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'''Electronic Stability Control''' (ESC) is the generic term for systems designed to improve a vehicle's handling, particularly at the limits where the driver might lose control of the vehicle.
'''[[Electronic Stability Control|Electronic Stability Control]]''' ([[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]]) is the generic term for systems designed to improve a vehicle's handling, particularly at the limits where the driver might lose control of the vehicle.


Robert Bosch GmbH were the first to deploy an ESC system, called '''Elektronisches Stabilitätsprogramm''' (ESP®) that was used first by [[Mercedes-Benz]] and [[BMW]] in 1995. It was then introduced to the mass market by Continental Automotive Systems under the broader name of Electronic Stability Control, which is now the more common term recognized by the Society of Automotive Engineers, although individual motor manufactures use a range of different marketing names (see below).
Robert Bosch GmbH were the first to deploy an [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] system, called '''Elektronisches Stabilitätsprogramm''' (ESP®) that was used first by [[Mercedes-Benz]] and [[BMW]] in 1995. It was then introduced to the mass market by Continental Automotive Systems under the broader name of [[Electronic Stability Control|Electronic Stability Control]], which is now the more common term recognized by the Society of Automotive Engineers, although individual motor manufactures use a range of different marketing names (see below).


==Operation==
==Operation==
ESC compares the driver's intended direction in steering and braking inputs, to the vehicle's response, via lateral acceleration, rotation (yaw) and individual wheel speeds. ESC then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces excess engine power as needed to help correct understeer (plowing) or oversteer (fishtailing). ESC also integrates all-speed [[Traction Control|traction control]], which senses drive-wheel slip under acceleration and individually brakes the slipping wheel or wheels, and/or reduces excess engine power, until control is regained. ESC cannot override a car's physical limits. If a driver pushes the possibilities of the car's chassis and ESC too far, ESC cannot prevent a crash. It is a tool to help the driver maintain control.
[[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] compares the driver's intended direction in steering and braking inputs, to the vehicle's response, via lateral acceleration, rotation (yaw) and individual wheel speeds. [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces excess engine power as needed to help correct understeer (plowing) or oversteer (fishtailing). [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] also integrates all-speed [[Traction Control|traction control]], which senses drive-wheel slip under acceleration and individually brakes the slipping wheel or wheels, and/or reduces excess engine power, until control is regained. [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] cannot override a car's physical limits. If a driver pushes the possibilities of the car's chassis and [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] too far, [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] cannot prevent a crash. It is a tool to help the driver maintain control.


ESC combines [[Anti-Lock Brakes ABS|anti-lock brakes]], [[Traction Control|traction control]] and yaw control (yaw is spin around a vertical axis). To grasp how it works, think of steering a canoe. If you want the canoe to turn or rotate to the right, you plant the paddle in the water on the right to provide a braking moment on the right side. The canoe pivots or rotates to the right. ESC fundamentally does the same to assist the driver.
[[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] combines [[Anti-Lock Brakes ABS|anti-lock brakes]], [[Traction Control|traction control]] and yaw control (yaw is spin around a vertical axis). To grasp how it works, think of steering a canoe. If you want the canoe to turn or rotate to the right, you plant the paddle in the water on the right to provide a braking moment on the right side. The canoe pivots or rotates to the right. [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] fundamentally does the same to assist the driver.


==Effectiveness==
==Effectiveness==
Numerous international studies have confirmed the effectiveness of ESC in helping the driver maintain control of the car, help save lives and reduce the severity of crashes. In the fall of 2004 in the U.S., the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration confirmed the international studies, releasing results of a field study in the U.S. of ESC effectiveness. NHTSA concluded that ESC reduces crashes by 35%. The prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety later issued their own study that concluded the widespread application of ESC could save 7,000 lives a year. That makes ESC the greatest safety equipment development since [[Seatbelt Pretensioners|seat belts]], according to some experts. However, some people contend (backed up by the theory of risk compensation) that the perception of safety conferred by the ESC will encourage more dangerous driving, as seems to be the case with [[Seatbelt Pretensioners|seat belts]].
Numerous international studies have confirmed the effectiveness of [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] in helping the driver maintain control of the car, help save lives and reduce the severity of crashes. In the fall of 2004 in the U.S., the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration confirmed the international studies, releasing results of a field study in the U.S. of [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] effectiveness. NHTSA concluded that [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] reduces crashes by 35%. The prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety later issued their own study that concluded the widespread application of [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] could save 7,000 lives a year. That makes [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] the greatest safety equipment development since [[Seatbelt Pretensioners|seat belts]], according to some experts. However, some people contend (backed up by the theory of risk compensation) that the perception of safety conferred by the [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] will encourage more dangerous driving, as seems to be the case with [[Seatbelt Pretensioners|seat belts]].


