The exclusive name for the electronic stability control system found on Honda and Acura vehicles is VSA, or “vehicle stability aid.”
When a car is going to skid, electronic stability control uses sensors to detect it and intervenes by lowering engine power and quickly applying and releasing brakes at individual wheels to keep the steering under control.
In This Article...
What triggers the VSA light to illuminate?
The VSA warning light may appear on the dashboard of your Honda car for a variety of reasons. The following is included in this:
Different sized tires
Your VSA will be aware if one or more of your tires are not rotating at the appropriate speed. The caution light turns on! Make sure you heed the advice in your car’s owner’s manual; Honda suggests a tire size for a reason.
Something went wrong in the engine
Many Hondas will also turn off the VSA if something is wrong with the overall engine system. The warning light will consequently naturally begin flashing.
If your dashboard is lit up, you probably have an other problem, such as an engine problem, and your car is just letting you know that the VSA has been temporarily disabled until the engine is serviced and the code is cleared.
VSA system is broken
Although they are rare, VSA system problems can occur. Therefore, if your indicator light is still on after ruling out all other possibilities, there might be a problem with the VSA.
The best course of action is to schedule a servicing as soon as possible with your favorite mechanic. You definitely don’t want the problem to worsen.
You turned VSA off by accident
Finally, it’s possible that you unintentionally turned off your VSA. There is a manual button that you can push to disable the Vehicle Stability Assist function in older vehicles.
For instance, the button is located on the center dash, above knee level, down to the left of the steering wheel on the 2006 Honda Accord.
The dashboard warning light has started to blink because if you bump or brush the button, you can wind up turning it off.
What does the Honda Accord’s VSA light mean?
VSA, or vehicle stability assist, is a computer technology from Honda that works to make sure the tires have grip so you can stay on the road. When both the check engine light and the VSA light are on, the computer has likely identified a potential systemic malfunction.
Should I use VSA while driving or not?
Many of us simply get in our Crosstour, turn the key, and drive away. In whatever weather, we carry out this activity. The VSA button, which enables us to disable the VSA feature, is located to the left of the steering column, but we barely ever think about it. Remember that Honda wouldn’t have given us the option to turn this function off if they didn’t want us to be able to regulate it.
Those unfamiliar with the VSA functionality should know the following:
While accelerating on slick or loose road surfaces, VSA helps you maintain traction while stabilizing your car through twists and corners. It accomplishes this by reducing engine output and activating the brakes only when necessary.
Perhaps while you are driving up a hill covered with fresh snow, you’ll notice that your engine power has diminished and it seems like your car is having trouble climbing the hill. This is due to the fact that your VSA is reducing engine power and applying brakes to slipping wheels, giving you just enough power to climb the hill.
Press and hold the VSA button until you hear a beep to turn VSA on or off. A VSA OFF indicator will turn on when VSA is turned off. Every time you start the car, VSA is automatically on, even if you last turned it off.
What time do you switch off your VSA then? Here is when you should turn it off, per the owner’s manual.
if your car becomes stuck in mud, fresh snow, or sand. Turning off your car will make it much simpler for you to liberate it.
Although I thought I would offer other reasons why you might wish to switch off your VSA as this board does not support the following behaviors:
Some motorists think that turning off VSA gives them a better sense of the road. That makes sense to me.
Can I drive with my VSA light on?
You should be mindful of a second VSA console light, though. An issue with the system itself exists if the VSA System Indicator illuminates and remains lit. If you see it, stop when it’s safe to do so, turn the engine back on, and continue driving. If the light comes back on, schedule a service inspection to find the problem.
Driving your automobile is safe for the time being, but since the VSA system won’t be functioning to protect you in hazardous situations, it’s a good idea to drive cautiously until the issue is resolved.
Whether you are a current Birchwood customer or a new one, our service department would be pleased to assist you with any VSA problems with your Honda.
How much does a VSA system repair cost?
