I got into a pretty hairy situation driving today, and I had to maneuver at a fairly high speed.

I also was very hard on the brakes and that's when the dash started beeping at me!

I wanted to scream at it "no kidding! "

But I figured it was the cars way of saying "oh ****" just like I was.

Is it just a warning letting me know I'm skiding?

I must say, the car handled high speed panic braking and maneuvering very well!

 

Your VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) is kicking in when a skid was sensed. If it is happening on dry pavement, I suggest that you slow down and also check that your tires are in good condition and properly inflated.

My VSC warning sounds on a fairly regular basis when I'm driving on ice and snow at low speeds although I sometimes induce skids just for entertainment - when there is no traffic or hazards nearby.

If you don't understand how VSC works, I suggest you take your car to a nice icy, empty parking lot with no light standards. Drive in a continually tightening circle until the VSC alarm sounds. Doing this may make you more comfortable in relying on it ... but don't rely on it to the point of stupidity!

 

the icy open parking lot was how I learned both driving in winter conditions as well as drifting.

it's the ultimate driving confidence builder!

but those empty giant parking lots are becoming quite rare!

 

I'll have to play with it some more.

I never heard the beeping before when playing in the parking lot. Just got the fishtail light flash.

So then I follow directions and shut the VSC off and whip it around.

So are there different levels of VSC warning?

Sometimes if I get hard off the line and loose traction I can feel the traction control kick in slightly but I get no light saying I slip.

Then sometimes when I really give it gas I get the flashing fishtail light and the traction control kicks on.

Then today was completely different.

 

Look at the information starting on page 250 of your owners manual: http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do...lsom/sec31.pdf

The flashing slip indicator light tells you that the traction control system is intervening.

"If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator light flashes and an alarm sounds." At that point, VSC intervenes - at least to a point. Don't get too carried away - VSC can't necessarily save you from acting stupid. It's an aid - not a miracle.

 

i wish i have said fishtail light indicator!

curious as to what the VSC is actually doing when intervening. i know we have open diffs but how can the power be redistributed? through braking of individual wheels that are slipping perhaps? i know it's not as "smart" as today's cars.

 

Whatever it did, it saved my ***.

After I had a smile from ear to ear on how well the car did.