ESC is a system composed of various sensors, a processing unit and a hydraulic unit. The sensors consist of:
A yaw sensor,
A steering angle sensor, and
Wheel speed sensors.
Inputs from these sensors go to the microcomputer processor/electronic control unit. The processor sends signals out to the hydraulic unit that generates appropriate corrective actions to apply brakes or reduce engine torque. ESC technology provides its most effective action when you “oversteer” or “understeer” your car.
Oversteering happens when you make an abrupt steering maneuver to try and maintain control of your vehicle during a potentially dangerous situation. This might occur when you’ve dozed off and wake to find yourself drifting off the road, or when you encounter a large, unexpected stationary object in your driving path. When you oversteer, your rear wheels start to lose road traction, and your car can start to spin out of control. When your ESC system senses this loss of traction in the rear wheels, it automatically applies the outside front brake to counter the spin and potential loss of vehicle control.
Understeering occurs when you miscalculate the curvature of your intended driving path, and the front part of the vehicle starts to slide to the outside of the road. When the ESC system senses such a slide, it automatically applies the outside rear brake to try to arrest the yaw and bring your car back into its intended alignment with the road. The ESC intervention may save you from experiencing a devastating Houston car wreck.
Your ESC system should also provide some benefit in wet or icy road conditions, where it can act on the braking system to help you as you begin to lose road traction. It can help prevent the skids and slides that might lead to rollover wrecks in bad weather. Various studies of the effects of ESC technology draw differing conclusions about the benefits of ESC in non-dry road conditions. You can see the contrasting statistics by following this link.
As always, your best bet is not to rely exclusively on the safety features of your vehicle to protect you from a Houston car wreck. Your best protection is still your own responsible and alert driving. So drive aware and alert.