Euro: VSA

Ok - I have always said the ABS kicks in way too early on the Euro Accord but the main problem is similar to what EuroDude has described but probably I don't find it to the extent he experienced it (although still pretty disconcerting!) - when the ABS is working whether over potholes OR if I was braking too hard, the car is not actually braking very well at all and as such the braking distance is too 'long'.

To me the problem is very obvious - and that is because the braking pulsation on the Euro (and most Honda's I've driven unfortunately) isn't controlled that well, so in between the ABS letting go and gripping cycles, the distance being travelled is far too great - compared to other cars of similar weight.

One giveaway is when you brake pretty hard (brake booster working hard!) the G-force isn't that great before the ABS kicks in. 2ndly like I said the ABS doesn't pulse that well and the expected stopping distances on some occasions was to me was much longer than I anticipate.

Anyway, since you can't really change this brake characteristic, the only changes u can make is via using greater gripping tyres as the tyres won't 'skip' as easily to trigger the ultra sensitive ABS sensor.

The brake pads - well, I don't know to be honest. The very simple 1 piece brake caliper design means human modulation of the Euro's brakes manually can never be achieved to the +/- % accuracy of more sporty cars with 4-6 pot calipers. This is exaggerated by the very large caliper which tends to brake-grab more suddenly. I don't know whether putting harder biting brake pads would help at all due to this reason :(

People might like to have a look at this article:

http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2927/article.html

Whiteline are developing an adjustable electronic stability adapter -- kind of like a piggy-back ECU.

But does the Euro use the Bosch stability system?

Well, it happened to me last night: stopping in an 80 zone when traffic lights changed, not braking what I'd call hard, but not just gently slowing down either. While braking I went over what you could call a step in the road (it goes from bichumen to pavers, not the smoothest road!) which resulted in quite a thump through the suspension, the ABS triggered (first time it noticably has), and I found myself rolling considerably faster towards the car that was stopped in front of me.

I just pressed harder on the brake and stopped OK (then braking hard in the distance left) -- but it is VERY disconcerting when it happens.

Has anybody actually contacted Honda about the issue?

(Incidentally, I have to say that the ABS pulses in the Euro are very gentle -- barely noticeable compared to my TF Magna which you really knew about when the ABS triggered with no noticeable loss in braking speed.)

I pressed harder in that situation too but the car didnt slow down, had to repress the brake. Honda should definetely look into this ABS issue.

I agree with you all. Many 'panic' stops I've made (mainly because of other careless drivers) has made me notice that the ABS kicks in way too early - making it very hard to modulate the braking pressure. My old Honda Legend, I could brake much harder before ABS kicks in. And while I'm at it, the VSA is also overly sensitive - there is a section of road that has some irregularities in it, and everytime I accelerate over that patch, the VSA kicks in and causes the car to jerk quite alot - I'm sure alot of bystanders must be wondering what's wrong with that Euro (hah!).

And oh yes, the VSA/ABS system used in the Accord Euro (and practically all braking systems too for Honda cars) are made by Nissin Japan - a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co.

Ive had this issue before with both the VSA and the ABS. I have made it standard practice so that when I start the car I turn off VSA. The car jerks bigtime which is very annoying.

And as for the ABS, pretty pathetic if you ask me. Im not sure if the 19" wheels or lowering it as much as I have could be a contributing factor however if I hit a pot hole when braking hard, the car shudders and the brake pedal pulses almost to the point that my foot is flat to the floor. My legend brakes better than the Euro which is a bit concerning considering it age.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cranial

I agree with you all. Many 'panic' stops I've made (mainly because of other careless drivers) has made me notice that the ABS kicks in way too early - making it very hard to modulate the braking pressure. My old Honda Legend, I could brake much harder before ABS kicks in. And while I'm at it, the VSA is also overly sensitive - there is a section of road that has some irregularities in it, and everytime I accelerate over that patch, the VSA kicks in and causes the car to jerk quite alot - I'm sure alot of bystanders must be wondering what's wrong with that Euro (hah!).

And oh yes, the VSA/ABS system used in the Accord Euro (and practically all braking systems too for Honda cars) are made by Nissin Japan - a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co.

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If you have VSA on and then you accelerate during a corner with irregularities, its detecting your inner wheel spinning most likely and the jerk comes from shutting down the injectors?

Well, a good LSD can solve the problem as the open diff system really doesn't complement the really well balanced Euro Accord :(


The brakes - seriously..... everyone we should complain to Honda :(

Personally my next mod will be better tyres though. Sensitive ABS really gets much better with better front tyres. :o Can't afford it yet :(

This is the first bad experience I've had with it -- and I have emailed Honda about it and pointed them to this web thread.

I've been away for work, but this email (read: brush-off) was sent to me:

****

Thank you for your recent email.

The Anti Lock Braking system is a complexed safety unit which has been
inbuilt into the normal braking system in your vehicle. Under normal
braking, brake fluid is being passed through the ABS modulator and is
continually operating to allow the ABS system to be activated when
required.

Unfortunately i am unable to comment on your recent encounter as i did not experience it first hand, i do however strongly recommend you to contact an Authorized Honda Dealership if you feel unsafe within your vehicles performance at any stage.

We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

****

I would suggest that anyone who has had any real issues with braking (I don't just mean complaints that maybe the VSA kicks in too early) should email Honda to let them know: if enough issues are registered, then they may actually look into the matter...

i personally think your complaints are related to Brake Assist which acts like a magnifying glass you apply pressure and it magnify's the pressure that actually goes to the brakes which in your panic situation you are hitting the pedal harder than you think which is why the abs is applying too easily

my 2 cents as i have had no issues with mine but if i do get it to come on i am aware of how and why it did

Mine comes on when I hit bad pot holes all the time, it's annoys the crap outa me, it's a pot hole ffs not a cliff (although some roads are almost as bad). I'd turn VSA off but you never know when it might help you + it's mainly ABS kicking in in my situation and that's always on.