Vsa?

[CRZalps]

Can someone explain how the VSA system works? I understand the accelerating off the line and one wheel spins part, but I don't understand how the car senses skidding and going off the intended path. For example, it was raining yesterday and I took an off camber turn purposely too fast. The car kept going forward, despite the wheel being turned. But VSA never came on? Mind you, I knew how to get out of it, but shouldn't VSA have come on?

[varg]

VSA won't help you out of understeer. It works nicely at controlling oversteer and in controlling the car in maneuvers that would normally spin the car. I found it works much better on the Z than on my previous car, especially in the winter.

[muddy]

Originally Posted by varg

VSA won't help you out of understeer. It works nicely at controlling oversteer and in controlling the car in maneuvers that would normally spin the car. I found it works much better on the Z than on my previous car, especially in the winter.

I would say that is about right. I have had it on on the track by accident a few times and it certainly kicks in in some corners, but you really have to be flying and it does not seem to do any thing for understeer. If the car is somewhat neutral and sliding it will come on, and it certainly comes on during oversteer.

[Ol'Man Driver]

Honda VSA should work like this.
"With minimal intrusion to the driving experience, many drivers may not even notice when VSA® is working."

[RichXKU]

I also notice no help at all from the VSA during an understeer condition, despite Honda's description. You may need to be braking for this to work? It steps in at the first sign of oversteer, however.

I had an '08 Ford Escape with stability control for work and it always stabbed the inside rear brake to help rotate it through a turn if understeer was occurring. It worked well in the snow.

[CRZalps]

Hmm...I guess it doesn't work a la Honda's desciption then. Hmm...

Interesting thing about braking to get it to work; it definitely doesn't activate when accelerating.. I haven't tried braking. I'll look for ice tomorrow.

[CRZalps]

Bad news...no ice today.

[maxboy]

i eventually felt the VSA works like skid recovery.

on a icy road and made a right turn, the tail was going out (not exactly oversteer since the speed was very slow),the VSA blinked once and all the sudden the tail was forced back to straight like someone pushed from the side, I'm amazed.

also, i'm quite sure that VSA works when you accelerate, because mine VSA only work on acceleration or cruise (foot on throttle), then ABS when braking

[Colin]

Originally Posted by CRZalps

Can someone explain how the VSA system works? I understand the accelerating off the line and one wheel spins part, but I don't understand how the car senses skidding and going off the intended path. For example, it was raining yesterday and I took an off camber turn purposely too fast. The car kept going forward, despite the wheel being turned. But VSA never came on? Mind you, I knew how to get out of it, but shouldn't VSA have come on?

Typically, Honda/Acura VSA systems work with: Wheel Speed sensors, a Yaw sensor, Steering Wheel Angle sensor, and a Throttle Position sensor. The system compares data from all these to determine if the car is following the intended path. I believe in you scenario, you've exceeded the limits of the tires' grip, and thus none of the VSA features could benefit you. Simply, the system cannot 'add' traction, it can only maximize the available traction.

[RichXKU]

I think what CRZalps (and myself) are pointing out, is that on an understeer condition when the steering angle sensor and yaw senor disagree with the rate of actual vehicle rotation, it's supposed to brake the inside rear wheel to rotate the car, but instead it seems Honda prefers we plow straight into a wall.