==Criticism==
==Criticism==
Some driving enthusiasts, most publicly motoring journalists from enthusiast magazines, object to some of the implementations of ESC. They contend that by making it impossible to explore the dynamic behaviour of their cars, overzealous ESC systems spoil much of the fun of driving. Consequently, some manufacturers allow drivers to disable ESC systems, or provide a setting that allows greater levels of under or oversteer before the ESC intervenes. Enthusiasts have also begun to modify ESC systems to suit their preferred driving styles [http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2199/article.html].  
Some driving enthusiasts, most publicly motoring journalists from enthusiast magazines, object to some of the implementations of [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]]. They contend that by making it impossible to explore the dynamic behaviour of their cars, overzealous [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] systems spoil much of the fun of driving. Consequently, some manufacturers allow drivers to disable [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] systems, or provide a setting that allows greater levels of under or oversteer before the [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] intervenes. Enthusiasts have also begun to modify [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] systems to suit their preferred driving styles [http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2199/article.html].  


==Product Names==
==Product Names==
Vehicle manufacturers use electronic stability control systems under different marketing names:
Vehicle manufacturers use [[Electronic Stability Control|electronic stability control]] systems under different marketing names:
* [[Acura]]: '''Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)'''
* '''[[Acura]]''': Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
* [[Alfa Romeo]]: '''Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)'''
* '''[[Alfa Romeo]]''': Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
* [[Audi]]: '''ESP - Electronic Stabilization Program'''
* '''[[Audi]]''': ESP - Electronic Stabilization Program
* [[Buick]]: '''StabiliTrak'''
* '''[[Buick]]''': StabiliTrak
* [[BMW]]: '''Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), including Dynamic Traction Control'''
* '''[[BMW]]''': Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), including Dynamic Traction Control
* [[Cadillac]]: '''All-Speed Traction Control & StabiliTrak'''
* '''[[Cadillac]]''': All-Speed Traction Control & StabiliTrak
* [[Chevrolet]]: '''StabiliTrak''' (except Corvette - '''Active Handling''')
* '''[[Chevrolet]]''': StabiliTrak (except Corvette - Active Handling)
* [[Chrysler Corporation|Chrysler]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Chrysler]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[Dodge]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''  
* '''[[Dodge]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)  
* [[DaimlerChrysler]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Chrysler|DaimlerChrysler]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[Fiat]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)''' and '''Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)'''
* '''[[Fiat]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
* [[Ferrari]]: '''Controllo Stabilita (CST)'''  
* '''[[Ferrari]]''': Controllo Stabilita (CST)  
* [[Ford]]: '''AdvanceTrac''' and '''Interactive Vehicle Dynamics (IVD)'''
* '''[[Ford]]''': AdvanceTrac and Interactive Vehicle Dynamics (IVD):Dynamic Stability Control (Australian market)
* [[General Motors|GM]]: '''StabiliTrak'''
* '''[[GMC|GM]]''': StabiliTrak
* [[Hyundai]]: '''Electronic Stability Program'''
* '''[[Hyundai]]''': Electronic Stability Program
* [[Honda]]: '''Electronic Stability Control (ESC)''' and '''Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)'''
* '''[[Holden]]''': Electronic Stability Control
* [[Infiniti]]: '''Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)'''
* '''[[Honda]]''': [[Electronic Stability Control|Electronic Stability Control]] ([[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]]) and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
* [[Jaguar]]: '''Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)'''
* '''[[Infiniti]]''': Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
* [[Jeep]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Jaguar]]''': Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
* [[Kia]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Jeep]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[Land Rover]]: '''Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)'''
* '''[[Kia]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[Lexus]]: '''Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)''' with '''Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) systems'''
* '''[[Land Rover]]''': Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
* [[Lincoln]]: '''AdvanceTrak'''
* '''[[Lexus]]''': Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) with [[Electronic Stability Control|Vehicle Stability Control]] (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) systems
* [[Maserati]]: '''Maserati Stability Program (MSP)'''
* '''[[Lincoln]]''': AdvanceTrak
* [[Mazda]]: '''Dynamic Stability Control'''
* '''[[Maserati]]''': Maserati Stability Program (MSP)
* [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Mazda]]''': Dynamic Stability Control
* [[Mercury]]: '''AdvanceTrak'''
* '''[[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[MINI|MINI Cooper]]: '''Dynamic Stability Control'''
* '''[[Mercury]]''': AdvanceTrak
* [[Mitsubishi]]: '''Active Skid and Traction Control MULTIMODE'''  
* '''[[MINI|MINI Cooper]]''': Dynamic Stability Control
* [[Nissan]]: '''Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)'''
* '''[[Mitsubishi]]''': Active Skid and Traction Control MULTIMODE  
* [[Oldsmobile]]: '''Precision Control System (PCS)'''
* '''[[Nissan]]''': Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
* [[Opel]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Oldsmobile]]''': Precision Control System (PCS)
* [[Peugeot]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Opel]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[Pontiac]]: '''StabiliTrak'''
* '''[[Peugeot]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[Porsche]]: '''Porsche Stability Management (PSM)'''
* '''[[Pontiac]]''': StabiliTrak
* [[Renault]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Porsche]]''': Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
* [[Rover]]: '''Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)'''
* '''[[Renault]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[Saab]]: '''Electronic Stability Program'''
* '''[[Rover]]''': Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
* [[Saturn]]: '''StabiliTrak'''
* '''[[Saab]]''': Electronic Stability Program
* [[SEAT]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Saturn]]''': StabiliTrak
* [[Skoda]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[SEAT]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[Subaru]]: '''Vehicle Dynamics Control Systems (VDCS)'''
* '''[[Skoda]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[Suzuki]]: '''Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)'''
* '''[[Subaru]]''': Vehicle Dynamics Control Systems (VDCS)
* [[Toyota]]: '''Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)''' with '''Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)'''
* '''[[Suzuki]]''': [[Electronic Stability Control|Vehicle Stability Control]] (VSC)
* [[Vauxhall]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Toyota]]''': Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) with [[Electronic Stability Control|Vehicle Stability Control]] (VSC)
* [[Volvo]]: '''Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)'''
* '''[[Vauxhall]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* [[Volkswagen|VW]]: '''Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'''
* '''[[Volvo]]''': Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)
* '''[[Volkswagen|VW]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)


