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Ask Joe Mechanic: Collision Avoidance Systems, Part II

                  This week we continue collision avoidance systems coverage with information on the Asian and European brands. While information on domestic manufacturer’s systems was sparse at best, and while the same was true of many of the import brands, one stood out by offering a wealth of information.

                  Toyota Motor Corporation's Pre-Collision System (PCS), the first production forward-warning collision system, is used on the manufacturer's Lexus and Toyota brand vehicles. It is a radar-based system that uses forward-facing millimeter-wave radar. When the system determines that a frontal collision is unavoidable, it preemptively tightens the seat belts, removing any slack, and pre-charges the brakes using brake assist to give the driver maximum stopping power instantly when the driver depresses the brake pedal. Toyota launched PCS in February 2003 on the redesigned Japanese domestic market Harrier, and in August 2003 added an automatic partial pre-crash braking system to the Celsior.

                  In September 2003, PCS made its first appearance in North America on the Lexus LS 430, becoming the first such system offered in the US. In 2004, Toyota advanced the system by adding to the radar a single digital camera to improve the accuracy of collision forecast and warning and control levels. It was first available on the Crown Majesta (Avalon). In 2006, the debut of the Lexus LS featured a further advanced version of the PCS; this newer version, dubbed Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS), added a twin-lens stereo camera located on the windshield and more sensitive radar to detect for the first time smaller "soft" objects such as animals and pedestrians. A near-infrared projector located in the headlights allows the system to work at night. By using the LS's Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and electric Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), the system can change the suspension damper firmness; steering gear ratios and torque assist to aid the driver's evasive steering measures in a system known as "Collision-Avoidance Steering Support". The Lane Keep Assist system will make automatic steering adjustments to help ensure that the vehicle maintains its lane in case the driver fails to react.

Also unveiled for the 2007 model year, the world's first Driver Monitoring System was introduced on the Lexus LS, using a CCD camera on the steering column. This system monitors the driver's face to determine where the driver is looking. If the driver's head turns away from road and a frontal obstacle is detected, the system will alert the driver using a buzzer, and if necessary, pre-charge the brakes and tighten the safety belts. A later version of the Driver Monitoring System found in 2008 on the Crown monitors the driver's eyes to detect the driver's level of wakefulness. This system is designed to work even if the driver is wearing sunglasses, and at night.

Other advancements to the PCS appearing on the 2007 Lexus LS include the first rearward-facing millimeter-wave radar mounted in the rear bumper. This system adjusts the active head restraints by moving them upward and forward to reduce the risk of whiplash injuries if an imminent rear collision is detected.

                  Toyota began using Night View on the JDM 2002 Toyota Landcruiser Cygnus and on the 2003 Lexus LX 470 available in the US market. In 2008, Toyota added a pedestrian-detection feature on the Crown, which highlights pedestrians and presents them on an LCD display located in front of the driver. The latest Crown also uses a GPS-navigation linked brake assist function. The system, which is designed to determine if the driver is late in decelerating at an approaching stop sign, will then sound an alert and can also pre-charge the brakes to provide optimum braking force if deemed necessary. This system works in certain Japanese cities and requires Japan specific road markings that are detected by a camera.

In March 2009, on the redesigned Crown Majesta, Toyota again further advanced the PCS, adding front-side millimeter-wave radar to detect potential side collisions primarily at intersections or when another vehicle crosses the centerline. The latest version tilts the rear seat upward, placing the passenger in a more ideal crash position if it detects a front or rear impact.

Honda’s Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) was originally introduced as “CMS” in 2003 on the Acura brand in the U.S. and Canada. It utilizes a radar based system to monitor ahead and provide automatic braking if the driver does not react to the instrument panel warning and tightening of the seat belts. Honda had the first production system to offer automatic braking and also incorporate “E pretensioner” electric tensioning of the front seatbelts. When activated, CMBS has three stages, first being audible and visual warnings to brake. In the second stage, the “E pretensioners” activate to encourage action. In stage three, with collision imminent, all seat belt slack is taken up and automatic brake activation takes place to lessen the severity of the crash.  In late 2004, Honda also introduced an Intelligent Night Vision System, which highlights pedestrians in front of the vehicle by using an audible chime and an image displayed on the Heads Up Display.

