Too Slick For VSC

[jpalaska]

After 3 weeks of minus 20 temperatures, Anchorage got a 'chinook wind' that brought freezing rain and plus 40 degrees.
While driving my son home from work last evening I had to drive on a side street that was glare ice with a half inch of water on it.
Even creeping along at 5-10 mph, the 4Runner went sideways when trying to turn carefully to my street.
With not a sound or any action at all from the VSC, the truck just slowly slid for about 50 feet then came to rest.
No harm done and nothing was hit. But I was surprised that for the first time ever the VSC did absolutely nothing to try to correct the skid. At least now I know its limits.

 

[Benjamin Choi]

After 3 weeks of minus 20 temperatures, Anchorage got a 'chinook wind' that brought freezing rain and plus 40 degrees.
While driving my son home from work last evening I had to drive on a side street that was glare ice with a half inch of water on it.
Even creeping along at 5-10 mph, the 4Runner went sideways when trying to turn carefully to my street.
With not a sound or any action at all from the VSC, the truck just slowly slid for about 50 feet then came to rest.
No harm done and nothing was hit. But I was surprised that for the first time ever the VSC did absolutely nothing to try to correct the skid. At least now I know its limits.

dude it's simply physics man and this is coming from a salesman.

vsc and all the other fancy acronymed versions by other manufacturers do not create magic traction. there is no inspector go go gadget car out there.

drive according to the conditions. glad u guys didn't find yourselves in a ditch.

not sure why it was a surprise or worth posting about really.

 

[jpalaska]

Thanks for the driving lesson, dude.
The point I was trying to make was that the normally sensitive VSC alarm wasn't triggered in this particular situation.
I wasn't looking for 'magic traction', or your rude comments, dude.

 

[GasGuzzler]

I remember reading somewhere (maybe even in the owner

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Re: Re: Too Slick For VSC

dude it's simply physics man and this is coming from a salesman.

vsc and all the other fancy acronymed versions by other manufacturers do not create magic traction. there is no inspector go go gadget car out there.

drive according to the conditions. glad u guys didn't find yourselves in a ditch.

not sure why it was a surprise or worth posting about really.

He was driving according to conditions. There is not need to have such a rude attitude.

 

[ALLEGRO]

Thanks for the driving lesson, dude.
The point I was trying to make was that the normally sensitive VSC alarm wasn't triggered in this particular situation.
I wasn't looking for 'magic traction', or your rude comments, dude.

Here's what "may" have happened. If you let off the gas, and the wheels are all turning (forward) at approximately the same speed, then the system would not detect any abnormality and therefor not envolk any correction. It sounds as it you had a "controlled" skid without much excitement.

JMHO

 

[jpalaska]

I think you're right, Allegro.
Would that then mean that if at a higher speed and you feel the rear end slip out, and you touch the brakes then try to correct with your foot off the gas and brake, the VSC won't kick in?

 

[ALLEGRO]

I think you're right, Allegro.
Would that then mean that if at a higher speed and you feel the rear end slip out, and you touch the brakes then try to correct with your foot off the gas and brake, the VSC won't kick in?

As I understand it, they are all based on calculated wheels speed and the difference between any one vs. the others. Only if if perceives there is a large(er) difference would it even know to make a change. On ice, especially, it is so easy to have all wheels without traction. Unless you were on the gas or the brake it "could" just break away uniformily and not upset "Big Brother" watching all the data.

Bottom line......ice is IMPOSSIBLE to drive on.....case closed !

 

[Benjamin Choi]

Bottom line......ice is IMPOSSIBLE to drive on.....case closed !

Thank you

 

[Atlanta_man]

I want the option to squirt sand in front of the wheels like locomotives have.

 

[CRDT4R]

I want the option to squirt sand in front of the wheels like locomotives have.

You could prob get enough sand out of Ben's Va... nevermind.

Just glad no one was hurt and everything was alright. Be careful on ice.

 

[Benjamin Choi]

I want the option to squirt sand in front of the wheels like locomotives have.

:bigok:

ATL BABY! i love that city. ladies are crazy lovely.

 

[4boer]

JP Next time take the 911 LOL! I've got an '87 targa myself.

I understand what you are talking about. Ice is one thing. Water on top of ice is off the charts. This from a guy who will be resurfacing my backyard rink tonight in 10 below temps.

 

[JB.]

...glare ice with a half inch of water on it...

...I was surprised that for the first time ever the VSC did absolutely nothing to try to correct the skid. At least now I know its limits.

Wouldn't much matter if the system came on or not in those conditions, but I've been a little surprised how much less sensitive VSC is to plowing than it is when the rear comes out.

 

[Mike07SE]

It really just doesn't matter. No traction is no traction. So if all wheels were locked and the last known speed was under 8 mph, the VSC is just a dead point. Just hang on and hope you have a safe ride.

 

[alaskaman]

Thanks for the post JP. I went to work yesterday and watched an Explorer slide 100 feet after trying to turn into Providence parking lot. By night it was less slick ( I thought) but when I got home 32nd and Eureka, it was pure glazed ice. Today's rain and temp in the 40's is making it sheer ice. great for hockey not for cars. I finally gave up locking my diff and had a similar experience with VSC. I think it depends upon wheel spin as well as directional stability of the gyro. if the wheels are not moving and we are going pure sideways it senses but does not correct. In a few days, temps are forecast to drop and make the wet even harder ice.

Car Hockey. that should be entertaining. stay safe and dry. =)

 

[jpalaska]

stay safe and dry. =) [/B][/QUOTE]

Thanks, Bud. I hear it's blowing 60+ with higher gusts now. I have to drive to Northern Lights. Gonna be a sloooow drive!
JP