How does electronic stability control (ESC) maintain vehicle stability?

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is designed to improve vehicle safety by enhancing stability during dynamic driving situations. It does this primarily by predicting potential understeer or oversteer, which are conditions where a vehicle may lose traction and fail to respond to steering inputs as intended.

ESC uses a combination of sensors to monitor the vehicle’s direction and speed, as well as the steering input from the driver. If the system detects that the vehicle is beginning to skid or that there is a risk of losing control—such as during sharp turns or slippery conditions—it reacts by selectively applying brakes to individual wheels. This braking action helps to bring the vehicle back under control, effectively managing the balance of forces acting on the vehicle.

In contrast, approaches like altering tire pressure, raising the suspension, or increasing engine output do not directly contribute to the stability functions provided by ESC. Judicious example, modifying tire pressure impacts traction but is not an immediate response mechanism in maintaining stability. Similarly, raising the suspension might change the center of gravity but does not address skidding or loss of control situations. Increasing engine output can even exacerbate instability if it causes the wheels to lose traction. Therefore, the ability of ESC to predict and mitigate the risks of understeer or oversteer