Has anyone set off the VSC?

tumbleweed · 06-26-2006, 04:20 PM

Yes I have seen it twice, once in each direction. On dry pavement in a large empty parking lot. I wanted to see if it worked. As Presto said the car starts to understeer then VSC kicks in and does it's job. I don't remember what beeps, if any, or indications there were. No I don't intend to test my air bags.

**Tideland Prius** · 06-26-2006, 04:41 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Jun 26 2006, 12:11 PM) [snapback]276939[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I think when VSC starts to beep, it means it's not able to do it's job. When VSC kicks in you won't really get an indicator. Extensive gravel driving gave me some better insight. I've noticed that taking sharp curves with wet roads tends to kick in the VSC. I can feel the car start to understeer, and VSC will take care of it... no beeps. I've gotten VSC to beep at me last week when I tried a hard turn on a wet road and it wasn't able to correct.
[/b]

ehh.. what do you mean it wasn't able to correct? So you spun out? or you just understeered? I did what you did several months ago turning onto Cambie and all it did was activate TRAC and kept cutting power as I made a left turn.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Salsawonder @ Jun 26 2006, 01:14 PM) [snapback]276966[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

So which is it? Beep or no beep? The lights flash so quickly I am never sure. Potholes and such irregularities do set off the Traction Control. Even that feels weird, and it's over with before I can even adjust.
[/b]

So here's the thing.

If the "Slip Indicator" blinks, it's traction control that's activated. If the indicator blinks AND beeps, it's the stability control (VSC) that's doing the work.

htmlspinnr · 06-26-2006, 04:47 PM

I've only kicked it in a couple times making left turns through a gutter type bump. When the car seems to dive or bounce up a bit too much, VSC beeps. Though both times, I only felt a power loss, no individual braking. Both times were < 30mph though.

**Tideland Prius** · 06-26-2006, 04:48 PM

htmlspinnr, I had the bouncing motion once but no beeps, just the blink. It was a wet road (but not raining) and I was making a left at ~30km/h

duanerw · 06-26-2006, 05:18 PM

It saved my life with my highlander. I was in Ohio on 75 and going about 75 when i seen and hit an
object with my right front tire.I found out later that it tore a hole in the tire.All i heard was a thud and in a
heartbeat i heard all the air leave the tire.The steering wheel never moved.i felt nothing, the car never swayed.
I slowed down and moved to the shoulder and stoped.I think that without vsc the car would have darted to the left and could have hit someone head on.A state trooper came by and changed the tire for me.

davidf · 06-26-2006, 06:32 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman @ Jun 26 2006, 10:31 AM) [snapback]276877[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

yes. standard on all 3rd gen HSD Prii ('04 and up). Not sure on the classic ('00-'03).

It eliminates excessive wheel spin when on a slick (ice, snow or even wet) or loose (gravel?) surface.

Basically cuts power that is spinning the wheels and allows the tire to try to catch traction at a slower speed.

Cheers,
Curt.
[/b]

The 2006 brochure states that VSC is an option and included on packages 4 and up. Traction control and ABS are standard.

daniel · 06-26-2006, 07:32 PM

The blinking light with no beeps means traction control. The blinking light with three quick beeps means VSC. (And it means the VSC is working. It does not mean it is "unable to do its job"! Whether it was able to do its job or not will be shown by whether or not you retained control of the car. If you spun out and lost control, it didn't do its job!)

I guess I'm not as good a driver as some, because I used to get VSC kicking in several times each winter when I lived in ND. Always when making a turn at what turned out to be too fast a speed on an icy road. Sometimes, on some kinds of ice, 5 mph can be too fast. I never lost control. I conclude that the VSC does its job admirably, and I'll never buy another car without it.

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 06-26-2006, 11:15 PM

I too had played with the VSC to learn how it works and what it feels like. I suggest doing so yourself so you are not freaked-out if it happens in a real life scenario. I used an empty, slippery ski resort parking lot. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED!!!

