2015 RX350 FWD with 34,250 miles. We purchased it in late October 2018. The factory warranty is in effect until mid-August 2019.

Before I schedule a warranty service with our local dealership I want to find out if any other owners can trigger the amber Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) light to illuminate on the dash just by pressing down harder on the brake pedal..

I have discovered that if I come to a full stop, allow the vehicle to sit still for two or three seconds, then press the brake pedal down harder, a chime sounds and the amber VSC light begins flashing on the dash. Moving the gearshift into Park and then back into Drive again will turn the flashing VSC light off.

Can anyone else duplicate this sequence on your vehicle? Please try it and let me know. I believe it is a fault since the VSC system should only kick in when the vehicle is moving and experiences some form of wheel slippage on the road.

 

This is normal.

Its the hill hold feature. It's designed when coming to a stop on a steep grade you can activate it by doing just as you say. When you release the brake pedal the brakes will stay on for another second or two before releasing, giving you a chance to get your foot onto the gas pedal and avoid rolling back.

 

I appreciate your response. If it is accurate, this should be described in the owners manual. I will take a look and report back.

 

It's official name in the manual is "hill start assist control"

 

You are indeed correct. Page 276 of our owners manual confirms exactly what you said. I can remove this issue from my warranty punch list. Thanks again.

 

...or drive to Taylor Street in San Francisco where much of Bullitt was filmed, and try it for yourself. Just joking of course.
Ray A.

 

"Bullitt" was indeed a great movie. I manage to catch it on TCM every couple of years or so. Like "The Great Escape", I never tire of watching it.