Mazda uses a system that they have named Smart City Brake Support, which uses lasers to detect vehicles or obstacles ahead of your vehicle. This system will apply braking and cut engine power in case of impending collision, and can usually avoid a collision if the speed differential between vehicles is less than 15 miles per hour.

Nissan and Infiniti offer a laser-based system on U.S. market cars, which pressurizes the braking system for maximum brake force. The system also uses adaptive cruise control sensors for some pre-crash data.  In 2008, Subaru introduced “Eyesight” on home market Legacy’s and Outback’s. This system used two CCD stereo cameras mounted on each side of the rear view mirror. The system also has lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control functions. In 2014 all Legacy, Forester and Impreza models worldwide now have the system and it was further upgraded using cameras which can detect intense color such as brake lights for input. These systems are only available on automatic and CVT transmission vehicles.

Audi’s system (Pre-Sense Plus) works in four phases. In the first phase, the system provides warning of an impending accident, while the hazard warning lights are activated, the side windows and sunroof are closed and the front seat belts are tensioned. In the second phase, the warning is followed by light braking, strong enough to win the driver's attention. The third phase initiates autonomous partial braking at a rate of 3 m/s² (9.8 ft/s²). The fourth phase decelerates the car at 5 m/s² (16.4 ft/s²) followed by automatic deceleration at full braking power, roughly half a second before projected impact.

A second system, called (Pre-Sense Rear), is designed to reduce the consequences of rear-end collisions. The sunroof and windows are closed and seat belts are prepared for impact. The optional memory seats are moved forward to protect the car's occupants. The system uses radar and video sensors and was introduced in 2010 on the 2011 Audi A8.

Fiat’s “City Brake Control” is designed as just that, a low speed crash sensing system designed for under 20 miles per hour. The system uses a “Lidar” laser sensor at the top of the windshield to perform a three step process. First detection activates an ABS pre-charge, second step enhances hydraulic brake assist sensitivity, and finally, automatic braking and audible warnings.

Mercedes' “Pre-Safe” system was unveiled in the fall of 2002 at the Paris Motor Show on the 2003 S-Class. Using ESP sensors to measure steering angle, vehicle yaw and lateral acceleration and Brake Assist (BAS) sensors to detect emergency braking, “Pre-Safe” can tighten the seat belts, adjust seat positions including rear seats (if installed), raise folded rear headrests (if installed) and close the sunroof if it detects a possible collision (including rollover). A later version of the Pre-Safe system was supplemented by an additional function that can close any open windows if necessary.

Pre-Safe Brake, Mercedes-Benz's first forward warning collision system, introduced in the fall of 2005 on the redesigned 2006 W221 S-Class, is cooperating with simultaneously introduced Brake Assist Plus (BAS Plus) and Distronic Plus systems and provides all the functions of previous Pre-Safe system while adding a radar-based system that monitors the traffic situation ahead and provides automatic partial braking (40%, or up to 0.4g deceleration) if the driver does not react to the BAS Plus warnings and the system detects a severe danger of an accident. At the 2009 North American International Auto Show, Mercedes unveiled “Attention Assist” on the 2010 E-class, which, based on 70 parameters, attempts to detect the driver's level of drowsiness based on the driver's driving style. This system does not actually monitor the driver's eyes. Also in 2009, Mercedes added the first fully autonomous braking feature that provides maximum braking force approximately 0.6 seconds before impact.

In 2013, Mercedes updated Pre-Safe on the redesigned W222 S-class. Pre-Safe added pedestrian detection, and a system called Pre-Safe Plus uses a rear radar, which tightens the seat belts, flashes the rear hazard lights and applies braking to minimize collision occupant forces. Pre-safe, also with pyrotechnic pretensioners, will tension the seat belt just prior to the collision.