Just to recap:

VSC: Vehicle Stability Control. Helps prevent the car from sliding sideways. Always a good thing . . . unless you are into “drifting” on purpose . . . which by the way makes me laugh when I see those car commercials where they have a car spin into a parking space. HOW OLD TECH IS THAT!!!

Traction Control: Helps prevent the drive (front) wheels from losing grip (traction). But on a Prius the Traction Control is extra touchy to help prevent damage to the Hybrid Synergy Drive system. If you feel the Traction Control kick in and you feel you are thusly put into a dangerous situation with oncoming traffic . . . learn to keep your foot on the “gas” pedal and don't let up . . . if you let up on the gas pedal, you are telling the car to slow down . . . NOT WHAT YOU WANT!!!

Anti-lock Brakes (ABS): Stops the individual wheels from losing traction (skidding) when applying the brakes. For instance; braking too hard, or braking on dry surface and then hitting a patch of ice, oil, loose gravel, ect. If you wish to stop in the shortest distance in a panic . . . learn to press hard on the brake pedal and don't let up. If you let up on the brakes, you are telling the car you don't want to stop as quickly.

theorist · 06-27-2006, 12:01 AM

I tested and experienced the VSC in the first heavy rainfall weeks after buying the 2006 Prius. I took the car out late at night for a spin, but I failed to spin the car. The first few tries didn't activate the VSC as the Dunlop SP Sport A2 Plus tires gripped far too well in the rain.

Eventually I started to induce oversteer by taking a 90 degree left turn at 40 mph and hitting the brakes at the apex. The car slowed down gradually and started to straighten out almost immediately after the back end started to swing out. It seemed that the right front wheel was braking. I was very impressed. I had plenty of room to slide safely, but I didn't think I could come out of the spin that well if I tried.

Later I tried understeering by taking a left hand turn at maybe 50 and gunned the accelerator at the apex. I felt the front wheels start to plow, heard the beeps, the car slowed dramatically and the front wheels didn't lock up. It felt as if the rear left wheel was doing more braking, the right front less braking. The car proceeded to follow the general direction the steering wheel was pointing in both cases.

We bought the HG, #4, package primarily for the VSC. This test drive made me very satisfied that we did. I certainly believe that it's still possible to skid, at high enough speeds or steering demands. I don't think it will enable the car to defy physics or the traction capabilities of the tires. I don't think I'm going to pull over or close to 1G in a Prius. I like to think that it's a little like having independent brake pedals (and accelerators?) for all 4 wheels AND having the skill to use them optimally, simultaneaously to avoid understeer or oversteer, even in a panic situation. I like to think of myself as a skilled (if not always cautious) driver, but have no hubris to think I could ever do this without the ECU.

My only worry is that I might become too reliant on this and lose the skill to correct skids without VSC, as people can forget (in panic mode) how to drive without ABS after having it for years. The only downside for me is that it's so effective that I think I'll have to equip all my future cars with it.

An automotive magazine criticized the VSC in the Camry 'sport' model for being to aggressive, comparing it with a hypervigilant nanny that wouldn't let the driver play dangerously or get into trouble. I don't think I'll really miss oversteer or understeer too much.

What I'd like to know is if the VSC system can control the steering angle in addition to the acceleration and the independent brakes. Most antiskid systems only control braking and acceleration, but most cars don't have electronic steering.

