Hypothetical Question: SKS or VSC

[c4]

I could care less about the SKS.. I'm one of the people that really dislike the power button on the HSD Prius.. I love the keyed ignition on my Classic (and the fact that it's twist-and-release to start and I *don't* have to hold down the brake pedal) and am plenty happy with the remote control buttons to lock and unlock the doors. I use automatic proximity badges at work to unlock doors, so the SKS has no novelty for me..

On the other hand if you had asked Nav or VSC, I would definitely pick the Nav- the SKS is a convenience only, and the VSC is safety only, where as the Nav is both- it can guide you to gas/emergency services/etc and in every day situations, it can guide you around traffic jams to the mall and tell you what exit to take to get to cousin Jim's place..

[jeneric]

Originally posted by ceric@Jan 29 2006, 11:21 PM
I had one encounter on highway that the VSC (called DSC in Bimmer) practically saved my life(at least from severe injury) and itself. Some asked to present some real stories about VSC, so here I provide one. Hope you guys appreciate its value.

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I have my doubts VSC helped you here. It seems like it prevents oversteer or understeer and really only keeps you from spinning. Knowing you had it could have made you less timid about yanking on the wheel, but it seems to me like it only would make you turn less than you attempted.

I'm no expert, but I did drift around a snowy corner and VSC didn't do anything to keep me from drifting all 4 wheels at once.

From my posts here, I almost sound like I'm against VSC; I'm not, I love it. I'm just not feeling the "velcro" adhesion or that it's the end-all super safety feature. Doesn't mean I wasn't passing everyone in the fast lane coming down the pass. I just didn't want that 18-wheeler who also thought he was God's gift to snowy roads passing me.

[Tempus]

SKS is, in the final analysis, a toy.

I will never own another vehicle without VSC.

[Tempus]

Originally posted by flynz4@Jan 28 2006, 08:47 PM
Another way of thinking about this... would you have been just as delighted with your Prius if VSC was never offered as an option? 

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I wouldn't have bought it.

VSC was an absolute requirement for any car I was considering.

[benighted]

Originally posted by Matty G@Jan 28 2006, 04:59 PM
I would prefer VSC. My reason can be stated by butchering a Benjamin Franklin Quote:

"He who is willing to sacrifice safety for a small measure of convenience may end up with neither comfort nor safety."

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Interesting.. coming from a guy who flew a kite in a lightning storm.

But I have to go with SKS. VSC is only really needed if you want to keep the stock tires.

[Ken Cooper]

From what I've read on VSC, it's the most important safety feature to show up on cars since seat belts (side curtain air bags are also getting very high praise from the safety community).

My Audi had VSC. I would not have purchased a Prius had VSC not been offered. (seems stupid to take a step backward on safety).

On the 2004 Prius it was available only on the two most expensive option packages. I hope, considering the fact that Prius has increased in price, that VSC and side curtain air bags have been made available to more buyers now (both should be standard in my opinion).

P.S. Regarding the writer who drifted in snow with VSC being of no help .. I suspect that writer's Prius is not equipped with this option. Of all the VSC stories I've read over this past few years, this is the first that stated that it was of no help in a sideways sliding situation.

[jeneric]

Originally posted by Ken Cooper@Mar 25 2006, 05:21 PM
P.S.  Regarding the writer who drifted in snow with VSC being of no help  ..  I suspect that writer's Prius is not equipped with this option.  Of all the VSC stories I've read over this past few years, this is the first that stated that it was of no help in a sideways sliding situation.

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His dealer has 350 reasons that say that he does. If the VSC had been quick enough, I suppose it would have prevented me from turning as sharp as I did. But once all 4 wheels start drifting together, I suppose it could have tried to line me up with the way I was sliding, but I'm actually quite glad it let me scoot up to the gradual bank sideways with only my tires coming into contact with it, instead of ramming it head on.

[V8Cobrakid]

i would rather have the SKS. VSC is differeant thant he traction control. traction control is standard and most likely what you can get to kick in with the stock tires under almost any semi slippery consition. If you fly around a corner on those tires you'll wish you had the VSC. It corrects wheel patters and adds brakes to certain points. If you get a BT Tech stiffening brace and goodyear comforthreads, you can get the VSC to work without engaging the traction control. the end result is a car that flys around corners but doesn't get the engine shut off, just the VSC kicking in to changing your skid direction.

Even right now with the brace and tires, i would pick SKS over VSC.

[V8Cobrakid]

Originally posted by jeneric@Mar 26 2006, 12:01 AM
His dealer has 350 reasons that say that he does.  If the VSC had been quick enough, I suppose it would have prevented me from turning as sharp as I did.  But once all 4 wheels start drifting together, I suppose it could have tried to line me up with the way I was sliding, but I'm actually quite glad it let me scoot up to the gradual bank sideways with only my tires coming into contact with it, instead of ramming it head on.

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VSC won't simply put you in your momentums direction. It looks at the wheels turning patterns along with your stearing direction. it would also let you semi accelerate if needed. I've did many donuts at high speeds in the prius to know that VSC helps a great deal. it allowed me to stop on ice and still turn in any direction i wanted.

Lemme explain. it's a half of a block right hand turn. the reoad is downhill through a valley. the water that has completely covered the road is frozen. there is a little breakage to the ice but not much.

when i hit my brakes the car goes into a slow controlled stop. i can choose by pointing the wheel which direction i wanted to go. even though i was on ice, the breakes were working tobether with the steering wheel to point me in any diretion i wanted. strait, slight right, sharp right, or swerving back and forth. it would act the same every time. speed never did really matter.

[daniel]

SKS is indeed a tremendous convenience, contrary to what one poster above asserted. Not having to reach into your pocket for the fob when it's 30 degrees below zero (which would require removing your gloves and freezing your hands) or when you have both hands full of grocery bags, is wonderful.

But my life is worth more than any convenience, no matter how great, and VSC is a tremendous safety feature.

Note: I do not use VSC. My car uses it. And it has used it on several occasions. Has it saved my life? We'll never really know. But it may have. We all take risks, and life is a risk. But it's silly (to avoid using stronger language) to do without a safety feature when you have the choice.

And I sure hope I'm never on the same road with jeneric, who intentionally created the conditions where VSC would kick in while driving over a mountain pass. If your VSC does kick in, it should be taken as a warning to drive more slowly! Jeneric also asserts that ABS does not prevent accidents because "people count on them and drive closer." Well, let me tell you, I don't! When conditions are slippery I drive farther back. ABS does NOT stop you faster. All it does is prevent you from losing control due to brakes locking up. You still need more space to stop when the road is slippery.