The vehicle stability control is a system in many Toyota and Lexus cars that is designed to prevent the car from sliding and slipping during tough climates.
During times of extended precipitation, the roads will become slippery and cause problems for tires trying to gain friction. The system that is in charge of preventing your vehicle from sliding around the road is the vehicle stability control system, or VSC.
The purpose of the VSC system is to apply the brake to the car’s wheels and prevent the car from skidding on the road.
What Is a VSC System?
The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system helps to improve vehicle stability and prevent skidding or loss of control in dangerous driving situations. It is a feature that Toyota and Lexus offer in their vehicles.
The VSC system detects when your car is losing traction and takes action to prevent accidents. It reduces engine power to specific wheels, which helps you steer the vehicle back on track.
It effectively avoids accidents during rainy, foggy, and snowy weather. And know that it is crucial to promptly address any issues with your VSC system when you notice the VSC light on your dashboard.
Since 2012, a federal law in the U.S. has required all new cars to have VSC/ESC as a standard feature. However, this technology has been available since the 1980s.
How Does The VSC System Work?
The VSC is in charge of providing traction for your specific Lexus. The car’s internal traction control system is regulated by the VSC. when you drive on slippery and unstable roads, you lose traction and the car can slide around.
The system comes to life and gives you better steering control to maneuver the tricky roads. All of the wheels in your car will have sensors that directly communicate with the Lexus’ powertrain control module.
The powertrain control module, or PCM, is a control unit used in the Lexus vehicles. It is a combined control unit consisting of the engine control unit and the transmission control unit.
The engine control unit, or ECU, controls actuators in the internal combustion engine to ensure optimal performance. The transmission control unit controls automatic transmissions in most modern cars.
The unit uses sensors within the vehicles to determine when and how to change gears for the best possible performance. The powertrain control module is essential in the workings of the vehicle stability control system.
If you experience issues with the control of steering, the VSC will reduce the engine speed in order to prevent excess motion. In addition, the VSC will give more braking power to the wheels that need friction and braking power the most.
The wheel sensors provide information about the motion and rotation of the wheels in order to determine which wheels need the braking power. If you notice the VSC light comes on, you might be having problems with your sensors or the steering system.
What Does the VSC Light Mean?
If you see the “VSC light” or “check VSC system” message on your dashboard, it means there is an issue with the traction in your vehicle. Whenever the light is on, it means there is a problem with either the VSC or ABS.
If the VSC light in your Toyota or Lexus flashes briefly, it is likely that your VSC system is functioning correctly. If the light stays on or other warning lights on your dashboard appear, it’s a sign that your car needs professional attention.
The ABS and other control modules are compatible with the VSC system. The traction control is completely turned off if you see the “VSC OFF” warning light on your dashboard. In this state, the traction control will not work if you start to lose control.
If you have a newer Toyota or Lexus, you might see a message on your dashboard that says “Check VSC system Light” instead of the usual VSC light. If you accidentally press the VSC button, the light will turn on. This means the VSC system is now turned off when performing this action. However, the TRAC off light may also illuminate.
What causes the VSC light to come on?
The VSC system is connected to your car’s engine management and brake control system to help control traction. Issues associated with these systems can cause the VSC light to turn on, such as:
#1. System Failure.
The VSC light turns on when your car’s stability system fails. The VSC light is on your dashboard to warn you when there’s an issue with the VSC system. If the light is off or only comes on briefly when you start your car, the VSC system is working correctly.
#2. Anti-lock Brake Malfunction.
The VSC and anti-lock braking system (ABS) in your car work together, so if there’s a problem with one, it can affect the other. This includes a malfunction in any of the ABS sensors in the wheels of your car.
The VSC and traction control lights can turn on at the same time. These two safety features use some of the same systems, including your car’s ABS. When you see the VSC and the TRAC OFF lights come on, it indicates a problem with the components these systems share.
#3. Wheel Misalignment.
A wheel going out of alignment is a common reason the VSC light turns on. Hitting a pothole or not slowing down for a speedbump can cause one or more wheels to go out of alignment, which can affect the VSC system.[9] Regular wheel alignments are often part of recommended vehicle maintenance schedules.