==Future==
==Future==
Electronic Stability Control forms the foundation for new advances on vehicle equipment that will save additional lives and give the driver still more control over the vehicle. The computing power of ESC facilitates the networking of active and passive safety systems on the car, creating the opportunity to address still more causes of crashes.
[[Electronic Stability Control|Electronic Stability Control]] forms the foundation for new advances on vehicle equipment that will save additional lives and give the driver still more control over the vehicle. The computing power of [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] facilitates the networking of active and passive safety systems on the car, creating the opportunity to address still more causes of crashes.


In the US, the NHTSA is currently evaluating whether ESC should be mandatory on all passenger vehicles, due to the effectiveness noted above.
In the US, the NHTSA is currently evaluating whether [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] should be mandatory on all passenger vehicles, due to the effectiveness noted above.


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Anti-lock Brakes ABS|Anti-lock Brakes]] (ABS), an earlier and less complex braking system.
* [[Anti-Lock Brakes ABS|Anti-lock Brakes]] ([[Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)|ABS]]), an earlier and less complex braking system.
* [[Traction control]]
* [[Traction Control]]
* [[Seatbelt Pretensioners|Seatbelt Safety]]
* [[Seatbelt Pretensioners|Seatbelt Safety]]


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov National Highwat Traffic Safety Administration]
* [http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]
* [http://www.iihs.org/ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]
* [http://www.iihs.org/ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]
* [http://www.safercar.gov/pages/[[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]]-EquippedVehicles-2005.htm SaferCar.gov] lists vehicles available with [[Electronic Stability Control|Electronic Stability Control]]]
* [http://www.bosch-esperience.com/ Bosch ESP-erience Site]
* [http://www.bosch-esperience.com/ Bosch ESP-erience Site]
* [http://www.bosch-esperience.com/ Bosch ESP-erience Site]
* [http://www.bosch-esperience.com/ Bosch ESP-erience Site]
Line 82: Line 84:
* [http://www.safelythere.com/ SafelyThere - Continental Automotive Systems]
* [http://www.safelythere.com/ SafelyThere - Continental Automotive Systems]
* [http://www.drivesaferamerica.com Vehicle Safety Equipment "Drive Safer America"]
* [http://www.drivesaferamerica.com Vehicle Safety Equipment "Drive Safer America"]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Car safety]]

Latest revision as of 09:20, 26 July 2009

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is the generic term for systems designed to improve a vehicle's handling, particularly at the limits where the driver might lose control of the vehicle.

