RX300 (?) doing an ice dance.
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That RX300 is, most likely, AWD, since most RX's in this region of the country are sold as AWD's. At least from a statistical perspective, one is much more likely to see an AWD RX300 around here than, say, a 2WD one sold in this area or visiting.
I suppose statistical probability would also have it as a non-VSC version since one can't tell from the photo (VSC not available until the 2001's).
This all said, there's no way to know exactly what caused that problem, as others have said in this thread. So I wouldn't assign poor performance to that RX300 based on the photo. E.g. if the driver was going way too quickly for the conditions, that could have easily caused a skid beyond the vehicle's capabilities. How much tread did the driver have on the RX's Goodyear Integrity's (assuming original tires), which aren't really great foul-weather tires to begin with? That'd be another factor.
FWIW, VSC (Toyota's version of stability control) might not have helped in that accident even if it that vehicle had it (and maybe it did; we don't know). Toyota's VSC is not a "full range" stability control system. It is active when the throttle is in play, but it disengages during braking. While braking, there is no VSC control, just ABS. A full-range system would attempt to more aggressively brake certain wheels to stop the skid, and even begin cutting engine power in an attempt to stop the vehicle. (This last aspect is somewhat controversial to some drivers; interesting balance of cutting power and perhaps ending up as a hazard, and not being able to power out of a situation -- vs. being just out of control and heading for a ditch or into oncoming traffic.)
Nevertheless, while VSC is somewhat limited compared to full-range systems, is still a good feature on the RX300 (helps with emergency avoidance where the throttle is still in use, and has improved its emergency handling scores in Consumer Reports' testing). And at least the RX300 has VSC while the MDX doesn't even have VSA yet (which, as implemented in Honda/Acura vehicles so far, is also not a full-range stability control system, sadly).
I suppose statistical probability would also have it as a non-VSC version since one can't tell from the photo (VSC not available until the 2001's).
This all said, there's no way to know exactly what caused that problem, as others have said in this thread. So I wouldn't assign poor performance to that RX300 based on the photo. E.g. if the driver was going way too quickly for the conditions, that could have easily caused a skid beyond the vehicle's capabilities. How much tread did the driver have on the RX's Goodyear Integrity's (assuming original tires), which aren't really great foul-weather tires to begin with? That'd be another factor.
FWIW, VSC (Toyota's version of stability control) might not have helped in that accident even if it that vehicle had it (and maybe it did; we don't know). Toyota's VSC is not a "full range" stability control system. It is active when the throttle is in play, but it disengages during braking. While braking, there is no VSC control, just ABS. A full-range system would attempt to more aggressively brake certain wheels to stop the skid, and even begin cutting engine power in an attempt to stop the vehicle. (This last aspect is somewhat controversial to some drivers; interesting balance of cutting power and perhaps ending up as a hazard, and not being able to power out of a situation -- vs. being just out of control and heading for a ditch or into oncoming traffic.)
Nevertheless, while VSC is somewhat limited compared to full-range systems, is still a good feature on the RX300 (helps with emergency avoidance where the throttle is still in use, and has improved its emergency handling scores in Consumer Reports' testing). And at least the RX300 has VSC while the MDX doesn't even have VSA yet (which, as implemented in Honda/Acura vehicles so far, is also not a full-range stability control system, sadly).
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I think that depending on the driver competance, it could have been any car. In fact, I think it is more likely to be an SUV than a car because SUV's go great in the snow, but 4000 lbs doesn't stop as well as a small car.
Odds Are You Won't See an MDX Do That!!
I suspect that one of us MDXers will manage to ALMOST TIE this situation. The ALMOST is derived from how can one manage to pull off that manuver AND have someone catch it on camera.
I suppose that it could be staged!! I volunteer to work the camera but will not volunteer our MDX, too hard to replace one!!
I suspect that one of us MDXers will manage to ALMOST TIE this situation. The ALMOST is derived from how can one manage to pull off that manuver AND have someone catch it on camera.
I suppose that it could be staged!! I volunteer to work the camera but will not volunteer our MDX, too hard to replace one!!
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