ESP vs VSA
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
ESP vs VSA
For those of you that don't know, VSA stands for Vehicle Stability Assist and is Honda's name for stability control. Does anyone know who the manufacturer is for Honda? And Mercedes? I assumed it was Bosch for Benz, but I'm not sure.
Tonight, though, the roads are a bit hazardous in my area. I just got in from a night out in the C230, and there were several instances where I hit slick patches unexpectedly and ESP activated to correct.
My C230 replaced a 2007 Civic Si sedan that had VSA. That system was virtually useless. The few times it activated, it was slow to respond, and didn't really offer much "assistance" to the situation at hand. I noticed tonight how much quicker and more effective the ESP is in the C230 than VSA was in the Si. Does anyone have similar experiences with stability control systems in other makes? I thought that all systems were essentially the same (differing only in names and acronyms among the carmakers) but the ESP system definitely reacts faster and more forcefully than VSA did.
Tonight, though, the roads are a bit hazardous in my area. I just got in from a night out in the C230, and there were several instances where I hit slick patches unexpectedly and ESP activated to correct.
My C230 replaced a 2007 Civic Si sedan that had VSA. That system was virtually useless. The few times it activated, it was slow to respond, and didn't really offer much "assistance" to the situation at hand. I noticed tonight how much quicker and more effective the ESP is in the C230 than VSA was in the Si. Does anyone have similar experiences with stability control systems in other makes? I thought that all systems were essentially the same (differing only in names and acronyms among the carmakers) but the ESP system definitely reacts faster and more forcefully than VSA did.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
Ahhh the wonderful ESP. They should call it Guardian Angel or something because this wonderful mechanism has saved me many many many times. As most know I like to run my car hard so the ESP is a life saver for me (it must hate me with all its guts). You are 100% correct that ESP is much better than Hondas. Honda's is good but can not compare to Mercedes'.
Going 80 MPH switching lane fast through 2 cones (distance between 2 cones was half my car distance) and rear gave out and ESP took care of it.
Deciding to make a 90 degree turn going 40 and once making the turn punching the car (car sliding toward oncoming but again ESP saved me-inches away from hitting a car). I did a lot of stupid stuff (very stupid) let's just say I fully tested the ESP and nothing can compare to it.
Going 80 MPH switching lane fast through 2 cones (distance between 2 cones was half my car distance) and rear gave out and ESP took care of it.
Deciding to make a 90 degree turn going 40 and once making the turn punching the car (car sliding toward oncoming but again ESP saved me-inches away from hitting a car). I did a lot of stupid stuff (very stupid) let's just say I fully tested the ESP and nothing can compare to it.
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From: VA
THE C350
mercedes 
ESP
saved my *** so many times. i got my car home in a 1/4 inch of ice and about 2 inches of snow on the road. the 10 mile drive on a two lane country road turned into a ausome adventure. the esp light never went off lol. but i got home and made it up a hill that a 4x4 suv could not lol. and at a stoplight going up hill a honda started to slide back when it turend green and i have to pass him so he would not hit me.
i do have really good all season but still the esp saved my ***. i love when i get about 2-4 inches of snow so i can go into one of my fields that i know has no holes or anything else. 
i really need to get some new rims so i can use my old ones for some snow tires.
ESPsaved my *** so many times. i got my car home in a 1/4 inch of ice and about 2 inches of snow on the road. the 10 mile drive on a two lane country road turned into a ausome adventure. the esp light never went off lol. but i got home and made it up a hill that a 4x4 suv could not lol. and at a stoplight going up hill a honda started to slide back when it turend green and i have to pass him so he would not hit me.
i do have really good all season but still the esp saved my ***. i love when i get about 2-4 inches of snow so i can go into one of my fields that i know has no holes or anything else. i really need to get some new rims so i can use my old ones for some snow tires.
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From: Nor Cal
A Car
Please watch this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-hHWSQhKuc
It will explain most of what ESP is, who made it, who fits them, how they work, everything.
