Electronic Stability Control
What is electronic stability control?
Electronic stability control (ESC), standard in all vehicles as of 2011, helps drivers maintain control of their vehicle during extreme steering maneuvers by keeping the vehicle headed in the driver’s intended direction, even when the vehicle nears or exceeds the limits of road traction.
How does it work?
ESC uses automatic braking of individual wheels to prevent a vehicle’s heading from changing too quickly (spinning out) or not quickly enough (plowing out). ESC cannot increase the available traction, but it can maximize the possibility of keeping the vehicle under control and on the road during extreme maneuvers by steering the vehicle in the direction intended by the driver. Note: ESC happens so quickly that drivers do not perceive the need for steering corrections.
What types of crashes does it prevent?
When you attempt an extreme maneuver (for example, to avoid a crash or because a curve’s severity has been misjudged), you may be unfamiliar with handing the vehicle as it nears the limits of road traction. This can result in a loss of control, with either the rear of the vehicle “spinning out” or the front of the vehicle “plowing out.”Spinning Out
The rear of a vehicle begins to slide because the driver has entered a curve that is too extreme for the speed of the vehicle.
In the animation above, two vehicles—one traveling behind the other—have entered a left curve that is too extreme for the speed they are traveling. In the ESC-equipped lead car (blue), the ESC system immediately detects that the vehicle’s direction is changing more quickly than appropriate for the driver’s intended direction. ESC momentarily applies the right front brake (see arrow) to alter the direction of the vehicle back to the correct path.
Plowing Out
The front of a vehicle begins to slide because the driver has entered a curve nearing the limits of the road traction.
In the animation above, two vehicles—one traveling behind the other—have entered a left curve and have neared the limits of road traction. In the ESC-equipped lead car (blue), the ESC system immediately detects that the vehicle’s direction is changing less quickly than appropriate for the driver’s intended direction. ESC momentarily applies the left rear brake (see arrow) to alter the direction of the vehicle back to the correct path.
Does NHTSA recommend electronic stability control?
This technology is standard equipment on all new vehicles as of September 1, 2011.Vehicle Safety Technologies
