I took my IS 350 out for a spin with both Traction Control and VSC off and boy was it an experience. The car feels COMPLETELY different as it feels much more responsive and snappier. As I step on the accelerator, it feels like the car responds faster and it does it much smoother as well. Also when I'm turning it feels smoother and I feel like I have more control over the car. Right now I'm tempted to always drive with both Traction Control and VSC off.

So what exactly do Traction Control and VSC do anyway?
Is it safe to drive with either or both off?
What kind of adverse effects can I really expect with those features on?

 

traction control exactly what is says, controls your traction to help you from spinning out or fishing tailing. Its a life saver. Unless you are a professional driver i don't recommend taking it off every time you drive. be careful on those sharp turns. I don't want to see a post from about wrecking your brand new car.

 

Keep them on and leave them off just for racing...

 

Before the electronic nannies became standard equipment, was everyone a "professional driver"?

Everyone should learn the limits of their car (in a safe place of course), it makes you a better driver. By all means turn off all the "safety" controls and drive the **** out of it, it's the only way you going to learn where the fine line between control and out of control lives.

 

how do u turn it all the way off, cause when i turn it off it comes back on when i break loose the tire? I have a 06

 

You need to do "the pedal dance". Read the FAQ thread stickied at the top of the forum; answer is in item about dyno mode.

 

no not everyone was a professional driver before the electronic safety controls. this is probably one of the reasons why FWD cars are more prominent today. but it seemed that the OP was asking if it was safe to drive with it off on public roads. in a controlled environment yes it is safe, but what are you going to be entering in the the D1 competition.