haha, i'm sorry guys, i don't know what i'm really talking about. Well, i'm in 4h all the time. There is no light on the dash, or anything that says VSC off. But if i press the button that is next to the seat warmers, then the dash does list and it says VSC off. And when VSC is off, whenever i turn my wheels, the tires are like sticking too much and it looses tractions. LIke it won't turn. So my theory is if vsc is on, so all 4 wheel drive is engaged. I've hearded that driving in 4 wheel drive all the time can posibily mess something up or wear something out? I'm not too sure. But as of right now, there is no light on the dash and i'm in 4h.

 

When you push that button, you are locking your diff. and turing the VSC off. If you drive on pavement with the diff. lock on, you will damage something in your suspension.

 

G man what you talking about
You can drive with it off with no problems and save on gaze too
You need all 4 weal’s only when it is raining or snowing!

 

hmmmm, let me try to explain this. Your GX is always in 4WD, you cant turn it off. In normal mode, the computer decides how much torque the wheels get. If you turn on your diff. lock, the front 2 wheels will spin at the same rate, which is why it bucks and jumps when you try to make a turn. Only use the diff. lock button when in extreme snow or mud condition.

 

No, that's incorrect.
The center diff lock makes the front and rear axles spin at the same rate. The binding occurs while turning b/c the front wheels are turning at a different arc and speed than the rear wheels.

The wheels on either axle are open differentials so they will freely turn w/o binding.

Center diff lock is for maximum traction by locking out the Torsen center diff and giving you a 50/50 split between the front and rear axle. Unlocked, the Torsen center diff will distribute power to the axles as it sees appropriate up to 30/70 split

The GX is FULL TIME 4WD. The 4Runner is avail with part-time 4WD or Full time 4wd.

 

Locking the center diff on high traction surface like pavement could damage a driveshaft/center diff or drivetrain component because of binding while turning. Most likely you will hear the tires hop/skip as you turn (relieving the binding) but def. not recommended for pavement!
You can drive in a straight line w/ the center diff locked and not harm anything- not that you would ever do that but understand how it works and it will be easy to remember how to operate it.

It has no effect on the suspension at all.

 

GXprado this is Exactly what i had in mind.
I also noticed with the lock off i get 19 miles per gallon and i think it is pretty safe to turn it of if the weather is not slippery and you doing hiway driving with no sharp turns correct me if i am wrong!

What is that function (button) there anyways for?
Being able to turn it on and off?

 

Center diff lock gives you maximum power to all 4 wheels (or to both axles to be more accurate). It should really only be used offroad or in very low traction situations (never on pavement situations that I can think of).

You will get stuck offroad much easier w/o center diff locked. It is basically a necessity for a capable offroad suv. I would never lock it on-road. There is no use and it will cause problems if you do.

You also have the 2nd start to get better traction starting in low-traction. It allows you to start the vehicle in 2nd gear.
Also read your manual for suggestions on uses of all the tech traction devices.

 

GXprado,
Maybe you can tell ELEX470 how to shut off his 4X4.

 

why are you making fun of him? You don't know how the CDL works either

 

Oh man this sounds familiar, they just put that switch in the wrong place. My GF turned it on once and told me the GX just didn't feel right when turning. FOrtunately the difflock light and VSC Off light is visible when it happens. I explained it to her a few times, but the easiest was to tell her not to do it and if she sees the light to stop adn check. I told her that it can lead to the transfer case exploding on the highway, no joke though.

As said above a number of times don't turn this on when driven on solid surfaces with good traction, i.e. pavement. It will damage your drivetrain, and most likely will destroy your transfer case.

My question to Lexus would be, why don't they have a I agree or are you sure button for this switch?? Yet for the Navi you have this stupid I agree coming up all the time.

Just for the record the center diff torque distribution is not controlled by a computer, but it is a mechanical limited slip Torsen diff.

I think we can cover the mechanics of differentials, wheel and axle paths on turns and offroad, also how VSC functions till the cows come how, but to make it easy:
- General rule of thumb is to leave that switch off unless you do steep climbs offroad or are in severe snow/mud/sand conditions where you don't want the skid control to limit engine power.
- Turning VSC off and locking the center diff will make it far more likely for the GX to spin out on icy/snowy roads and also normal dirt roads.
- So leave it be till you really need it and know how to use it.

 

GXprado

Sorry I couldnt resist. I was only trying to explain the basic of the GX's 4x4 system such as the fact that you cannot turn off the 4WD system and not to use the differential lock on dry road. The diff. lock button does not shut off the 4WD system as some might think.

 

Everybody has to start somewhere, what he doesn't know could fill a book, what you don't know could fill a book and what I don't know could fill a book.

That means we all have alot of learning to do. There are no stupid questions... well, there are lazy questions but I don't think these qualify.

 

That is so true, thats why this fourm is so great, alot of good information here.

 

All good discussion, but I wanted to make sure ELEX470 got a succient and straight one line answer:

ELEX470 do NOT touch that button. You should never require it.