If your VSC light comes on and you suspect it’s due to your car’s wheel alignment, pay attention to how it handles.
Signs of a misaligned wheel are a crooked steering wheel while driving straight, a sensation of being pulled to one side, squealing tires, and uneven tire wear.
#4. Faulty Steering Angle Sensor.
The steering angle sensor is designed to detect how far the wheels have turned. Since the VSC system uses the tire angle to determine whether the car is heading in the direction you’re steering, any damage to this sensor can cause the light to come on.
When you’re driving, if the steering seems “loose” or unresponsive, it can signal that there’s a problem with the steering angle sensor.
The check engine or traction control lights may also light up when there’s an issue with the steering angle sensor.
A faulty sensor can also cause your car to pull to one side.
#5. Faulty Wiring.
Your car uses wires to send information from the sensors to the computer. If one of those wires is broken, you may see the VSC light come on. Improperly installed wires and blown fuses can also cause a warning light to illuminate.
Unless you have extensive experience dealing with automotive electrical systems, it can be difficult to track down a wiring issue.
When you’ve ruled out other problems, take your car to a mechanic to determine whether the wiring is faulty.
Keep in mind: A blown symptom is typically a symptom of something else that’s causing the fuse to overload.
#6. Engine Issues.
If you have issues with the engine, like a misfire or other mechanical problems, they can also cause the VSC light to come on. A misfire can cause the engine to shake, triggering the VSC light. If you see the Check Engine and VSC lights come on at the same time, it’s a sign that there’s an engine problem.
If the engine misfires, you may notice your car accelerates slowly or shakes during acceleration. It can also have a rough idle.
Engines misfire for various reasons, including a clogged fuel injector, faulty oxygen sensor, or bad spark plug.
#7. Accidentally Pressing the VSC Button.
Most cars are equipped with a button that allows you to turn the VSC system off. If you accidentally bump the button while driving, the system will turn off, and the light will come on. If you suspect this is what happened, all you have to do is turn the system back on by pressing the button again.
Refer to your owner’s manual for the exact placement of your VSC system’s reset button.
If the light comes back on after you have turned the system back on, try to rule out other causes or take your car to a mechanic.
How to Reset or Fix the VSC Light
Here is a quick and simple step-by-step guide to fix or turn off the VSC light of your Toyota or Lexus:
- Before proceeding with the inspection, ensure you find a secure space to park your vehicle.
- Find the VSC button. Usually, it’s found either on the dashboard, just above your knees, or near the gear stick.
- Hold the VSC button for a few seconds to activate the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) feature.
- The TRAC OFF and VSC OFF lights will illuminate as both systems turn off.
- Press the VSC button again. The systems will reengage, and both lights will turn off.
The VSC light should be turned off by now. However, if the issue continues, there is likely an underlying problem with the vehicle that needs to be addressed. We advise you to seek professional help for a better diagnosis.
VSC Light and TRAC OFF
The VSC light and the TRAC OFF light are related in the sense that they both pertain to the vehicle’s stability and traction control systems. However, they serve slightly different functions:
VSC Light: The VSC light indicates a potential issue with the Vehicle Stability Control system. This system is designed to help maintain stability and prevent skidding or loss of control during turns or on slippery surfaces.
When the VSC light is illuminated, it suggests that there may be a problem with the VSC system, such as a sensor malfunction or other related issue. It is important to address this problem to ensure the VSC system operates effectively.
TRAC OFF Light: The TRAC OFF light signifies that the Traction Control system has been manually turned off. Traction Control helps prevent wheel slippage during acceleration by adjusting power delivery to the wheels.
Some vehicles have a switch or button that allows the driver to disable the Traction Control system. This can be useful in certain situations, such as when driving on loose surfaces like sand or deep snow.
However, it is generally recommended to keep the Traction Control system enabled for regular driving conditions.
While the VSC and Traction Control systems are related and often work in conjunction with each other, they serve different purposes.
The VSC system primarily focuses on overall vehicle stability, while the Traction Control system specifically addresses wheel slippage to improve traction.
If both the VSC light and the TRAC OFF light are illuminated simultaneously, it could indicate a fault in the shared components or systems between the VSC and Traction Control.
In such cases, it is advisable to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified technician to diagnose and resolve the underlying issue.