                  Volvo’s “Collision Warning with Automatic Braking” was introduced on the 2007 S80. The system is operated through a radar/camera fusion and provides a Heads-Up display warning that looks like brake lights. If the driver does not react, the system precharges the ABS and increases brake assist sensitivity to maximize driver braking. Later versions can then perform automatic braking, especially in impending pedestrian impact situations. Volvo now introduced the first cyclist detection system in 2013. All Volvo’s systems are laser based.

Ask Joe Mechanic: Collision Avoidance Systems

         A collision avoidance system is an automotive safety system designed to reduce the severity of an accident. Please note what that statement said, it is designed to reduce the severity, not prevent or avoid an accident. The reason for this is because, number one, by the time the system takes over control, and there is a high likelihood that an accident can no longer be avoided. Number two; the system is limited in its capabilities of what it can do in the very brief time that it has to react to the situation. These systems are also known as pre-crash systems, forward collision warning system or a collision mitigating system.  The systems use sophisticated technologies such as radar, laser, cameras and ultrasonic sensors to gather and store information of an imminent crash. Once the detection is done, the systems analyze and compute the data and either warns the driver of an imminent collision, or the vehicle will take independent action by braking, steering or both.

            Since 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been working independently, along with cooperative efforts with Euro NCAP to study whether to make frontal collision warning systems and lane departure warning systems as mandatory safety equipment on all vehicles. In 2011, the European Commission made a determination to require Advanced Emergency Braking Systems on all commercial vehicles of new design introduced after November 2013, and for all new vehicles built after November 2015 in the European Union. Their impact assessment at that time determines a possibility of saving 5000 lives and 50,000 serious injuries per year across the European Union.

            In 2012, an IIHS study found that two particular collision avoidance systems seemed to hold the biggest promise for immediate benefits. First, autonomous braking where the car would brake on its own if the driver does not react to avoid an impending collision, and second, adaptive headlights which would shift the headlights in the direction that the driver steers. Surprisingly, it was felt that at that stage of development, lane departure systems did not appear to be helpful, and in some cases, even harmful. This shows that even these new safety systems, designed to make our cars safer for us to operate, can sometimes over think, and need to be reigned in somewhat until technology catches up.

The technology in this category is changing almost every month. New models are being added almost every week, and the features and how the systems operate are constantly evolving. Some of the brands have actually gone to entirely new operating systems as they have determined that what they were using is being deemed obsolete. Because of this, much of the information that is available online is already out of date and not reliable. This is a feature that if you want more information, it is best to research online with the manufacturer’s website, if they post the information. Much of this information is closely guarded and not readily available to the average person as it is highly technical and most manufacturers are afraid of corporate spying.

            This week, I will give what basic information I was able to obtain on two domestic manufacturers, Ford and General Motors, and although Chrysler has its own system, I did not find any available information on the basics of how it works.  Ford’s Collision Warning with Brake Support was introduced in 2009 on the Lincoln MKS and MKT and on the Ford Taurus. The system provides a warning through a heads up display that appears resembling brake lights. If the driver does not react to the signal, the system will pre-charge the ABS braking and increase the brake assist sensitivity to maximize driver braking. Ford’s Obstacle Avoidance technology employs a mix of sensors including a camera behind the rearview mirror to scan for vehicles, pedestrians and obstacles and will steer away if the driver does not take action. Ford is currently working with a number of European automakers on a newer version of this system, which is much more sophisticated, using three radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors and a new camera able to scan out up to 650 feet.

            GM’s collision alert system is featured on the 2012 GMC Terrain, among other models, and uses camera technology to scan if there is a vehicle ahead or a lane departure.  The 2013 Cadillac ATS, XTS and SRX models feature low-speed automatic braking.  The 2014 Chevrolet Impala uses radar and camera based information to detect a possible threat and alert the driver. If the driver does not react or reacts too slowly, the system will intervene and apply braking to avoid a collision. The system will alert to forward collision, lane departure, and side blind zone alert and will indicate with LED signals on the dash or outside mirrors.

In the next post, I will address the systems by European and Asian manufacturers.

Ask Joe Mechanic: Current Recalls

We will return to our regular content next week.  This week will again feature the most current recalls that are listed on www.nhtsa.gov.  If after reviewing the recalls below, you discover that you own an affected vehicle, please contact your local dealer at your earliest convenience.  Your dealer will be able to tell you how to proceed with your automobile. 