I drive a Honda Hybrid a few times a week and the VSA doesnt work at all, i slip ALL the time in the rain, nothing kicks in; i just have to know how to compensate for correcting the path the car is heading. ESP on the other hand is too restrictive, in a good way.
It will explain most of what ESP is, who made it, who fits them, how they work, everything.
I drive a Honda Hybrid a few times a week and the VSA doesnt work at all, i slip ALL the time in the rain, nothing kicks in; i just have to know how to compensate for correcting the path the car is heading. ESP on the other hand is too restrictive, in a good way.
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Mercedes C350 4matic Luxury
Please watch this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-hHWSQhKuc
It will explain most of what ESP is, who made it, who fits them, how they work, everything.
I drive a Honda Hybrid a few times a week and the VSA doesnt work at all, i slip ALL the time in the rain, nothing kicks in; i just have to know how to compensate for correcting the path the car is heading. ESP on the other hand is too restrictive, in a good way.
It will explain most of what ESP is, who made it, who fits them, how they work, everything.
I drive a Honda Hybrid a few times a week and the VSA doesnt work at all, i slip ALL the time in the rain, nothing kicks in; i just have to know how to compensate for correcting the path the car is heading. ESP on the other hand is too restrictive, in a good way.
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From: vancouver, bc
2005 c320 4matic
Please watch this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-hHWSQhKuc
It will explain most of what ESP is, who made it, who fits them, how they work, everything.
I drive a Honda Hybrid a few times a week and the VSA doesnt work at all, i slip ALL the time in the rain, nothing kicks in; i just have to know how to compensate for correcting the path the car is heading. ESP on the other hand is too restrictive, in a good way.
It will explain most of what ESP is, who made it, who fits them, how they work, everything.
I drive a Honda Hybrid a few times a week and the VSA doesnt work at all, i slip ALL the time in the rain, nothing kicks in; i just have to know how to compensate for correcting the path the car is heading. ESP on the other hand is too restrictive, in a good way.
WOW, thats amazing!
4matic & ESP FTW in canada!
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From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
GM's Stabilitrak is also a VERY good system. I like it slightly better than ESP for one reason, when both rear wheels slip ESP completely cuts the throttle where Stabilitrak does not. For those with experience with GM vehicles, don't confuse traction control with Stabilitrak they are different things. ESP is definately one of the better systems out there.
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
ESP is definitely very restrictive, but it is more noticeable in the lower powered cars (like mine). I never fully appreciated the system until a week ago. I was driving my dad's S550 through Jacksonville on the highway. I was in a poor mood, and as a result was heavy on the foot. A couple time when changing lanes the back started to step out, but was effortlessly corrected by the ESP. In that car, with the larger engine, it seems much less restrictive. It is also a 2008 (if that makes a difference). I also notice a rather large difference between the ESP in my '07 C and the same in my '99 CLK. In the CLK, any wheel spin at all shut the car down. I would have to turn it off on a regular basis to simply pull out of roads quickly, otherwise I wouldn't go anywhere.
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
It may have also been the fact that I was at highway speed. Cutting power to the wheels at 70 is less noticeable than cutting power to the wheels when you're flooring the car and going 5.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
On the way to the soccer game this morning in the rain (and on the highway) I glanced down and noticed the ESP active light flashing. I couldn't tell it was active. But it reminded me to slow it down.
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
The system, though, has been improved greatly since '99. In the CLK, whenever it was activated, there was an odd vibration that would go through the car, similar to pressing the brakes and activating ABS. This was very noticeable, even when at highway speeds, and always bothered me. Not that I was complaining about anything having such a great car.
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From: vancouver, bc
2005 c320 4matic
dont forget the EPS system is only as good as the tires
sunday morning set a new record. the temperature here dipped to -46 degrees C!!!!!!! for you americans, thats -51 degrees F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
there is NO traction with the all weather tires. the car sways left and right even on dry roads. the rubber must be rock hard
sunday morning set a new record. the temperature here dipped to -46 degrees C!!!!!!! for you americans, thats -51 degrees F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
there is NO traction with the all weather tires. the car sways left and right even on dry roads. the rubber must be rock hard
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From: vancouver, bc
2005 c320 4matic
btw, those temperatures are WITHOUT windchill. nuts huh?
