VSC temporarily on Camry Hybrid
Your assessment makes sense as it makes no sense to do a hard acceleration on a snow covered surface in order to cut across two highway lanes! The safey necessity is to not have to play the lottery of a possible car hesitation while crossing the highway lanes.
The remaining question is how to "convince" Toyota to install the same switch that is standard equipment on the 2011 US version of the Camry Hybrid.
The remaining question is how to "convince" Toyota to install the same switch that is standard equipment on the 2011 US version of the Camry Hybrid.
#35
01-17-2011, 04:34 AM
Re: Disabling TRAC and VSC temporarily on Camry Hybrid
I am so glad this was posted, thank you. I just complained in another thread about how useless the camry is in the winter because of TC.
Now if I could just get the **** thing to start...
Now if I could just get the **** thing to start...
#36
01-17-2011, 05:13 AM
Re: Disabling TRAC and VSC temporarily on Camry Hybrid
I had trouble getting up my driveway because of the traction control. Disabled it once. Better solution I found was a dedicated set of good snow tires. No more traction control problems. Goes up my drive better than my 4x4.
#37
01-17-2011, 02:31 PM
Re: Disabling TRAC and VSC temporarily on Camry Hybrid
"I had trouble getting up my driveway because of the traction control. Disabled it once. Better solution I found was a dedicated set of good snow tires. No more traction control problems. Goes up my drive better than my 4x4."
Imagine that!
Imagine that!
#38
02-04-2014, 06:45 AM
Re: Disabling TRAC and VSC temporarily on Camry Hybrid
bumping a great tip for those of us stuck in the snow!
(please note this tip works for the 2008 version, my car, and earlier...I have no idea if it's the same for newer cars)
(please note this tip works for the 2008 version, my car, and earlier...I have no idea if it's the same for newer cars)
For those of us that want to disable TRAC (Traction Control) and VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) for a while, the following simple procedure will do it for sure on the TCH, unlike the other procedures on the net that I have seen:
Perform procedures within 60 seconds. (lots of time in other words)
(1) Turn the power switch on IG. (This means press the start switch twice to get the dash to light up while NOT pushing the brake pedal).
(2) Now push the brake pedal with your left foot, and fully depress the accelerator pedal with your right foot, twice with the shift P position.
Note: Pushing the brake pedal in these procedure is just to allow the ability to move the shift lever from P to N and back to P
(3) Fully depress the accelerator pedal twice with the shift N position.
(4) Fully depress the accelerator pedal twice with the shift P position.
The message "FWD Maintenance Mode" should be displayed on the multi-information display.
(5) Start the engine by pressing the power switch while depressing the brake pedal.
The multi-information display should alternate between "FWD Maintenance Mode" and "Check VSC" and a couple of other lights will be on.
Next time you shutdown, the system will be back to normal.
This does not shut the ABS system for braking.
This can be useful when you want to go up a hill and TRAC will prevent the car from moving like I know people have experienced including my self, even with good snow tires...
Also, please spare me the safety warnings that have been discussed on other threads. This turns off safety items that have been built into the car, but does not make it worse than a regular vehicle. Use your good judgment.
Perform procedures within 60 seconds. (lots of time in other words)
(1) Turn the power switch on IG. (This means press the start switch twice to get the dash to light up while NOT pushing the brake pedal).
(2) Now push the brake pedal with your left foot, and fully depress the accelerator pedal with your right foot, twice with the shift P position.
Note: Pushing the brake pedal in these procedure is just to allow the ability to move the shift lever from P to N and back to P
(3) Fully depress the accelerator pedal twice with the shift N position.
(4) Fully depress the accelerator pedal twice with the shift P position.
The message "FWD Maintenance Mode" should be displayed on the multi-information display.
(5) Start the engine by pressing the power switch while depressing the brake pedal.
The multi-information display should alternate between "FWD Maintenance Mode" and "Check VSC" and a couple of other lights will be on.
Next time you shutdown, the system will be back to normal.
This does not shut the ABS system for braking.
This can be useful when you want to go up a hill and TRAC will prevent the car from moving like I know people have experienced including my self, even with good snow tires...
Also, please spare me the safety warnings that have been discussed on other threads. This turns off safety items that have been built into the car, but does not make it worse than a regular vehicle. Use your good judgment.
Last edited by haroldo; 02-04-2014 at 06:50 AM.
#40
02-05-2014, 07:49 AM
Re: Disabling TRAC and VSC temporarily on Camry Hybrid
I completely forgot about this trick while I was sitting stuck on a snow/ice mound.
Needless to say, I also forgot that I had printed these instructions and placed it behind my sun visor a few years ago.
Needless to say, I also forgot that I had printed these instructions and placed it behind my sun visor a few years ago.
