Want to learn about the amazing safety features of your Toyota’s VSC light? This safety feature is a major plus for RAV4s, as it ensures a solid reduction in accidents by providing better vehicle control. This makes Vehicle Stability Control an undoubtedly great feature to learn about.
So, in this post, I will be laying out all the nitty-gritty details that any RAV4 owner needs to have in their bag. Let’s get started!
What Does VSC Mean?
The VSC is short for Vehicle Stability Control and is a safety feature designed to ensure better directional control on the car’s wheels, especially while cornering. It prevents skidding and ensures firm control during sharp turns and harsh weather conditions. It achieves this by doing two things:
- Reducing or diminishing power to the wheel(s) it senses is skidding or out of direction.
- Putting brakes on the wheel(s) when it senses the need to stop turning.
What Does the VSC Button Do?
The VSC button comes with a lane departure symbol. It can be located on the side of the gear shifter or steering wheel of Toyota vehicles. This button can be used to activate/deactivate the following two systems:
- Traction Control System
- Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control
Note: Older models may not have a VSC button because the system was not yet included. If you’re not sure what you have or where to find the button, check your owner’s manual. The information may be listed in a section titled “Using Driver Assistance Systems” or something similar.
Advantages of VSC Button
The VSC system offers many benefits. Without the VSC system, your car will thrash around when turning, especially at higher speeds. At these times, you may not be able to control the car, leading to a possible accident.
The NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) produces data of the yearly estimates of the number of lives saved by many protection devices and laws. These estimates have also been produced around the ESC-a cluster of safety features that includes the VSC.
According to the NHTSA’s official research study, the ECS is accredited with saving 1,949 lives in 2015 and 1,575 in 2014. It has also prevented 1,389 fatalities in 2013 and 1,225 in 2012. This means that in the four-year period between 2012 and 2015, the ESC and its features have saved over 6 thousand lives!
These stats prove the utility of the VSC as an enhanced safety feature providing more than just psychological assurance. The VSC is a great armor in the face of potential danger and can bring about a significant drop in fatalities each year. Without using it, you are putting yourself and others at risk. So, do yourself a favor and keep the VSC system running.
When to Turn Off VSC?
Turning off VSC is generally discouraged as the system is placed to ensure the safety of the passengers. However, it might be necessary to turn it off if your vehicle is driving in mud or snow and is at risk of being stuck. This is because these driving conditions cause the tires to naturally skid and slide in order to pull through. Therefore, turning off the VSC helps exert more power to overcome these conditions.
How to Turn Off VSC?
Turning off the VSC is really easy. Simply follow the steps mentioned below:
- Stop the vehicle
- Press and hold the VSC button
The VSC off indicator (this looks the same as the VSC button sign) will start to show in the instrument display. This indicator will keep lit until you turn the VSC on again.
At the same time, TRAC OFF will also illuminate. Conversely, you may see a notification on the dashboard. This may vary slightly depending on your Toyota model.
Keeping the VSC light on does not damage anything. But, since this system is designed to prevent accidents, it should be activated. So now, let’s see how we can reactivate the system.
How to Turn the VSC Back On
If you are out of the snow or mud, you probably want to turn the VSC back on. Besides, the VSC off and TRAC off indicators on your instrument display may feel like a bummer.
Here are two ways to turn the VSC on so you can ensure your safety and get rid of the extra lights:
- Simply press the VSC button
- Restart the vehicle
Doing this will ensure that the VSC is back on. However, note that if the VSC and TRAC OFF lights are still there, there is a problem with the VSC system. You will need to have it checked by an experienced mechanic.
How Does the VSC Work?
Toyota’s VSC system receives information from advanced sensors and reduces
Without Vehicle Stability Control, the vehicle cannot turn into a corner once the front wheels start to slip. It will not turn even if you turn the steering wheel in the right direction. This is because the front tires are losing traction.
Once your tires lock up again, it can cause overcompensation, and you will end up in the way of oncoming traffic.
If the rear wheels slip, the car can roll away. Even driving into the slide may not be enough to save you.
With Vehicle Stability Control, the direction of the steering wheel and the vehicle match. If the wheels start to slip, the VSC’s sensors detect this. As a result, engine power is reduced, and the brakes are applied on that specific wheel if necessary to regain control. This makes it one of the most reliable stability control systems out there.
For instance, if the left front wheel starts to slip, the VSC system reduces engine speed to slow that wheel down. The system also applies additional braking force to that wheel if further deceleration is required. The other wheels are not affected.
The system is automatic. You don’t need to do anything consciously to achieve this.
Problems With the VSC
If the “Check VSC System” message starts flashing or stays on even when the VSC is active, it may indicate the malfunctioning of the Vehicle Stability Control system. The TRAC light may also be on at the same time.
