RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003) Discussion topics related to the 1999 -2003 RX300 models

What's the best way to test the limit VSC?(i.e. make the light come on while driving)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-18-01, 01:22 AM
  #1  
ToyotaLexus
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
ToyotaLexus's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Talking What's the best way to test the limit VSC?(i.e. make the light come on while driving)

What's the best way to test the limit VSC?
(i.e. make the light come on while driving)

I've driven my '01 RX300 at over 60mph on freeway
exit ramps, tried to spin it, oversteer it, etc... nothing
ever seems to trigger a response from VSC.
(though the tires are screaming bloody hell...)

Old 10-18-01, 08:30 AM
  #2  
DJ SprinklesNJO
Lexus Test Driver
 
DJ SprinklesNJO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: New York
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

seems like your trying to flip your truck or gonna crash. i dont have any answer for you though. sorry, but be carefull
Old 10-18-01, 09:19 AM
  #3  
LexRX
RX 300 & 350Z Guru
 
LexRX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Georgia
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Be carefule now ToyotaLexus What I have done on our LS4 was to accelerate fast from a stop while turning. This would activate the VSC every time! It's great. Since the LS is rear-wheel drive, and has 300 ft-lb of torque it wasn't very difficult to make it step out of line

For the RX, expecially if you have AWD, I would suggest waiting until it rains. The first 5-10 minutes are the slickest on the roads. This will be the easiest way to slip-slide without having to force the RX too much. Try turning and accelertating from a stop to get the RX to loose some traction. As you probably already know, I say to turn and accelerate to try and get the vehicle to slide sideways a little. This way the yaw sensors are activated and VSC kicks in.

Good luck, and be careful...oh, and have fun too!!

-Nick
Old 10-18-01, 09:20 AM
  #4  
ToyotaLexus
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
ToyotaLexus's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

No... I'm not trying to flip the RX...

The reason I want to trigger a VSC response is that I suspect
that it is not functioning. Yes, the check light comes on and off
during start-up. However, I can always make the dealer's
loaner RX's VSC light come on by taking it close to the limit.
I've never been able to do that with my own RX, even if I push
it harder. Not even in wet snow or rain-slick roads...

I tried it on another demo RX at the dealership back in February.
There was a couple of inches of slushy snow on the ground.
I could feel the VSC working even at moderately slow speeds.
When I tried it my own RX, it would not do a thing...(but neither
did it loose control...)
Old 10-18-01, 09:28 AM
  #5  
GS300_BORICUA
Driver School Candidate
 
GS300_BORICUA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Get your car detailed and take off real fast in a slight turn the armor all on the tires will cause the car to slide. I do this every time I leave my lexus dealership after they wash my car. The VSC light comes on.

Last edited by GS300_BORICUA; 10-18-01 at 09:30 AM.
Old 10-18-01, 09:58 AM
  #6  
spinteews
Lexus Test Driver
 
spinteews's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: California
Posts: 969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

WOW, becareful man!!! dont want ya to get hurt...

So you guy s are saying that if VSC kicks in, the light will light up?? i haven't experience this yet, but if thats the case cool... The fastest i think i have went on a on ramp would be around 30-40, too scary to go any faster LoL, i don't want my car to do some 360s or what not LoL
Old 10-18-01, 10:14 AM
  #7  
ToyotaLexus
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
ToyotaLexus's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally posted by GS300_BORICUA
Get your car detailed and take off real fast in a slight turn the armor all on the tires will cause the car to slide. I do this every time I leave my lexus dealership after they wash my car. The VSC light comes on.
Thanks, GS300_BORICUA!

You solve my dilemma... I sprayed the tires generously with
tire dressing and it worked! The VSC was on an off during the
first few yards...(until the tire dressing wore off)
Old 10-18-01, 12:40 PM
  #8  
willard west
Pole Position
 
willard west's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

The RX300 is predominantly a FWD vehicle so it is much more difficult to get out of sorts, over-steering, under-steering, etc, than the RWD LS series.

I strongly suspect that the armorall on your tires resulted in Trac kicking in, not VSC.

There are two ways that I know of to test VSC:

1. A muddy dirt road, but be very careful.

2. Put the entire vehicle up on jackstands, start the engine, put it in gear, and then turn the steering wheel off-center.

My experience on a muddy road was inconclusive, the VSC indication did activate, followed almost immediately by two fault indications, VSC and ABS. If the VSC did actually activate I didn't feel its effects at all.

The fault indications would go off if I drive the RX "normally" for about a hundred yards.

I had Lexus check it out later and they said their chaeks showed eveything was normal.
Old 10-18-01, 04:57 PM
  #9  
TN3
Rookie
 
TN3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: NV
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

O Trust me the VSC works!!!! I went on this ramp that i thought was headed towards the direction i was heading on the highway. I didn't know it was one of those big donut U-Turn things. I hit that thing at 60 mph. The VSC kicked in, man there were no skids at all, it was amazing, although it does correct you steering a bit, its really wierd. It like takes over sort of. Unexplainable experience. I got a 2001 RX 4WD Silversport (with VSC)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DrDan
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
6
02-07-12 05:52 AM
Z E Z O
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
9
12-20-04 09:45 PM
sleepybobcat
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
1
02-20-03 11:35 AM



Quick Reply: What's the best way to test the limit VSC?(i.e. make the light come on while driving)



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:23 PM.