From Wikipedia:

I'm not sure F1 ever had ESC (VSA), although some ESC systems do have traction control as a part of the system.

The reason F1 got rid of traction control was to increase the level of skill needed.

 

Guess I am going to have to do without VSA.

FitLurkerNoMore

 

Sadly if Honda had VSA as a stand alone option it would pay for itself through decreased insurance rates. It is supposed to be highly cost-effective when not bundled with something outrageously overpriced like this nav system.

Also soon VSA will be required for all new vehicle models in the U.S. and other countries. From Wikipedia regarding the adoption of laws mandating VSA (ESC):

 

I thought it all started due to this:Your correct in stating that F1 didn't use the Honda brand VSA or any other automakers publicly available traction or stability control system. Traction control reduces wheel spin (drive wheel breaking and some even retard timing to reduce engine torque), Vehicle Stability Assist also reduces understear and overstear utilizing any combination of wheel breaking with timing retard to reduce engine torque). The average driver doesn't have the skill or reflexes to counter the laws of physics, especially in an emergancy situation. Don't get me wrong, I certainly believe in driving schools to help people understand vehicle dynamics and car control and learning to implement them into their driving habits. But there is no way the average driver (which VSA is designed for) can control a car in the manner in which these electronic devices operate. Through driving schools, I have learned to threshold brake to achieve stopping distances that rival ABS. I have also learned to counter understear and overstear with throttle input and steering, but I wouldn't want to have to rely on it in an emergancy situation. It's OK on the track where I have the proper safety equipment and emergancy crews literally a minute or less away, but on the public throughways with considerably less competant traffic around me, no way. Give me the VSA any day.

 

I would definitely love to have VSA if it were a separate option, which I think from an ethical standpoint was a mistake on Honda's part. They have the technology and more lives could be saved with a separate option or just making it standard and increasing the MSRP slightly, thus not necessitating four separate trims (if it had been optional without navi).

And about F1 and their decision to standardize the ECU, I didn't know the specifics on that really. I'm sort of an F1 noob and only started watching this season via downloading them off the internet. So I know they were making a big deal about it when I saw the few races I did. I suppose instead of saying they did it so more skill would be required, I could've said they did it to "level the playing field." Also the original point was to say F1 eliminated traction control, which is not the same as ESC, although ESC systems can contain TC.

Anyway, thanks for the info on the F1 decision Cosmo.

 

Anyone know when XM + Sirius will combine roughly? We talking this year?

 

I like the fit, but lets be real, it's not a performance car. That's what I drive my BMW for. I've been to driving schools a few times now. Probably over worrying as the FIT really doesn't have the HP/torque to warrant needing VSA, but would be nice for patches of black ice and rain.

 

No amount of driver training can help you control a car the way VSA and ABS do. Sure, you might do about as well as ABS by threshold braking on dry pavement, but what happens when it gets slippery? Even Michael Schumacher can't individually modulate each wheel's brake to do what these systems do.

So I don't have any problem with driver training, as better drivers generally make for safer roads, but there is no substitute for these systems in real-world situations with varying roads surfaces and traction conditions.

 

In a perfect world VSA (and seat belts, and ABS, and all other safety equipment) would not be required.

I live in a place where we get lots of nasty weather; heavy rain, sleet, snow, ice (including a particularly nasty type called 'black ice'). Plus you get frequent opportunities to dodge large nocturnal animals -- deer mostly.

There is nothing like the 'thrill' of cresting a hill, only to find that the snow that fell a week ago and has long been cleared off the highway has been blowing across the roadway just past the crest of the hill. Cars and trucks that have driven through this blowing snow have pounded it down into a layer of ice all across the road, and there are four cars in the ditch right ahead of you.

VSA is for the times like I described above; the unexpected event that suddenly confronts you when you are least expecting it. I am an alert driver, and am very much aware of what is going on around me, and the hazards I might encounter. So far, in many years of driving, I've not had an accident. Nevertheless, I want VSA in my next car; I'll keep it on except for those times when I'm out exercising my engine, suspension and tires.

VSA is like ABS; if you are doing a good job driving, it should never come on. If it comes on, you have been careless, and it's a good warning to listen to.

Even F1 drivers need safety equipment; it gets used, too.

In a perfect world, everyone would be 100% alert all the time. However, people get tired or distracted. In emergencies they will react too late and/or over-react beyond the capability of their vehicle, the condition of their vehicle, or the road conditions. VSA is for those times.

All cars sold in the US will have standard stability control (VSA) by 2012.

-- Bill

 

Look for it in the 4th quarter for Xmas. Get the right tires for the winter time and you won't have to worry about VSA. I wouldn't count on Honda's VSA working that great anyway. The Kenwood 8120 rules, period. Pioneer would be great but they got issues going on with two fixes already released for their dealers and they still got problems.

 

Wow. No comment.

 

You just commented. If their ABS sucks balls, why would their VSA work so great on a $16000 car?
I've owned at least 8 Honda's and I see your Fit-LESS.

 

It's more likely to help than not though, just like a less than perfect ABS would be more help than none.

You're making an assumption based on evaluation of a different system, so let's just wait and see if any criticisms arise of the Fit VSA.

 

Or I guess he could always just... "Get the right tires for the winter time and you won't have to worry about VSA." ha!

 

VSA is built on top of the ABS system.

 

It may be built into the ECU but doesn't mean less than average ABS performance has to translate into bad VSA performance.

 

Gonna cost me about 1.3K more to get the VSA/Nav. I'm actually debating getting the car with VSA/Nav and swapping out the head unit to the kenwood anyway. Is that just crazy?

 

No it's not crazy. It's being thorough I guess.
As for a ABS system that is less than perfect, that shit will get you into a crash, make you piss in your pants and your heart will drop to your waist when you can't stop. There is a night and day difference between the Honda system and higher end cars.

 

Ahh, higher end cars, I see. Unfortunately those are out of my price range =/