What is Toyota Auto LSD? How does it work?

LSD stands for Limited Slip Differential, a feature related to a vehicle’s traction control. It’s a mechanism built to handle hazardous or challenging road conditions. When the vehicle senses risky conditions approaching, the engine promptly engages the braking system to prevent the situation from becoming critical or unsafe.

What Is Toyota’s Auto LSD?

The automatic limited slip differential, as its name suggests, operates automatically. A system continuously tracks road conditions. If it detects that the environment is becoming more unstable or perilous, it will automatically activate the limited-slip differential.

When a Toyota vehicle triggers the LSD system, the brakes engage to restrict tire speed and movement. With the limited-slip differential active, the driver will experience reduced steering control while navigating the vehicle.

Making sharp turns will also be more challenging for the driver. When turning with the auto LSD system engaged, the maneuver must be gradual and wide to avoid the vehicle spinning out.

When your vehicle’s auto LSD system kicks in, it’s a good idea to turn on your hazard lights to alert nearby drivers that your vehicle is facing an issue and they should keep their distance.

Drivers can manually activate the auto LSD system in their vehicle. However, unless they anticipate an imminent hazard, it’s best to let the vehicle engage it automatically. The LSD system should never be active during regular driving conditions.

What Triggers the Limited Slip Differential?

The primary rule Toyota drivers should understand about the LSD system is that it only functions when the vehicle’s speed is 62 mph or below. The system will disengage if the vehicle exceeds 65 mph.

The initial warning sign a Toyota vehicle checks for is when one of the rear wheels spins uncontrollably. The system counters this by boosting traction on that wheel to stop the spin.

The LSD system also activates upon detecting a wheel slip, which occurs when one wheel rotates faster or slower than the others.

Why Is the LSD Light On My Dashboard?

In all our vehicles, dashboard lights signal either a vehicle status update or an issue. When the auto LSD appears, it indicates that the LSD system is currently off.

This light’s presence doesn’t imply that the LSD won’t activate if needed. It’s only conveying that the system doesn’t detect any hazardous conditions, so the LSD remains off for now.

However, if the LSD light flashes intermittently, it shows that the limited-slip differential has turned on and is actively working to manage the vehicle’s traction.

What If The LSD Light Goes Off?

The LSD light should always be visible on the dashboard. If it’s not showing, there may be an issue with the LSD system’s brake control, likely due to overheated brakes.

Addressing Brake Overheating Issues

A one-time brake overheat isn’t a major concern, but if it happens repeatedly, you should replace the brake pads.

To address this, visit a mechanic to replace the brake pads. If you’re experienced with vehicle braking systems, you might opt to replace them yourself.

If you’re a novice but want to attempt replacing the pads, proceed, but afterward, have a professional mechanic review your work at a nearby shop.

We don’t recommend replacing brake pads yourself without proper knowledge. Incorrect installation could lead to brake failure, preventing you from stopping at a traffic light.

This might cause your vehicle to enter an intersection or collide with the car in front, leading to significant insurance consequences.

Replacing brake pads is a substantial job. The cost for one brake pad on a single axle is around $100, so replacing pads on two axles could cost $600.

How to Deactivate Auto LSD?

We don’t recommend disabling the auto LSD system, but there are situations where conserving engine or battery power is necessary, or the system may be glitching, causing steering difficulties.

To turn off the auto LSD, the process varies by vehicle model. For some vehicles, the method is straightforward.

In certain Toyota models, simply press and hold the traction control button for a few seconds.

You’ll notice the auto LSD light on the dashboard turn off.

For other models, disabling traction control also deactivates the LSD. Locate the traction control button—a square black button below the air conditioning controls, featuring a car with two white swerve lines and the word “off.” Press and hold it until the dashboard light vanishes.

Final Thoughts

Avoid activating the Limited Slip Differential during normal driving conditions. It’s designed for extreme or hazardous situations. Regularly maintain your brake pads to avoid costly $600 emergency repairs.