Pugs

I have an '07 GX470 I bought a year and a half ago. Last winter, here in PA one day we had about 15" of snow(maybe a little ice also under the snow, I forget). One day before work I backed out of my garage(very slight downward grade) after raising the rear air suspension(to give a little extra clearance). Once I backed up, I tried to drive forward and the tires started to slip a little and the engine cut power because of the slippage. I got "stuck" for maybe 3-4 minutes. My question is how do you prevent the engine from cutting power once it senses slippage? Can this "safety" feature be disabled? Does locking the center diff cancel this feature?

I used to drive a '98 Jeep Cherokee and that thing was a monster in the snow. It never had the new engine cut out features the newer cars have. I bought the GX because I wanted to get close to the snow performance of my old Jeep Cherokee. It has been good but I have 2 concerns. My main concern is what I posted above, how can I prevent this in the future? And before I get basic questions, yes I had brand new Firestone Destination A/T's installed before last winter(I find this A/T tire to be my favorite) and I know how to drive in snow(light pedal actuation in the above situation for instance). The only thing that got me "stuck" for about 3 minutes was the engine cutting power. Please advise. I want to know what happened last winter so it does not happen again this winter...Thanks.

GXallday

Yes just lock the differentials. That will disable VSC.

Pugs

So VSC is what causes the engine to cut power when it senses wheel slippage? If so if I am only backing up like 15 feet, is that enough distance to lock the diff? Can it be locked while going in reverse, or do you have to be driving forward to lock the diff? Only asking because I need to get it locked before I drive forward if possible since I am backing out of a garage. Thanks!

ALAN553

Vehicle stability control. I believe it has access to the brakes and retarding the timing to decrease torque to the engine/wheels, a good set of winter tires wouldn't hurt either the way winters have been going here in the northeast. After last winter here in NJ I pulled the plug and mounted a set of snow tires on some 4Runner wheels.

YoshiMan

You can lock the center diff with the truck totally stopped. It usually locks in within a few seconds.

techrep

Once you lock the center diff...you will not get stuck...lol it's a beast in the snow...

chiph9

I don't recall if you have to put it in neutral or park before hitting the diff lock button, but can't hurt.

The IMPORTANT thing to remember is to turn off the diff lock once you get on a high-traction surface, like bare pavement. Failure to do this can cause driveline binding, which can cause $$expensive$$ repairs.

Chip H.

IanB2

CDL can be engaged with the truck in motion, no need to shift to N or anything like that. Even with the CDL engaged, if you have crappy tires you'll have crappy traction, CDL can't help you stop or steer (in fact it makes it harder to steer).

chiph9

Agree on getting better snow results from better snow tires. Throw some Blizzaks on there and you'd be good to go.

Chip H.

IanB2

For those that don't live in a place where dedicated snow tires make sense, Goodyear Duratracs are amazing in snow and icy conditions, and the rest of the year as well. It's all I run on my SUV's for that reason, don't have to have extra wheels/tires that you need to swap on/off every year with the seasons, just go, no matter what the weather's like.

470SNC

VSC is the problem and on the GX, its unusually touchy, the first trail I took my GX on it was cutting out on small climbs, next offroad trip, I just pulled the plug from the brake booster in the engine bay to kill VSC and it was awesome, I plan on doing the VSC switch ground mod for my GX definitely.

Pugs

Thanks guys. Wait...I can get rid of VSC permanently? How is this done? I go with all terrain instead of getting 2 sets of tires. Firestone Destinations are what I run, they work great...as long as VSC does not come on...

DirtyGX

I don't understand why you would want to get rid of VSC. The lexus is not a jeep (thank God).

I've had way too many 4WD vehicles in my lifetime. Some jeeps, but mostly Landcruisers. I've had landcruisers that handle 4WD the way your jeep did, fully manual selection, etc... and now landcruisers and the GX which do things automatically.

I have grown to love the vehicles which handle the traction control automatically. Especially since rolling a 2wd suburban on icy roads outside boise. Black ice.... traction control would have saved me.

Once you understand the quirks of VSC, I think you'll grow to love it too.