Anyone try out the DAC yet?

[labwaste]

Just wondering if anyone has tried out the downhill assist button yet.
How well does it work? Is it worth even using?

Its' pretty flat around here, but going on a big road trip the end of this week through some hilly terrain.

[Quickdtoo]

DAC is for low speed control, mainly offroad at 15mph and less to maintain consistent speed, page 156 of the owner's manual explains its use.

[labwaste]

Hey thanks Quickdtoo. I thought too that might be it but wasn't sure. I remember reading it briefly when I got the Rav but since forgot.. too many beer since then I guess.

I wonder how many people put their Ravs into an actual offroad situation where they would need such a feature? I would bet most of them never leave the pavement.

[Quickdtoo]

That's probably true of most of em, but not me, I've been offroad in mine several times, nothing hardcore, but a 2WD without chains would have been in a world of hurt!! I went down one stretch of single track that I should have used the DAC, but my 59yr old memory forgot about it!!

http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopi...ghlight=#32579

[TCDudley]

I go down a steep grade on loose soil to get to a buddies cottage. I tried DAC and it is quite the technology. A lot of whirring and lights flashing but it works like a charm. I'm sure it helps keep the driveway in better shape too. Lights are to tell you its using the brakes and I think the whirring is actually using engine braking but I'm not sure. I use it every time now. Kind of tough to not hold your foot right by the brake though...

[The G Man]

I find the uphill assist feature a lot more useful than the downhill one since I dont do much off roading. I remember in the old days, a auto transmission never goes backward when starting from a stop going uphill, wonder what happen to that?

Haven't tried it on my RAV, but had it on my old Landrover Freelander and used it a couple of times - more out of interest than need. That worked a treat.

The Freelander introduced hill descent control 10 years ago so I'd imagine the technology is in it's second or third generation. I have no reason to suspect the Toyota implimentation will be any less effective than Landrover's.

[CONAN]

I tried it a couple days ago and I'm not sure, but I do think it provided some sort of alternate braking.

I was coming down a very steep road in the steep hilly area of Somerset here in Bellevue, WA and decided to hit the DAC button.
I also compared going down part of the road with it off.

With the DAC on, the DAC light flashes on your dash; no real audible sounds loud enough (unfortunately on this test I had the radio on); feet still has to be on the brake and had to still apply a good amount of pressure to prevent accelerating.

With the DAC off, it was my perception that the vehicle accelerated much quicker and a greater brake pressure input was needed to keep the speed down.

So, overall, I think it works...somewhat.

[RailTrail]

It'll flash when on, but not when engaged. Did you drop it into 1st gear? You would notice it working immediatly after taking your foot off the break (since it works with low gearing and rpm).
If you stop while it's on, and put the car into a higher gear, the DAC will continue to flash until you turn it off.

[CONAN]

Ah! That's what I did NOT do: put it into the lowest gear. Thanks! I have something else to try now! :D