Assuming dry conditions, how many of you disable it right after starting the car?

What differences do you notice?
Better acceleration?
Better/worse control?
Gas mileage?

 

With VSA off, better traction is just about it (when launching)

With VSA on, I found it extremely helpful when it rains cats and dogs.

 

The only times I really turn it off is if I know I'll need to accelerate quickly or just driving fast for fun. In inclement weather I always leave it on, especially as my tires lose more and more traction.

 

I can't remember the last time I shut it off.

 

It's a nice feature --- I leave it on. I might turn it off if I get stuck in the snow and need to rock it back and forth, but that rarely happens.

Does it help your launch at all if you turn it off? Not that we're dealing with a rocket ship here anyway.

 

I leave it on pretty much all the time. The only time I have turned it off is when it is nice and dry out and I want to do some seriously spirited driving.

 

I can't remember the last time I drove with it on.

Seriously, I hate the way the car behaves during a high RPM upshift with VSA on. It's almost like they shut the throttle off for a full 2 seconds. Too intrusive especially if I was trying to merge onto a fast-moving freeway or making a turn into a street.

The other thing I wish we could adjust is the darned DBW. While it seems to respond almost as fast as a cable throttle during full throttle situations, it sure doesn't close the throttle plate as fast as I'd like during sport driving. I loved the way my Integra would close the plate as soon as I let go of the gas. It gave the car a 'jerk' forward which would allow the car to shift its weight while cornering. With the TSX's late throttle-closing response (mostly designed for comfortable driving, I suppose) I have to heel-toe the turn.

Then again, I think Honda engineers had comfort in mind when programming the DBW.

 

So you're saying accleration is better with VSA off?

 

I used to mess around with turning it off, but I haven't done that in months.

 

so whats the point of turning it off? do you get better gas mileage? anything? seriously, acceleration off the line.....cmon shoulda bought a different car.

 

I turned it off to test how it works in extreme conditions in an empty parking lot, so if it does come on I wouldn't be in for any suprises... that's about it

 

I think the "shoulda bought a different car" argument is over-used here. I can see that point being made when someone says " I wish the TSX was as quick as the 3 series" or "how can I make the TSX as quick as a TL", but I think the point in this thread is the benefit or lack thereof of turning off VSA. I find that on particular road conditions the car accelerates better with it off (i.e. when accelerating and you hit a bump and the traction control kicks in - slows you down). That doesn't mean I want a different car, I would just rather not have traction control interfere when it doesn't need to and will slow the car down. We're talking about maximizing the potential of the TSX, not comparing it to another car.

 

I've been shutting it of more lately, mostly because it's FUN. When I head out for a session of some spirited driving, off it goes. I don't like the way it interferes under acceleration in hard cornering.

With it off, the inside tire definitely gets lit up more I'm trying to waste the tires anyway. Need to justify new rubber.

 

Can't say i've ever actually shut it off for driving. I had hit the button at a stoplight just to see what would happen. But that's about it.

 

You guys are shutting it off just because of the traction control part. Hehe, you should try the actual VSA (vehicle stability assist) part. It's difficult to engage on the street. On the track it was great. After overspeeding and engaging ABS for over 2 seconds, the car suddenly started to turn itself while understeering! I think it had use more braking force on the inner wheel to counter the understeer from my overspeed into the corner.

I agree, Traction Control part is too intrusive and cuts off power for too long. But the VSA part is difficult to engage as the limit is high but it can be a lifesaver.

 

No you don't. Buy good tires now.

 

^^LOL! Believe me, I'm considering it. Those damn stockers are like rocks. They still don't show significant wear after almost 16K miles.

But after my recent spate of mods, I'm gonna take a bit of a break. Next is the RSB, then the tires. My biggest dilemma is whether to go full summer tire or ultra high perf all season. Decisions, decisions.

 

^^LOL! Believe me, I'm considering it. Those damn stockers are like rocks. They still don't show significant wear after almost 16K miles.

But after my recent spate of mods, I'm gonna take a bit of a break. Next is the RSB, then the tires. My biggest dilemma is whether to go full summer tire or ultra high perf all season. Decisions, decisions.