What does the VSA button do?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 1, 2012 | 11:01 PM
  #1  
EazyRider562's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 726
Likes: 27
From: The City of Angles (LA)
What does the VSA button do?

Something with traction? If your in the snow, push it?

Thanks in advance!
Reply
Old May 1, 2012 | 11:52 PM
  #2  
StHalcyon's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 214
Likes: 47
From: Chicago
Originally Posted by EazyRider562
Something with traction? If your in the snow, push it?

Thanks in advance!
VSA is Acura's marketing term for an integrated system comprising of throttle, torque and brakes to help create vehicle drivability stability. It's no different than Subaru's VDC + TCS, Lexus's VSC + VDIM.

Here is the information: http://www.acura.com/Features.aspx?m...ability_assist

Here is the video: http://www.acura.com/Features.aspx?m...y+_+Security#6

When you asked if you should push it in snow, did you mean push in the button or push the vehicle hard?

You do NOT want to push in the button, as your manual will say that by default VSA is on, and pushing that button turns off VSA. So if you turn off VSA in snow, you're going to be slippin' and slidin'.

I hope this question was a serious question?
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 06:45 AM
  #3  
Ant$'s Avatar
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 26
From: Wilmington, DE
doesn't the manual say that if you're stuck in deep snow, you may want to turn VSA off to gain more traction then turn it back on? something to that effect...
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 07:29 AM
  #4  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
watch out gentlemen, Eazy is a troll.
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 08:13 AM
  #5  
ucf_bronco's Avatar
Drifting
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 555
From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by Ant$
doesn't the manual say that if you're stuck in deep snow, you may want to turn VSA off to gain more traction then turn it back on? something to that effect...
That's correct...exact wording is:

In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier to free it with the VSA temporarily switched off. When the VSA system is off, the traction control system is also off. You should only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA off if you are not able to free it when the VSA is on.

Something I'm curious of, if I were to take my car to the local drag strip...would I want VSA switched off? I have a 6MT if it matters.
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 08:17 AM
  #6  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
^try it out!

I'm not sure about the all wheel drive system, but it takes tons of practice and feathering of the gas pedal to get a perfect launch for my 3rd gen TL, albeit fwd.

at full throttle with vsa on, I suspect it would cut power from a dig.
Hence the feathering.
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 08:26 AM
  #7  
ucf_bronco's Avatar
Drifting
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 555
From: Orlando, FL
Yeah I may have to try it out, not at the drag strip because I don't ever see myself taking the TL there...but maybe next time I get on the freeway. I'm curious to see if there's any difference. I'm not the type to push my car too hard so I may not notice much, if anything.
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 08:46 AM
  #8  
eazy's Avatar
WDP 4G
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 75
From: New York, NY
VSA does a lot. You ever seen someone drag with traction on? Nope. Why? I don't wanna tell you eazyrider or you might go Vin Diesel(don't want to get you more time on that suspended licenses)

Last edited by eazy; May 2, 2012 at 08:51 AM.
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 08:52 AM
  #9  
ucf_bronco's Avatar
Drifting
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 555
From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by eazy
VSA does a lot. You ever seen someone drag with traction on? Nope. Why? I don't wanna tell you eazyrider or you might go Vin Diesel(don't want to get you more time on that suspended licenses)
LMAO! Then tell me...I'm more of a Paul Walker type anyway

I'm assuming because it cuts power when certain conditions are met...?
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 09:03 AM
  #10  
eazy's Avatar
WDP 4G
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 75
From: New York, NY
Originally Posted by ucf_bronco
LMAO! Then tell me...I'm more of a Paul Walker type anyway

I'm assuming because it cuts power when certain conditions are met...?
VSA on cuts some of the power. With it off you should get better throttle response and feel more pull. I don't know the exact details. Like say you were stuck in snow and you tried getting out with VSA on, chances are your tires spin out and cut your throttle off. Off the wheels will keep spinning therefore giving you a better chance to get out of the snow (this is on FWD. Idk if you'd need to turn off VSA to get out of snow with AWD but I'm sure it does the same)
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 09:49 AM
  #11  
StHalcyon's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 214
Likes: 47
From: Chicago
If you're going to take it to the drag strip, definitely turn off VSA. Although I would first replace that craptastic Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires though.

Plus, you'd have to put up with the ridicule of others laughing at you for bringing in a 4,000 lb car to the drag course. ;-)

By the way, I wasn't expecting EazyRider's question to pertain to being stuck in deep mud/snow. I don't think that's a condition he'll ever see for living in the city of concrete. I mean, city of angels. I thought he was talking about going up to ski mountains, where there is some snow on the road...
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 09:51 AM
  #12  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
^dont mind him, he's a troll.

this thread is off to a great start!!
Dont mess it up, eazyrider.
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 10:38 AM
  #13  
potmilkz's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,022
From: Southern Cali 626 area
just a curious question, i might be the only one seeing this.. but i cannot tell or see if my vsa is off or on. only way i can tell is to feel if the button has been pressed down or popping up.
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 10:53 AM
  #14  
ucf_bronco's Avatar
Drifting
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 555
From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by potmilkz
just a curious question, i might be the only one seeing this.. but i cannot tell or see if my vsa is off or on. only way i can tell is to feel if the button has been pressed down or popping up.
Per the manual...

When VSA is off, the VSA off indicator comes on as a reminder.

I haven't tried it though so I can't say for sure.
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 10:55 AM
  #15  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
^works the same way on the 3G TL. When the VSA is off, it will light up on your dash.
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 12:14 PM
  #16  
Edward'TLS's Avatar
6G TLX-S
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,227
Likes: 1,181
From: YVR
The VSA button doesn't go down or pop up. On release, it always remains in the pop up position. So the only way to tell if VSA is on or off, is from the VSA warning light inside the instrument panel.
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 12:19 PM
  #17  
EazyRider562's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 726
Likes: 27
From: The City of Angles (LA)
So just leave it as it?
Reply
Old May 2, 2012 | 12:20 PM
  #18  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
^correct, sir.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
copmagnet82
4G TL Problems & Fixes
5
Jun 29, 2016 08:09 AM
soupi
2G TSX Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
14
Nov 15, 2015 11:15 AM
hashbrown
4G TL (2009-2014)
2
Sep 29, 2015 12:13 PM
dirleton
2G RDX (2013-2018)
6
Sep 29, 2015 08:26 AM
thegipper
3G TL (2004-2008)
5
Sep 28, 2015 01:01 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:32 PM.