VSC Revisited: Help or Hinderance?

markinho · 07-19-2005, 12:28 PM

Doing a search leads to a bounty of information and opinions on the VSC (Vehicle Skid Control) that's offered on many Titan configurations, but I'm wondering if anybody has any new thoughts or experiences they'd like to share about VSC-equipped Titans now that they've put more miles on their truck.

Some background: I'm back home after three weeks in Mexico and am gettting my new truck to replace my beloved Toyota Tacoma. The Titan is ahead of the Tundra by a small margin in my mind, but my wife thinks the Titan is ugly

and so I've got to review some of the positives offered by the Titan versus the Tundra. I live in Norcal where it rains a lot, so the theoretical advantage of VSC is appealing to me.

Any new, mid-2005 angles on VSC, pro or con, would be appreciated.

Thanks!

tnbowhunter · 07-19-2005, 01:25 PM

I guess it's the same thing.......the Titan and Xterra and probably a few more Nissan vehicles have "VDC"= Vehicle Dynamic Control. I have it on my Titan and the wife has it on her Xterra, mine has probably saved my a$$ a couple of times during our frequent cloudbursts when water pools in the roadway. The wife hasn't noticed if hers has come on or not, but she has only had her car for a couple of months. I for one like it and think it is a great option.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 07-19-2005, 01:26 PM

I don't have VSC on my Titan but have had it on other vehicles and found that it does work. Anything that'll help in a skid situation or bad weather is a plus in my book. When I bought my truck, I had to have the white SE and the OR package had the E-locker instead of VDC. I love knowing I have the E-locker but quite frankly, I'm sure the VDC would get much more use. I'm sure others here with VDC can, with experience, tell you more. Good luck!

nthomp16 · 07-19-2005, 01:50 PM

Although I have 4WD, in most conditions, with the assist of the VDC, I rarely need 4WD. In snow and heavy rain, you can really tell when the VDC kicks in and controls my heavy foot.

Armada · 07-19-2005, 06:56 PM

VDC is Nissan's name for its joint venture version of "Electronic Stability Control." It is a participant in the coalition of maunfacturers and suppliers who are trying to standardize this system and introduce it across all market segments.

It is really very good. It saved my butt in my Armada when I went into a decreasing radius curve going too fast for the radius as it tightened. And the road was reversed banked with the high side on the inside of the curve. VDC uses selective individual wheel braking and throttle reduction based on the yaw sensors and wheel slippage to adjust for your stupidity or over enthusiasm. This can happen even on dry roads. It did to me.

I don't know how it got around that corner, as my steering inputs and tire grip alone never would have done it. But it did. I'm sold on it.

Here is a great link to how the system works with video demos and more facts and details than you would ever want to know.

http://www.esceducation.org/about_es...n_action.shtml

Now, turn it off if you are doing performance testing (drag strip, etc.), but other times, let it do its thing. It might save your A$$.

ciron28 · 07-19-2005, 07:29 PM

I don't have it on mine but my Titan did handle well last winter in the snow/ice and all.

Travis

DeTitan · 07-19-2005, 10:05 PM

I drove a titan about in the snow with and without VDC. Must say it is a great thing to have it. That and the ABLS are the saving grace for the titan along with the snappy off the line performance.

Kong · 07-19-2005, 11:34 PM

I snowmobile in the winter and tow 4 sleds on a 22' trailer. VDC is awesome and has saved me more than a few times.

One time I had to turn around in a parking lot that two other trucks had to be pulled out of. I was pulling an enclosed 27' trailer (long story) and my front wheel went off the solid surface, but immediately the VDC went off and cut power to that wheel. I was able to rock it back because I did not spin down. In the past I would have been stuck.

Driven on ice with trailer and it is great. One of the reasons I bought the truck.

bighawaii · 07-24-2005, 04:07 AM

a definant help since it rains here all year round and many times the roads are flooded. it works great to keep the tires from spinning out or when i hit deep puddles. a definant need in my book, anyhow when you want to have fun you can always turn it off. the abls that you cant turn off is a perk since i love laying two strips of rubber down all the time.

mopar · 08-25-2005, 07:38 AM

I have an 05 with Big tow and supposedly VDC(comes with big tow) yet I can't figure out how to turn it off?? How can I verify that I have VDC and is there a way to turn it off? I think I have felt it kick down the engine on me.
Thanks

JefeCinco · 08-25-2005, 07:51 AM

VDC is very helpful to almost all drivers. The exceptions are idiots and highly experienced experts.

Idiots will manage to kill themselves and others no matter how much technology is available to help them avoid accidents.

Expert drivers don't need it because they are able to feel traction loss and compensate correctly. But, reading the various car/truck mags, even the professional testers like to use it except when on the track.

I turn mine off only when I'm doing a little competing in a straight line. I highly recommend it for anyone.

mopar · 08-25-2005, 08:00 AM

Striaght line on the track is what I'm looking to do. Trying to figure out how to turn it off? I don't have a switch.
Thanks

92TripleBlack · 08-25-2005, 08:40 AM

I don't like it but I am biased. I have the early style of the system on my vette. It is far to intrusive and dangerous. (EX.Cutting power as you merge into traffic if you hit a pothole.) Later versions on vettes actually have improved handling etc. according to their owners. I stay skeptical. Until I have a positive outcome from the system for me I will stay that way. Hopefully that's because I am in the expert driver and not idiot category.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 08-25-2005, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopar

Striaght line on the track is what I'm looking to do. Trying to figure out how to turn it off? I don't have a switch.
Thanks

If you don't have a switch for it, you don't have VDC. The VDC button resides low on the dash next to the TOW MODE button. You have to have the side airbag option to have VDC and it can't be had with the Off-road package.

Orange Crush · 08-25-2005, 12:47 PM

After going through my first winter in NE PA in my VSC equipped 4Runner, I couldn't consider not having a vehicle without such a system. Considering how difficult and expensive it is to find a Taco/Tundra so equipped (they and the Chevy Avalanche were the only PU’s that had the option available), I was left with choosing a BT Titan. Best choice I made, it’s a better truck and saved some bucks compared to the Toyota/Chevy. I don’t think that may be the case anymore since Nissan changed the option packages after the 04 model year, I figure since now it’s bundles with the airbag option you would be looking for a fully loaded SE/LE model.

Per Nissan’s website:

King SE: Requires Big Tow Package, Off-road Package (4x4 only), SE Utility Bed Package, and Nissan Mobile Theater System (Crew Cabs with captain's chairs). In addition, SE Rockford Fosgate Package or SE Popular Package is required.

King LE: Step Rail Package required.

Crew SE: Requires Big Tow Package, Off-road Package (4x4 only), SE Utility Bed Package, and Nissan Mobile Theater System (Crew Cabs with captain's chairs). In addition, SE Rockford Fosgate Package or SE Popular Package is required.

Although I must admit, in comparing the 4Runner & Titan in winter driving, the Titan with it’s greater weight needed it less often when in 4x4, but it does come in handy when in 4x2 mode on semi-plowed roads. I am unconvinced it makes much of a difference when hydroplaning, the weight of the truck is going to minimize that risk unless your going really, really fast (which is another issue entirely).