Vehicle safety control feature?

Dionna:

VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) is one of those things you may never need. But if you ever get yourself into a situation, say to swerve around something on the Interstate, it may very well save your life and your car.

Up to the limits of tire traction, it really will stop any slides or spins.

Jay

 

I think you are talking about Vehicle Stability Control which Toyota calls Vehicle Skid Control.

Here is a breif description:
Toyota developed a VSC system that relies on electronics to help control a vehicle when a loss of traction is imminent.

VSC senses the onset of traction loss and helps the driver stay on track. This is achieved via the system's ability to reduce engine power and to control the brake actuator. While other Toyota systems such as antilock braking systems (ABS) and traction control (TRAC), help prevent straight-line skids, VSC helps avoid the loss of control up to the physical limits of the traction available under lateral skidding conditions.

VSC harnesses ABS and TRAC sensors, actuators, and computer electronics to help the driver avoid vehicle skids and spins. Using input from four wheel-speed sensors, a directional sensor, a deceleration sensor, and a steering wheel angle sensor, the VSC computer uses engine throttle control and individual wheel braking to help counteract skidding and spinning. VSC also includes a slip indicator with a warning sound and light to alert the driver that the tires are about to exceed the grip limit.

 

VSC is one of those things that you may never use it, but if you should need it, it may save your life. I have been bailed out by the VSC in my BMW twice (e.g to avoid a big piece of tire tread on highway). VSC works wonder in emergency maneuver, over-speed turn on low traction surface (rainny, snowy). With it, it is hard for you to even on-purposedly induce a spin of your vehicel. For driving fun, you need to turn it off, but I don't see why you would want to do that in a Prius...

 

Consumer Reports states that every car should have VSC and that consumers should go out of their way to purchase a car with this. They are real big proponents of this safety feature...

 

even the chairman for GM admits the VSC will be more importrant than seat belts and will be the next required safety feature

 

VSC=ESC: Electronic Stability Control. This may help when searching for non-Toyota information.

Basically prevents you from fishtailing.

 

hmm. they look like trees to me...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius\";p=\"104380)</div>

Actually, ours is the Vehicle Stability Control. Vehicle Skid Control is the previous version on 2002/2003 cars and older.
[/b][/quote]
Could be!
However they must have failed to inform the ESC Coalition as they still list all 2005 Toyotas as having Vehicle Skid Control.
http://www.esceducation.org/about_esc/esc_..._vehicles.shtml

You will notice that each manufacturer has their own name for VSC.

 

Acura - Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)

Audi
Chrysler
Jeep
Dodge
Kia
Mercedes
Saab - Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

BMW
Jaguar
Land Rover
Mazda
Mini - Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

Buick
Cadillac
GMC
Pontiac
Saturn
Chevrolet - StabiliTrak

Corvette - Active Handling System

Ford
Lincoln
Mercury - AdvanceTrac

Honda - Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Infiniti
Nissan - Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)

Lexus
Toyota - Vehicle Skid Control (VSC)

Mitsubishi - Active Skid and Traction Control MULTIMODE TM

Porsche - Porsche Stability Management (PSM)

Subaru - Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDCS)

Volkswagen - Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP)

Volvo - Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)

But, as best I can tell the Prius actually has VSC+ which also somehow involves the electronic steering, which can't be done in a normal vehicle.

Quotes about it -

"new version of the Vehicle Stability Control system, called VSC+, operate through an electric/electronic circuit. A central electronic brain, the Skid Control ECU, co-ordinates all these systems to create perfect synergy between them. The VSC+ works in conjunction with the electric power steering system in emergency situations, making it possible to improve vehicle reaction times and so help avoid or minimise the impact of accidents."

"Toyota Prius also intends to set an example in the area of active safety. For this reason, it is fitted as standard with features that are unique in the class: 'by-wire' Electronically Controlled Braking (ECB2), Electric Traction Control (E-TRC) and the advanced Vehicle Stability Control Plus (VSC+).

The innovative 'by-wire' ECB2 braking system uses brake pedal-activated electronic sensors to create braking feel and control the braking hydraulics. It not only generates higher hydraulic pressures than conventional systems, but it is also 17% lighter.

The Prius is the world's first car to be fitted with Electric Traction Control (E-TRC). The system controls wheel slippage via ECB2 and the high-torque electric motor element of the Hybrid Synergy Drive. E-TRC is so quick in counteracting the incipient skid that the driver often won't even be aware of an intervention, nor will he or she hear the tyre squealing that is often associated with wheel spin.

Interconnected with ECB2 and E-TRC is Vehicle Stability Control Plus (VSC+) which is the world's most innovative stability control system. It works with the electric power steering system (EPS) to add steering torque assistance to the conventional stability control system, helping the driver get the most out of the car's performance potential by avoiding stability-threatening situations."

 

very imformative tempus, although not specifically Prius related, might be a good candidate for FAQ page

 

Hi Donna,
You ordered a Package #4 (AM) . . . which I have and like to call a “Safety Model.â€

From personal experience with experimenting with the VSC in an unplowed empty ski resort parking lot: I could not make the car go out of control . . . even though I tried several times. I BELIEVE!!!!

But this is what you really want . . .

“ . . . [VSC] lowers risk of fatal single vehicle crash by 56% . . .â€

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
http://www.iihs.org/news_releases/2004/pr102804.htm
http://www.hwysafety.org/srpdfs/sr4001.pdf


P.S. Put your location in your profile. It will help with answers to questions. As a welcome gift, I shall now triple your PriusChat points to a grand total of twelve.