2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE - TRAIL MODE TEST - Diagonal Slip Test - Burning Rubber

Here's my 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE. I wanted to show what TRAIL MODE actually works. At first, I thought it was a gimmick as it didn't seem to do anything. I never used it. I knew that if I got one front and one rear wheel off the ground, I would be stuck.

After I got better wheels and tires I decided to push the RAV4 a little further. I tried trail mode again and was pleasantly surprised. It went from absolutely stuck in normal mode to unstuck in trail mode. I was so happy to find more capability with a press of a button.

Of course I wondered why can't the traction control system just STOP the wheel spin like every other 4x4 out there. After all, pretty much every other vehicle with traction control does this. My theory is that it comes down to the transmission in the RAV4 Hybrid. Or, lack there of. The electric and gas motors are basically direct drive. They are connected directly to the wheels with gears. There's no buffer like you get with a regular automatic transmission. So, pulsing the brakes to stop wheel spin could more easily damage the drive system.

I believe Toyota decided to use "flywheel" energy in this case. You can see that the free wheels still spin quite a bit in trail mode. The free wheel builds up energy while spinning, then the brakes are applied to send the power to the other wheel. This would produce less shock to the drive system. Also makes me glad I got heavier wheels!

I tested all modes. Normal, sport, eco and VSC off. Only Trail mode was able to get the vehicle moving. I'm holding my breath for locking differentials. :)

Tires: 245/65/17 BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2 (30 PSI)
Wheels: Black Rhino Barstow 17x8
Location: Portland, OR (Tillamook Forest)