ESC for normal road cars is being touted as an important safety feature http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Stability_Control . Even considered more important than airbags by some researchers. Do any dopers know if ESC is of much use in a location like California where driving conditions are usually very good where rain is rare. Also if anyone knows where I can find details of what vehicles come with ESC as standard that would be appreciated as well.
From http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx?contentid=4023137
This is an excerpt from a Consumer report article on auto safety.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Electronic stability control takes electronic traction control a step further. This system helps keep the vehicle on its intended path during a turn, to avoid sliding or skidding. It uses a computer linked to a series of sensors—detecting wheel speed, steering angle, sideways motion and yaw (spin). If the car starts to drift, the stability-control system momentarily brakes one or more wheels and, depending on the system, reduces engine power to keep the car back on course.
ESC is especially helpful in providing an extra measure of control in slippery conditions and accident-avoidance situations. With tall, top-heavy vehicles like sport-utilities and pickups, it can also help keep a vehicle from getting into a situation where it could roll over.
Volvo has taken stability control a step further with Roll Stability Control (RSC) in the XC90. It uses gyroscopic sensors to determine roll angle and roll speed to determine if roll over is eminent. If so, it triggers the standard stability control system and instantly reduces power and brakes the necessary wheels to bring the vehicle back under control.
Electronic stability control started on luxury cars and has been catching on for the past few years. To confuse matters, automakers each have a proprietary name for their stability control systems (see the accompanying table). To help consumers identify the system in a vehicle’s features list, the Society of Automotive Engineers has asked that all manufacturers use electronic stability control or ESC, as common terminology when referring to their stability-control systems. Consumer Reports supports this announcement, and feels it will help consumers know what they are buying. If in doubt whether a car has it, find out before you buy.
DECIPHERING STABILITY CONTROL
Stability control helps keep a vehicle from skidding sideways. Automakers give their systems a confusing array of names, including the ones listed below:
MAKE STABILITY-CONTROL SYSTEM NAME
Acura Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
Audi Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
BMW Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Buick Stabilitrak
Cadillac Stabilitrak
Chevrolet Active Handling System
Chrysler Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Ford AdvanceTrac
Infiniti Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
Jaguar Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Land Rover Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Lexus Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Lincoln AdvanceTrac
Mercedes-Benz Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Mercury AdvanceTrac
Oldsmobile Precision Control System
Pontiac Stabilitrak
Porsche Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
Saab Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Subaru Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
Toyota Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Volkswagen Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Volvo Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC)
Consumer Reports’ auto experts highly recommend stability control where it’s offered. But it does have its limits: You can’t just speed into a curve and expect the system to bail you out. Taking any corner too fast could compromise the system’s ability to keep the vehicle on course.
Even though the stability control is good for consumer/ordinary drivers, it is NOT a good thing for most racing type cars.
In a show I saw about ferrari’s the guy said the stability control felt out of place and he lost control more than he did when it wasn’t turned on.
Is there a good resource for finding which particular models of cars have ESC, my attempts to talk to salesmen shows that they don;t know what ESC is. Also is ESC available as an after purchase add on for many makes of cars, and what sort of price does such an add on cost?