No I am not asking about how to disable VSC.

Since I am new to this VSC stuff, wanted to see if people use it while driving in snow. Just got hit with some snow here today and while driving around it would come on a lot as I expected it would. Do you think it is better to drive with it on or to turn it off?

 

I would go ahead and let us know what vehicle you drive because it makes a difference. As an example I have an 02 4Runner and the only factory way to disable VSC is to lock the center diff. I tend not to lock the center diff very often as I prefer the ease of leaving it in full time 4wd and not worrying about varying road conditions. On mine I do tend to put it into 4hi more often than I did in my 00 w/o VSC, simply because in 2wd the VSC will kick in all the time, as you mentioned, and it will actually get me stuck when I could have made it with a bit of wheel spin. I also find on mine when VSC cuts the throttle it takes too long to give it back, I pull onto a street into a little ice and VSC kicks in, but then once I hit dry pavement it continues limiting the throttle an extra few seconds, that has almost gotten me hit a few times, so now when in doubt I just use 4wd center unlocked. If I had a VSC off switch, and I may do the mod, I would probably leave it off all the time, it has never saved me from an accident and has nearly gotten me into a few.

 

VSC and TRAC are sometimes a bit annoying in everyday driving when it's slippery. TRAC does help in slow speed crawling up a slippery hill, but it prevents you (a bit) from taking a running start and speeding up a hill, because as soon as a wheel starts slipping, it will significantly "de-throttle" the engine, so it causes you to lose momentum. The worse part is when you are waiting at a stop sign to jump out onto a busy street, and the roads are slippery. When you see an opening, if you punch the gas to try to "beat the next car coming down the road", as soon as a wheel starts slipping, it will de-throttle the engine, and cause you to crap your pants watching the car heading towards you while you wait for your throttle to become responsive again.

I find VSC OK (sometimes), mostly due to the fact that it will help prevent the rear end of the vehicle from sliding out if you overdo it in a turn. It's supposed to be idiot proof... in a skid/slide, you should be able to take your foot off the brake and the gas, and the system should help take you out of the skid/slide with minimal effort from the driver. It will do that to a point, but I find that it's easy to overwhelm the system in a severe skid, and then it will just beep at you to let you know that you're on your own.

I've got the mod installed that allows me to disable the system when I want to, but I only usually disable it if I'm stuck in mud or something like that, where it is desirable to have some wheel spin to get un-stuck.

 

Its actually VSC that will cut the throttle, TRAC only hits a brake to stop a wheel from spinning. Thus when you lock the center diff you can gas it w/o VSC cutting your throttle.

 

Yes, VSC is responsible for cutting power to the engine, not TRAC.

I felt that the VSC in my 02 4Runner was way too sensitive. Almost dangerously sensitive. The VSC in the 4th Gen 4Runners seem much much better.

 

So for snow / ice driving (02 runner) most of you would suggest all time 4 wheel drive? My 02 is my first experience with the all wheel drive option.

 

Opps I have an 02 4runner. Didn't have this stuff when I had my Tacoma.

GSGALLANT - For the VSC when it does come on the skid light will blink and it will sound like a sewing machine. The only time it has beeped at me was when I slammed on the brakes in a snow coverd empty parking lot. I did that for fun. So what exactly does the beeping mean?

 

Beeping is to let you know the system has kicked in. The orange light should flash, too.

gilby - yes, definitely use 4WD when in snow and/or ice. But most importantly, go to an empty parking lot and practice stopping, turning, accelerating, etc.

 

sorry for the confusion... I know to use 4wd but is the AWD better suited for the ice and snow?
would you suggest the AWD or 4wd(center diff locked)

 

I keep my 01 in 4Hi with the centre diff open for snow, ice, heavy rain. I haven't had any problems driving like that. I find the VSC works well to keep the 2 ends going in the direction I want. The only time I've locked the centre diff is offroad, when crawling over big loose rocks.