never had a car with VSA or Traction control but know im use to it.

traveling in Philly had to make a right hand exit FAST. I was in the far left lane(3 lanes) going about 50 in fifth. Dropped her in third and nailed it...next thing no power my baby wanted to chirp em...almost didnt make it with the pick up in the middle lane

it was that time when you need that exact power at that exact time.

now i know and knowing is half the battle.

 

Sorry bud, but your lack of attentiveness almost killed you...

Spinning your tires in 3rd (and possibly losing control of the car) wouldn't have got you across three lanes of traffic any faster.

Sure glad there wasn't another knuckle head fas approaching from your right, he sure would have been suprised by your sudden unexpected crossing of 3 lanes.

 

Next time try paying attention to what is going on around you and where you are in terms of the exit you need to get off at. Cutting across 3 lanes of traffic like an idiot because you lost track of where you were is not the fault of the VSA or the car.

 

Next time do us all a favor and take the next exit. Take some responsibility and stop trying to blame something other than your lack of attention. Some might actually think VSA saved you. Who knows what would have happened if you actually did get the power you think you wanted

 

This happened on dry pavement??

 

at least it saved the other people in cars around you

 

true dat

 

yeah- i agree with others. doesn't sound likes it's the VSA which almost killed you.....

 

"VSA almost killed me."

Please replace VSA with "I"

and if you had injured or kill some one else you would have learned about vehicular manslaughter "VMS".....but that would have been VSAs fault?
Surely this is a joke....

 

I cut across 3 lanes of traffic on the freeway last night, but ONLY after looking and seeing that: 1) there were no cars within 100 yards of mine alongside, 2) no cars within 100 yards to the rear in my intended lanes of travel and 3) no cars in front that might change lanes to impede mine.
Cutting off other drivers is discourteous and dangerous, so skipping an exit is a better alternative, especially if you're not late (and I haven't been since getting the TL ).

 

Another fool pulled that move a couple of months ago and totalled my daughter's car. Came within inches of killing her by running her into the end of a guard rail.

Just be happy you didn't kill someone.

 

Driving like a jackass almost killed you. It's not VSA's or the car's fault you didn't know where you were going and/or lacked the foresight to realize your exit was approaching until the last second. Be thankful you didn't sideswipe a van full of children or something.

 

x2... skip your exit and take the next one... I still don't get how you can think it's the VSA's fault at all... doesn't it only work up to 20mph? also, fyi, if you wanted more power while you were going 50, you should've dropped it to 2nd

 

actualy i had plenty of time...plenty. it just lost a lot of power.

and as per me driving like an idiot think what you will...im sure there are plenty of other guys who 1.)speed 2.)change lanes without singles 3.)drive drunk/stoned on this bored and even a few threads backing that.

it was safe, just less safe when the power cut.

 

Still blaming the car, huh? You should take some responsibility for your actions. Just because some folks are idiots as in your 1,2,and 3, examples, doesn't justify your or my poor driving skills. Be aware of your surroundings and drive defensively; you will last longer. Be well.

 

justifying what you did because 1) there are people who speed 2) there are people who change lanes without signalling and 3) there are people who drive drunk are poor excuses. in short, you see the problem in the automotive world and instead of doing your part to improve it, you are contributing to it. just because nothing bad happened doesnt make things "ok"

you dont need more power to safely merge onto an exit on-ramp. all you need is common sense, nothing more.

 

and I feel stupid for going to the next exit and making a u turn... no more... darwin does rule

 

I may be alone in this thought

Since the VSA does only work at low speed, and the original poster describes a loss of power after dropping into 3rd

I am wondering if what you experienced was actually the rev limiter.
It will make a cutting in and out feeling until you reduce throtle or go up a gear.
You may well have found the safety device built into our engines.
A full throttle romp can quickly lead to redline and beyond

Try winding it up in 2nd gear to know what it feels like.
First time it happened to me I was playing with accelleration in SS and
baaaap baaap baaaap ooops!

EVERYONE- PLEASE- READ your owners manual for details on your models system
There is an amazing amout of knowledge specific to your vehicle in the book.

On the airplane we call it the POH- Pilots Operating Handbook- and besides using it to know every electrical, mechanical and hydraulic system on the plane front to back, you also have to have it with you!

Understanding is the best prevention!

