Most car manufacturers pack as many components into a car for maximum performance. Each car component works hand in hand to ensure that the vehicle runs smoothly and safely. This is also true with the VSC. So, what does VSC mean on a car?
VSC is one of the many car accessories that help to ensure that you’re safe while driving. You will find this mostly in Toyota cars.
However, since Toyota is also the manufacturer of Lexus, you will find it in Lexus cars as well. This safety accessory is also located in other vehicles – by a different name.
What Does VSC Mean On A Car?
VSC is short for vehicle stability control; you will find it in your Toyota or Lexus. It keeps the car under control during extreme driving or cornering. VSC helps manage engine speed and brake to avert skidding.
Sometimes referred to as traction control, this system is often confused with the VSC, but they are not the same. Yes, they serve the same purpose, but their timings differ.
If the VSC stabilizes the vehicle during cornering, the traction control stabilizes it during acceleration. Apart from the traction control, the VSC also works with some other components of the car which I will touch on as we move on.
So, your Toyota or Lexus has sensors in all four wheels. They regularly inform the powertrain control module (PCM) what is going on in the wheels. And the PCM controls the engine and transmission for best possible performance.
For instance, the PCM knows when it is time for the gear shifting. The VSC also works with the ABS to modulate it for the vehicle wheels’ rotation control.
Now when the wheel sensors observe that one of their own is sliding, they quickly notify the PCM and ABS, and these two systems intervene by regulating the engine, transmission, or brakes to reduce the sliding.
Let us say, the front right wheel sensor detects that that particular wheel is slipping. It notifies the PCM that it is doing so. The PCM then regulates the response by reducing the engine speed and applying more brake power to slow the vehicle down.
Driving sometimes, you would have caught sight of the VSC light coming on. So how do you get rid of it, and what brings it on?
What Will Cause The VSC Light To Come on?
There are many things that can make the VSC light to come on. A perfect example is inadvertently pressing the VSC button. That, in this case, is minor and one that you can easily rectify.
But as I said earlier, there are many other components that work with the VSC to give optimal performance. And if these components are not working well, the VSC won’t either. Let’s look at them.
#1. Faulty Anti-locking Brake (ABS).
The ABS measures the speed of your tires, and thus transmits this information to the PCM. The PCM now realizes that your wheels are skidding, and that is how it knows what to do.
So, if your ABS light comes on, it means something is wrong with it. Your VSC will not work well if your ABS is not functioning well since both systems work hand in glove – so when the ABS light comes on, the VSC light will also illuminate.
#2. Engine Related Issue.
If there is something wrong with the engine or its accessories, this causes the engine check light to also come on. Even a loose cap gas can also provoke the check engine light to illuminate.
If the check engine light comes on, this too causes the VSC light to come on. And sometimes this check engine light comes on together with an ABS and VSC light. These three lights illuminating could mean that there is an engine related issue; something wrong with your ABS or even the VSC.
It may be difficult trying to detect the fault here. The best cause of action here will be to detect the fault with an OBD II scanner or any scan tool that can read codes.
All you need do is connect that scanner to your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system to show the error codes. If you can decode those codes, it simply means you already know what is wrong with your car. If you already have a more costly code reader, then the reader will directly tell you what those codes mean or the issue responsible.
Once you have isolated the problem, fix and reset the check engine light.
#3. Malfunctioning ASR (traction control).
ASR stands for acceleration slip regulation. ASR can also be called traction control.
It helps hinder wheel slip that occurs during acceleration. It uses your wheel sensor to find out if one wheel is spinning faster than another or both wheels are spinning at the same rate. After figuring this out, it checks out if the brake is sufficient to reduce the spin.
If the brake isn’t sufficient, it communicates with the PCM and requests that it lowers the power going to that wheel that’s slipping. In doing this, your car regains its grip and retains its power.
But when this system is faulty, the ASR light comes on displayed as TRAC OFF. So, what does trac off means? It means the traction control is disabled and is no longer working.
#4. Faulty DSC.
Another system that works is the DSC. DSC stands for dynamic stability control. It also uses the sensors in your wheels to communicate with the PCM.
This system comes on when you are driving on difficult and unstable roads. Unlike the ASR, the DSC can give your wheel room to spin more than each other to obtain a better grip.
But as your car starts to slip, it takes over and decides what to do for your vehicle to regain traction. When this system is faulty, it won’t work well, which also greatly affects the VSC.
#5. ESC Issues.
ESC is short for electronic stability control. Like VSC, ESC also works together with the ASR system to give its full benefits. The ESC is activated when your vehicle skids after losing traction.
This system is able to help gauge how long such a slide would last, after which it provides the adequate braking power the wheel needs to gain grip again.
Like other systems that work hand in hand with the VSC, if this one is foul it will affect the VSC as a whole. Hence, you will see the ESC and VSC lights on.
