What is ESC for cars and what does it stand for
Electronic Stability Control was one of the first, and most effective, safety systems aimed at preventing accidents happening in the first place rather than, like airbags or seatbelts, reducing the severity of injuries.
It’s so effective it’s been fitted as standard on all new cars since 2014.
Antilock braking systems have been around for a long time and help you maintain maximum braking effort and full steering control in an emergency, without skidding. ESC builds on the capability of antilock brakes.
What is ESP and is it the same as ESC?
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is a safety feature designed to help you maintain control of your vehicle by reducing the risks of skidding or loss of traction.
When you're driving sensors on the vehicle are used to detect any loss of control of the vehicle. The system may apply the brakes to one or more of the wheels independently, to help the driver regain control.
If you ever hear ESP and ESC being used interchangeably it’s because they’re the same thing.
What does ESC do?
Many accidents are the result of a loss of control of the vehicle, most commonly if a bend is taken too fast or there is a sudden need for immediate evasive action. Most drivers find it difficult to recover from a slide or spin.
With ESC, wheel sensors can detect the beginning of a slide and small amounts of braking can be applied automatically to individual wheels to regain stability. Here’s why ESC is important:
- The risk of an accident is lower for cars fitted with Electronic Stability Control
- ESC still relies on the car's basic braking system and tyres it isn’t a substitute for careful driving
- It won't be able to prevent all accidents, particularly if you’re driving much too fast or road conditions are extreme
Vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control are 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without. ESC can also:
- Reduce crashes involving a vehicle skidding or overturning by up to 59%
- Offer additional benefits in adverse road conditions, such as wet or snowy weather
As ESC is an important safety feature, you should always make sure it is up to date and in working condition in your car. Without it, you put yourself at greater risk of accidents and other dangerous incidents on the road.
What does ESC not do?
ESC is a safety feature designed to help drivers maintain control of their vehicle, but it does have limitations.
Maintaining a safe speed, keeping good distance from other cars, and avoiding sudden manoeuvres are all safe driving practices. ESC shouldn’t be thought of as a substitute for these. It doesn’t guarantee your car won’t get into an accident, but it can significantly reduce the risk of one occurring.
ESC can’t bend the laws of physics. If a driver enters a corner at a high speed, even an activated ESC can’t prevent the car from losing control. So, continue to practice safe driving practices on the road.
Another factor that can affect the ESC system are your car tyres. If the tyres are in poor conditions or have low tread this will affect the performance of the ESC.
Why may ESC need to activate?
Simply put, ESC may need to activate in situations where your car is at risk of losing control due to factors such as:
- Oversteering or understeering
- Slippery road conditions
- Sudden changes in direction
For example, when you’re driving on wet or icy roads, the wheels may lose traction and cause the car to skid, the light will come on for a couple of seconds and then it’ll go off. ESC can detect the loss of traction and apply the brakes to specific wheels to help you regain control. If you make a sudden evasive manoeuvre or oversteer, ESC will help stabilise the vehicle and prevent it from spinning out of control.
The goal of ESC is to prevent accidents by keeping your car stable and under control.
What is the ESC Warning light?
When there’s a problem with the ESC in your car, the dashboard warning light will come on. If this light is on, it means the ESC system is disabled or malfunctioning. This could be due to a range of issues such as:
- Faulty sensors
- Issue with the tyres
- Malfunctioning brake system
- Damaged battery
- Problems with the computer system that controls ESC
If you see the ESC warning light on, it’s important to get the system checked by a qualified mechanic. Driving with the warning light on may increase the risk of an accident. Especially in slippery or challenging driving conditions where ESC is important for maintaining control of the car.
The ESC warning light looks like this:
Is it safe to drive with the ESC light on?
It’s not recommended to drive with the ESC warning light on because you won’t get the help needed in challenging driving conditions. Driving with the ESC light on can increase the risk of accidents, especially in conditions where it’s needed to maintain control of the car.
Have your systems properly checked out by a qualified mechanic to address any issues causing the warning light to come on. This will help prevent the chance of accidents or problems on the road.
What happens when ESC fails?
Your ESC can fail. This isn’t ideal but it’s possible, especially if the system becomes disabled or is malfunctioning.
Effects of a failed ESC system:- Difficulty maintaining control of the car
- Increased risk of skidding or losing traction, and rolling especially when going around corners
- Increased likelihood of accidents
- Reduced effectiveness of other safety features such as the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) or Traction Control System (TCS). These systems may rely on the ESC system to function correctly
If your ESC system fails, it’s important to get it checked out immediately.
Should I get ESC serviced?
When the ESC service required message appears, it means there’s a problem with the system that could potentially affect its ability to perform. The ESC system only needs to be looked at when a fault occurs, and the warning light is on. Issues can vary, from a malfunctioning sensor to a problem with the brake system or computer control unit.
The ESC system doesn't need servicing like you would service a car and the cost of repairs vary, depending on what part is causing the issue. This is why it’s important to keep up with the overall health of your car.
Buying a new car and understanding manufacturers different specifications
Many car manufacturers fitted ESC as standard or as an option before 2014. All have their own names or acronyms, which can make comparing specifications difficult.
All of these mean the same thing:
- ESP Electronic Stability Programme
- ESC Electronic Stability Control
- VDC Vehicle Dynamic Control
- DSC Dynamic Stability Control
- VSA Vehicle Stability Assist
- ASC Active Stability Control
- DSTC Dynamic Stability and Traction Control