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/techn...460/story.html
good thing im moving to the west coast in a week! yippy to seasonal weather.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/techn...460/story.html
good thing im moving to the west coast in a week! yippy to seasonal weather.
Last edited by aac85; Dec 14, 2009 at 01:56 PM.
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From: Michigan
W203-4M W163
ESP got me out of a big pileup on ice-covered roads last February in Michigan. I got away with just a scratch on my bumper because I was able to accelerate away from the pile-up in my rear view mirror. Without ESP and my 4Matic, I would have been in the middle of it.
That was with some older snow tires on their last season. This year, I've got brand new Michelin Primacy's and I am VERY impressed so far. Traction on packed snow (almost ice) was excellent--ESP did not even kick in but I kept it at about 45MPH.
Snow tires are a MUST with RWD, but I think that the all seasons are just fine if you have 4Matic. (I have ML with all seasons as well, and the thing is like a mountain goat).
Happy trails, safe driving...
That was with some older snow tires on their last season. This year, I've got brand new Michelin Primacy's and I am VERY impressed so far. Traction on packed snow (almost ice) was excellent--ESP did not even kick in but I kept it at about 45MPH.
Snow tires are a MUST with RWD, but I think that the all seasons are just fine if you have 4Matic. (I have ML with all seasons as well, and the thing is like a mountain goat).
Happy trails, safe driving...
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I'm glad that someone likes the Primacy's. I had them when I got my car, but really didn't like them at all. I will say that they had the best wet weather traction of any tire I've ever had.
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From: Nor Cal
A Car
ESP got me out of a big pileup on ice-covered roads last February in Michigan. I got away with just a scratch on my bumper because I was able to accelerate away from the pile-up in my rear view mirror. Without ESP and my 4Matic, I would have been in the middle of it.
That was with some older snow tires on their last season. This year, I've got brand new Michelin Primacy's and I am VERY impressed so far. Traction on packed snow (almost ice) was excellent--ESP did not even kick in but I kept it at about 45MPH.
Snow tires are a MUST with RWD, but I think that the all seasons are just fine if you have 4Matic. (I have ML with all seasons as well, and the thing is like a mountain goat).
Happy trails, safe driving...
That was with some older snow tires on their last season. This year, I've got brand new Michelin Primacy's and I am VERY impressed so far. Traction on packed snow (almost ice) was excellent--ESP did not even kick in but I kept it at about 45MPH.
Snow tires are a MUST with RWD, but I think that the all seasons are just fine if you have 4Matic. (I have ML with all seasons as well, and the thing is like a mountain goat).
Happy trails, safe driving...
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-
Dont want to start a war but VSA is far from terrible and ESP is not God. Now, Having to work on both systems and knowing extensively how they work, I think i can make a judgment that both systems are equal. The non AMG models are very sensitive and restrictive. Remember, MB target the sales of their vehicle to mostly middle age group and older, whos reaction to road condition are slower (sometime laziness) than compare to younger group.... Its sad to say but its true. Honda programs most of their VSA to be less sensitive due to their sales of vehicle in a wider range age group, for it needs to accomodate a wider range of driving style. The Acura TL, RL, and MDX are very sensitive and restrictive like the regular ESP because their target of sales are for middle age group and older. Acura has since toned VSA down after they added the SH-AWD system. On the AMG vehicles, ESP system are programmed like the VSA, less sensitive and intrusive because MB knows that their clients like to have fun before it gets out of hand.
