Electronic Stability Control: Everything You Need to Know

Electronic stability control, or ESC, is an automatic system in your car designed to help keep you on course when steering. Continue reading to learn about ESC and how this automotive safety feature works to prevent accidents by helping your vehicle go in the direction you want it to go.

• What is Electronic Stability Control?
• When is Electronic Stability Control Activated?
• How Does Electronic Stability Control Work?
• How to Operate Electronic Stability Control
• Common Problems with Electronic Stability Control
• Benefits of Electronic Stability Control
• What the Electronic Stability Control Light Means

What Is Electronic Stability Control?

Electronic stability control systems use automatic computer-controlled braking of individual wheels to assist the driver with maintaining control of the car in critical driving situations. ESC helps prevent a vehicle from “spinning out” or “plowing out” due to the loss of road traction because of slipping wheels.

The technology behind the ESC system is highly effective in assisting a driver to maintain control of the car during hard-steering maneuvers. ESC does not explicitly prevent a vehicle from flipping over. Still, the safety feature helps keep the tires on the pavement, where a car is much less likely to roll over.

ESC is marketed using many different names, including Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and several others.

When Is Electronic Stability Control Activated?

The electronic stability control system monitors your steering wheel input and helps ensure the car goes where you want it to go. ESC is activated when it detects a probable loss of steering control.

When it recognizes that the car is not going where the driver is steering, the system makes adjustments to correct the car’s course or minimize skidding during emergency evasive swerves.

ESC also comes into play when drivers in emergencies move the steering wheel too much (known as over-correcting) when attempting to control the vehicle. Well-intentioned drivers sometimes understeer or oversteer during poorly judged turns. This can happen on slippery roads or when hydroplaning and is a leading cause of single-vehicle crashes.

How Does Electronic Stability Control Work?

Electronic stability control works by modulating the engine throttle and each wheel’s brake. Like other driver aids, ESC turns on when you start your car. The technology operates in the background as it monitors steering wheel activity along with speed sensors on each wheel.

When sensors determine that the driver is losing control, the ESC system engages automatically to adjust for oversteer and understeer. It applies or eases the brakes of each wheel on the car to bring the vehicle back onto the intended path. ESC involves the traction control systems and adjusts engine power to reduce speed and apply the brakes if the driver gives too much gas.

These manipulations significantly reduce your risk of being in a rollover. They help keep the car on the road, where it is less likely to be “tripped” by something off the roadway and turning over.

• ESC increases brake pressure to one side of the vehicle to steer it gently in that direction. Results vary depending on whether and how much the front or rear brakes are applied.
• Electronic stability control does not apply hard braking or steering automatically.
• ESC estimates the direction of the skid. It applies the brakes to individual wheels asymmetrically to bring the car back in line with the driver’s commanded direction.
• The ESC system may reduce engine power or operate the transmission to slow the vehicle down.

How to Operate Electronic Stability Control

You don’t need to do anything to get your car’s ESC operating. It begins monitoring steering and speed when you start the engine.

ESC activates when it detects if a driver might be losing control of the car. The system automatically adjusts individual wheel brakes to help stabilize the vehicle during a momentary loss of control. A warning light flashes on the dashboard when your ESC activates and makes adjustments. You may feel slight jerks and lurches as the system applies the brakes and reduces engine power.

Spin-outs can happen when drivers take turns too sharply and quickly. Reduce your speed when driving, and be sure to take turns slowly and carefully. Computerized driver aids such as electronic stability control can help in dangerous driving situations. ESC is not a substitute for responsible driving habits on slippery roads.

Common Problems with Electronic Stability Control

Electronic stability control systems generally work effectively. However, issues can arise:

• Problems with your anti-lock braking system, such as worn brake linings and air or dirt in the brake fluid, can affect ESC operation.
• Tires with poor tread and those that aren’t in good condition can reduce ESC’s effectiveness. Read our tire guide to know more about them.
• A defective brake light switch can trigger the ESC light. This common problem is easily fixed with an inexpensive replacement switch.
• Steering input during high-performance driving may not always indicate the intended direction of travel. In these instances, ESC can intervene when it is unwanted.

Cost to Service ESC

Most reputable auto repair shops with the right tools can diagnose and service ESC system issues. Estimating a price to correct problems here is difficult because of many variables. For example, the cost for a new wheel speed sensor might cost $100 for one vehicle but $150 for another car. Depending on the vehicle, a replacement steering angle sensor can cost between $100 and $200 or more. On occasion, a software reset or update might fix a problem with your electronic stability control. Labor rates can also vary by vehicle make and model, as well as your region.

Benefits of Electronic Stability Control

ESC systems use steering wheel position sensors to compare the wheel’s position to the vehicle’s actual steering response. If it detects something isn’t quite right, the ESC makes minor adjustments to the brakes or engine torque to help a driver maintain control.

An automobile’s ESC system provides many benefits:

• Counteracts vehicle skidding in slippery conditions
• Helps provides corrective support in critical driving situations
• Provides valuable assistive functions for driving safety, comfort, and agility
• Helps the driver maintain control of the car overall

What the Electronic Stability Control Light Means

Your car’s electronic stability control is a valuable safety feature. A malfunctioning ESC will stop working until any issues are fixed. An ESC indicator light illuminated on the vehicle’s dashboard can mean one of several things:

• Out of control. Electronic stability control is active and operating to maintain traction and direction because it senses the vehicle is not under control.
• Malfunction. The ESC system is malfunctioning or has been deactivated. You should promptly take the car to a qualified mechanic to correct the problem.
• Slippery conditions. An ESC dashboard light may indicate that driving conditions are slippery. You should slow down to improve your control.

Things to Keep in Mind

• When the ESC light is off, your system is in ready mode.
• There is a direct relationship between your car’s ESC and its anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traction control system (TCS).
• The ESC system is most effective when the vehicle’s tires are properly inflated.
• Electronic stability control became mandatory on all passenger vehicles starting with model year 2012.

Read Related Articles on Car Safety:

• How Does Forward Collision Warning Work?
• Self-Driving Cars: Everything You Need to Know
• Do My Tires Need to be Replaced?

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published.