Hi,
I remember reading a post weeks ago that was talking about a noise that happens when the car is in a skid or something??? From what little I remember, its supposed to happen. Could someone explain to me what it is and what it sounds like (I remember someone saying it was scary the first time you heard it.) so I don't get too nervous this winter in the snow. What happens and how's it work? Thanks

 

I have not had this noise in the xB yet, but have had it in my Focus. Its the Traction Control / VSC warning. Its just like a mid tone beep at a constant rate & you will see the VSC lights + Traction lights flash on the dash to let you know whats going on. If you dont get to crazy in the snow, I dont even think you will have this problem. I have gotten my front wheels to chirp a few times & my traction control has not got in the way, so it might take a little harder driving to make it go crazy.

 

are you talking about the VSC/TRAC beeping?

it happened to me once when i was taking a turn pretty fast. it just means that it is kicking in.

 

ok thanks... so what does it do? Why is this a good thing to have on the car?

 

I'd wager the beeping is to alert the driver that they are in a skid in case they didn't know. I think it's a good thing as otherwise, you might not know why your car is shaking (ABS working) and in case the driver's eyes aren't on the road, it should make them look.

And yes, it's a loud, high-pitched rapid beeping that comes on when the VSC is working to correct the vehicle's path. I don't *think* it comes on for the TRAC, but I could be wrong on that one.

 

The VSC/Traction control interacts with the car's brakes and throttle to try to correct for wheel spin and 'driver error'. In other words, when you're wheels loose traction and you begin to skid, the VSC computer works the ABS brakes at each wheel to try to keep you from spinning out or completely loosing control.

 

on a related note, if you ever pull up your center console, you'll find a yaw sensor in there.

 

I was playing around turning left/right abruptly and heard it once.... almost freaked me out!

 

First rain here in long time (slippery roads) today. Entered a long sweeping freeway on ramp with NO traffic and lots of runout space on each side of onramp. Purposly entered to fast for conditions (35mph+/-) and firewalled the throttle to see how smart the VSC is. Although I've heard the VSC beep a few times before, this time it went off for a long time and I discovered that the computer must cut cylinders out vs. pulling the throttle off to control slides. I've felt the traction control intermittant brake to stop wheelspin before and I don't think thats what it was.............felt more like a engine miss. I didn't jerk the wheel to enduce oversteer going into the corner (ralley style) and fully expected major understeer............All I got was a smooth safe corner even though beeps and lights were going off the whole time. I doubt anyone could tell I was driving eratic if they had been watching. impressed me anyway.

 

It caught me off guard...but atleast I know it is working. I love taking those crazy fast turns!

 

when i got side swipped i heard it. the other cars tire hit my rim and caused it to go off

 

Just go find a dirt road and go slow, about 15mph and turn your wheel and pull the ebrake a little bit so you powerslide but not enough to kill anything. You will hear it then. You can also try slick or wet cement.

 

Ok, soooooo, it's the first real snow fall, I'm on back roads that haven't been plowed... and started to skid in an "S" curve. All the sudden I heard "the noise."

So now my question is.... should I have done anything different when I heard it go off? Or do you just continue to drive... you know...... like they say if the antilock break goes on... you should just continue with pressure and not pump the break. I did step on the break to slow down. (But the antilock break didn't engage.)

 

that's actually a good question, and one i was tempted to ask: drive normally or what?

I have heard that some people have felt as though the car had begun to drive itself at that point. I am wondering if anyone knows what would happen if you were cornering a bit too tightly, and needed a bit of oversteer to pull it through - would the box kick in the VSC/TRAC and put you into the wall?

 

very informative thread, I did not know this stuff!!!

 

To answer a couple question:

Drive normally. Point your wheels where you want to go and the car will fix it. Hit your brakes as you normally would to slow down. Don't pump your brakes!

 

One time I was going about 80 and it was pouring rain, the box turned to the left and did a 360 into the ditch. Luckily nobody was hurt and the back bumper was only loose, not broken. I did notice the beep, I think that was my pulse...