 

If losing throttle for a couple of seconds almost did not get you to the exit in time while going 50, then you should've been a little more attentive.

Of course, my opinion stems from the other end of the spectrum, because my car oversteered like a sumbitch on the highway ramp the other day and VSA kicked in to save the day.

I'm not saying you're lying or anything, but based on my experience with the Acura VSA system, it definitely does more good than harm. I'll leave it at that.

 

I'm sure he didn't mean this thread to get bashed but I agree that the need to smash the throttle to the point of enabling the VSA, should be avoided in most situations. The next exit and doubling back is much safer for yourself and others.

Just be glad you didn't startle some driver where they cause a fender bender as you drive off not knowing what had happened behind you.

I do however think the idiot comments are a bit harsh. I'm sure he didn't purposely try to cut anyone off or harm anyone. It just could have been executed better.

 

Hmmm....

You were clear to do it THAT time, but once you start getting in the habit of doing that, you may get 'ballsier' and try it with less forgiving circumstances.

I would be happy you tried that in a TL, not say, an Accord or Camry. However, at least now you know a little bit more about the level of engineering in your (our) car(s)

 

 

fucking idiot
you shouldnt be on the road

 

about as classy as you get...

i started this thread talking about my VSA and i fully undertand the bashing because typing out a scene is a lot different then actualy being there.

i did not cause any harm...and please if ya want to bash, please please show some integrity and type with words that can at least light up some brain cells.

 

Sounds like "being an idiot" almost killed you, not the car. Your 3 lanes over trying to cut across "FAST". If you had been in any other car, you may have won a "Darwin Award". Sounds to me like the car may have saved (at least) one worthy life (whoever was in the truck).

On a side note: I've got $5 this guy doesn't make it to his 31st birthday because he doesn't even realize how much of a danger he is means that he's bound to repeat the process until he gets it right (i.e. Qualifies for the DA)

 

I agree with DrDrug never have a seen so many blood suckers. i know what he meant by his post. he dropped it in 3rd gear to accelerate as he crossed to get to his exit becuase fifth or fourth would not of have given him the get up he needed. LAMEN TERMS -- He was trying to DO it the safe way.

And as for your experiences like your daughter im sorry to hear that but if you want to expose this perfect driver then your daughter should have seen him/her coming and acclerated, stopped, ect.. whatever to get out of harms way. but she didnt becuase THERES NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT DRIVER .

Let Him Without Sin Cast The First Stone

It amazes me when peoples comments are even worth

 

What is considered "low speed?" I think you're mistaken (but if you're not please correct me). I live in Orlando 1/2 the year & NY the other half. However, the half that I live in Orlando happens to be rainy season. I was on I-4 going about 75 when the SUV in front of me changed lanes from left to middle, exposing what appeared to be a groove of water. I knew I'd be fine, held the wheel straight... and the wheel lost traction for a few seconds and VSA came on. I kinda predicted that would happen, but it didn't bother me b/c VSA is never a major correction with me... Another time (during a rainy night) I was merging onto I-4 when I felt the car begin to oversteer. VSA and a slight jerk from me @ the wheel quickly corrected this action. Bottom line... I love VSA

 

His life didnt depend on doing this to take that exit. Doing anything extreme that isnt necessary and puts your life at risk is not responsible, and he DEFINITELY was not doing anything the safe way.

The only condition in which speed is essential is when trying to avoid somebody, or something, from hitting you because of an action on their part.

He put himself into an extreme situation where he pushed his equipment to the limits and either those limits were exceeded or he underestimated things.

 

+1

he didnt need to "speed up" and cross all the lanes to make it to the exit. all he had to do is accept the fact he missed his exit, progressively merge to the slow lane, take an exit, turn around, and go to the exit he missed.

just because nothing bad happened doesnt make it right. its not about who "is without sin cast the first stone", but more of "you know you are doing something reckless and believe that since everyone else does it, that its ok to do it."

 

wow, looks like you are the idiot here. It was no need for you to say that. grow up!

 

Can someone please check their gen 3 owners book and state what it says about the VSA
What exactly VSA IS and DOES???

MY 2nd gen 01 TL book says "Your Acura is equpped with a Traction Control System (TCS) to assist you in maintaining traction while driving slowly on loose or slippery surfaces.
The TCS assist ONLY in low-speed, low traction conditions, up to approximately 18 MPH.

