Meaning Of “Check VSC System Toyota” Light For Toyota & Lexus

Last updated on January 13th, 2023 at 07:29 pm

The Check VSC system Toyota light is a common system stability mechanism that you may have noticed on your car.

Toyota, Lexus, and other vehicles all require proper care and maintenance in diverse ways.

Though the regular check on automobiles is essential to guarantee their performance and efficiency, other unanticipated situations may occasionally occur.

However, there are now sophisticated auto-technology that can assist us in fathoming out the issue and fixing it accordingly to avoid any damage to vital components of the car.

The dashboard of your vehicle displays a number of lights and warnings to indicate when there’s a fault that needs to be checked.

The “check VSC system” warning is also one of these indicators. The Check VSC system light for Toyota and Lexus basically comes up when there is a fault with the electronic stability control of your vehicle.

This article discusses the meaning of Check VSC System light, what you can do about it, and when it is ideal to get help.

This tip here applies to general check VSC system light and the following:

check vsc system Lexus
check vsc system Toyota Camry 2007
check vsc system Toyota sienna
how to fix check vsc system Toyota Camry
Check vsc system Toyota

What is Check VSC System Light?

The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is a system light that comes in the majority of Toyota and Lexus vehicles which basically prevents the car from sliding at some stage in extreme climatic settings. When a Toyota or Lexus car is on the verge of losing grip on the road, the VSC system by design applies the brake on the four wheels of the car thereby averting a skidding incident.

The VSC also works at reducing the engine power, thus enabling the driver to have better vehicle maneuver. The VSC helps to cut down the rate of road accidents particularly on periods with intense weather including snowing, rainy, and foggy conditions.

When the Check VSC system light on your Toyota and Lexus begins to flash, it may indicate a problem that needs to be rectified on your VSC system.

Possible causes of the check VSC light to go on

When the Check VSC system light comes on, it automatically indicates a fault in the VSC or ABS system (Anti-lock Brake Sensor).

The ABS system comprises of coil housing a magnet and a toothed ring. A signal is formed by the magnetic field which is then converted into a digital signal.

Drivers of VSC Toyota or Lexus cars now have better control of their cars irrespective of the weather condition.

Actually, the VSC and ABS function jointly. This is because when you are on the road during a snowstorm, the snow can meddle with the ABS sensors, triggering the check VSC system light to come on. In some cases, the engine error code (C1201) may also signal on the dashboard.

In such a situation, it is advisable to first allow the snow to melt, then reset the error code.

This move-in most case helps to turn off the VSC light. However, in a case where this fails to work, then you can proceed to use an OBD2 scanner to diagnose the ABS.

If you are a novice to this, then it is best you consult a professional mechanic.

How does the VSC system function?

The Check VSC System becomes active when you lose traction while on slippery roads during a heavy downpour or snowstorm.

With the VSC, you automatically have better control of the steering. The four wheels of the Toyota or Lexus feature electronic sensors that relate with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) of the automobile.

The VSC immediately cuts down on engine speed any traction issues come up when on road.

This reduced engine speed gives braking power to the wheels where it is mostly required to control the steering.

When the check VSC system light flashes or turns on, it may point to sensor problems or faults in the steering support.

Check Engine Light/ABS Light

The ABS is closely linked with the VSC. The ABS is mostly used to measure the rotational speed of the tires.

This system then passes on this data to the Engine Control Module (ECM).

The wheels do not usually rotate at the same pace owing to their contact on the ground.

So, as soon as the ECM perceives any form of skidding, it automatically locks up the wheels, thus stopping the vehicle from spinning, skidding, or sliding.

ASR System

The ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) system is included in the sophisticated electronics that are used in juxtaposition with the VSC.

The ASR is responsible for merging some divisions of the ABS and the car’s electronic accelerator.

When driving on snowy or rainy weather and one of the tires loses grip on the road, the ASR automatically signals the engine management system and power is reduced to the slipping wheel.

The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is activated whenever you are driving through the gravel and sandy roads. This enables one or more wheels to slip and raises traction to the wheels.

ESC System

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a safety system for vehicles that were designed to aid traction control.

The ESC also functions with the ABS and VSC. When driving, you may be unable to quickly respond quickly by the time your car begins to skid, and engaging brakes to avoid an oncoming vehicle may be late.

However, this isn’t the case with VSC system. With the VSC system, you are in control of the situation even before you discover you are losing traction.

It will calculate approximately the direction and length of the skid and supply braking power to the wheels that mostly require it to gain control of the vehicle.

Importance of the VSC System at Reducing Accidents

The use of ESC prevented auto-accidents by up to 35%, according to 2004 research conducted by the US National and Safety Administration.

It was deduced from the study that drivers with SUVs fitted with ESC systems were able to evade road accidents by 67%.

Also, the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety asserted that more than 10,000 deadly auto accidents in 2006 would be avoided if automobiles were fitted with the ESC systems.

VSC sensors are vital for the functioning of the system and the check VSC system light the instant it is turned on.

How to Fix Check VSC System Toyota Camry, Sienna, Lexus and other Toyota Cars

How to Reset the VSC light

For vehicles with scan gauges, the drivers should find it easy to reset the VSC light.

You can begin by:

Turning on the engine to ACC
Press and hold the odometer until it reads the accurate mileage.
Then turn off the engine.
Put it on again by simply pressing the odometer button without holding.
This action should clear the VSC light.

However, there are times when you take the steps above to clear the VSC light and it still proves abortive.

If this is the case, then it may point to faults in the wheel sensors that transmit information to the onboard computer.

This is because the sensors get damaged after a period of usage. You can use an OBD2 scanner to diagnose and get the trouble codes.

Whether you have a check vsc system Toyota Camry 2007 and others or it is problem with the check VSC system Toyota Sienna, these steps are still the same.

It even applies to check vsc system Lexus also, below are the models of cars that will have the check vsc system light in certain weather conditions

Which models have the VSC System?

The majority of Toyota and Lexus models are fitted with the VSC system. Some of these car models include:

Toyota Camry
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Verso
Toyota Avensis
Lexus RX400H
Lexus is250
Lexus is220d

You can also read more on all the models here

Conclusion on What & How to Fix Check VSC System Toyota Camry

The VSC is principally the internal traction control mechanism of your car.

The VSC system in most Toyota vehicles is vital for traction control whenever the car begins to skid. The VSC system functions in union with the ABS.

The sensors in the VSC can get defective due to prolonged usage. When this happens, first reset the VSC light if it comes on.

If the light still remains on after the reset, then it may require you to consult an expert auto mechanic to have the sensor replaced.

The ESC systems help reduce the number of auto crashes particularly during snowy or rainy climatic conditions when the road is slippery.

Gift Dennis

Hi dear, I am Dennis Gift, an autobody repair technician with over 4 years of experience; and I love everything about fitness and cars and researching and sharing my experience. And this is where I get to do that freely without reservations. So come along with me.