VSC in Action

Control byVSC during oversteer (fig 1)
In this illustration, the vehicle is driven at high speeds while making a left turn. Then, when the rear wheels are slipping outward, the brake is applied only to the front right wheel, generating a rightward force. The rightward force helps the vehicle avoid oversteer by resisting the side slip of the rear wheels. This, in essence, is the principle of VSC that dampens oversteer.

Control by VSC during understeer (fig 2)
In this illustration, the vehicle is driven at high speeds while making a left turn and the front wheels have just started to slip outward. When VSC detects that understeer is taking place it first applies the brake to the left rear wheel (1), causing the vehicle to generate a leftward turning force and overcome the understeer. Furthermore, VSC applies the brakes simultaneously to the right rear wheel and right front wheel (2) as deemed necessary to reduce speed, thus further reducing understeer. This, in essence, is the principle of VSC that dampens understeer.

The Final Analysis

Although not immediately apparent or visually obvious, VSC offers the customer peace of mind that if for any reason the vehicle enters a tricky situation, no matter what the skill of the driver, the vehicle will behave in a stable and safe manner within its physical limits. This is particularly important with 4WD vehicles, which due to their high centre of gravity are more easily unsettled while cornering.