Traction Control

Should work on your 2012.

 

These steps must be completed within 60 seconds.

Step 1: Set the ignition switch to ON, not READY.
To do this press the power button two times, without pressing the brake pedal.

Step 2: While the transmission is still in park (P), fully press the gas pedal two times.

Step 3: Apply the parking brake to ensure that the vehicle will not move during this step.
Put the transmission in neutral (N) and fully press the gas pedal two times.

Step 4: Put the transmission back in park (P) and fully press the gas pedal two times.
The car will display “!Car!” in the upper left corner of the LCD screen.

Step 5: Press the brake pedal and turn the ignition switch to the start position, without going back to the ready position, to start the engine.

If these steps are followed correctly, the vehicle will start with the traction control system defeated.

 

That says it all. You wonder why Toyota doesn't have an Ice/Snow button to let you temporarily turn off or desensitize the traction control.

My guess is that it's effective until you cycle power off...which makes sense.

 

Step 5: Press the brake pedal and turn the ignition switch to the start position, without going back to the ready position, to start the engine.

If these steps are followed correctly, the vehicle will start with the traction control system defeated.[/QUOTE]

Don't quite understand Step 5. How does one turn the ignition key to start?

 

Don't spin your wheels too much. You can burn out the electric motors. This is why Toyota made it difficult.

...But I thought the procedure was:
1. Roll the right front passenger window up and down three times
2. While the window is halfway down on the second cycle, turn the radio on and off twice.
3. Then get out of the car and hop all the way around the car on your left foot
4. Get back in and put on a rap station as loud as you can while holding the lock button on the armrest.
5. Look around to see if anybody is staring at you.

 

even in a conventional car you can ruin a tranny by doing this or even put the car on fire (as reported on news recently).