Stuck uphill on a snowy road

[Recoiler]

Got my 08 XLS stuck on up-hill road on a fresh snow on a way up. Any tips how to bypass tracktion contol, because it does not allow high rpm and it keeps it below 2000 rpm/min so when you really need a trottle - you won't get. TRAC works ok downhill on snow, but uphill it makes it just impossible to go up. Any suggestions?? Thanks folks!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

[TrailDust]

Sounds like you've got problems with that one. Unless you can get chains on it I don't see any way of getting going. And whatever you do, don't deflate the tires like some people will recommend because that just won't work.

TrailDust

[inov8]

I have this same problem every winter with our '05. A 5% grade with a light coating of snow is more than the Avalon, with its fat tires, can manage. The diabolical traction control works against you by killing the throttle just as you start to get some traction. I keep a laminated index card in the glove compartment with the instructions for temporarily disabling the traction control (which Toyota calls the "service mode").
Once TC is disabled, the car acts line any ordinary front wheel drive vehicle and you can acsend the hill by using the tricks we all learned as kids.

Best to practice the TC disable process in your driveway before you need it, as it took me several tries to get the hang of it. The instructions below were copied from page CH-55 of the 2005 Avalon features manual.

Transition to the service mode (TRAC and VSC OFF mode).
The TRAC and VSC systems can be turned off by following the procedures below:
(Requires use of the parking brake and brake pedal)

1) Check that the IGN is off and the shift lever position is at P.
2) Start the engine after turning the IGN to the ON position.
3) Operate the following steps 4 to 8 within 30 seconds after engine is started.
4) Engage the parking brake to turn the parking brake switch on.
5) Depress and release the brake pedal twice.
6) Turn the parking brake switch on and off twice while depressing the brake pedal.
7) Depress and release the brake pedal twice while the parking brake switch is on.
Notice: Steps 6 and 7 should be performed within 15 seconds each.
8) Check that the VSC warning light and slip indicator are turned on. If they are not turned on, start over from step 1.
9) The traction control system will return to the normal mode the next time the IGN is turned to the ON position from off.

[Recoiler]

Thanks for step-by-step instructions! I will definatly will try it.

So how to enable system back after disabling it temporary by pressing brake pedals?

Thanks again!

[inov8]

Turning the ignition off, and then on again, restores the Traction Control. In other words, disabling of the Traction Control via the aforementioned complicated procedure only lasts until the ignition is turned off.

[Recoiler]

I see. That is what I figured out - Step 9. I will definatly will give it a try! No more stucking in snow uphill with fancy features

Thanks a lot for your time!

[Recoiler]

WOW! I just tried it! IT WORKS!

THANKS FOR POSTING INSTRUCTIONS!

[TrailDust]

Thank goodness my Highlander has a button to turn off VSC, TRAC, or both. The Avalon requires everything except swinging a dead chicken over your head....



TrailDust

[Recoiler]

BTW, I'm getting 08 Limited Highlander for my wife on coming monday as X-Mas present

[Tom in Tacoma]

Not that I disbelieve you but I don't see how you're having the problem to begin with. I've taken my '07 through Washington State's Snoqualmie Pass (Interstate 90) on three separate occasions where it was blizzard conditions. The car went exactly where I wanted it to go, never faltered, never slipped and never spun. I was running with the factory Michelin's too. Only once did I have to put chains on - and that was because the gentleman in the 4X4 with all the flashing lights said I had to in order to get past him.

At least defeating the traction control worked for you - that's a good thing, I suppose.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by Recoiler

BTW, I'm getting 08 Limited Highlander for my wife on coming monday as X-Mas present

Awesome...congratulations! I think you'll love it, and the only negative I can say is you may find it has one or two interior rattles, but the rest is great. Come on over to the 08+ Highlander topic area and check it out....

BTW, thanks to inov8 for the suggestion to turn off VSC/TRAC. Although I don't have that feature with my Avalon I do have it with my Highlander, and I recently utilized that suggestion when I got stuck in snow and ice and the vehicle's Snow feature didn't help. I just turned off VSC/TRAC and, bam, drove right up the hill. In the Highlander, Toyota suggests in the owner’s manual, “If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC and VSC may reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn the systems off to enable you to rock the vehicle and free it.” I myself have had to turn VSC/TRAC off when I’ve been stuck in snow and ice, and on those occasions it was the difference between being stuck and moving through the bad area. Again, there are those who disagree with turning VSC/TRAC off under any circumstances, but it’s an option Toyota gives you with this vehicle so use it at your own risk. Awesome!