I've had my TL-S for about 3 weeks and have yet to see the VSA kick in. Last night we got some rain and the roads got nice and wet. I punched it through a couple turns and nothing.. I floored it from a light and still nothing... Am I not driving it hard enough for the VSA to work? What scenarios have you been in where the VSA actually went on?

------------------
2002 Satin Silver TL-S w/Navi

 

Actually, when your wheel(s) starts to slip, that's when it kicks in. Try turning off the VSA and see if you see a yellow ! light going off on your instrument. It should be a steady yellow !. If you don't see it, then you have to bring that back to the dealer. If you see it, turn it off and really floor it on the wet pavement. If you still don't see the yellow light flashing, call your dealer. Good luck!

------------------
Those who know, don't talk.

 

Actually, the VSA "!" light thing has two functions. It is on constantly when the system is disengaged. It also comes on while it is engaged only when the system is actually operating.



------------------
2002 TL-S Aegean blue

 

Also keep in mind that the traction control function of VSA only works below 18MPH... so if you were going faster than that (at least the wheels were spinning faster than 18MPH) it will not activate.

Secondly... the VSA itself only operates if the car is sliding laterally. So if all you were doing was spinning the tires (above 18MPH) the system was working as intended (i.e. doing nothing).

------------------
2000 WDP 3.2TL non-NAV
AEM CAI w/bypass, Comptech header

 

Sorry, I didn't word it correctly. You are right Acuraboy. When the light is a steady yellow it is off, when it flashes, it is working. when there is nothing, either it is malfunction or simply on but not engaged. Too tired... must... rest...

------------------
Those who know, don't talk.

 

I second that. I was doing 70 in a 35Mph freeway overpass when my tail started to slide right. It wasn't untill VSA started to kick in did I realise I was going waaaay to fast. (Music was blasting so I didn't realise the tires were squeeling until they lost their grip)

------------------
2002 3.2 TL Type S with Navigation
Exterior: Aegean Blue Pearl
At 3% over invoice, who can complain?

 

You were probably busy at the moment, so maybe you didn't notice, but:
Did the VSA light flash?
Could you tell what the VSA did? (i.e., cut power, or apply brakes, or what?)

Also, this seems to counter the claim that it only works under 18mph, if you were doing 70?



------------------
2002 Acura TL Type-S Dark Emerald Pearl
1986 Pontiac Fiero SE V6
1994 Ford Explorer 4x4

 

Hmmm...gotta re-read the manual so I could look at the page number describing it. Till then, I'm aware that traction control only works under 18Mph. VSA is different. I was under the impression that VSA worked like audii's ESP. VSA should work under any speed, but traction control works only under 18MPH. On a regular car, traction control would only prevent the wheels from spinning, but VSA would help you correct the trajectory of your car vs where the driver really wants to go (where he's pointing his wheels). You can have traction control without VSA...but you cant have VSA without traction control. So for all those people who intentionally drive on a regular basis without VSA...I would seriously reconsider that habbit.

------------------
2002 3.2 TL Type S with Navigation
Exterior: Aegean Blue Pearl
At 3% over invoice, who can complain?

 

Ok...page 196 of your manual states.


"The Vehicle Stability Assist system helps stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the car turns more or less than desired. It also assists you in maintaining traction while accelerating on loose or slippery road surfaces. It does this by regulating the engine's output, and by selectively applying braking.

When VSA activates, you may notice that the engine does not respond to the accelerator in the same way it does at other times. You will also see the VSA Activation Indicator blink."


Now...on page 193..it discribes Traction Control thats on the TL-P.

..."The TCS does not control your car's whole braking system and cannot prevent skidding if you enter a corner too fast."


TL-s has both...TCS is built in VSA...but TL-p only has the TCS (which works only under 18 MPH).

------------------
2002 3.2 TL Type S with Navigation
Exterior: Aegean Blue Pearl
At 3% over invoice, who can complain?

 

And both are different from ABS, right?

So, if I've got this right:
ABS keeps your brakes from locking up at any speed.
TCS keeps you from doing smoky burnouts.
VSA keeps you from spinning out.

------------------
2002 Acura TL Type-S Dark Emerald Pearl
1986 Pontiac Fiero SE V6
1994 Ford Explorer 4x4

 

Exactly. You need ABS in order to even have TCS. And you need to have some form of TCS in order to have VSA.

------------------
2002 3.2 TL Type S with Navigation
Exterior: Aegean Blue Pearl
At 3% over invoice, who can complain?

 

hi...edgalang! When you say 3% over invoice, is it after tax or before? Does it include options? Thanks.

 

So is it better to have the VSA on or off when on the start to race? I usally power brake to 2200 rpm than release. Also is it better to use ss or leave it in auto?

Mr.T

 

For racing, leave VSA off (it retards the timing, among other things).

The best drag racing is using the D1->D2->D3 in lieu of the SS and/or auto (strange as that may seem). CLS guys have found this to produce the best "track" times.

The optimum shift points are around 7000+ rpm. If you put on the Comptech header and AEM, you will have to shift really quick at 6900-7100 rpm (depending on gear), to not hit the rev. limiter.

BTW -- VSA will actually kill the throttle -- I was up in the hills of Malibu. I was in a few hairpin turns with 2- to 3-inch rocks, and crushed rocks, and I was hauling ass. I've got sticky Toyos, SSR Comps wheels, Comptech headers/sways, and other stuff, so when I stick, I stick! However, when I hit the rock stuff, the throttle would actually get cut, and I wasn't loosing the back end of the car. (It was cutting power when it sensed the slipping to the front wheel, and it cuts the power enough to make you wonder what the #@!!! is going on!


<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by EricL on June 13, 2001 @ ]</font>