SUV Rollovers - Electronic Stability Control with Details

Automotive protection has taken center stage, particularly as SUVs have made headlines for their tendency to rollover. For today’s clients, though, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) can make the difference. ESC can considerably lessen the threat of an SUV rollover.

ESC is an active security system that utilizes sensors to sense when a driver is about to lose control of the vehicle and automatically intervenes to provide stability and help the driver stay on the intended course, especially in over-steering and under-steering situations. Industry specialists have praised on the Electronic Stability Control as a highlight in automotive safety, in comparison to seatbelts and airbags. ESC keeps the motor vehicle on the road which aids to avoid rollovers and skids, and is thus the easy safety choice for consumers when purchasing a new vehicle.

Several researchers have conducted tests on the efficiency of ESC, and the worldwide auto safety study confirms that Electronic Stability Control does actually save lives. Five different studies projected a 30-35% reduction in single vehicle crashes thanks to ESC.

It includes anti-lock brakes (ABS) and traction control (TCS), which avoids the wheel lock while braking and wheel spin when accelerating, and goes a step beyond both systems, acting when lateral forces are at work to further reduce the risk of skidding in all driving situations.

Basically place ESC continuously measures up to the driver’s intention with vehicle’s actual behavior by monitoring:

• Wheel speeds

• Steering wheel angle

• Yaw-rate

• Lateral acceleration

• Throttle position

• Master cylinder pressure

A central microcomputer analyzes the incoming data. When unsteadiness is spotted, ESC directly activates a response to keep the vehicle on course, automatically braking any of the four wheels and/or adjusting engine torque.

ESC is accessible as optional or regular equipment in a wide range of vehicles from almost every automaker. It is a safety feature that goes by many names:

• Electronic Stability Program – ESP (Audi, Mercedes, Saab, VW)

• Dynamic Stability Control – DSC (BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar)

• StabiliTrak (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Pontiac)

• AdvanceTrac (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury)

• Vehicle Dynamics Control – VDC (Subaru, Nissan, Infiniti)

• Vehicle Stability/Skid Control – VSC (Toyota, Lexus)

• Vehicle Stability Assist – VSA (Acura)

• Precision Control System (Oldsmobile)

• Dynamic Stability Traction Control – DSTC (Volvo)

• Stability Management System (Porsche)

• Active Handling (Chevrolet Corvette)

Regardless of the confirmed efficiency of Electronic Stability Control, only 6% of all vehicles manufactured in the U.S. are equipped with it, compared to more than 30% in Europe.

The next time you’re in the marketplace looking for a new vehicle, be sure to ask for ESC!