This Week’s (11/4/14) Recalls:

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 hybrid vehicles manufactured December 10, 2012, to June 25, 2014, and Infiniti Q70 hybrid vehicles manufactured November 7, 2013, to May 7, 2014. Due to a software error, the electric motor may stop working while the vehicle is being driven using the electric motor only.  The stall-like condition that occurs when the electric motor stops working may increase the risk of a crash.

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 hybrid vehicles manufactured October 16, 2013, to January 27, 2014, and Infiniti Q70 hybrid vehicles manufactured November 7, 2013, to December 10, 2013. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with transmissions whose housings were damaged during their manufacturing.  The damaged housings could crack and fracture, creating road debris and disabling the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Sienna, and Highlander and model year 2015 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.  A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ram ProMaster vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 22, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may fail to learn the locations of the individual sensors while the vehicle is being driven. As a result, the low tire pressure warning light will illuminate, despite the the tire pressures being within specification. Should one of the tires lose air pressure, the driver would not be notified of the change in air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."  If the TPMS light illuminates because the sensors cannot be located, it could mask an actual low tire pressure condition, possibly resulting in tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.  If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Dodge Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2013, to April 11, 2014. Due to an issue with the software for the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM), the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) may be disabled.  If the ESC is disabled during certain driving situations, the driver may not be able to adequately control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured June 2, 2013, to June 28, 2014, and 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 30, 2012, to April 30, 2014. Due to a fault within the Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module, the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags may be disabled. The malfunction indicator light “MIL” should illuminate to initially warn drivers of a failure.  If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates use of the passive restraint system.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Outlander vehicles manufactured December 15, 2006, to October 31, 2007, and April 16, 2008, to August 22, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction causing the brake lights to not illuminate during brake application.  Brake lights that are inoperative would not warn other drivers that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ask Joe Mechanic: The Importance of Recalls

This week, I am departing from my regularly planned article. The reason for this departure is due to the second major vehicle recall this year and one that could possibly be the greatest recall in the history of the auto industry.  I am speaking of the airbag recall.  Unfortunately, this recall could potentially affect over 30 million vehicles.

How can you know if your vehicle is involved in this or any other recall?  Well, every week I try to include in this column, whatever new recalls have been posted in the previous week.  This is something that I take very seriously and have since day one of writing the Ask Joe Mechanic column.  I like to keep our readers informed of all auto-related subjects.

Or, it is quite simple to find out online if any of the vehicles that you own have outstanding recalls posted against them.  No matter how old the recall may be, as long as it is still considered open – meaning the manufacturer is obligated to make a repair if you bring the vehicle to the dealer.  Generally, that means any safety recall posted in the past fifteen years. All you have to do is go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, www.nhtsa.gov and you enter the VIN number of your vehicle.  After doing so, the site lets you know if there is anything that you need to have taken care of with your particular vehicle.   

Please, for your safety and the safety of other drivers, visit this website and check on each and every vehicle that you own.

Ask Joe Mechanic - Getting Ready for Winter

The seasons are changing so it is time to start thinking about getting your vehicle ready for winter. There area number of things that sometimes get overlooked which are very important and can be very expensive to repair.  This is a good time of the year to have your car serviced. If you drive an average number of miles per year, about 12,000 or less, you need to have your car serviced at least twice a year.  Fall and Spring are excellent times to do this as it allows you to prep your car for winter’s cold and summer’s heat respectively. If you are not a “do-it-yourselfer,” and take your car to a reputable shop, they will most likely already be checking these things for you, but it never hurts to make sure.

            In addition to the normal oil and filter change, it is very important to check your tires. Check your tire pressure first of all. You should always inflate your tires to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for your type of usage. Most vehicles have a label either on the driver’s door or doorjamb, if not, the information is in the owners’ manual. Do not just go by the maximum pressure marked on the tire sidewall, as this may not be suitable for your vehicle. A tire that is a few pounds low on air pressure can cost you 2 to 3 mpg.  At $3.50 per gallon, nobody wants to waste gasoline!

