ESC Light: All About Electronic Stability Control
June 17th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
Electronic stability control (ESC) is a revolutionary technology in newer cars. It helps keep a vehicle on course and reduces the risk of accidents and collisions caused by oversteering or understeering.
What Is Electronic Stability Control?
Electronic Stability Control helps prevent a car from “spinning out” or “plowing out” due to a loss of road traction. If this happens, your car’s ESC light will appear on the dashboard.
Spinning out, or oversteering, occurs when a driver takes a curve that’s too sharp for the car’s speed, causing them to lose control and cause the vehicle to spin uncontrollably.
Comparatively, plowing out, or understeering, can occur when a driver enters a curve while accelerating or braking. In this situation, the front wheels lose traction after passing over ice, oil slicks, or other adverse road conditions, causing the driver to lose control. The driver must correct the understeering to avoid an accident or collision.
ESC automatically applies brakes to individual wheels of your car, preventing your vehicle from spinning out or plowing out. The technology cannot increase road traction, but it helps you keep your vehicle under control during extreme maneuvers.
What Is ESC in a Car?
Your car may have ESC, and you might not realize it. ESC kicks in so quickly that you won’t feel the need to correct your steering while driving.
Vehicles with ESC have speed sensors on each wheel. The technology ensures that individual wheels can brake as needed.
In addition, ESC features a control unit that tracks your car’s steering wheel angle and rotation around your vehicle’s vertical axis. The control unit collects steering and rotation information so it knows the direction you’re traveling.
The system may detect that your car is about to go in a different direction than indicated by the steering wheel. If it does, it automatically applies the brakes to the appropriate wheel. The result: you’re better equipped to maintain control of your car and avoid a spin–out or plow–out.
What Does Electronic Stability Control Do?
ESC helps keep your car stable. It reduces the risk of losing control when you make sharp turns or perform emergency steering maneuvers.
Benefits of Your Vehicle’s ESC
Here’s a quick overview of why your car’s Electronic Stability Control is essential:
- Improves vehicle stability during sharp turns
- Reduces risk of spin-outs and plow-outs
- Increases driving safety in adverse weather conditions
- Automatically applies brakes to individual wheels
- Complements other safety systems like ABS
- Helps maintain control on slippery surfaces
- Alerts with ESC light for issues
- Reduces accident rates
Although ESC can help lower your risk of spin–outs and plow–outs, it won’t necessarily stop your car from rolling over. It also won’t apply hard braking or steer your vehicle automatically.
What Happens If My Electronic Stability Control Light Stays On?
So what does ‘service ESC’ mean when the words light up on your dashboard while driving? Well, it may mean one of several things.
Sometimes, the ESC light switches on briefly if your car is actively trying to maintain traction control. If it stays on for an extended time, your ESC may be malfunctioning, or the system may be manually deactivated.
A malfunctioning ESC will stop working until any issues are fixed. If your ESC was manually deactivated, there’s a button in your car that will reactivate it. If you’re unsure about the button’s location in your vehicle, consult your owner’s manual.
Can You Drive With the ESC Light On?
Yes, you can drive even when the ESC light is illuminated. Just remember that the light informs you that the Electronic Stability Control system has either malfunctioned and needs fixing or it’s actively working.
If the latter is true, the road conditions may be wet or icy and will likely destabilize your vehicle, making it more susceptible to skidding or losing control. You’ll need to drive with more caution.
To maintain stability, slow down, start braking earlier, and make smooth, gradual movements with the steering wheel and brake pedal. It’s also best to keep a greater distance between you and other vehicles so you’re less likely to collide with them if you lose control.
Your Car’s Electronic Stability Control Light: 3 Things You Need to Know
If you’re driving your car and your ESC light is off, your ESC works correctly. But you must still know how to manage your car’s ESC properly. So, here are three things you need to know about your car’s ESC that will help you do just that.
1. There’s a direct correlation between your car’s ESC and its anti-lock braking system (ABS).
ABS helps prevent your car’s wheels from locking up so you can steer your vehicle to safety in an emergency. Like any car’s braking system, ABS must be monitored and maintained regularly. If you encounter any issues with your car’s ABS, they may also impact your vehicle’s ESC.
If you have your ABS repaired, ask your mechanic to check your ESC, too. A quick check allows you to keep your ABS and ESC working together when you drive.
2. ESC works most effectively with proper tire inflation.
Underinflated or overinflated tires can impact your car’s ability to grip the road. They can also affect the performance of your car’s ESC. Generally, it helps to check your car’s tire pressure at least once a month. You can find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle either printed on a sticker in your vehicle’s driver-side door jamb or your owner’s manual.
3. ESC is a requirement for all new cars.
If your car was made after Sept. 1, 2011, it’s equipped with ESC. Since then, the feature has become a requirement for all new vehicles.
While ESC makes all modern cars safer, you must prioritize safe driving regardless of road or weather conditions. Stick to speed limits, keep your vehicle in good shape, and stay alert to reduce the risk of spin-outs, plow-outs, and rollovers.
Remember, no technology replaces responsible driving. Your commitment to safety protects you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road. Drive smart, stay safe, and consider ESC as your invisible co-pilot, ready to step in when things get a little hazardous on the road.
If you need to fix a malfunctioning ESC system or other vehicle features, turn to Fix Auto USA. Schedule service at any one of our convenient locations today.
