Electronic Stability Control

2009-06-22T22:53:45Z

41.154.2.20: /* Operation */

'''[[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 [[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).

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==Effectiveness==
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==
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==
Vehicle manufacturers use [[Electronic Stability Control|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)
* '''[[Chrysler|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)
* '''[[GMC|GM]]''': StabiliTrak
* '''[[Hyundai]]''': Electronic Stability Program
* '''[[Honda]]''': [[Electronic Stability Control|Electronic Stability Control]] ([[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 [[Electronic Stability Control|Vehicle Stability Control]] (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) systems
* '''[[Lincoln]]''': AdvanceTrak
* '''[[Maserati]]''': Maserati Stability Program (MSP)
* '''[[Mazda]]''': Dynamic Stability Control
* '''[[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* '''[[Mercury]]''': AdvanceTrak
* '''[[MINI|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]]''': [[Electronic Stability Control|Vehicle Stability Control]] (VSC)
* '''[[Toyota]]''': Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) with [[Electronic Stability Control|Vehicle Stability Control]] (VSC)
* '''[[Vauxhall]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* '''[[Volvo]]''': Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)
* '''[[Volkswagen|VW]]''': Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

==Future==
[[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 [[Electronic Stability Control|ESC]] should be mandatory on all passenger vehicles, due to the effectiveness noted above.

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

==External links==
* [http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]
* [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.contitevesna.com Continental Automotive Systems]
* [http://www.safelythere.com/ SafelyThere - Continental Automotive Systems]
* [http://www.drivesaferamerica.com Vehicle Safety Equipment "Drive Safer America"]

[[Category:Technology]]

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