VSA Vehicle Stability Assist

malcolm@thelynch.wanadoo. · 4th March 2008, 07:21

Can someone please tell me how to operate the VSA control properly? We had a terrific snow storm in North Somerset last night. Our driveway is fairly steep, and although I had swept it of the snow, and it was not freezing, I found it very difficult to get our new (2006) Civic up the drive. The engine kept stalling, and the wheels were spinning. There was a burning smell, so I hope I have not done any damage to the gear box!?Previously, my wife had returned home, and had left the car in the road, because of the weather conditions, and had also experienced the same problem on the level. Should we have turned off the VSA in these circumstances/conditions, so as to give the car better grip up the drive? I only thought about the VSA afterwards, when I looked at the manual. Any help or suggestions wouls be appreciated. Thank you.

robbo51 · 4th March 2008, 07:25

I had the same problem..Turn off the VSA and it will get up the drive.

Jeroen1000 · 4th March 2008, 07:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolm@thelynch.wanadoo.

Can someone please tell me how to operate the VSA control properly? We had a terrific snow storm in North Somerset last night. Our driveway is fairly steep, and although I had swept it of the snow, and it was not freezing, I found it very difficult to get our new (2006) Civic up the drive. The engine kept stalling, and the wheels were spinning. There was a burning smell, so I hope I have not done any damage to the gear box!?Previously, my wife had returned home, and had left the car in the road, because of the weather conditions, and had also experienced the same problem on the level. Should we have turned off the VSA in these circumstances/conditions, so as to give the car better grip up the drive? I only thought about the VSA afterwards, when I looked at the manual. Any help or suggestions wouls be appreciated. Thank you.

VSA can be turned off, however traction control can't (that's what I've been told).

I don't think you can do anything about it. Sorry mate.

@robbo51: I hope you are right. I thought VSA's use was for keeping the car on the road

ctrdaveg · 4th March 2008, 07:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolm@thelynch.wanadoo.

Can someone please tell me how to operate the VSA control properly? We had a terrific snow storm in North Somerset last night. Our driveway is fairly steep, and although I had swept it of the snow, and it was not freezing, I found it very difficult to get our new (2006) Civic up the drive. The engine kept stalling, and the wheels were spinning. There was a burning smell, so I hope I have not done any damage to the gear box!?Previously, my wife had returned home, and had left the car in the road, because of the weather conditions, and had also experienced the same problem on the level. Should we have turned off the VSA in these circumstances/conditions, so as to give the car better grip up the drive? I only thought about the VSA afterwards, when I looked at the manual. Any help or suggestions wouls be appreciated. Thank you.

You should have turned the vsa off in the snow because it works overtime to try to find grip when there is none. Same applies if you are in field.

The smell sounds like your clutch slipping. Not a good thing to do.
You'll be better leaving the car at the bottom of the drive or try a slower approach maybe in 2nd gear and not first, but try not to slip the clutch.

GHGH · 4th March 2008, 07:57

Agreed. Turn it off. I sometimes do this myself for the few critical seconds when I need every bit of traction I can get.

TTDegs · 4th March 2008, 08:00

VSA works by cutting back power and selectively applying the brakes as it sees fit.
It does this under some sort of complex black magic, and is primarily designed to try and get you safely round a corner.

I've always been told (and do) turn it off in the snow, as it's one more thing which can get confused by what the car is doing, and it's actions may be contrary to what you want to happen.

As above, VSA off, 2nd gear, low ish revs, and don't slip the clutch, and you should be fine

In your particular case though, it's a balance between parking it on the drive (away from out of control drivers on the road, but hassle of having to clear the drive and negotiate back down it in the morning), or leaving it one road (less hassle, unless one of the above drivers smacks it...)

HappyMan · 4th March 2008, 08:07

Never knew any of that so I am glad I read it - great info thanks.

cylon2007 · 4th March 2008, 08:26

Also as the car id front wheel drive it will go up the slope much better in reverse (always better to back into your drive anyway

)

malcolm@thelynch.wanadoo. · 4th March 2008, 08:34

Thank you all for your VERY helpful replies. I am sorry to labour the point, but are we saying that in VERY VERY wet weather or when the road is snowy and icy, we should always turn off the VSA? You can probably tell I am not very mechanically minded! Any further advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

GHGH · 4th March 2008, 08:52

No, I wouldn't do that - it's in these conditions the extra help to stabilise the car is most useful.
I only turn it off as a last resort when i sense the VSA is about to grind the car to a halt.