The VSA system repair typically costs between $80 and $90. The average price for Honda is this amount. With labor expenses ranging from $38 to $48 and parts costing about $43,
Author: DJ
Automotive technician Dave Junior has practical experience servicing, diagnosing, and repairing both domestic and foreign vehicles. He takes pleasure in writing and disseminating his knowledge.
How is the VSA on a Honda Accord fixed?
The traction control system is comparable to vehicle stability assist. It prevents the car from spinning out or veering off track. The sensors within the car that make up VSA measure how quickly your wheels are rotating.
If you’re traveling too fast for the conditions, the ECU will decide whether to cut off the engine’s power, apply the brakes selectively, or do both.
On your Honda Accord, you can increase wheel spin while retaining the ability to brake selectively by disabling the VSA. However, it is not advised to do this when it is raining since you risk losing control of your vehicle or hydroplaning, which occurs when your tires are being exposed to too much water while travelling quickly.
Only if you’re having trouble climbing a hill due to wheel spin or if you ever get trapped on ice and need a little extra power to get out of it will you need to turn off the VSA on your Honda Accord. Turn the vehicle stability assist back on once you’ve fixed the problem.
By pressing and holding the VSA button in this circumstance, your Honda Accord’s VSA can be turned off. Normally, the VSA button can be found under the left vent next to the steering wheel. Hold down the button until a beep is heard and the dash’s “VSA OFF” light indicator appears.
What does Honda Accord’s triangle with an exclamation point mean?
There is a clear explanation if you notice the exclamation point in the triangle of the warning light. When a problem with the system is discovered, this icon, which stands for your Honda vehicle’s Vehicle Stability Assist system, will illuminate your dashboard.
If you turn slightly more or less than you intended, the Vehicle Stability Assist technology is intended to steady your Honda vehicle while corning. This technology can also be useful when accelerating on slick or difficult terrain since it controls the engine power and selectively applies the brakes to ensure that your car has the best possible traction.
How can I shut off my VSA light?
Every time you start the engine, even if you had previously turned off VSA, it is activated. Your car’s braking and cornering capabilities remain unaffected if you switch off VSA, but the traction and stability enhancement it provides are less effective.
To turn VSA on or off, press and hold the VSA OFF button until you hear a beep. When the system is turned off, the VSA OFF indicator displays.
When a car becomes stuck in mud or snow, traction control stops working, which may make it simpler to try to remove it.
Is traction control and VSA the same thing?
Electronic Stability Control is the general term used to describe the VSA system’s primary purpose (ESC). The system also has traction control capabilities. On the driver’s side control panel, this button is located. Press and hold it until you hear a beep to partially disable VSA functionality/features.
How can I determine my VSA?
To turn VSA on or off, press and hold the VSA OFF button until you hear a beep. When the system is turned off, the VSA Off signal shows up. Traction control is disabled when VSA is turned off, allowing the wheels to spin more freely at low speeds.
How can my VSA system be fixed?
When it is safe to do so, pull over to the side of the road and turn off the engine if the VSA indication illuminates while you are driving. Restart the engine to reset the system while keeping an eye on the VSA system indicator. Have the VSA system inspected by your Acura dealer if the indicator stays on or turns back on while you are driving.
What does the phrase “check VSA system” mean?
Hello there Honda’s computer technology, known as VSA—for “vehicle stability assist”—helps make sure the tires have grip so you can stay on the road. When both the check engine light and the VSA light are on, the computer has likely identified a potential systemic malfunction. To learn more about what’s going on, have a technician download the diagnostic codes from the car’s computer and determine why the Check Engine Light is on. Driving the vehicle is still safe, but you should be aware that the traction control and ABS systems might not be functioning properly. Both of these devices keep an eye on the wheels to prevent them from locking up and skidding, which would drastically impair traction. This is crucial on a slick road because braking can easily cause the wheels to lock up.