ESP secrets uncovered

Did you know only 1% of those surveyed identified ESP as an active - corrective - safety system?

The life saving potential of ESP has been confirmed by several scientific studies.

• Toyota have concluded ESP could reduce driving accidents by 50%.
• Daimler-Chrysler reported a 42% reduction in accidents since introducing ESP as standard on Mercedes-Benz in 1999.
• VW think it could reduce fatal accidents by 35%.
• German studies show 25% of all injuries are due to skidding.
• 60% of fatal accidents are due to side impacts caused by skidding.
• American studies revealed a staggering 67% reduction in single SUV accidents - yep they have accidents all by themselves - when fitted with ESP.

Renault describe how ESP works in the event of under steer or over steer, and when avoiding obstacles. How ESP ensures the control of the vehicle’s correct path. It’s an option on the New Renault Clio and Renault Modus. So there’s something in it when they say these cars can have the equipment of large luxury cars.

ESP was developed in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz who were the first to launch it in 1995 in their S-class. Bosche have since refined the system.

Don’t be confused with manufacturers trying to differentiate themselves with different names for the what is the same system. They may call it DSC, PSM, VSA or VSC but it’s ESP.

Components of ESP from Bosche are:

• ESP-Hydraulic unit with integrated ECU.
• Wheel speed sensor.
• Steering angle sensor.
• Yaw rate sensor with integrated acceleration sensor.
• Engine management ECU for communication.

Bosch call it the electronic guardian angel

They describe critical manoeuvres with and without ESP.

Vehicle without ESP:

1. Vehicle approaches an obstacle.
2. Vehicle goes of course, enters oncoming traffic lane and driver loses control.
3. Counter steering causes the vehicle to go into a skid.

Vehicle with ESP

1. Vehicles approaches an obstacle.
2. Vehicle threatens to break away. ESP intervenes and restores full steerability.
3. Counter steer results in threat of renewed breakaway. ESP intervenes again
4. Vehicle is stabilized.

Bosche say the Electronic Stabilty Program (ESP) supports the driver in nearly all critical driving situations. It detect skidding instanteously and actively counteracts it. ESP goes beyond ABS and traction control systems (TCM). Sensors read desired steering direction, the vehicles rotary movement and lateral accelerations.

From this data the control unit calculates the actual movement of the vehicle, comparing it 25 times per second with the drivers desired direction. If the values do not correspond, ESP reacts instantly without any action on the part of the driver. It reduces engine power and brakes individual wheels. Skidding is counteracted and the car remains safe on its desired course.

My tip - buy it. If you haven’t budgeted for it then drop the metallic paint and buy ESP.

Now I’ve told you about ESP if you buy a vehicle without ESP then you are knowingly buying a less than safe vehicle. Strong words but I’ve been on the test track and experienced the tremendous difference it makes. And remember those safety figures, all those 50% and 60%s. A salespersons not going to push you because they just want your order. I’ve no vested interest. I don’t know if such a strong recommendation will cause you to click away. But buy it anyway for roundabout the price of alloy wheels or metallic paint.

Regards
Ralph

I've more or less said the same thing here