TTDegs · 4th March 2008, 09:50

At very slow speeds (pulling off / parking) in those conditions, I would turn VSA off.

At anything above those speeds I most definately make sure it was turned ON!

malcolm@thelynch.wanadoo. · 4th March 2008, 10:17

Thanks all. I think that has just about answered the question.

SheepCivic · 4th March 2008, 10:52

After this morning's incident, thank god for vsa ! On the way to work, coming round the last corner, looked like a light covering of snow, probably only doing twenty, car starts to go sideways. Already in front of me is a car that's had the same problem ... Ford Focus.... not so lucky, pranged the side of the road with wheel off ! Managed to avoid this car by about a metre, vsa kicked in and got me in a straight line again, honestly thought it was going to be a trip to the repair shop !

StuMcBill · 4th March 2008, 16:35

Not being with my car at the moment, I have a quick question.

Can I start moving without VSA enabled (in the snow) and turn it on while I am driving? Or would I need to stop?

Thanks

Stu

csmcqueen · 4th March 2008, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuMcBill

Not being with my car at the moment, I have a quick question.

Can I start moving without VSA enabled (in the snow) and turn it on while I am driving? Or would I need to stop?

Thanks

Stu

You can turn it on or off either when standing still or moving, it makes no difference.

Charles_Harding · 4th March 2008, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuMcBill

Not being with my car at the moment, I have a quick question.

Can I start moving without VSA enabled (in the snow) and turn it on while I am driving? Or would I need to stop?

Thanks

Stu

That sounds good to me!

"He called me a fatalist.
But I've never collected a stamp in my life!"

ctrdaveg · 4th March 2008, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheepCivic

After this morning's incident, thank god for vsa ! On the way to work, coming round the last corner, looked like a light covering of snow, probably only doing twenty, car starts to go sideways. Already in front of me is a car that's had the same problem ... Ford Focus.... not so lucky, pranged the side of the road with wheel off ! Managed to avoid this car by about a metre, vsa kicked in and got me in a straight line again, honestly thought it was going to be a trip to the repair shop !

That was lucky mate

Charles_Harding · 4th March 2008, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheepCivic

After this morning's incident, thank god for vsa ! On the way to work, coming round the last corner, looked like a light covering of snow, probably only doing twenty, car starts to go sideways. Already in front of me is a car that's had the same problem ... Ford Focus.... not so lucky, pranged the side of the road with wheel off ! Managed to avoid this car by about a metre, vsa kicked in and got me in a straight line again, honestly thought it was going to be a trip to the repair shop !

......and if they read what we think about Frauds Focus on this site they will say that you did it on purpose!

"A computer lets you make more mistakes, faster than any invention in human history.
With the possible exception of handguns and tequilla!"

SheepCivic · 4th March 2008, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctrdaveg

That was lucky mate

Yep think I'll be taking it a little easier tomorrow morning !

Have watched a few videos about VSA, but until it digs you out of a potential smash you dont really appreciate it !

FWH · 4th March 2008, 18:15

More on the VSA here:
VSA - Civinfo Wiki

As said below, you can turn it on or off while on the move, but always keep it on unless your think you might get stuck in snow at slow speeds.

4th March 2008, 07:21	#1 (permalink)
malcolm@thelynch.wanadoo. Valve Cap Join Date: 4th March 2008 Location: Winscombe,UK Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Vehicle Stability Assist Can someone please tell me how to operate the VSA control properly? We had a terrific snow storm in North Somerset last night. Our driveway is fairly steep, and although I had swept it of the snow, and it was not freezing, I found it very difficult to get our new (2006) Civic up the drive. The engine kept stalling, and the wheels were spinning. There was a burning smell, so I hope I have not done any damage to the gear box!?Previously, my wife had returned home, and had left the car in the road, because of the weather conditions, and had also experienced the same problem on the level. Should we have turned off the VSA in these circumstances/conditions, so as to give the car better grip up the drive? I only thought about the VSA afterwards, when I looked at the manual. Any help or suggestions wouls be appreciated. Thank you.

