Q: How does the electronic stability control system work?

asked by on December 15, 2015

How does the electronic stability control system work?

Your car offers a number of different features designed to help make driving safer, including the electronic stability control (ESC) system. The ESC system is automatic, so you don’t need to do anything to activate it. It turns on when the engine starts, but will only activate when the computer detects some specific driving conditions. These include the following:

  • Turning too quickly
  • Aggressive maneuvering
  • Ice or other slippery conditions on the road
  • Lane changing when snow (and snow ruts) are present
  • Changing from snow to dry pavement (and the opposite)
  • Moving from pavement to gravel (or gravel to pavement)
  • While towing a trailer and taking turns

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