Why Shock Absorbers Are Vital to ESC
Electronic Stability Control or ESC – is an amazing on-board electronic system that helps prevent spin-outs and roll-overs. At least 40 of fatal road accidents are the result of skidding. Studies show that ESC could reduce skidding accidents by up to 80 . Fact: Most accidents that involve losing control of the vehicle occur when the vehicle is driven beyond its traction limits like during over-steer or under-steer conditions or driving too fast for the conditions. ESC senses when the vehicle is rolling or leaning too far or when the tyres begin to lose traction. It instantly reduces engine speed and applies one of the individual wheel brakes in just the right amount to keep the vehicle in control.
If a vehicle is year 2000 or newer, it may have ESC. Drivers may have ESC and not know it, since ESC is sometimes called by different names depending on the manufacturer.
A series of sensors provide vehicle operation conditions to one of the vehicle's on-board computers. When the computer determines that the vehicle is losing control, it instantly begins reducing engine speed through the engine management system and then applies the appropriate individual brake in just the right proportions to keep the vehicle in control.
21st Century Seatbelt?
Numerous studies have shown ESC is highly effective at preventing loss-of-control and fatal crashes. A recent study from the University of Cologne showed that 4,000 lives could be saved and 100,000 accidents could be avoided – if all European cars had ESC. Mercedes suggest that the installation of ESC as standard equipment on its vehicles has resulted in a 29 reduction in single vehicle crashes and 15 fewer crashes overall. Toyota studies show a 30 reduction in head on crashes.
Vehicles with ESC reduce the risk of fatal loss of control by half, and reduce rollover risk by up to 80. ESC has been described as the most important advancement in safety by automotive experts. Because of this significant reduction in road accidents and fatalities, the United States, Canada, and Australia have implemented new legislation requiring ESC in all new passenger vehicles. The EU has proposed ESC systems for new car series and commercial vehicles to be phased in from 2012, with all new cars being equipped by 2014.
Estimates suggest that 60 of all vehicles in independent service bays are 4 to 12 years old. There are scores of 10 year old ESC-equipped vehicles on the road today. Almost a third of 2005 model year vehicles have ESC and more than half of all 2007 light duty vehicles are equipped with ESC. It’s important for both motorist and technician to know whether the vehicle has ESC or not. Why? Two big reasons:
- The effectiveness of ESC is limited by the ability of the tyres and the vehicle’s suspension. If the tyres can’t grip the road, then it’s just like driving on ice and therefore, it’s important to have good tyres and suspension components that aren’t worn.
- Replacement parts (like shock absorbers) must be calibrated to perform within the vehicle’s design. Some aftermarket parts (especially low cost/low quality parts) are not as capable. These parts will affect the performance of ESC and may cause brakes to apply when you don’t want them to.
ESC-equipped vehicles, like all vehicles, require periodic replacement of brake pads, shocks and springs, tyres, and other wearable parts. Be sure to choose replacement parts that are designed to restore the vehicles originally designed handling and control capabilities. Restoring original handling and control is critical to ESC performance. Restoring designed performance is critical. Even with ESC, stopping and turning still depends on good tyre traction. Good tyre traction depends greatly on well-functioning shocks and springs. The ability of ESC to do its job can be compromised by worn, low-quality, or under-calibrated shock absorbers.
How is ESC different from ABS or Traction Control?
ABS works to prevent skidding and sliding in a straight line, and Traction Control prevents wheel slippage, but only ESC prevents vehicles from skidding during curves.
- ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is designed to eliminate the tyres from locking up or skidding during heavy braking. This helps keep traction and improves handling.
- Traction Control is designed to keep the tyres from spinning during acceleration, like on wet or icy conditions. This helps traction during acceleration.
- Electronic Stability Control is designed to slow and control the vehicle from under-steer and over-steer. It uses both ABS and Traction control advantages, along with engine management and a yaw rate sensor to know when the vehicle is going a different direction than the driver intended. This hybrid system helps avoid spin-outs and roll-overs, which in turn, saves lives.
ESC uses the same sensors as ABS and Traction Control, then adds a yaw rate sensor and in some cases a steering angle sensor. This basically results in a computer system that knows the speed of every tyre, the intended engine speed, the lean & roll of the vehicle on its axis, the intended steering direction, and when any tyre is losing traction. The ESC computer system is capable of more operational input and can make more driving corrections than any human will ever be capable of. ABS, Traction Control, and ESC all control the vehicle by modulating brakes on individual wheels in precise amounts. Unlike the others, ESC also has the ability to modulate the throttle (engine speed) and transmission.
Why Choose KYB Shock Absorbers for ESC vehicles?
- Worn shocks lose their effectiveness after 80,000 kilometres (50,000 miles).
- Low-quality aftermarket shocks are engineered and perform differently from OE. The difference in performance shifts stress and wear towards other components, like brakes and tyres.
- OEM parts do not compensate for wear and miles driven. Only KYB shock absorbers are calibrated to restore originally-designed ESC capabilities.
