In our car there are several mechanisms that protect our safety. Some of them can be removed by pressing a button, but the DGT recommends that we do not disable these systems and we will see why.
Safety is one of the main characteristics of our cars. Beyond speed or its consumption, producers have very much in mind the protection they must give to drivers and passengers.
exist multitude of systems that visibly protect us, how can they be airbags or seat belt. But there is also others that work at a mechanical level, working so that we do not lose control at the wheel.
The ESP (or Stability Control Program) is one of the most important. It allows the vehicle to maintain stability when making sudden maneuvers, avoiding an obstacle or in a tight turn.
The system consists of a microcomputer that controls the electronic control unit, a hydraulic unit and a set of sensors: steering angle, wheel turning speed and lateral acceleration.
These sensors are checked 25 times per second to check that the direction of the car (and its wheels) corresponds to the actual direction in which the vehicle is moving. If both addresses do not match, ESP is activated.
In these cases, the intervention of the brakes begins, which will use a different force on each side, depending on the direction. You can also reduce the speed of the vehicle to maintain the stability of the car.
They save many lives and make driving safer, but many cars have the ability to override this system. Some models have a button with the initials or with a symbol of a car followed by several lines.
Pressing this button deactivates a system that makes our vehicle safer in optimal conditions. Dispensing with it is only advisable in two specific situations:
- Soft or slippery floors. Excess water or mud forces us to make maneuvers that ESP prevents us from doing normally. In a slippery environment the direction of the car can vary from the one we take and we need to be able to do this to be more safe.
- Snow and chains.- Snow is the extreme water condition for driving, so ESP should be disabled. Driving on chains is only done in snowy places, so you must also remove the stability control to be able to control the car in these difficult situations.
It is not a tip on the air. According to the studies, ESP has saved 6,000 lives since it was implemented for the first time in 1995. In addition, since 2011 all new cars have this system and some 30,000 accidents have been avoided.
Travel safe and do not disable ESP under normal and proper conditions. It can save your life and that of those who go with you. Drive with caution and remember that it is always more important to get to your destination than to do it quickly.