By Rick Popely
April 18, 2021VSA stands for vehicle stability assist, the proprietary term for the electronic stability control system used on Honda and Acura vehicles.
Electronic stability control relies on sensors to detect when a vehicle is about to go into a skid and intervenes by reducing engine power and rapidly applying and releasing brakes at individual wheels to maintain steering control.
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Stability control has been required on all vehicles sold in the U.S. since the 2012 model year. The federal mandate for stability control was instigated in large part by a rise in the number of rollover and single-vehicle accidents involving SUVs in the early 2000s.
Honda was an early adopter of the technology; VSA debuted in 1997 on the Japanese-market Honda Accord sedan, and the 2000 Acura 3.5RL sedan was the first U.S. model to have it. The 2005 Honda Pilot SUV and the 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan were the first U.S. Honda models to get VSA, and by 2006 it was standard on four Acura and four Honda models.
Like other stability control systems, VSA uses various sensors to measure the direction a vehicle is traveling compared to the steering wheel position, lateral acceleration, wheel slip and other factors to determine that it needs to activate to prevent a skid. VSA includes traction control, which reduces power to drive wheels that slip (lose traction) during acceleration.
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What’s the Benefit?
VSA5 is designed to boost driver confidence by enhancing control and stability during acceleration, cornering and braking.
The Feature:
Vehicle Stability Assist uses a variety of sensors to monitor conditions and intervene to help reduce the possibility of skidding, plowing and other loss-of-traction events.
- The system can reduce throttle and brake individual wheels to help restore the driver’s intended path.
- VSA’s traction-control function helps maintain stability and allows the vehicle to accelerate even on surfaces with a split coefficient of friction, such as when one wheel is on ice and the other is on dry pavement.
VSA (vehicle stability assist) is an electronic stability control system installed on Honda and Acura vehicles. It first appeared in the late 1990s. The system is based on ABS. It controls the stability of the vehicle, preventing deviation from the intended trajectory. The anti-slip regulation function allows reliable and fast acceleration on slippery surfaces.
How VSA works
A control unit measures the steering wheel rotation angle and the position of the brake and accelerator pedals. This provides the system with information about the driver’s intended path. Then, the yaw rate and lateral acceleration are analysed. They indicate the actual direction of movement.
If the actual path of the vehicle differs from the intended direction, the system works to restore the required trajectory. To do this, ABS hydraulic modulators slow down the appropriate wheel. In addition, VSA interacts with the engine control unit to adjust the engine torque in accordance with road conditions.
The system switches on automatically when the key is turned in the ignition switch and remains in standby mode. It only activates in certain road conditions, for instance to correct understeer or oversteer. An indicator blinks on the instrument panel when the system is activated. This indicator is constantly lit if the system is turned off or malfunctioning.
Popular cars equipped with VSA
- Honda CR-V II, Insight II, Civic VIII, Odyssey III, Jazz III;
- Acura MDX JD2.
Causes of system failure
- Installation of incorrectly sized tyres.
- Soiling of the wheel speed sensors.
- Failure of the brake pedal position sensor.
- ECU malfunction.
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VSA stands for Vehicle Stability Assist and is a Honda’s computer system. When the VSA light is on, the vehicle stability assist system is on. It is also known as the system indicator light.
If the VSA light stays on and the check engine light is on, there may be a fault in the system.
What Is The VSA System On Honda?
Every modern Honda has a vehicle stability assist that helps keep handling when turning a corner. Whether you have a Honda Accord or Honda Odyssey, it will have a VSA system.
It is essentially a Honda’s computer system to ensure that the tires have grip when driving.
When the wheels of cars have different grips, it enhances the vehicle’s wheel spin, traction, and stability to limit wheel slip. It is essentially there to help the driver maintain control.
It is activated in harsh weather conditions when roads are slippery and loose and helps keep smooth acceleration when you are driving on different terrains. It is also activated when the car is going too fast while taking a turn. It also works with the steering angle sensor and the traction control system to detect if the car is steered in the direction you are going.
It is done by activating each brake for an individual wheel and automatically changing the engine speed, which improves grip control.
VSA Symbol On The Dashboard
The vehicle stability assist is a yellow triangle light with an exclamation mark inside it and is located on the dashboard.
What Causes The VSA Light To Come On?
The VSA system light is on for several reasons. Mainly to show that the vehicle stability assist system is activated. Which gives your vehicle the assistance it needs. If the light stays on for a long period, it could probably turn off.
Conducting a VSA light diagnosis is going to help you understand why it is on and if there is a problem.
The vehicle has the wrong tires
The VSA light will go on if it detects that one or more of your wheels are not rotating at the correct speed. Consult your user manual for wheel size.
The VSA system was accidentally turned off
If the VSA light comes on and stays on, it is most likely because you have accidentally turned it off. This will mean that the Honda’s VSA system is no longer providing the traction and stability assistance your vehicle needs.
If the VSA light is turned off, the VSA activation indicator light comes on to warn you that the VSA system has been turned off.
In this case, you may need to turn it back on. You can locate the switch in some vehicles under the left vent. In others, the button is on the left of the steering wheel on the center dash.
Something else is the wrong
If the VSA light comes on with multiple lights, it may mean that the vehicle stability system has been shut off due to other systems malfunctioning. It is best, in this case, to have your vehicle checked for the problem.
There is a problem with the system
There is a second VSA system light, called the VSA indicator light. If it comes on you, there is a problem with the system. It is best to pull over and turn the engine off and then on again when you see it.
Is It Safe To Drive With The VSA Light On?
It is safe to drive with the VSA light on as it can simply mean that the system is activated. If the light comes on with other warning lights, there may be a problem with other systems in your vehicle.
- If the light is on with the VSA indicator light, there is a problem with the system itself, and it will need to be checked out by a mechanic.
- If the light is on with the check engine light, then it means that there may also be a fault in the system.
- If the light is on with the traction control light, it means that you are experiencing slippage.
- The VSA light may be flashing; a flashing light simply means that the system is on and activated.
What To Do When The VSA Light Comes On
In most cases, you do not need to do anything if the VSA light comes on. It simply means that the VSA system is on and activated.
If the light comes on with other warning lights, you may need to get the system as well as the system the warning lights suggest checking out.
When the VSA light comes on with the VSA indicator light, you are going to have to pull over when it is safe to do and restart the engine.
Resetting the VSA light on a Honda is a simple task and can be done by the car owner.
How To Remove Or Reset The Honda Vsa Light?
Step 1
Turn the ignition switch off and take the key out. Then, jump pins 1 and 9.
Step 2
Step on the brake pedal while turning on the ignition to position 3. The ABS light should come on and then go off. You are then going to release the brake pedal. The ABS light should come back on. Step on the brake again and hold it down lightly.
Step 3
The ABS light should go off; when this happens, release the brake. What a while for the ABS light to blink twice and go off again. If this happens, you have cleared the fault codes successfully.
Step 4
Turn the ignition off, remove the key disconnect the jumper wires from step 1.
If in step 3 the light stays on, you are going to have to repeat Steps 1 through 3 again as you did not successfully clear the fault codes.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix The VSA System?
The average cost to get the VSA system fixed is between $80 and $90. This price is an average for most Honda. With labor costs at around $38 to $48 and parts at around $43.