When I turn on the VSC by pushing the button in the console, it only lights up in the dash for about 30 seconds, then the indicator turns off. Is VSC still running even though it doesn't show?

Another confusing thing - the button on the console says off and is always lit up. Does that mean VSC is always on unless you push the button.

Can anyone help explain how this works? Is the button turning on or off and why does it only display in the dash for 30 secs?

JF

 

VSC is always on. If you click it it turns off for 30 seconds, then comes back on. I guess you might need it turned off when you are stuck in snow and need to spin the tires a bit to get out or something like that, but it's persistently on.

 

read your owners manual, lots of good information in there

 

Yup, manual does help. I don't have VSC myself - just said whatever I knew based on other cars I played with.

 

i've already checked the owners manual. there's nothing in there about VSC. it was an added feature.

 

Thats crazy, i thought i saw it in the manual but maybe it was traction control? If its not in the manual you should have gotten one when they installed it! I had to go back and get manuals for my stereo and stuff..Call and ask!

 

They are both in the manual Check again. I have VSC on my xD. VSC & Traction Control are always on. To turn off the Traction Control, press and release the VSC Off button below the ebrake. The Slip light (squigly tire mark picture) will then light up on the dash indicating that the traction control ONLY is off. It will remain off indefinately or until you hit the button again or turn the car off and restart. It will not turn back on automatically after 30 seconds...It's never done that to me. I've always had to turn it back on manually even when sitting at stop lights for 2 minutes. Hmm.

To turn off the VSC, press the VSC Off button again to turn the slip light off (if you turned the traction control off, you have to turn it back on) then press and hold the VSC Off button again, but continue to hold the button down for about 3 seconds. BOTH the VSC Off & Slip warning lights will illuminate to indicate that both Traction Control & VSC are off. Again, the Traction Control and VSC will remain off indefinately unless you press the button and turn them back on or turn the car off and then restart. The VSC will not turn back on at any speed, unlike the xB wich I think turns back on after 45mph. I know. I've tried several times.

It's kind of nice that you can select the Traction Control off only or both Traction Control & VSC off.

I'd have to go look at my car, but the VSC Off button only illumintates when you turn the headlights on, I don't think it says OFF, it's just a picture of the squigly tire marks.

 

A couple related questions:
Do traction control/VSC affect gas mileage?
Or performance?

 

No, it won't affect gas mileage. The traction control will brake the spinning wheel and reduce engine power by means of the ABS/VSC brake modulator and electronic throttle system. Braking the spinning wheel actually will allow more torqe to carry over to the non-spinning side to get you out of the slipping condition.

As for performance, if the tires do start to spin, you will feel the engine bog down and may not be able to accelerate as quickly. I have had a lot of cars with traction control and this sytem is not that instrusive compared to my old 2001 Lexus IS300 I had or even my 2003 Mini Cooper S. Those systems were terrible. When a tire slipped, it was like the engine turned off and was very dangerous. You couldn't accelerate at all. I'm very happy the xD does not do this.

VSC will brake each wheel separately depending on sensor input from the yaw rate and steering angle sensors. Basically if you're steering straight and the steering sensor sees that, but the yaw rate sensor says your accelerating to the side, the VSC will kick in and brake the appropriate wheel to straighten you out or guide you on your intended path. It will have no affect on mileage.

OH, and I checked my VSC off switch. It just has a picture of the squiggly tire marks and does say OFF at the bottom, just to indicate it is the off switch. Nothing more.

 

Talk about an articulate and informative reply! I really understood all that- Thanx!!