Electronic stability control employs computerized technology to spot and fix loss of traction before skidding occurs. Sensors detect when the vehicle begins to stray off the steered path, applying brakes to individual wheels to counteract understeer or oversteer.
We’ll look at the four basic elements of this life-saving driving aid.
Main Functions of Electronic Stability Control
Here are the 4 main sensors responsible for the functionality of electronic stability control technology.
#1. Lateral Acceleration.
As the name suggests, the lateral acceleration sensor detects the force and speed at which you’re turning.
Sometimes combined with other sensors, this is the one that knows whether or not you’re oversteering or understeering your turns.
#2. Fishtail Prevention.
Fishtailing begins when your car’s rear wheels start to lose traction and is how oversteering usually happens. You may encounter this when driving on rough surfaces like roads covered with ice, snow, rain, gravel, or sand.
But lucky for you, the yaw rate sensor knows which way your vehicle is facing and that fishtailing is about to happen if you don’t get it under control!
#3. Steering Wheel Positioning.
Sometimes called the steering angle position sensor, this is how the vehicle knows which way you’re “trying” to drive.
It compares the position of your steering to which way training wheels would actually go! If that direction is off course, it lets the control module know and automatically applies braking to return the steering wheel to where it should be.
#4. Wheel Speed Sensors.
Very important in that other sensors actually depend on them, the wheel speed sensors detect the speed of each of your wheels and know how much brake power is needed under the given circumstances if you’re losing the stability of your vehicle.
Only a few years ago, electronic stability control technology was only found in luxury vehicles. These days, most of the newer cars on the road have it, and you don’t have to spend $50k to get there! Once you’ve had the experience, you’ll never want to be without it again.