The TCS monitors the speed of all 4 wheels. When it senses a front wheel losing traction, it applies BRAKING to that wheel.
The TCS indicator flashes when this occurs.
Driving with TCS requires no special skills or technique.
The TCS does not control your cars whole braking system and cannot prevent skidding if you enter a corner too fast.
It is still your responsibility to drive at reasonable speeds and to leave a sufficient margin of safety" from page 179 gen 2 owner manual

 

This is hilarious............I bet that there is not one poster in this thread who has not done the exact same move at one time or another. lighten up, I think he was inquiring about anyone else's experience with an intrusive VSA incident.

 

I don't know if this guy is really deserving of all the jazz you are giving him.

Yes, he may have been reckless, and yes he could have gotten a lot of people hurt. But honestly, none of us were in that car with him, and he certainly didn't give enough details as to justify just about everyone jumping to conclusions.

First off, you don't know how heavy the traffic was.

Second, you don't know how close the truck was in approximation to him before the down shift, and/or after.

Third, the next exit could have been 15 miles away (yes they exist), and he might not have had enough gas to make it. Especially if it was an uphill adventure.

Fourth... well you get the point.


On the other hand, odds are it was reckless, dangerous, and most likely unnecessary.

And as to the guy who's daughter got in an accident, have some compassion.

But to end on a lighter note, WE ALL NEED MORE COW BELL!

 

Bottom line....don't do that again......

 

From Hondanews.com ....

VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST(TM) (VSA(R))

The TL is equipped with 4-channel Vehicle Stability Assist(TM) (VSA(R)) that helps the driver retain control of the car in the event the vehicle reaches its dynamic traction limits. For example, this may occur through aggressive cornering, encountering ice or dirt on the road, or entering a decreasing-radius corner too fast.

In the event of understeer, the system can apply the inside front and rear brakes to increase yaw, slowing the vehicle and enabling it to complete the turn. Engine torque may also be reduced by coordination of the Drive-by-Wire Throttle System(TM) and powertrain control module.

The 4-channel system controls all four brakes independently. In the event of oversteer (where the rear tires lose grip), the system can apply the outside front and rear brakes to decrease yaw, slowing the vehicle and enabling it to stay on its intended path.

An indicator light on the instrument panel alerts the driver whenever the VSA system is actively enhancing the vehicle's stability.

The traction control component of VSA uses sensors that monitor each of the wheels and a computer-controlled modulation of engine power and front brakes to help prevent wheel spin when starting out or accelerating. If the sensors detect wheel spin, traction control reduces engine power and applies brake force to the affected wheels. This helps the TL maintain traction during acceleration and helps the driver retain steering control, even when accelerating on slippery surfaces.

A cockpit switch is provided to disable the vehicle stability and traction control aspects of the system while leaving the ABS system fully functional.

 

The problem is you are talking about a traction control system... the VSA IIRC is a traction control system AND a vechicle stability ???

To others... he as a 6 speed... in third you would not hit the rev limiter at 50.. not even close..

For the OP... the traction control would not have clicked in at this speed from what I know... so it was the VSA... but what kind of move could you have made to have the VSA kick in??? I have done some very hard turns when nobody else is around and have never had the VSA kick in... so by definition, YOU MADE A MOVE THAT THE CAR COULD NOT HANDLE and the car was bringing you back to a safe mode... so if you are telling the truth about what happened and did not leave anything important out, then it could have SAVED your life instead of almost killing you..

 

I do believe some people are blowing this way out of proportion. It's just a simple case of "Oh, crap. This is my exit."

And he missed it because he couldn't accelerate fast enough on time. Bottom line, most important part, is that it was his mistake, not the VSA's because if losing throttle for a couple of seconds could not get him to the exit ramp in time while going 50, then he wasn't paying attention.

Anything beyond that, such as traffic situation, none of us can comment on, simply because we weren't there.

And I'll say it agan. He may be blaming the VSA here, but VSA does more good than harm.

 

all i ask is please at least turn on the signal light

glad i dun live in philly

 

Do you not have the navi that tells you when to exit??

 

Yeah, in the 6-SPD TLs, you don't redline in 3rd gear until a somewhere near 70 MPH, is it possible that the guy put the car into 1st gear by mistake, which would've caused the power to cut out on him?