Electronic stability control (ESC)
Electronic stability control is a new safety technology that helps drivers to avoid crashes by reducing the danger of skidding.
It uses intelligent sensors to detect when a car has deviated from its steered direction, then reduces engine torque and selectively applies brakes to individual wheels to bring the vehicle back on track. It incorporates the functions of anti-lock braking systems and traction control and is particularly effective during sudden evasive manoeuvres.
An electronic stability control effectiveness study has been undertaken for Australasia by Monash University, It shows:
- Overall, a 32% reduction in the risk of single vehicle crashes in which the driver was injured
- For cars alone, it is a 27% reduction
- For SUVs alone, it is a 68% reduction.
How does it work?
Electronic stability control works by using a number of intelligent sensors that detect any loss of control and automatically apply the brake to the relevant wheel, putting your car back on the intended path.
Electronic stability control is of assistance to the driver in:
- correcting impending oversteering or understeering
- stabilising the car during sudden evasive manoeuvres
- enhancing handling on gravel patches, such as road shoulders; and
- improving traction on slippery or icy roads.
Not all electronic stability control systems are identical. The hardware is similar, but there are variations in how electronic stability control systems are programmed to respond once loss of control is detected.
Naturally, the degree of effectiveness of electronic stability control is dependent upon the amount of traction between the road and the vehicle. Therefore a vehicle with old, worn or inappropriate tyres (eg: non winter tyres on ice and snow), will have the effectiveness of electronic stability control and other control systems reduced, compared to a vehicle with new tyres or tyres specific to a road environmental condition.
Electronic stability control has many different names including:
- Active Stability Control (ASC) - Mitsubishi
- AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC)
- Controllo Stabilita (CST)
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) - Ford, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover
- Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) - Volvo
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP) - Holden, Audi, Chrysler, Mercedes, Saab,Volkswagen
- Interactive Vehicle Dynamics (IVD)
- Maserati Stability Programme (MSP)
- Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
- Precision Control System (PSC)
- StabiliTrak
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) - Subaru, Nissan
- Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)
- Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) - Honda
- Vehicle Stability/Swerve Control (VSC) - Toyota, Lexus.
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