4th March 2008, 08:34	#9 (permalink)
malcolm@thelynch.wanadoo. Valve Cap Join Date: 4th March 2008 Location: Winscombe,UK Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Vehicle Stability Assist Thank you all for your VERY helpful replies. I am sorry to labour the point, but are we saying that in VERY VERY wet weather or when the road is snowy and icy, we should always turn off the VSA? You can probably tell I am not very mechanically minded! Any further advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

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This thread is about: Vehicle Stability Assist, it's in Electronics at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Can someone please tell me how to operate the VSA control properly? We had a terrific snow storm in North Somerset last night. Our driveway ...

4th March 2008, 07:25	#2 (permalink)
robbo51 Type S GT Civinfo guru Join Date: 1st July 2007 Location: Bingley, W.Yorks Posts: 2,742 Thanks: 34 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts	I had the same problem..Turn off the VSA and it will get up the drive.

4th March 2008, 07:57	#5 (permalink)
GHGH TANSTAAFL! Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 13th March 2007 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 920 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Agreed. Turn it off. I sometimes do this myself for the few critical seconds when I need every bit of traction I can get.

4th March 2008, 08:00	#6 (permalink)
TTDegs Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 4th August 2006 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5,638 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	VSA works by cutting back power and selectively applying the brakes as it sees fit. It does this under some sort of complex black magic, and is primarily designed to try and get you safely round a corner. I've always been told (and do) turn it off in the snow, as it's one more thing which can get confused by what the car is doing, and it's actions may be contrary to what you want to happen. As above, VSA off, 2nd gear, low ish revs, and don't slip the clutch, and you should be fine In your particular case though, it's a balance between parking it on the drive (away from out of control drivers on the road, but hassle of having to clear the drive and negotiate back down it in the morning), or leaving it one road (less hassle, unless one of the above drivers smacks it...)

4th March 2008, 08:07	#7 (permalink)
HappyMan Super Moderator Rocketship door handle Join Date: 16th August 2007 Location: Poland Posts: 1,583 Thanks: 9 Thanked 24 Times in 24 Posts	Never knew any of that so I am glad I read it - great info thanks.

4th March 2008, 08:26	#8 (permalink)
cylon2007 Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 14th April 2007 Location: South Manchester/North Cheshire Posts: 448 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Also as the car id front wheel drive it will go up the slope much better in reverse (always better to back into your drive anyway )

4th March 2008, 08:52	#10 (permalink)
GHGH TANSTAAFL! Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 13th March 2007 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 920 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No, I wouldn't do that - it's in these conditions the extra help to stabilise the car is most useful. I only turn it off as a last resort when i sense the VSA is about to grind the car to a halt.

4th March 2008, 09:50	#11 (permalink)
TTDegs Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 4th August 2006 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5,638 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	At very slow speeds (pulling off / parking) in those conditions, I would turn VSA off. At anything above those speeds I most definately make sure it was turned ON!

4th March 2008, 10:17	#12 (permalink)
malcolm@thelynch.wanadoo. Valve Cap Join Date: 4th March 2008 Location: Winscombe,UK Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks all. I think that has just about answered the question.

4th March 2008, 10:52	#13 (permalink)
SheepCivic Supporter Valve Cap Join Date: 29th December 2006 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	After this morning's incident, thank god for vsa ! On the way to work, coming round the last corner, looked like a light covering of snow, probably only doing twenty, car starts to go sideways. Already in front of me is a car that's had the same problem ... Ford Focus.... not so lucky, pranged the side of the road with wheel off ! Managed to avoid this car by about a metre, vsa kicked in and got me in a straight line again, honestly thought it was going to be a trip to the repair shop !

4th March 2008, 16:35	#14 (permalink)
StuMcBill Dandy Don Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 2nd January 2008 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Posts: 140 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Not being with my car at the moment, I have a quick question. Can I start moving without VSA enabled (in the snow) and turn it on while I am driving? Or would I need to stop? Thanks Stu

4th March 2008, 18:15	#20 (permalink)
FWH Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 3rd June 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,786 Thanks: 3 Thanked 22 Times in 19 Posts	More on the VSA here: VSA - Civinfo Wiki As said below, you can turn it on or off while on the move, but always keep it on unless your think you might get stuck in snow at slow speeds.