Hey, I own an '07 base TL with 32k miles. My sister has an '07 Civic, and my mom has an '07 CRV. All of them have VSA, but only in my car does the VSA kick in on a regular basis, during what I would consider "normal" driving conditions. By normal I mean driving in a straight line doing between 35-55 mph, hit a minor pothole and the VSA will pump the brakes for half a second. Or hard(ish) braking situation, hit a minor bump in the road and the VSA will kick in again. (yes, I live in NYC, LOL!). I figured this is the way it is supposed to operate, even though I have yet to EVER feel the VSA kick in under similar situations on the Civic or CRV.

Here is the problem. On a rainy day doing about 50 mph, I pull into the exit lane to get off the highway at the next off ramp. While slowing down, I remember that this is a particularly sharp turn so I step even harder on the brakes in anticipation of the turn because of the rain. Just then, I hit a bump, the VSA kicks in and I COMPLETELY lose control of the car just going in a straight line! The wheels lock up and starts sliding, the brakes start pumping really hard, I turn the wheel to avoid the the curb, the car barely turns and I end up on the grass, smoke/steam coming off the front brakes. (the curb wasn't very high at all, so the car barely bounced as it went over.)

Fortunately, there were no other cars on the road, or I would have had an accident, and what would I have said? The thing is that i'm SURE that had the VSA not engaged, I would have just slowed down as I needed to, and glided around that turn as smoothly as the TL does, even on the wet surface.

My question is, has anyone ever experienced any overcompensation with the VSA on the TL, or is anything I mentioned here familiar to anyone else? I just need some feedback before I go make my case to the dealer. Thanks in advance...

SUPREME

 

If you have good rubber on your tires, I would say take this to the dealer immediately. If the ABS engaged and locked them up before you felt the car lose traction, somethings wrong.

 

you have a problem with the car- to the dealer ASAP
AND
you need to read and understand the owner manual-
which describes how all the system info gets put together, like sudden steering input-brake effort-each wheel speed...
and decides if you are in a corner too fast... it will apply brakes to one corner, or one side of the car
It will also regulate throttle if it thinks you are about to lose it totally~

Knowing the system will make it a pleasure to drive
AFTER the dealer fixes the speed sensor or gyro that is messed up now

Ideally- you would never feel ABS in action - especially in normal driving
It only kicks in when the computer senses one wheel faster than the other

 

No way. The front end and brake pedal vibrate hard whenever the ABS kicks in, and you can actually hear the calipers fighting for grip. Since it doesn't happen that often, it never got a chance to resonate that it could be problem. My last 2 cars had ABS and I never really felt it, so you're right.

Also, I thought the salesman's explanation of the way the VSA works was sufficient enough, but I guess i'll have to read the manual to get a better understanding. Now that i've driven the car for a while, i'm still cloudy as the the relationship between my driving, and the VSA and ABS.

Since there is still good rubber on the front tires, I will make that appointment ASAP. Thanks for the clarification. I know exactly what to emphasize now. Thanks...

 

Check the last two posts:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...&highlight=yaw


Basically VSA, Traction Control and ABS are all working/linked together. In your case, when you hit a bump under braking, one wheel "hops", that causes it to turn faster than the other wheel and VSA/ABS/TC kicks in. That *could* cause a "yaw moment" when the wheel comes back down and grabs pavement. The yaw moment *could* twist you sideways. This would obviously be more likely in slick conditions.

IMHO, you *should* get your ABS Sensors and/or Wheel Speed sensors and VSA module checked.

 

well there has been a problem with the vsa- abs modulator. the springs in side are getting stuck and will turn on during normal driving conditions. at some point the brakes will be applied as your driving by themself....... not fun when your going 50 mph. i would take it in. for your safty. clear signs of this are blue rotors, smelly brakes, slow after driving, or come to a stop fast and vsa kicks in all the time.

 

I'm not going into detail until my car gets back from the bodyshop but.....

I was going into a turn, the road had a washboard surface. Hit the brakes and the ABS kicked in even though it was a very easy stop. I let off the brakes, hit them again and same thing. Thinking back, I should've pulled the e-brake. Instead I hit a curb.

 

Bearcat, thanks for the posts. I actually did read them before I created this thread and found them helpful.

240sx, I think my car is exhibiting a degree of some of those effects. I'll mention it.

Thanks to the rest for the feedback. I made an appointment for next week. I'll let you know what the diagnosis is...

SUPREME