Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum - View Single Post

Thai · #8 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 12:22 PM

Bluto,

What's physics??

I am not smart enough to figure the exact figures...however, i don't think there is enough info to figure it out...only Toyota engineers would know it.

You Acura CLS system is a bit different. Your Acura has VSA (stability control) and traction control (over front tires). When slippage is encountered, these electronic nannies kick in. Part of it's effect is cutting your throttle (aka engine power)...so you bog down. That's the bad thing about these systems...they cut engine power to reduce wheel slippage, in addition to braking the individual wheel. So, this may explain why you cannot get up your snowy driveway. If possible, try to shut off VSA next time...you may have better luck. If Acura system is like Toyota's, then VSA and traction control are separate entity...and VSA is the part that dethrottles. So, by shutting off VSA, you won't bog down so much.

The above situation by Bluto's Acura is similar to the few complaints of Toyota's VSC function. Toyota's VSC cuts engine power when it senses slippage. That is why when you pull out onto a street from a gravel road, there's a hesitation (aka engine power being cut by VSC). Thus, when off-roading, you need to lock the center diff to shut off VSC/dethrottling function. This will leave ATRAC intact, but prevents your engine power from being cut.