Automatic braking???

I have noticed with my 2011 that when I go around a turn too fast the front wheel farther from the side of the road will brake and a light will flash on the dash. It happens so quickly that I haven’t been able to actually see what the light says. I have not been able to find any info on this. It’s kind of startling when it happens. It sounds and feel like a ABS function. Does anyone know what this is?

 

It's VSC (Vehicle Stability Control).

 

It does make use of the ABS system so you’re right in that way too.

 

Thank you guys. Do you know if there is an option to disable it or turn it off?

 

You can 0 point recalibrate it for your lift but otherwise you just get to push and hold anytime you go for a drive.

 

In the overhead console there’s a button that says something like VSC or TRAC Off but it’s not something that should generally be disabled. It doubles as an off button for traction and stability control.

Normally you’d want to hit that once if you want more wheel-spin like in snow.

You can press and hold it to turn off more things including stability control but you should not need to do that if things are all operating as they should.

With some gravel road tomfoolery I’ve found it turns back on above 30-something MPH. That’s probably the easiest way to see it in action too, it’ll straighten me out if I have a little too much fun/danger depending on who/what you ask.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMrBDdLGB20&

Side note: 2WD 4Runners and other Toyota trucks enable “Auto LSD” mode when you hit that button once to more aggressively simulate an LSD if a wheel is slipping in the rear.

 

thanks for the info and video. In my case the VSC is kicking in even though there is no wheel slippage. I can be going around a curve on a dry road, albeit too fast, and it will brake.

 

its probably trying to save your butt
there are many calculations that go into that, there are accelerometers on board, load sensors, and the ECU is looking at VSS (vehicle speed) and TPS (throttle percentage) and brake bias and trying to calculate if you are pushing too hard. Its probably a sign to back it down driver before you end up in a ditch.

 

good advice. I’m wondering if the lift has made it more sensitive. Like if the extra body roll has anything to do with it.

 

Do you think the VSC system is actually intervening to quickly and you think it’s malfunctioning? That might point to a problem with zero point calibration or a bad accelerometer.

But if you’re admitting the turns are too fast, then it’s probably normal. It’s not necesarily that a lift makes the VSC system more sensitive, but more like the vehicle becomes less stable after a lift, so it will take less to actually upset the vehicle and lose control. Once the system senses a yaw rate building, it’s gonna lose confidence in you as a driver and step in. Yeah, these things can be judgy lol

 

I think you’re right. I need to get used to it. It’s been years since I’ve owned a truck and I need to get used to going around turns much slower. I do love it though. I think it’s the best built vehicle I’ve ever owned.