Presto · 06-27-2006, 12:23 AM

Here are my observations. When the slip icon lights up and starts to beep, it means VSC is trying to work, but it can't. Try doing a sharp turn on some wet pavment. Go fast enough and turn hard enough to get the car into an understeer that VSC cannot correct, but it will still do it's best to try. When VSC is working, there is little indication of it other than the occassional TRAC light. I've felt a correction response in taking sharp, wet curves at higher than suggested speed, but no audible or visual notification. VSC was very noticeable on a 40km stretch of gravel road. I swerved a lot to get a feel for how it responded, and I did get the occasional beep when i swerved too hard. VSC wasn't one of the features I was looking for, but now I won't buy a car without it

06-26-2006, 07:32 PM	#27
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 9,124 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The blinking light with no beeps means traction control. The blinking light with three quick beeps means VSC. (And it means the VSC is working. It does not mean it is "unable to do its job"! Whether it was able to do its job or not will be shown by whether or not you retained control of the car. If you spun out and lost control, it didn't do its job!) I guess I'm not as good a driver as some, because I used to get VSC kicking in several times each winter when I lived in ND. Always when making a turn at what turned out to be too fast a speed on an icy road. Sometimes, on some kinds of ice, 5 mph can be too fast. I never lost control. I conclude that the VSC does its job admirably, and I'll never buy another car without it. __________________ Daniel ---------------------- Primary car: Zap Xebra SD: 100% electric car. 1.9 cents per mile, using electrons generated from water power. (The Prius is my gas guzzler, used when I have to travel farther than 35 miles in a day.) "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." -- Emma Goldman "Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think long and hard before starting a war." -- Otto von Bismarck

06-26-2006, 11:15 PM	#28
Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: USA Posts: 4,012 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 15 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 0	I too had played with the VSC to learn how it works and what it feels like. I suggest doing so yourself so you are not freaked-out if it happens in a real life scenario. I used an empty, slippery ski resort parking lot. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED!!! Just to recap: VSC: Vehicle Stability Control. Helps prevent the car from sliding sideways. Always a good thing . . . unless you are into “drifting” on purpose . . . which by the way makes me laugh when I see those car commercials where they have a car spin into a parking space. HOW OLD TECH IS THAT!!! Traction Control: Helps prevent the drive (front) wheels from losing grip (traction). But on a Prius the Traction Control is extra touchy to help prevent damage to the Hybrid Synergy Drive system. If you feel the Traction Control kick in and you feel you are thusly put into a dangerous situation with oncoming traffic . . . learn to keep your foot on the “gas” pedal and don't let up . . . if you let up on the gas pedal, you are telling the car to slow down . . . NOT WHAT YOU WANT!!! Anti-lock Brakes (ABS): Stops the individual wheels from losing traction (skidding) when applying the brakes. For instance; braking too hard, or braking on dry surface and then hitting a patch of ice, oil, loose gravel, ect. If you wish to stop in the shortest distance in a panic . . . learn to press hard on the brake pedal and don't let up. If you let up on the brakes, you are telling the car you don't want to stop as quickly. __________________ My words are my word. I refuse to actively participate in any forum where my written words can/are changed by the powers that be. If you don't like what I wrote, delete it – but don't put words in my mouth that aren't mine. Good-bye.

06-27-2006, 12:23 AM	#30
Presto Has his homepage set to PC Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,158 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Here are my observations. When the slip icon lights up and starts to beep, it means VSC is trying to work, but it can't. Try doing a sharp turn on some wet pavment. Go fast enough and turn hard enough to get the car into an understeer that VSC cannot correct, but it will still do it's best to try. When VSC is working, there is little indication of it other than the occassional TRAC light. I've felt a correction response in taking sharp, wet curves at higher than suggested speed, but no audible or visual notification. VSC was very noticeable on a 40km stretch of gravel road. I swerved a lot to get a feel for how it responded, and I did get the occasional beep when i swerved too hard. VSC wasn't one of the features I was looking for, but now I won't buy a car without it __________________ Daniel 2k5 Prius 'B' Package PriusPuter(nav/wifi/entertainment) E-Bay Motorized VGA Touchscreen Deluo USB GPS DLS A7 Ultimate 5-Channel Amp (4 x 60 W + 1 x 300W) Focal 165KP Component Speakers JL Audio 10W6v2 Subwoofer B-Quiet Sound Deadening (front doors, hatch, spare tire well) EV Button CAN-View V2 TRD Sportivo Shocks and Springs Tom's Strut Tower Brace Tom's Lower Suspension Brace Tom's Rear Brace

06-26-2006, 04:20 PM	#21
tumbleweed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 1,005 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Yes I have seen it twice, once in each direction. On dry pavement in a large empty parking lot. I wanted to see if it worked. As Presto said the car starts to understeer then VSC kicks in and does it's job. I don't remember what beeps, if any, or indications there were. No I don't intend to test my air bags.

