DAT and hill start assist activation

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

Hi guys , bought a 07 update grande model.

In regards to activation of the driver assist technology ...

How is this activated .... There is a button there near the geartstick which i believe is the one . I get a green icon flashint on the dash and appears to be doing nothing ? **** does the 4wd need to be engaged in Low range before this activates perhaps? Also in regards to hill start assist I have tried on many gradients the car seems to still roll back ?

Anyone with these systems please help !

Cheers guys and all the best for new years !

Ray

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Re: DAT and hill start assist activation

First comment is read your manual and become familiar with what it contains. The short answer on DAT is mostly it is automatic and pretty much you don't need to do anything.

The VSC TRC light will come on if the traction control, stability control, downhill assist or hill start assist are activated. This is normal and is telling you DAT is helping.
The car icon with the skidding wheels will come on if traction control takes over at any point. And the brake pedal will move and you will hear noise and vibration. All normal.
Engaging 4wd (pushing the centre diff lock button) will disable stability control but traction control stays on. In my opinion this is a good thing but there are a few on this forum that like to disable both but that is another story and you can search for that. If you don't engage the centre diff lock the VSC will apply the brakes to keep traction but also depower the engine which can cause you to get stuck in soft sand for example. With the centre diff lock engaged I have never had a problem with traction control stopping our progress, in fact quite the opposite.
Hill descent control requires you to push the DAC button on the centre console. If the hill is really steep engage low range and manually grab L or 2 on the auto. In my view it is still too fast so I don't use it.
Hill start is a bit hit and miss. It comes on automatically to stop you rolling back but only once you are trying to move forwards. Pretty much if you shift your right foot from the brake to the accelerator it will come on. Pretty pointless if you use the handbrake (as I do) or left foot brake (as I do, don't worry I left foot brake manuals too!). I find this the only annoying part of the whole DAT. Reversing down steep driveways it will come on which is disconcerting and absoluting unnecessary but the rest of the package is great.

That's about it I think, but read the manual and go and play. Couple of dont's. Don't ever lock the centre diff while driving on hard surfaces like concrete or bitumen, even if it is hissing down raining. The axles and driveshafts will get wound up and it can be difficult and expensive to correct. Don't rely on DAC to keep the vehicle under control down a hill. At some point if the hill is steep enough or long enough the brakes will overheat and the DAC will stop working properly. Better to control things yourself and definately don't move your feet away from the pedals if you engage DAC. Also don't expect TRC to get you out of every situation. It's good but it is not a set of front and rear diff locks. Oh and another good thing with the auto with the electronic gadgetry - you can engage low range without locking the centre diff which can help moving caravans and reversing heavy trailers.

Enjoy your Prado.

Michael

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

Re: DAT and hill start assist activation

Hi Michael,

im in ferny grove ! right next door to you.

Thanks for replying...

I will get onto the manual as soon as i can. Pradopoint is definently the best for questions such as these..

it was more of a curiosity factor when these electronic gizmos kick in.

big step up in regards to all gizmos from a gxl to grande.

any good tracks out there past samford? never taken the prado off road and would like to !

see ya round,

Ray.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Re: DAT and hill start assist activation

Not much 4wding close I am afraid. There are some tracks up through Mt Mee but I have heard that the best ones have been shut though I haven't been in there for ages. Some nice driving in there, last time I managed to come out in a farmer's place, not sure how. Be careful though the Rangers wont love you for driving in there after all the rain and I would image the place is pretty cut up. Others (Wengnuts) might have some better info. Some nice trails that I mountain bike and hike around Mt Glorious/Mt Nebo and Brisbane Forest Park but these are closed to vehicle access. The beaches are another option with Bribie and Double Island Point but after the rains these will be quite firm. Don't forget you need a permit and to follow the usual common sense rules about beach driving - there is a thread on that so have a search. Other than that there are the private parks like Landcruiser Mtn.

Michael