Electronic Stability Control

[Boss Hogg]

I posted this previously on the Automotive section with no results. Perhaps someone can help me here.

I purchased a Hyundai Accent with Electronic Stability Control. I read the manuel but still have a question. The ESC is on at all times unless you cancel with the button on the dash. Then an icon shows that it is off.

My question is this: When should the ESC be turned off? I find that a shopping cart has more traction than this car in the snow or on ice. which mode should the system be in when in slippery conditions??

[magnum mike]

I don't know about your vehicle but I have a similar system on my Yukon XL. It is always on and only engages when the tires slip. The only time I turn it off is when I really need to put power to the tires in 4WD. While in traction control mode, it will not let the tires slip or spin. You can hold the pedal to the rug and it won't get over 2500 RPM. It feels like someone pulled off half the plug wires.

[JohnMickish]

I believe the intent behind turning the traction control and stability control off, is when you are playing or possibly when trying to get unstuck.

[Fish Head]

Check with the dealership?

[DANR]

Stability systems will throttle you back and cycle the brakes to keep you from spinning out in a low traction situation. If you are trying to rock yourself out of a snowdrift it will fight you. That's why the button to turn it off.

[Boss Hogg]

Thanks guys. You can always count on somebody here to give you an answer.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

It should always be on unless you are stuck.

[h8go4s]

" I find that a shopping cart has more traction than this car in the snow or on ice."

It's front wheel drive, right? With all season tires & proper inflation it should be pretty good on snow & ice. I don't get it.

[PurpleFloyd]

Good posts above on what TC is. If you are not getting good traction changing tires can make a very dramatic improvement.

[CaptainMusky]

Stability Control and Traction Control are really two completely different things.

Stability Control aids you when your vehicle gets "unbalanced" in an attempt to prevent a rollover.

Traction Control uses a system to prevent wheel spin.

Both systems can use similar features to get the desired result, but their usage is actually quite different.

I turn off the stability control on my Denali when roads are snowy/icy because when I start to slide the stability control kicks in causing me to not go anywhere or anywhere quickly. Example, when accelerating from a stop sign and turning the vehicle may slide a bit, the stability control kicks in and hampers my ability to speed up (because I pulled out in front of someone, thats another story :-) )

If I turn off the stability control I can power out, control the sliding with the fun pedal and be on my way.

[Whoaru99]

I would read that similarly but a bit differently regarding stability vs traction control...although certainly there can be some overlap.

Traction control is definitely there to mitigate wheelspin. Think of it sorta like anti-lock brakes but reversed. Both are longitudinal in nature of their action.

Stability control attempts to keep you going in the intended direction or, perhaps in some respects, from getting sideways. It's the lateral equivalent of traction control and ABS.