Disabling VSA Stability Control

uberfraznb · Dec 3, 2018

Hey, I am the new owner of a 2019 Ridgeline Sport AWD. I am in the snowy region of the Midwest and I am looking to use the Ridgeline in winter Autocrosses and ice lapping events. I am wondering if anyone has any information about completely disabling the VSA stability control for AWD drifting and rally duty?

I have been out in the snow already and the Sand mode does allow more drift angle than Normal mode but VSA still intervenes.

I pulled the VSA/ABS fuse in the cabin fuse block with the vehicle off. When started VSA was disabled but so was Electronic Power Steering. After putting the fuse back in and restarting the vehicle VSA was disabled and Power Steering was restored. I went out and did some snow driving and was able to fully drift with no VSA intervention in Normal and Sand modes. VSA would then remain off until the next key cycle.

This will work for now. I will probably install a switch on the fuse block if this is the best option. I am just curious as to whether there is a better way to do it, or if anyone else has any suggestions.

With the torque biasing and torque vectoring power of this AWD system it would be ideal to make a custom drive mode similar to the standard modes except a Snow Drift Mode with VSA disabled. I just don't know if there are any tuners doing anything of the sort.

Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!

MrClam · Dec 3, 2018

Why not just press the button to turn it off when driving?

uberfraznb · Dec 3, 2018

It doesn't actually turn it off. It is enables a "stuck vehicle assist" which mostly just allows more wheelspin.

birchman17 · Dec 3, 2018

Sorry, i don't internet good. The following post is courtesy of @zroger73 from 08/20/2016 in the "things you havent noticed about your g2" pinned thread. I had casually looked for this post a few times recently (with no luck). I don't know if i ever would have found it if i hadn't correctly guessed that zroger73 was the original poster. I hope this helps:

zroger73 said:
Unlike the G1, pressing the VSA button on the G2 does NOT completely turn off traction control and Vehicle Stability Assist - it simply "turns it down" and will still limit excessive wheel spin, skidding, and spinouts. There is a procedure to completely disable traction control and VSA on the G2:

1. After starting the vehicle, press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Hold the VSA button until the VSA light comes on.
3. Hold the VSA button until the VSA light turns off.
4. Release the brake pedal.
5. Apply the parking brake.
6. Hold the VSA button until the VSA light comes on.
7. Hold the VSA button until the VSA light turns off.
8. Hold the brake pedal while the parking brake is still on.
9. Hold the VSA button until the VSA light comes on.
10. Hold the VSA button until the VSA light lights stays on and the VSA OFF light flashes.

This procedure places the VSA system in "maintenance mode". ABS and AWD will continue to function normally. To exit "maintenance mode", hold the VSA button or shut off the vehicle.

Lokim4 · Dec 3, 2018

birchman17 said:
Sorry, i don't internet good. The following post is courtesy of @zroger73 from 08/20/2016 in the "things you havent noticed about your g2" pinned thread. I had casually looked for this post a few times recently (with no luck). I don't know if i ever would have found it if i hadn't correctly guessed that zroger73 was the original poster. I hope this helps:

This procedure places the VSA system in "maintenance mode". ABS and AWD will continue to function normally. To exit "maintenance mode", hold the VSA button or shut off the vehicle.

This is the same type of reset interval/procedure the OP has achieved already (albeit with a different method) but doesn't address his wants to have it off until choosing to turn it back on.

birchman17 · Dec 3, 2018

Supposedly, torque-vectoring is disabled in sand and mud modes. I'm not really sure why that is, or how that would effect what you are wanting to do, but it might be some good info to have.

birchman17 · Dec 3, 2018

It is lengthy. I would think it would be less of a pain than pulling the fuse (assuming that the fuse is difficult to reach). If it is something you are going to use frequently, then putting a switch on the fuse might be the way to go. That doesn't sound very easy to do, but at least you will only have to do it once.

uberfraznb · Dec 4, 2018

I tried the VSA maintenance mode. The procedure has to be done fairly rapidly. The first few times I tried it it did not work and must have timed out. It does seem to put it in the same condition or state as when the VSA/ABS fuse is pulled and then replaced.

Disabling VSA Stability Control

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