            When you are checking your air pressure, look for signs of abnormal tire wear. A tire that is worn on just the inside or outside edge is usually a sign of an alignment problem. If the tires are worn on both the inside and outside edges, this is usually a sign they have been run underinflated. If the center of the tire is worn down with good tread on the edges, this is a sign of either the tires being overinflated or having tires that are too wide for the wheels on the vehicle. This is seen most commonly on 4WDs.

            While your car is on the lift having its oil changed, your technician can give your tires a good professional lookover, and if necessary, do a tire rotation for you.  If he does a tire rotation, while each wheel is off, he can do a visual brake check to make sure your pads do not need replacement.

            When you get under the hood, there are quite a number of things that should be checked. Always check your antifreeze for fill level and condition. If your antifreeze is discolored, especially if it is rusty colored, you should have the system drained and flushed and refilled with new antifreeze. If you are not having the coolant changed, you should have it tested to make sure the level of protection is sufficient for your area. For our region, that should be at least -35 (F) degrees, because you never know when in your travels you could run into a cold pocket of air in a valley.

            Another item often overlooked until the first good freeze is your windshield washer solvent. Because people often add water over the summer, when the weather turns cold, I have seen many washer reservoirs frozen solid. It is important in the fall and winter to add full strength washer solvent to give maximum protection.  If the reservoir freezes and cracks, it can be expensive to replace because in most new vehicles it is not in a very easily accessible location and so may involve some significant labor to replace it.

Also, examine your belts and hoses. Check belts for proper tension and also for visible cracks. If your belts are older than 5 or 6 years old, it is a good idea to get them replaced.  It is not fun to get stuck on the side of the road with a broken belt on some cold morning.  As far as hoses, look for cracks or if they are bulging or have a spongy feeling near where they connect to the radiator or engine, if so, they should be replaced.

It’s also extremely important to know the status of your vehicle’s battery.  Make sure it doesn’t appear corrosive around the battery posts and cables.  If present, corrosion needs to be thoroughly cleaned off.  While cleaning, be careful not to get it on your skin, clothes or in your eyes. If your battery is not a sealed unit, the electrolyte level should be checked and add distilled water to bring it to the proper level if needed.

A few other items you may want to verify for proper operating condition are front and rear defrosters, your vehicle’s heater and if it has heated seats, making sure they’re in good working order.  If you check these items, your automobile should be pretty well prepared for winter.  However, do remember that problems can arise quickly, and without warning, so, if your vehicle suddenly starts acting differently, get it to the shop!  It may be nothing, but it is much better to be safe than sorry and sitting alongside the road in a disabled vehicle.

Ask Joe Mechanic - Electronic Stability Control

          Electronic stability control is known by quite a number of names including electronic stability program, dynamic stability control, Stabilitrak, Advance Trak, and more. No matter what name it has, this feature has one purpose, to aid the driver in recovering from an uncontrolled skid or wheel spin.

            As early as 1987, BMW and Mercedes Benz were working with and perfecting their first traction control systems for introduction. While traction control does not aid the driver in steering, it is an integral and very necessary part of the system.  Applying brakes to an individual wheel as needed and also modulating the throttle can control wheel spin. By 1992, BMW had made this feature standard across its entire model line.  The same year, Mercedes, with the help of Robert Bosch, co-developed a system that they called Elektronisches Stabilitatsprogrammen or Electronic Stability program, trademarked as ESP, designed to control lateral slippage. Mercedes introduced the system on its S Class models in 1995. BMW introduced their Robert Bosch manufactured version later that same year on their 7 Series models. At the same time, other manufacturers were working on their own systems; GM introduced Stabilitrak, a version of ESC, on certain Cadillac models in1997.  By 2007 it was standard equipment on all models except certain commercial vehicles. Meanwhile, Ford introduced Advance Trak on certain models in 2000, and by 2008 it was standard on most models.