How Do I Turn Off VSC Light?
If your VSC Lexus or Toyota light is displayed on your dashboard, it means the VSC system is not engaged. And if you’re driving in an area where you need the VSC to prevent slippage, it’ll not work.
However, how to turn off this light depends on the reason it was turned on in the first place. It could be that you accidentally pressed the VSC button or the components working with it are faulty. In this case, to turn it off;
- Simply stop your car
- Locate the VSC button (the location depends on your Toyota or Lexus model. But most times, it’s place on the dashboard. You may also find it close to the gear stick). The button has VSC inscribed on it or a picture of a sliding car with the inscription “OFF.
- Push the VSC button again; the VSC Trac light should go off. When it is off, it means the VSC and thus traction control systems are functioning again.
Turning off the engine and turning it back on can also help get rid of the VSC light.
If the light doesn’t go off, it may be that something is wrong with the VSC system. This doesn’t mean your VSC itself is faulty. It may be those other components that work with the VSC are malfunctioning – fix those components.
However, if, after fixing these faulty components and trying the above-listed methods, the VSC light doesn’t turn off, you can reset it. But make sure you do this reset only when the VSC light is on. That is, no other warning light should show aside from the VSC light.
Odometer Resetting
- Turn your ignition key to ACC or start your car immediately
- Press the odometer until it reads your car’s mileage
- Turn off your vehicle totally and leave for 60 seconds.
- Turn on the engine again and push the odometer button
- Check if the VSC light is gone
Hard Reset
This action requires some safety measures on your part. Make sure no accessories (rings, necklace, earrings, etc.) which can cause electrical shock are on your person. You also want to make sure this is done in a dry, well-ventilated area.
Your car should be turned off completely before you attempt to come in contact with the battery. Check for signs of corrosion and attend to that before trying this.
- To do the hard reset
- Park your car in a dry place
- Turn off the car completely
- Open the hood of your car
- Disconnect the battery terminals
- Reconnect the battery terminal after ten minutes
- Switch on your car to see if the VSC light has gone
This will reset your clock, radio and other electrical things.
Using A Code Scanner
If worst comes to worst and all the above fail, you may have to resort to using OBD 2 scanner, which helps to read code and lets you know what the issue might be.
FAQs
Is It Safe To Drive With VSC Light On Lexus?
You can drive but will have to be extremely careful. When this light is on, it means that the VSC is not operational. Should there be an incident of slippages where you’ll need the VSC to help you, you won’t have the luxury of its support, which puts you in danger of severe accident.
Also bear in mind that you might normally find the ABS and check engine lights on too. If that is the case you might have other issues to look at aside from the ABS. In that case diagnose and fix that.
Q: What Does VSC Light Mean On Toyota?
Lots of people will ask, what does it mean when the VSC light comes on? As I explained, it could be that you accidentally pressed the VSC button, making the light come on.
In other circumstances, this light might mean that your VSC is faulty or other systems that work together with it are bad. VSC light on means VSC is not working. When this happens, your car could more easily lose traction in slippery terrains.
Q: How Much Does It Cost To Fix VSC On Lexus?
The cost to fix VSC on Lexus would range between $200 and $300. But it depends on what caused the light to be on. VSC works together with your ABS and some other components. So the best is to identify the fault first before talking of how much to fix it.
Q: Should VSC Be On Or Off?
Ideally, the VSC should always be ON (not the VSC light). So that if you are driving on slippery terrains, the VSC will put your car in order. And if you skid and lose traction, you may not be in control without the VSC working.
However, there are instances where you should put if OFF – say your driving on rough terrain, or perhaps your front wheels get stuck in snow or mud. You would then have to put it, and traction control OFF.
The reason you have to put them off is that, in these types of situations, you will need more power from the engine to scale through. But with the VSC and traction control activated, they reduce the engine power. So when they are OFF, the engine then releases enough power for you to move your car.
To turn TARC off, simply push the button and release. In that case, you must make sure that the TARC Off light is so indicating.
To turn it ON, push it back. This button has multifunction a as well. You can push it and hold, to turn both TARC and VSC OFF for turning them on too.
Q: How Do I Check My Toyota VSC System?
To confirm whether or not the light is flashing, locate the VSC button on your car and see how it functions. Where can you find the VSC button on Toyota? Depending on the model, you may locate it on your dashboard or near your gear.
Final Words
By now you must have answered what does VSC mean on a car. Ensuring that it works all the time properly will save you from dangerous situations.
So, the minute you see this light on, turn it off using the process highlighted above. If it refuses to turn off, then try resetting.
There are times the VSC will not work if other components in your car that work with it are malfunctioning. So, make sure that you check and sort all underlying glitches before doing this Reset. Do this with the VSC light displaying.