Electronic stability control

Electronic stability control (ESC) is a computer technology that improves the security of the stability of a vehicle by detecting and minimizing the skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go. Braking is automatically applied to each wheel as the outside front wheel to counter oversteer or the inside rear wheel to fight against understeer. Some ESC systems also reduce engine power until control is restored. ESC does not improve performance by turning a vehicle on the contrary, it helps to minimize the loss of control. IIHS and NHTSA, one third of fatal accidents could be avoided by technology.

Vehicle manufacturers may use a variety of different trade names for ESC:

• Acura: Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
• Alfa Romeo: Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
• Audi: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Bentley: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• BMW: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) (including Dynamic Traction Control)
• Bugatti: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Chevrolet: StabiliTrak; Active Handling (Corvette only)
• Dodge: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Daimler: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Fiat: Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
• Ferrari: Controllo Stabilità (CST)
• Ford: AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC) and Interactive Vehicle Dynamics (IVD) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP); Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) (Australia only)
• General Motors: StabiliTrak
• Honda: Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
• Hyundai: Electronic Stability Program (ESP), 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 Control (ESC)' and 'Electronic Stability Program (ESP)'
• Lamborghini: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Land Rover: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
• Mazda: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) (including Dynamic Traction Control)
• Mercedes-Benz (co-inventor): Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Mitsubishi: Active Skid and Traction Control MULTIMODE and Active Stability Control (ASC)
• Nissan: Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
• Opel: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Porsche: Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
• Renault: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Škoda: Electronic Stability Program (ESP))
• Suzuki: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Toyota: Either Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) -OR- Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM - Advanced version of the STAR Safety System found on hybrid vehicles, includes with Vehicle Stability Control)
• Volvo: Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)
• Volkswagen: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)