These warnings indicate system errors. These errors may include sensory misalignment or software glitches.
To find out what the problem is, a diagnosis by a qualified mechanic is required. They will help by running through the codes and pointing out the underlying issues. Remember, the VSC is a crucial safety feature; therefore, getting it repaired needs to be a priority. This is to ensure that there is no compromise on the safety of the driver and passengers.
Common Dashboard Messages Related to VSC
There are some dashboard lights that may pop up as either directly or indirectly affected by the functionality of the VSC system.
VSC systems can bring out these lights:
- VSC off
- Check VSC or Check VSC System
VSC lights may also come paired with:
- Traction lights
- ABS lights
- Check engine Lights
Each of these lights indicates a different underlying problem, from failed sensors to wheel slippage or even broader scale problems affecting multiple systems at once. These need to be checked by a dealer or mechanic to be thoroughly inspected and repaired.
Other Functions of VSC Button
If you press the VSC button once without holding it like you would while turning off VSC, you will turn off TRAC control. This will show as an LSD indicator for a front-wheel RAV4 or as a “TRAC OFF” sign in the instrument display in an all-wheel RAV4.
To turn the TRAC back on, press the VSC button again.
Remember, however, that traction control is not the same as stability control in cars, although it uses the same components. Traction control works in the same way but maintains control when accelerating. It is also designed to control skidding after traction is lost.
Which RAV4s have the VSC system?
It wasn’t until the early 2000s that VSC became a standard on Toyota vehicles. As for the RAV4s before 2002, these cars didn’t have the VSC or traction control feature in them. These RAV4 models had the basic ABS and front airbags but didn’t have the advanced VSC or traction as standard nor available as an option. In 2003, the VSC system was first introduced as an optional safety feature in the RAV4. In the year following this, the 2004 RAV4 and subsequent models had VSC and traction control as a standard feature in all trims. What a great jump, Toyota!
Not to mention, seeing the utility of these safety features, the US government mandated the installation of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) features (including VSC) in all vehicles in September 2011. This is when it became a popular feature in all modern vehicles.
The VSC and ESC
The VSC is part of the ESC, or Electronic System Control is a group of features labeled as the Star Safety SystemTM by Toyota. This system has a total of 6 safety features. These are as follows:
- Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
- Traction Control (TRAC)
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
- Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD)
- Brake Assist (BA)
- Smart Stop Technology (SST)
FAQs
How important is VSC?
VSC helps to manage your car while driving. It comes in very handy when you’re cornering.
What does VSC stand for?
"VSC" stands for "Vehicle Stability Control." It is a great safety system to help ensure your vehicle doesn't skid.
Is it okay to drive while the VSC light is on?
Yes. It is okay to drive while the VSC OFF light is on. But if the VSC light is on, I recommend driving with caution. This is especially true for driving in bad weather.
What is the significance of VSC?
The main function of VSC is to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle during sudden maneuvers or adverse weather conditions. VSC controls the anti-lock brakes and traction control of your vehicle.
Why is the traction control light on?
If the traction control light comes on while driving, be careful. This safety feature typically means that the vehicle's traction control is being used, indicating that your vehicle has momentarily lost traction when making sharp turns, driving on wet pavement, or similar.
Why do both of the VSC and check engine lights come on?
One of the most common problems that can cause the VSC light and the check engine light to come on at the same time is a loose or disconnected vacuum hose at the back of the airbox. This can affect the air-fuel ratio in the engine and cause a squealing sound when the vehicle is started.
Does traction control affect range?
No, traction control has little effect on mileage. I usually turn it off when driving in city traffic, but I make sure it is on when driving on the highway and for long distances.
How do I reset the traction control light?
Let the car run for a minute and then turn it off again. But this time, press the accelerator pedal all the way down for 1 to 2 seconds while cranking the engine. If the EPC light comes on again while driving, see a mechanic.
Can bad tires affect traction control?
Yes, your vehicle may be equipped with the most advanced traction and stability control systems available, but if your tires don’t have enough tread depth, you won’t be able to control traction or stability!
Sources
If you’re interested in learning more about the VSC and the statistics regarding the lives saved from ESC, you may give the following a read.
What Does the VSC Light on My Toyota Mean
Conclusion
The VSC is an amazing safety feature and needs to be kept on for most of the driving time. This ensures better control over the wheels during sudden maneuvers. The VSC button can be used to turn the VSC and traction control system on and off. Once you have turned these off, you may see the VSC and TRAC Off indicators pop up on your dashboard display.
You should only turn these off when moving through snow or mud. Be mindful to turn them back on as soon as the driving conditions resume back to normal. And with that, I wish you safety during every drive!
If you want to learn anything about other dashboard lights, like the AWD malfunction, you can click here.