VSC is short for ‘Vehicle Stability Control,’ which is the stability control system that Toyota uses in their vehicles. Stability control helps your vehicle maintain traction and control by reducing—or completely cutting—power sent to your wheels.
It does this by automatically applying brake pressure on up to three wheels. The purpose of the system is to keep your vehicle headed where your wheels are pointed. It’s an essential safety feature that been mandated by law—at least in the USA—since 2012.
Naturally, VSC OFF means that the stability control on your Toyota is off.
What does VSC light mean?
VSC light is a signal on the dashboard of a car that indicates a failure of the electronic body stability system, and its color is usually yellow. It is commonly found in Japanese cars and is an active safety system offered by Toyota and Lexus in their models.
This system can improve the safety and convenience of driving. When the vehicle makes an emergency turn, accelerate or brake, the VSC system can quickly sense and take appropriate braking measures to ensure that the vehicle remains stable.
In normal cases, the VSC light is off, indicating that the Vehicle Stability Control is working properly. When you see the VSC light on your Toyota or Lexa, it indicates that the vehicle’s electronic body stability system is experiencing problems.
This can be caused by faulty sensors, problems with the braking system, lack of tire grip, or other failures related to stability control. When the VSC light is on, you should pay attention to the stability of the vehicle and send the vehicle to a professional technician for inspection and repair in time.
In addition to the VSC light, some Toyota and Lexus models are also equipped with the VSC Off light. VSC Off light indicates that you have manually disabled the electronic body stability system.
When the VSC Off light is flashing, it means that the VSC system is disabled or faulty. You may choose to turn off the VSC system manually, for example in certain driving conditions, such as when driving on low-grip roads, you may choose to turn off the VSC system for better traction.
However, turning off the VSC system can reduce the stability and handling performance of the vehicle, so you should drive cautiously and check and repair the VSC system as soon as possible to ensure safe driving.
It should be noted that if the VSC system fails and the VSC Off light comes on, you should send the vehicle to a professional technician for inspection and repair as soon as possible. Under normal circumstances, the VSC system and VSC Off lights should be kept off while driving to ensure the stability and safety of the vehicle.
How does VSC work?
The VSC system uses various sensors, such as wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensors, and yaw rate sensors, to monitor the vehicle’s movements and stability. It constantly compares the vehicle’s actual behavior with the driver’s inputs and the desired trajectory.
If the system detects a loss of traction, oversteer, or understeer, it can intervene by selectively applying the brakes to specific wheels and adjusting engine power to help regain control and stability.
When the VSC system detects a fault or malfunction, it triggers the VSC light on the dashboard to alert the driver. The specific cause of the malfunction can vary, such as a faulty sensor, a problem with the braking system, or issues with the traction control system.
In some cases, VSC lights may be accompanied by other warning lights or messages, such as check engine light on and car shaking, indicating a specific problem to be aware of.
It’s important to note that when the VSC light is on, the vehicle’s stability control function may be disabled or compromised. In such cases, it’s recommended to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by a qualified technician to identify and resolve the underlying issue.
During this time, it’s advisable to drive with caution and adjust your driving behavior to ensure safety until the VSC system is functioning properly again.
Ultimately, the VSC light serves as a valuable warning indicator for drivers, alerting them to potential issues with the vehicle’s electronic stability control system and prompting them to take appropriate action to address the problem.
What Causes the VSC Light to Turn ON?
The VSC system is connected to your car’s engine management and brake control system to help control traction. Issues associated with these systems can cause the VSC light to turn on, such as:
Issues with the Engine
The VSC light usually turns on when there are problems with the engine. If your dashboard has a Check Engine light, this is particularly important to remember. Modern engines are equipped with various sensors, actuators, and components. Sometimes, these components can trigger a check light.
If you drive a Toyota or Lexus, this can also turn on a VSC light. When the check engine and VSC lights on your dashboard turn on, it means that there is a fault code stored in the engine control module. You need to read the issue code to identify and confirm the cause of the warning lights.
ABS Sensor Malfunction
Every wheel on your car is equipped with an ABS sensor, which is responsible for measuring the speed of each wheel. Other important control modules, such as the ECM, TCM, and ABS control modules, utilize this data.
The ABS sensors are prone to failure because they are located at the wheel spindle hubs, often exposed to moisture, rust, and dirt.
If there is a problem with an ABS sensor, the VSC light will show up on your dashboard. This happens because the VSC system relies on the data from the ABS sensor. Another possibility is that there may be an issue with the ABS rings. The sensors use these rings to measure speed.
There is a possibility that the sensors and ABS control module could have faulty wiring. The steering angle sensor is a crucial component of the ABS and VSC systems. If it sends the wrong signal to these control modules, it can cause the VSC light to turn on.
Faulty Wiring
Wiring issues can trigger a VSC light. But identifying wiring issues can be challenging if you lack the necessary expertise and understanding. If you’ve checked everything else and suspect a wiring issue with your car, it’s a good idea to seek help from a professional.
Pressing the VSC Button Accidentally
Most vehicles with a VSC system also have a button to deactivate the system. Before jumping to any conclusions, it would be wise to double-check and verify this cause again.
There is a chance that you may have accidentally pressed a button, so it’s important to be sure before making any assumptions. If you press the button instead of the usual VSC warning light, you will likely see a VSC OFF light.
VSC Light Easy Fix
There will be a button either by your shifter or your steering wheel (depending on the model year of the Toyota) that has the same icon as the light in your gauges. Once you’ve located it:
- Make sure you are completely stopped. Put the car in park if you can.
- Press and hold the VSC button for a few seconds.
- The TRAC OFF and VSC OFF indicator light will come on. Both systems are now off.
- Press the VSC button again. Both lights will turn off and the systems are now reengaged.
If the VSC OFF light is still on, it may be a bug with your vehicle’s computer or a malfunction with your vehicle’s VSC system. Take your vehicle into your local Toyota service center to have a certified technician run the codes and pinpoint the issue.
It is safe to drive your Toyota while the VSC OFF light is on, however, we recommend cautious driving, especially in poor weather.
VSC Light and TRAC OFF
VSC is a feature that helps you maintain control of your car in challenging situations. The system automatically adjusts the engine, transmission, and brakes as needed. Traction control operates similarly to VSC by adjusting the engine speed and brakes to manage slippage.
Traction control helps maintain control of the car during acceleration, but it doesn’t assist with cornering. There is no significant difference in how they work but in when they work.
The TRAC OFF light is a signal in Toyota and Lexus models that tells you if the Traction Control system is on or off. When the light is on, the Traction Control system is turned off. The Traction Control system (TRAC) is an important vehicle feature that helps maintain stability.
It prevents the wheels from spinning too much when accelerating, especially on slippery surfaces. There are several possible reasons for the TRAC OFF light to appear. Sometimes, a trigger can be intentional, while other times, it may be a sign of an underlying issue that requires attention.