dtms1

If it doesn't what are the benefits of having it off?
(e.g. why make it even an option to turn on/off?)

dtms1

sorry i mean the VSA

007Acura

It doesn't have anything to do with mpg... it is your Vehicle Stability Assist which keeps you car straight when you swerve or skid out and it is the traction control. Turning it off allows the wheels to spin in the snow or mud/etc to get un-stuck. It's best to leave it on, it has saved me a few times in the snow & rain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV2xXlfD_WE

dtms1

i dont get it, why would make an option to turn it off? Why not just keep it on permanently?

must be a benefit to turning it off if its an option?

vas25tl

If you want to go mudding with your MDX, you'll want to turn it off

dtms1

just out of curiosity whats the reasoning behind that?

Also ive never been muddling before but would love to try, any sites or info I can look up before I start?

I live in los angeles

007Acura

traction control prevents the accelerating wheels from spinning and can cause you to get stuck in snow or slush. turning it off will then allow you to spin the wheels and get unstuck, it is more prevalent in 2wd cars as AWD cars will send power to wheels that have traction

this is a video of a rdx with vsa on and off, start watching at 3:15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv4Di7tH1U0

dtms1

hmm i see...
so technically you can get the same effect when with VSA off and just slowly press down on the accelerator instead of flooring it?

vas25tl

When i was 20, I bought a Lexus GS400 - my first car with stability control.

I was driving on the hwy at about 60 and hit 5" of slush. My car went sideways and I thought I was headed straight for the wall....stability kicked in, car beeped a few times and like magic I was going straight again.

I don't buy cheap cars anymore - I want to have all of those options, they're truly life savers.