What are your thoughts on the VSA in the new TL. My wife was driving to work today in a light rain and she complained of the VSA notification coming on, and told me the car got pretty sluggish. I like the concept of VSA, and havent encountered it myself, but she made it seem like it did more harm than good. Any experience with it or thoughts on its worth?

 

Sounds like your wife was having the traction control kick in (which is part of the VSA system). Probably hydroplanning if she was going fast, or just wheel spin on acceleration. If you turn it off them your tires will just spin. No friction, no traction.

 

It may have saved her life. Or just stopped the wheels from spinning.

 

If VSA is kicking in, that kinda tells me I'm going too fast for in that condition.

I haven't seen VSA in rain that much. Do you have EL42 tires? THat could be why.

 

I agree with all of the above. If the VSA was kicking in, then your car is nearly the edge of loosing control. Yes, I would check your tread depth on your tires.

 

the easiest way to encounter VSA in the rain would be to hit the gas hard from a stop..

 

Need to go easy on the gas when raining Or turn it off but I wouldn't recommend it. It's there for a reason. I only turn it off during clear days and when I need it. rarely though.

 

2 weekends ago I was driving up to Lake Louise. It had just snowed the night before, and the roads were still snow covered. Being in the mountains, the road got fairly steep and I noticed that when the VSA activated, I almost came to a standstill and was afraid that I would end up rolling backwards into the car following me. I ended up just switching it off and spinning my tires the rest of the way up. VSA, for the most part however, is a huge plus, imo, in these harsh Alberta winters, but does make it very sluggish when the road is entirely slick and constantly triggers the VSA.