Test drove an 04TL AT yesterday and there appeared to be a warning light illuminated on the left console. The light looked like a triangle with an exclamation point in it.

Is this the Engine Check light I've heard about on other posts?


BY the way, it was a Redondo Red Pearl, Ebony interior. Nice sunny day, the color looked terrific. Saw all the other colors in nice sunlight, the Abyss Blue looked good as well, as did the black. The black even appeared to have blue highlights...

 

Can't speak to the '04 but in the '01 CL-S I have the triangle with exclamation point flickers when the car loses traction and stays lit when the VSA (traction control) is turned off. This is probably what you saw.

 

That is the VSA light. If it is on all the time, the VSA system has been turned off. If it flickers while driving that means the VSA systems has been active.

-r

 

Thanks. Would you normally have the VSA on or off in normal dry California driving? Is there any drawback to just leaving it on?

 

No drawback to just leaving it on unless you regurlarly drive like a maniac or when you want to slide/slew the car around as you might when autocrossing.
For "normal" or even spirited driving on the public roads the VSA won't intrude unless you are about to lose it anyway. I don't have my TL yet, but that is the way it should work. If it turns out to be too sensitive, i.e. interacting before tires are sliding or losing traction just based on G forces it deems too high....then I will shut it off. I bet we'd have to do that each time the car is started.

 

Now that is the way to test drive a new TL....is to have that Traction light flashing!!!!!!