2024+ 4th Gen Tacoma - How to Use Crawl Control

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Crawl Control is your Tacoma's off-road cruise control system. Just like highway cruise control manages your speed so you can focus on steering, Crawl Control manages throttle and brake inputs at crawling pace so you can focus entirely on line selection and wheel placement. It frees both feet for obstacle navigation and maintains consistent speed over uneven terrain.

(Reference: Owner's Manual, pg. 410-412)

Crawl Control, Low Speed Off-Road, Automatic Throttle Brake, Rock Crawling​

Crawl Control allows travel on extremely rough off-road surfaces at a fixed low speed without pressing the accelerator or brake pedal. It minimizes loss of traction or vehicle slip when driving on slippery road surfaces, allowing for stable driving.

Key Benefits:

• Frees both feet for obstacle navigation (no pedal inputs needed)
• Maintains consistent speed over uneven terrain
• Reduces wheel slip through automatic brake modulation
• Less fatiguing during technical rock crawling
• Smoother obstacle negotiation compared to manual throttle control
• Works in reverse just as well as forward

Operating Conditions​

CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: You MUST be in 4L (Four-Wheel Low)

Crawl Control will only operate when all of these conditions are met:

• The engine is running
• The shift lever is in any gear other than P or N
• The front-wheel drive control switch is in "4L"
• The driver's door is closed

Common Mistake: Attempting to activate Crawl Control in 4H or 2H. The system will display "unavailable" because it only functions in 4L. This is the #1 first-time user error.

How to Activate Crawl Control​

Step 1: Engage 4L First

Before activating Crawl Control, you must be in 4L (Four-Wheel Low).

Proper Activation Sequence:

1. Stop vehicle completely
2. Foot on brake
3. Shift to Neutral
4. Engage 4L (turn front-wheel drive control switch)
5. Shift to Drive or Reverse
6. Proceed to Step 2

Step 2: Press the "DAC/CRAWL" Switch

• The Crawl Control indicator on the multi-information display will come on
• The slip indicator will flash (this is normal)

Step 3: Select Your Speed Mode

Turn the mode select switch left or right to choose from 5 available modes (see Mode Selection section below).

Step 4: Release Brake Pedal to Engage

Remove your foot from the brake pedal to let the system take over. The system won't move the vehicle while the brake is depressed.

What You'll See:

• Multi-information display shows selected mode ("LO", "LO-Mid", "Mid", "Mid-HI", or "HI")
• Crawl Control indicator remains illuminated
• Slip indicator continues flashing while system is active

Mode Selection: Choosing the Right Speed​

Crawl Control offers 5 modes to match different terrain conditions:

Mode 1 - "LO" (Slowest Speed)

• Manual: "Suitable for driving on rocky roads or decline"
• Community: Rock, gravel (downhill), mogul (downhill)
• Best for: Maximum control over steep rock faces, extreme technical sections
• Real-world use: When you need the slowest possible speed for precise obstacle placement (~0.5-1 mph estimated)

Mode 2 - "LO-Mid"

• Manual: "Suitable for driving on rocky roads, decline or bumpy incline"
• Community: All Mode 1 terrain plus mogul (uphill)
• Best for: Technical descents where you want slow but not crawling speeds (~1-2 mph estimated)

Mode 3 - "Mid" (Middle Speed)

• Manual: "Suitable for driving on bumpy inclines"
• Community: Snow, mud, sand, dirt, grass, mogul (uphill), gravel (uphill)
• Best for: Moderate terrain that's bumpy but not extreme (~2-3 mph estimated)

Mode 4 - "Mid-HI"

• Manual: "Suitable for driving on bumpy inclines, debris roads, snow-covered roads, muddy roads, gravel roads and grass roads"
• Best for: Mixed terrain where you want steady progress without manual speed control (~3-4 mph estimated)

Mode 5 - "HI" (Fastest Speed)

• Manual: "Suitable for driving on bumpy inclines, debris roads, snow-covered roads, muddy roads, gravel roads and grass roads"
• Best for: Gentle off-road trails, grass fields, muddy two-tracks where you want faster progress (~4-5 mph estimated)
• Note: System automatically disengages if speed exceeds 15 mph with unlocked differential

Important Notes:

• The mode descriptions are terrain-based, not specific mph speeds
• Modes persist until manually changed. System remembers your last selection
• Pro Tip: Always stop before switching between speed modes

Integration with Multi-Terrain Select​

Crawl Control can be used with Multi-terrain Select (MTS) ON or OFF.

This means you can:

• Run Crawl Control by itself (no MTS needed)
• Combine Crawl Control with MTS modes for enhanced traction (e.g., Crawl Control in "LO" mode + MTS "Rock" mode for maximum rock-crawling capability)

Turning Crawl Control Off​

Method 1: "DAC/CRAWL" Switch Already Illuminated
Press the "DAC/CRAWL" switch again.

Method 2: "DAC/CRAWL" Switch Indicator NOT Illuminated

1. Press the "DAC/CRAWL" switch to turn the indicator on
2. Press the "DAC/CRAWL" switch again with the indicator turned on

What Happens When Deactivated:

• The Crawl Control indicator will go off
• The slip indicator will go off
• A message stating that Crawl Control has been turned off will display for several seconds

Safety Note: When turning off Crawl Control while driving, drive extremely carefully. You'll need to immediately resume manual throttle/brake control.

Automatic System Cancellation​

Crawl Control will automatically turn off (with intermittent buzzer and flashing indicator) if any of these occur:

• Shift lever moved to P or N
• Front-wheel drive control switch changed to "4H" (exiting 4L cancels Crawl Control)
• Driver's door is opened

What You'll Experience:

1. Intermittent buzzer will sound
2. Crawl Control indicator will flash, then go off
3. Message stating Crawl Control has been turned off will display for several seconds

After automatic cancellation, you must manually reactivate Crawl Control if needed.