Robert Bosch GmbH were the first to deploy an ESC system, called Elektronisches Stabilitätsprogramm (ESP®) that was used first by Mercedes-Benz and BMW in 1995. It was then introduced to the mass market by Continental Automotive Systems under the broader name of Electronic Stability Control, which is now the more common term recognized by the Society of Automotive Engineers, although individual motor manufactures use a range of different marketing names (see below).

Operation

ESC compares the driver's intended direction in steering and braking inputs, to the vehicle's response, via lateral acceleration, rotation (yaw) and individual wheel speeds. ESC then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces excess engine power as needed to help correct understeer (plowing) or oversteer (fishtailing). ESC also integrates all-speed traction control, which senses drive-wheel slip under acceleration and individually brakes the slipping wheel or wheels, and/or reduces excess engine power, until control is regained. ESC cannot override a car's physical limits. If a driver pushes the possibilities of the car's chassis and ESC too far, ESC cannot prevent a crash. It is a tool to help the driver maintain control.

ESC combines anti-lock brakes, traction control and yaw control (yaw is spin around a vertical axis). To grasp how it works, think of steering a canoe. If you want the canoe to turn or rotate to the right, you plant the paddle in the water on the right to provide a braking moment on the right side. The canoe pivots or rotates to the right. ESC fundamentally does the same to assist the driver.

Effectiveness

Numerous international studies have confirmed the effectiveness of ESC in helping the driver maintain control of the car, help save lives and reduce the severity of crashes. In the fall of 2004 in the U.S., the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration confirmed the international studies, releasing results of a field study in the U.S. of ESC effectiveness. NHTSA concluded that ESC reduces crashes by 35%. The prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety later issued their own study that concluded the widespread application of ESC could save 7,000 lives a year. That makes ESC the greatest safety equipment development since seat belts, according to some experts. However, some people contend (backed up by the theory of risk compensation) that the perception of safety conferred by the ESC will encourage more dangerous driving, as seems to be the case with seat belts.

Criticism

Some driving enthusiasts, most publicly motoring journalists from enthusiast magazines, object to some of the implementations of ESC. They contend that by making it impossible to explore the dynamic behaviour of their cars, overzealous ESC systems spoil much of the fun of driving. Consequently, some manufacturers allow drivers to disable ESC systems, or provide a setting that allows greater levels of under or oversteer before the ESC intervenes. Enthusiasts have also begun to modify ESC systems to suit their preferred driving styles [1].

Product Names

Vehicle manufacturers use electronic stability control systems under different marketing names:

  • Acura: Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
  • Alfa Romeo: Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
  • Audi: ESP - Electronic Stabilization Program
  • Buick: StabiliTrak
  • BMW: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), including Dynamic Traction Control
  • Cadillac: All-Speed Traction Control & StabiliTrak
  • Chevrolet: StabiliTrak (except Corvette - Active Handling)
  • Chrysler: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Dodge: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • DaimlerChrysler: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Fiat: Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
  • Ferrari: Controllo Stabilita (CST)
  • Ford: AdvanceTrac and Interactive Vehicle Dynamics (IVD):Dynamic Stability Control (Australian market)
  • GM: StabiliTrak
  • Hyundai: Electronic Stability Program
  • Holden: Electronic Stability Control
  • Honda: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
  • Infiniti: Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
  • Jaguar: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
  • Jeep: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Kia: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Land Rover: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
  • Lexus: Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) systems
  • Lincoln: AdvanceTrak
  • Maserati: Maserati Stability Program (MSP)
  • Mazda: Dynamic Stability Control
  • Mercedes: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Mercury: AdvanceTrak
  • MINI Cooper: Dynamic Stability Control
  • Mitsubishi: Active Skid and Traction Control MULTIMODE
  • Nissan: Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
  • Oldsmobile: Precision Control System (PCS)
  • Opel: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Peugeot: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Pontiac: StabiliTrak
  • Porsche: Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
  • Renault: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Rover: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
  • Saab: Electronic Stability Program
  • Saturn: StabiliTrak
  • SEAT: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Skoda: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Subaru: Vehicle Dynamics Control Systems (VDCS)
  • Suzuki: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
  • Toyota: Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
  • Vauxhall: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Volvo: Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)
  • VW: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

Future

Electronic Stability Control forms the foundation for new advances on vehicle equipment that will save additional lives and give the driver still more control over the vehicle. The computing power of ESC facilitates the networking of active and passive safety systems on the car, creating the opportunity to address still more causes of crashes.

In the US, the NHTSA is currently evaluating whether ESC should be mandatory on all passenger vehicles, due to the effectiveness noted above.

See also

External links

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