Finally, snow.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 121
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From: Clyde, NC
Finally, snow.
We got a rare good snow here over the last couple of days. I took our RDX out during the worst of it. Solid performance during the first few miles with lots of VSA light. On the way home I went the more mountainous route and ran into a couple of problems. First, the MID started telling me that the left rear tire pressure sensor had an error. Scrolling through the display I found that all fours tires were registering the same pressure. A couple of miles later the right rear had the same message. I'm assuming that the things are malfunctioning because of the cold or because of all the ice built up on them. The second problem I had was with trying to turn the VSA off. After attempting to climb an ice covered incline and getting nowhere, I tried to turn the VSA off to give it another go. The thing would not turn off no matter what I tried. I tried it in park, I tried it in gear while stopped, I tried it in gear while moving forward on a dry patch, I even stopped and turned the ignition off and back on and tried it again-nothing. There are times when the VSA is a definite hindrance to forward progress when it just needs to be turned off. When I push and hold the button I just want it off. What am I doing wrong? One thought- the malfunctioning tire pressure indicators wouldn't have anything to do with the VSA problem would they?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
From: Clyde, NC
I just answered my own questions by actually taking the time to look my issues up in the owners manual. For anyone else's information who is interested, if the MID says that there is a malfunction with any individual tire monitor it probably just means that it is under inflated. Also if there is an error message from the tire pressure monitoring system the VSA will not turn off. I guess they are trying to save us from ourselves. As for the ice covered incline I spoke of in the previous message-I returned to it with the VSA off and powered up it no problem. It is interesting to set the MID to monitor the SH-AWD and watch in torque distribution shift front and back right and left attempting to find traction.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,414
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From: Toronto, ON, Canada
The whole purpose of VSA is to adjust power to take you through the snow and ice. Turning it off is dangerous and hinders the purpose of the VSA system :P
I don't see how a car can make it through with vsa off but with it on it gives problems.
Wasn't there a post before about a guy doing tests with vsa off and on and such and found VSA on is the only way you can get through snow and ice?
I don't see how a car can make it through with vsa off but with it on it gives problems.
Wasn't there a post before about a guy doing tests with vsa off and on and such and found VSA on is the only way you can get through snow and ice?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 212
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I think vsa on snow is more of a personal preference. I find that driving with it off gives me more control. VSA is probably meant for people who are extremely nervous under those extreme conditions. Crap weather doesn't phase me at all and vsa being off is even fun for me.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
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Originally Posted by Animagix
I think vsa on snow is more of a personal preference. I find that driving with it off gives me more control. VSA is probably meant for people who are extremely nervous under those extreme conditions. Crap weather doesn't phase me at all and vsa being off is even fun for me.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 121
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From: Clyde, NC
In some situations having the VSA off allows for the necessary engine power and even wheel spin needed to get through some slippery situations. Even the owners manual refers to turning off the VSA to get out of a stuck in snow situation. It is a personal preference. I do drive with VSA on most of the time but when starting up a steep hill in snow or loose dirt I will turn it off every time.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: maine
last 3 days RDX has started in -4 degree weather and everyday the tire pressure monitor has been on. Once it warms up it goes away. Our 06' Pilot does the same thing.
btw in Maine we had 54" of snow in the month of December, RSX handled just fine.
btw in Maine we had 54" of snow in the month of December, RSX handled just fine.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,670
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From: Orion Spur, Milky Way
VSA: It's Snow Go or It's No Go
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This morning, I took the RDX to fairly steep hill with icy packed snow. I was looking for the quickest and most consistent acceleration from a standing start to 30 mph. To measure "quickest", I used shortest distance traveled to reach 30 mph, not necessarily time. The point was not to go rocketing around in the snow, but to determine which technique is most effective at getting the vehicle moving quickly with the least wasted effort.
I was watching torque distribution on the SH-AWD screen and wheel-spin on the tilted down sideview mirrors.
Drive mode with the VSA on: This works but it is not the most effective acceleration; it starts in 1st gear with too much torque, which the VSA then has to reduce. Above 2000 rpm the car stops accelerating as the VSA and engine fight it out. Acceleration improves only after the trans shifts to 2nd.
Either Drive or Sport mode with the VSA off: NO GO. Without VSA the SH-AWD appears to default to a rear-drive biased performance mode. In snow most of the torque is quickly sent rear, and the rear wheels spin while the fronts do very little work. Above 2000 rpm the rears are spinning unchecked and the car gets skittish like a dragster thats not hooking up.
Sport mode in 2nd gear with the VSA on: SNOW GO. Yes, you can select 2nd in Sport while stopped. This provided the quickest, most consistent acceleration. The reduced torque of 2nd keeps the engine and VSA working together, and the VSA maintains even torque to all four wheels, for the best grip. Above 2000 rpm the car keeps accelerating, and the VSA keeps it straight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This morning, I took the RDX to fairly steep hill with icy packed snow. I was looking for the quickest and most consistent acceleration from a standing start to 30 mph. To measure "quickest", I used shortest distance traveled to reach 30 mph, not necessarily time. The point was not to go rocketing around in the snow, but to determine which technique is most effective at getting the vehicle moving quickly with the least wasted effort.
I was watching torque distribution on the SH-AWD screen and wheel-spin on the tilted down sideview mirrors.
Drive mode with the VSA on: This works but it is not the most effective acceleration; it starts in 1st gear with too much torque, which the VSA then has to reduce. Above 2000 rpm the car stops accelerating as the VSA and engine fight it out. Acceleration improves only after the trans shifts to 2nd.
Either Drive or Sport mode with the VSA off: NO GO. Without VSA the SH-AWD appears to default to a rear-drive biased performance mode. In snow most of the torque is quickly sent rear, and the rear wheels spin while the fronts do very little work. Above 2000 rpm the rears are spinning unchecked and the car gets skittish like a dragster thats not hooking up.
Sport mode in 2nd gear with the VSA on: SNOW GO. Yes, you can select 2nd in Sport while stopped. This provided the quickest, most consistent acceleration. The reduced torque of 2nd keeps the engine and VSA working together, and the VSA maintains even torque to all four wheels, for the best grip. Above 2000 rpm the car keeps accelerating, and the VSA keeps it straight.
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