VSC to the rescue

My wife and I just got back from an unexpected trip to the middle of Michigan. It was between -14 and -16 every night we were there and never over 10 degrees during the day. Not a good time for a funeral but when is, right? On our way there, about 6 hours into my leg of the trip, we come up on the weather we had been hoping would hold off until we got where we were going. Everything is going fine for about 1/2 hour (mostly wet roads but starting to freeze) and I started to day-dream just a bit. I know... I know... bad move, i screwed up, etc. Usually I know better and pull off for coffee but I wanted to get through the crap and just get to our destination. Anyway, we drifted slightly onto the slush on the right side at about 60mph (getting passed the entire time) and the back-end broke loose. We got to just under 45degrees off with me just trying to keep the front wheels pointed where we needed to go and started to hear the mythical beeps and clicks many have mentioned on here. The truck snapped back straight in the lane and we immediately slowed WAY down and kicked in the 4wd.

The rest of the trip was slow and we were still getting blown around a bit even with the 200lbs of sand in the back. Of course we were not the ones in the ditch. Must have seen 20 or 30 Ohio and Michigan drivers in the drifts, mostly domestic trucks, and I was very happy not to be a cliche "VA driver in the snow bank".

Just thought I'd share. VSC absolutely helped me out of a jam. Now I hope I never have to hear those beeps again...

 

That's the first time you've experienced the VSC? I hear it every time I drift into my driveway or snow packed side street

Edit: Nevermind, didn't take into consideration you live in VA.

 

Is it a Option or does the VSC come stock on most Tacos?? I have never slid my 06... My 05 must not have had it because i have slid it around a bit on an icy parking lot.

 

It's a new feature of the '09. Not sure what it's availability is on specific models, but the '09 introduced it.

 

Looks like it served its purpose well for cville, but man, that has got to drive you crazy if your always on snowy roads. Is it that sensitive or only when you 'push it' on purpose?

 

Hmm... must be late 08's too? OP has an 08?

I dont know if i would like it... (something about the computer taking over thinking it knows what best..)
That would be like us closing our eyes and knowing which way to try to correct it... and stay on the road...

But hey if it helps people out thats great!!

 

I'm guessing he's pushing it... Mine's not sensitive at all, but it did recently kick on when I turned into an icy parking lot and hit the gas, causing the back end to break loose. It's pretty cool when it works. Glad it did it's job for you Cville.

 

Glad to hear it did it's job.

Yep, the VSC is WAY too sensitive at low speeds.

 

It is standard I believe on the '09's and may have been an option prior to that. Nevermind, I am getting slower...

 

Almost. VSC was available as an option on some earlier models (my '08 for instance) but I think they made it standard in '09. One of the reasons I have the DC short bed is that you couldn't get the off-road package in a long-bed and have the VSC. I wanted the safety net (glad that I spent the extra $$ now) so I got the DCSB.

 

^^
What you said...

Glad to hear that it helped ya out... good deal...

 

Thanks for that clarification. I remember reading in the Toyota "what's new guide" something about VSC... Guess it was "going from optional to standard".

I like VSC (you can turn it off too if you want). It has helped me since I'm new to driving in these types of winter conditions. However, my experience is that it's kinda slow to engage. Fast enough to be helpful, but still a little slow.

 

My wifes Explorer has a similar feature (Traction System Control)which sure is nice especially on the highway and you hit the slush in between the lanes.

BTW where in Michigan did you go?

 

Edmore. It's north west of Lansing. Hit the weather between Sandusky and Toledo.

 

I have it on my 07 TRD Off-Road 4X4 but I believe it was only available in a certain "option package".