What is Electronic Stability Control?
Thursday, January 29th, 2009Electronic Stability Control or ESC or Vehicle Stability Control or VSC is defined as “A computerized technology that improves the safety of a vehicle’s handling by detecting and preventing skids”.
In layman’s terms it simply means it either detects or prevents skids and helps the driver regain and/or keep control when driving on slippery roads or during a sudden, panicked swerve.
Essentially, when the system detects a loss of control in steering, the system automatically applies individual brakes to individual wheels to counter either oversteering or understeering. Based on studies, ESC can reduce fatal single vehicle crashes by as much as 56%.
In 1959, Mercedes Benz invented a system that stopped the wheels from spinning at the transmission, brakes and engine level. In 1987, Mercedes Benz introduced the Traction Control System., a system that controls both acceleration and braking. This was later followed by the Electronic Stability Program or ESP and ESC.
The first Mercedes Benz vehicle to be equipped with ESC was the W140 S-Class way back in 1995. Though other car manufacturers have their own versions of ESC-Mitsubishi has ASTC and VSC for Toyota, Mercedes Benz’s will always be truly heralded as the world’s first stability control system.
To find out more, talk with your Mercedes dealer