69
(Continued)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) System
The ESC system improves the directional
control and stability of the vehicle in various
driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the vehicle’s under
-
steer and oversteer, distributing the brake
force on the appropriate wheels. The torque
supplied by the engine can also be reduced
in order to maintain control of the vehicle.
The ESC system uses sensors installed on
the vehicle to determine the path that the
driver intends to follow and compares it with
the vehicle’s effective path. When the real
path deviates from the desired path, the ESC
system intervenes to counter the vehicle’s
understeer or oversteer.
Oversteer
occurs when the vehicle is
turning more than it should according to
the angle of the steering wheel.
Understeer
occurs when the vehicle is
turning less than it should according to
the angle of the steering wheel.
System Intervention
The intervention of the system is indicated
by the flashing of the ESC warning light on
the instrument panel, to inform the driver
that the vehicle stability and grip are critical.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The system automatically operates in the
event of slipping, loss of grip on wet roads
(hydroplaning), and acceleration on one or
both drive wheels on roads that are slippery,
snowy, icy, etc. Depending on the slipping
conditions, two different control systems are
activated:
If the slipping involves both drive wheels,
the system intervenes, reducing the power
transmitted by the engine.
If the slipping only involves one of the
drive wheels, the Brake Limited Differen
-
tial (BLD) function is activated, automati
-
WARNING!
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. ESC cannot prevent acci
-
dents, including those resulting from
excessive speed in turns, driving on very
slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC
also cannot prevent accidents resulting
from loss of vehicle control due to inap
-
propriate driver input for the conditions.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents. The capabilities
of an ESC equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
Vehicle modifications, or failure to prop
-
erly maintain your vehicle, may change
the handling characteristics of your
vehicle, and may negatively affect the
performance of the ESC system.
Changes to the steering system, suspen
-
sion, braking system, tire type and size
or wheel size may adversely affect ESC
performance. Improperly inflated and
unevenly worn tires may also degrade
ESC performance. Any vehicle modifica
-
tion or poor vehicle maintenance that
reduces the effectiveness of the ESC
system can increase the risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
WARNING! (Continued)
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