06-26-2006, 04:47 PM	#23
htmlspinnr Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ (Phoenix) Posts: 1,304 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Pioneer #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	I've only kicked it in a couple times making left turns through a gutter type bump. When the car seems to dive or bounce up a bit too much, VSC beeps. Though both times, I only felt a power loss, no individual braking. Both times were < 30mph though.

06-26-2006, 04:48 PM	#24
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,769 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	htmlspinnr, I had the bouncing motion once but no beeps, just the blink. It was a wet road (but not raining) and I was making a left at ~30km/h

06-26-2006, 05:18 PM	#25
duanerw Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: lexington ky Posts: 79 My Car: Other Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It saved my life with my highlander. I was in Ohio on 75 and going about 75 when i seen and hit an object with my right front tire.I found out later that it tore a hole in the tire.All i heard was a thud and in a heartbeat i heard all the air leave the tire.The steering wheel never moved.i felt nothing, the car never swayed. I slowed down and moved to the shoulder and stoped.I think that without vsc the car would have darted to the left and could have hit someone head on.A state trooper came by and changed the tire for me.

06-27-2006, 12:01 AM	#29
theorist Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 330 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I tested and experienced the VSC in the first heavy rainfall weeks after buying the 2006 Prius. I took the car out late at night for a spin, but I failed to spin the car. The first few tries didn't activate the VSC as the Dunlop SP Sport A2 Plus tires gripped far too well in the rain. Eventually I started to induce oversteer by taking a 90 degree left turn at 40 mph and hitting the brakes at the apex. The car slowed down gradually and started to straighten out almost immediately after the back end started to swing out. It seemed that the right front wheel was braking. I was very impressed. I had plenty of room to slide safely, but I didn't think I could come out of the spin that well if I tried. Later I tried understeering by taking a left hand turn at maybe 50 and gunned the accelerator at the apex. I felt the front wheels start to plow, heard the beeps, the car slowed dramatically and the front wheels didn't lock up. It felt as if the rear left wheel was doing more braking, the right front less braking. The car proceeded to follow the general direction the steering wheel was pointing in both cases. We bought the HG, #4, package primarily for the VSC. This test drive made me very satisfied that we did. I certainly believe that it's still possible to skid, at high enough speeds or steering demands. I don't think it will enable the car to defy physics or the traction capabilities of the tires. I don't think I'm going to pull over or close to 1G in a Prius. I like to think that it's a little like having independent brake pedals (and accelerators?) for all 4 wheels AND having the skill to use them optimally, simultaneaously to avoid understeer or oversteer, even in a panic situation. I like to think of myself as a skilled (if not always cautious) driver, but have no hubris to think I could ever do this without the ECU. My only worry is that I might become too reliant on this and lose the skill to correct skids without VSC, as people can forget (in panic mode) how to drive without ABS after having it for years. The only downside for me is that it's so effective that I think I'll have to equip all my future cars with it. An automotive magazine criticized the VSC in the Camry 'sport' model for being to aggressive, comparing it with a hypervigilant nanny that wouldn't let the driver play dangerously or get into trouble. I don't think I'll really miss oversteer or understeer too much. What I'd like to know is if the VSC system can control the steering angle in addition to the acceleration and the independent brakes. Most antiskid systems only control braking and acceleration, but most cars don't have electronic steering.