We've had lots of snow here in the last couple of weeks, and I noticed a couple of strange things about my VSA and ABS. I was wondering if this is normal, if some of you were experiencing this too.

When the ABS engages, I get the usual chattering sound, but when the chattering stops, there's a "twang" sound, like a spring that's been plucked. The car doesn't pull to one side, and the stopping seems pretty smooth, but that twang has me worried.

I don't know if it's related or not, but the VSA makes a grinding sound as I start up in very slippery snow with the wheels turned sharply. At higher speeds, I don't hear any grinding as VSA kicks in.

I'm taking the car in for 10,000 mile service next week, but I've found it really useful to get some advice from you other owners before discussing things with the shop. Anyone having these experiences?

 

I think it's the abs stopping he spinning since it sounds almost the same but I could be wrong.

 

My VSA kicked in for the first time tonight. When it did and I accelerated it sounded bad. Like kind of a grinding. Is this what you are talking about?

 

The twang has got me puzzled but the VSA sounds normal.

 

yep thats it. Kind of unnerving the first time you heare it because it really sounds bad.

 

I beleive that bad sounding noise is because the VSA is applying the front brakes to the slipping wheel to regain traction...i may be wrong though...

 

Yeah, that's it. Only when accelerating from a stop, with the wheels turned. It was pretty snowy out for me the other day, so maybe some anti-skid got into the brakes and made them grind.