Function Limitations​

Speed-Related Limitations:

For vehicles with rear differential lock system:

When Rear Differential is LOCKED:

• Above about 6 mph (10 km/h): Brake control maintains downhill speed, but engine control (uphill constant speed) is not available
• Above about 6 mph (10 km/h): Engine control and brake control stop temporarily, Crawl Control indicator will flash

When Rear Differential is UNLOCKED:

• Above about 15 mph (25 km/h): Engine control and brake control stop temporarily, Crawl Control indicator will flash

What This Means: Crawl Control is designed for low-speed technical terrain. If your speed exceeds these thresholds (from downhill momentum or aggressive terrain), the system temporarily suspends operation.

Overheating Warnings​

Brake System Overheating:

If Crawl Control is used continuously for a long time, the brake system overheats. In this case, a buzzer will sound, a message stating a malfunction will be displayed on the multi-information display, and the Crawl Control indicator will flash and then go off. Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe place, and allow the brake system to cool down sufficiently until the message goes off. (In the meantime, normal driving is possible.)

Transmission Overheating:

If Crawl Control is used continuously for a long time, the automatic transmission overheats. In this case, a buzzer will sound, the system will be temporarily canceled, and a message stating a malfunction may be displayed on the multi-information display. Stop the vehicle in a safe place until the message goes off.

Prevention Tips:

• Avoid using Crawl Control for extended periods without breaks
• Allow cooling time between prolonged technical sections
• If you encounter overheating, wait for the warning message to clear before resuming

Normal Sounds and Vibrations​

These are normal and do not indicate malfunction:

Engine Compartment Sound:
A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is started or just after the vehicle begins to move.

During Crawl Control Operation:

• Vibrations through vehicle body and steering (normal brake modulation)
• Motor sound after vehicle stops (normal system operation)
• Pro Tip: If Crawl Control is delivering excessive mechanical noise (especially groaning sounds on steep downhill grades), adjust upward to a slightly higher speed setting

Safety Precautions​

WARNING

When using Crawl Control function

Do not rely solely on the Crawl Control function. This function does not extend the vehicle's performance limitations. Always thoroughly check the road conditions, and drive safely.

These conditions may cause the system not to operate properly

When driving on the following surfaces, the system may not be able to maintain a fixed low speed, which may result in an accident:

• Extremely steep inclines
• Extremely uneven surfaces
• Snow-covered roads, or other slippery surfaces

Pro Tips from the Community​

* Crawl Control Works in Reverse
The Crawl Control system works in reverse just as well as moving forward, making it useful for backing down difficult obstacles or navigating tight trails.

* Stop Before Changing Speeds
Always stop the vehicle completely before switching between Crawl Control speed modes. Making speed adjustments while moving can cause system confusion.

* Crawl Control Excels in Deep Snow
Real-world users report Crawl Control impressed in 14" of snow, showing the system's versatility extends well beyond rock crawling to winter conditions.

* Use Lowest Settings for Rock Crawling
For technical rock crawling where precision matters most, use the lowest speed settings (modes 1-2). Save the higher settings (3-5) for mud, sand, or terrain where faster progress is safe.

Common Mistakes to Avoid​

* Attempting to Activate in 4H or 2H
The most critical mistake is trying to use Crawl Control without being in 4L. System will display "unavailable" if you're not in 4L.

* Improper Activation Sequence
Skipping steps in the activation sequence can prevent system activation. Follow: Stop → Brake → Neutral → 4L → Drive/Reverse → Press Switch.

* Using on Pavement or Dry Hard-Packed Roads
Never engage Crawl Control on pavement or dry, hard-packed surfaces. Can damage drivetrain components and cause unpredictable vehicle behavior.

* Selecting Wrong Speed for Terrain
Using high speeds (modes 4-5) for technical rock crawling, or low speeds (modes 1-2) for mud/sand where momentum matters. Match mode to terrain for best results.

When to Use Crawl Control vs. Manual Control​

Crawl Control Excels:

• Technical rock crawling where precise wheel placement matters more than speed
• Steep descents where you want consistent braking without pedal modulation
• Extended technical sections that would cause leg fatigue with manual control
• Situations where you need both hands on the wheel and can't afford to work pedals

Manual Control May Be Better:

• When you need rapid speed adjustments (Crawl Control mode changes are not instant)
• Very short obstacles where setup time exceeds benefit
• When you prefer the direct feedback of manual throttle/brake control
• Competitive rock crawling where you want maximum control authority

Manual Pages Reference​

Complete Crawl Control Operation Guide:
For the complete official instructions with diagrams, see pages 410-412 of your 2024+ Toyota Tacoma Owner's Manual.

Source Attribution​

Owner's Manual Pages:

• 2025 Toyota Tacoma Owner's Manual, pages 410-412 (Crawl Control operation, safety warnings, specifications)

Community Sources:

• 4GTaco.com - 4th Gen Tacoma: Drive Modes, MTS, Crawl Control & Tow/Haul Explained
• Tacoma4G.com - Using Crawl Control, MTS and other helpful things
• MotorTrend - What Is Toyota's Crawl Control system and How Does It Work?
• TacomaExplorer - Toyota Tacoma's Crawl Control System (In-Depth Look)

Disclaimer:
This guide is derived from the official 2024+ Toyota Tacoma Owner's Manual (OM04041U) with supplementary information from the owner community and reputable automotive sources. Always follow your official owner's manual for warranty compliance. This is a reference guide only.