4th Gen VSC question

[evlfred]

I doubt if anyone knows this one, but in driving my 4runner and comparing it to other VSC (ESP) equipped cars, it doesn't seem to react nearly as quickly. The other cars I've owned (or own) with it are an A4 and 06 Passat, so a completely different system I'm sure. My question is if anyone know if the Toyota system has a steering wheel angle sensor, I think it does not but thats just a guess. The reason I think that is when I'm driving the wifes Passat on very slick roads, sometimes it doesn't respond to a steering input (like really bad understeer, pushes forward even tho it should turn) and the ESP goes off and makes it respond, the 4runner just keeps going straight, no VSC or anything. Also, the VW/Audi system seems to come on much more often and in much less sever situations.

Just wondering if anyone knew.

 

[Mafster]

I've heard that the new S2000 has VSC and it is "tame" also, only kicks in when things get out of control. Personally, I prefer it like in our 4Runner. If I want to push it a bit, I feel I still can!

 

[Casper]

Based on my knowledge of some of the most up to date DSC systems, all of them have steering wheel position sensors

 

[evlfred]

my problem is that it never activates in that situation, I'd just keep going straight till I hit something or stop.

 

[Koz]

The 4runner definitely has a steering wheel position sensor. The 4Runner's VSC system kicks in just prior to a loss of stability. If you experiment with the vehicle in an open area on a slippery surface you will find that the 4Runner's system works incredible and is capable of keeping control of the vehicle in a way that can not be done by human input, even with anti-lock braking.

Koz

 

[alpha]

I find the opposite. I think it kicks in sometimes when not necessarily needed, but not always. I think it works really well.

 

[oldboy]

VSC saved my butt

about 6 weeks after I bought my 04.

I was messing around w the nav system at about 35 mph and looked up to stopped traffic in my lane right in front of me!?!?

Slammed on the brakes and swerved into the next lane with a very erratic move. I suddenly realized I lost it and was hoping not to roll or spin. The ABS and VSC took control, straightened the 4runner right out and brought it to a controlled stop in the next lane right on the side of the car I was trying to avoid. I was amazed how I was able to get out of that mess without anything going wrong! :dancin:

You should have seen the silver dollar eyes on the guy in the car!

I love my VSC!

Lou

 

[Northof49]

I find the opposite. I think it kicks in sometimes when not necessarily needed, but not always. I think it works really well.

Agreed.....I would prefer it to wait until things are more outta hand.

 

[mnormand]

I just finished reading Thai's sticky post on this subject and I had no idea what I had. This whole entire 4x4 VSC/etc system is stunning!

 

[Boston_Runner]

Does anyone know: On the 4runner with the V6, will the VSC work better if you are in the 4WD mode? In other words, will the VSC system delivery torque to the front wheels if the 4WD system is off on the V6?

 

[Koz]

Does anyone know: On the 4runner with the V6, will the VSC work better if you are in the 4WD mode? In other words, will the VSC system delivery torque to the front wheels if the 4WD system is off on the V6?

The VSC does not apply torque; it cuts the throttle and applies braking as needed to one or more wheels. So the answer is no.

Koz

 

[boston_kevin]

Agreed.....I would prefer it to wait until things are more outta hand.

I think this system reacts appropriately for a vehicle this size with a high center of gravity. If you compare this VSC system with one on a passenger car, the system should seem to react before the problem gets too far to prevent the laws of physics from flipping the car over. A passenger car can go much faster and slide further before it flips. I agree that it would be nice if this system would let you get into a little more trouble before it kicks in, but a little more trouble and you might be on your roof as we can't alter the laws of physics.

 

[rider]

I've been playing chicken with a median at the entrance to my neighborhood all winter. There is a right hand turn into the complex with a nice patch of ice leading to it. I will come into the turn without breaking, my front tires are cranked to the right but I keep sliding straight towards the median. Then suddenly like magic, a little genie applies the break to the correct wheel(s) and I swing around to the right and clear the median with room to spare. I never touch the break pedal. Amazing!

 

[OUTRNNR]

I think this system reacts appropriately for a vehicle this size with a high center of gravity. If you compare this VSC system with one on a passenger car, the system should seem to react before the problem gets too far to prevent the laws of physics from flipping the car over. A passenger car can go much faster and slide further before it flips. I agree that it would be nice if this system would let you get into a little more trouble before it kicks in, but a little more trouble and you might be on your roof as we can't alter the laws of physics.

I totally agree here. The magic part is, from an engineering/software standpoint: how to determine where exactly this "point of no return" is. Just playing around on ice in my neighborhood I can get up to 30 degrees of yaw before VSC kicks in, but I'm only going ~15 mph. I can't imagine the computer would be able to recover a 30 degree yaw at 65 mph w/o over-correcting. Must be a physics/computer software nightmare!! Amazing nonetheless.

There has to be a multitude of sensor input to give the computer all the necessary information, plus the computer has to be fully aware of the car's physical attributes. Eg. Weight, Center of Mass, Center of Gravity, roll inertias about 2 axes, 2nd moment of inertias about all 3 axes, not to mention velocity, steering angle etc. amazing. I'd hate to be the guy who writes the code for all of these parameters!!