In 1997, during a simulated moose avoidance test in Germany, a test driver rolled a small A Class Mercedes at a speed of only 47 mph. Mercedes, with their commitment to safety, recalled and retrofitted 130,000 A Class cars with ESP at no cost to their owners. This resulted in a significant reduction in the number of crashes and showed the importance of the feature. As a result, the European Union made ESC mandatory on all new cars built by January 1, 2011, and by January 1, 2014; any older model not equipped or retrofitted with ESC may not be re-sold by a licensed dealer in any European country.

In North America, Ford and GM announced all vehicles would be equipped with AdvanceTrak and Stabilitrak respectively by 2010 while Toyota offers it standard on all models in 2009. As of the 2012 model year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires that all vehicles be equipped with ESC.  They are investigating placing the requirement on truck tractors and certain busses, but that is not finalized.

ESC combines a yaw rate control with anti-lock braking and traction control. Yaw is the rotation of an object around a vertical axis, in other words spinning to the right or left. To enable the system to recognize the problem, in other words the skid, requires a number of sophisticated sensors.  The first sensor is a steering wheel angle sensor. This sensor determines the rotation of the wheel and determines the direction that the driver was intending for the vehicle to travel.  The yaw rate sensor determines the rotation rate of the vehicle, or what direction the vehicle is actually turning.  A lateral acceleration sensor or accelerometer measures the speed of the skid. The ABS wheel speed sensors measure the speed of each individual wheel.  A hydraulic modulator measures and regulates the amount of braking pressure to an individual wheel, which differs from the ABS braking. This system can generate additional hydraulic and/or vacuum pressure as needed for just one or more wheels.

The electronic control unit (ECU) receives all the inputs from the sensors and systems and then analyzes and computes a course of action to counteract the uncontrolled state of the vehicle. Often this is incorporated into the same unit that controls the ABS and traction control, through a Controller Area Network. This is interfaced into the ABS, Traction Control and the engine ECU’s so as to not give any contradictory signals.

Many ECS systems have an override switch so that the driver can disable the ESC under certain conditions such as deep snow, driving on a beach or if a smaller spare tire had to be installed. Some systems also had a limited mode which raises thresholds so that drivers can performance drive their vehicle at or near its limits. Also, systems are designed to reset to turn on the next time the vehicle is started.  ESC only intervenes when it senses a possible loss of steering control, when the vehicle is not traveling in the direction that the driver is steering it. Examples of this are situations such as during an emergency evasive maneuver, hydroplaning, or an understeer or oversteer during poorly judged turns on slippery roads. The system could also activate in an unwanted way during high performance driving because the steering input may contradict the direction of travel such as during drifting.

The system can work on an surface from dry pavement to a frozen lake, often correcting a skid much faster and more effectively than the typical driver, sometimes even before the driver senses loss of control. This has led to some concerns about drivers becoming overly confident of their vehicle’s ability or their driving skills. Because of this, when the system activates, an indicator light illuminates on the dash to let the driver know that the vehicle’s handling limits have been approached. Some even offer an audible warning tone if the driver puts the vehicle into a dangerous situation.

ESC manufacturers emphasize that the system is not designed as a performance enhancement or a safe driving enhancement, but rather to help a driver recover from a bad situation. ESC does not increase traction or enable faster cornering, but it will enable better cornering. A reckless maneuver such as severe hydroplaning due to excess speed in deep water or trying to negotiate a turn at a speed the car is not capable of safely negotiating.

When the steering sensor and the yaw sensor send contradictory signals, the ECU pulls up the individual wheel speeds, the gradient and if equipped, the roll angle signals. The ECU quickly analyzes the signals and sends out the corrective signals, whether it being a separate braking application, throttle retarding or other corrective action. This is accomplished by the computer inputting the signals into a preloaded mathematical control algorithm and compensation signals being sent out depending on the severity of the departure from the baseline numbers.  

As far as cost and effectiveness, it is estimated that the cost of the ESC technology over and above a car equipped with ABS and TCS is about $125-250. This is a small price to pay for a system that can reduce crashes by about 35 percent and by 67 percent in SUVs. An IIHS study concluded that ESC reduces the likelihood of fatal crashes by 56 percent and single vehicle rollovers by 75-80 percent. This could translate into 3500 to 5500 lives saved each year.