A question was raised when I was in MBUSA training, "The Inablility to Shut Down ESP completely." Straight and simple answer from MB itself- 'People can't drive in the States.' There is a way to completely shut down the ESP-couple of button dance
A question was raised when I was in MBUSA training, "The Inablility to Shut Down ESP completely." Straight and simple answer from MB itself- 'People can't drive in the States.' There is a way to completely shut down the ESP-couple of button dance
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From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
Dont want to start a war but VSA is far from terrible and ESP is not God. Now, Having to work on both systems and knowing extensively how they work, I think i can make a judgment that both systems are equal. The non AMG models are very sensitive and restrictive. Remember, MB target the sales of their vehicle to mostly middle age group and older, whos reaction to road condition are slower (sometime laziness) than compare to younger group.... Its sad to say but its true. Honda programs most of their VSA to be less sensitive due to their sales of vehicle in a wider range age group, for it needs to accomodate a wider range of driving style. The Acura TL, RL, and MDX are very sensitive and restrictive like the regular ESP because their target of sales are for middle age group and older. Acura has since toned VSA down after they added the SH-AWD system. On the AMG vehicles, ESP system are programmed like the VSA, less sensitive and intrusive because MB knows that their clients like to have fun before it gets out of hand.
A question was raised when I was in MBUSA training, "The Inablility to Shut Down ESP completely." Straight and simple answer from MB itself- 'People can't drive in the States.' There is a way to completely shut down the ESP-couple of button dance
A question was raised when I was in MBUSA training, "The Inablility to Shut Down ESP completely." Straight and simple answer from MB itself- 'People can't drive in the States.' There is a way to completely shut down the ESP-couple of button dance
I'm not trying to argue with you, but I'm not sure I completely understand your post, and a lot of it sounds like you're pushing the truth a little too far. I agree that Americans can't drive but I really doubt that MB ever had such reasoning as their cars are marketed all over the world. Are you telling us that ESP in ROW is different from US models? Also are you saying that there is no way to shut down esp? Or did you mean except for the 'couple of button dance'? Because just to be clear you can shut off esp completely, but of course this takes more work than just pressing the "esp off" button.
I have a 4Matic so I assume ESP works a little differently in my vehicle, but I don't notice it being too restrictive. Normally I can throw out the rear or spin a wheel just a bit before ESP will kick in. It did save me once when I was giving it too much gas on a curve and lost the rear end.
Last edited by acr2001; Dec 16, 2009 at 07:55 PM.
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
Honestly, I disagree. I know, from driving a TL, that the VSA on it is very poor. I have spun the car in a situation that the Benz would have been fine in, and the Benz is RWD. The VSA on the TL just doesn't do anything when you start to (or completely do) lose grip, other than flash a light at you.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Dont want to start a war but VSA is far from terrible and ESP is not God. Now, Having to work on both systems and knowing extensively how they work, I think i can make a judgment that both systems are equal. The non AMG models are very sensitive and restrictive. Remember, MB target the sales of their vehicle to mostly middle age group and older, whos reaction to road condition are slower (sometime laziness) than compare to younger group.... Its sad to say but its true. Honda programs most of their VSA to be less sensitive due to their sales of vehicle in a wider range age group, for it needs to accomodate a wider range of driving style. The Acura TL, RL, and MDX are very sensitive and restrictive like the regular ESP because their target of sales are for middle age group and older. Acura has since toned VSA down after they added the SH-AWD system. On the AMG vehicles, ESP system are programmed like the VSA, less sensitive and intrusive because MB knows that their clients like to have fun before it gets out of hand.
A question was raised when I was in MBUSA training, "The Inablility to Shut Down ESP completely." Straight and simple answer from MB itself- 'People can't drive in the States.' There is a way to completely shut down the ESP-couple of button dance
A question was raised when I was in MBUSA training, "The Inablility to Shut Down ESP completely." Straight and simple answer from MB itself- 'People can't drive in the States.' There is a way to completely shut down the ESP-couple of button dance
Also, I was under the impression than pressing "ESP OFF" turned the car's stability program off, but kept the traction control function active. Can someone confirm this?
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I said that ESP seems to have a better slip logic than VSA, in my experience. I like a stability control system that thinks fast and can come to my aid quickly. That's what helps me in 95% of driving. If I REALLY want to push it, I can use dyno mode.. but I never do.
Also, I was under the impression than pressing "ESP OFF" turned the car's stability program off, but kept the traction control function active. Can someone confirm this?
Also, I was under the impression than pressing "ESP OFF" turned the car's stability program off, but kept the traction control function active. Can someone confirm this?
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
