Can I continue driving if the ESP warning light is on?

[JoyFitz]

You should not continue driving if the ESP warning light is on, as it poses certain safety hazards. It is recommended to inspect and repair the issue immediately. The ESP system is the electronic stability program, which plays a crucial role in vehicle stability and safety. It is related to the ABS system, and a malfunction in the ESP system may also affect the ABS system. ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System, which prevents the wheels from locking up during emergency braking, allowing the driver to both slow down the vehicle and maintain control over its trajectory to avoid obstacles.

[Ramon]

Last time I was driving, the ESP light suddenly came on, which really freaked me out because ESP is the system that protects the car from skidding when turning or on slippery roads. If it fails, the car could roll over on the highway. I didn’t stop at the time, thinking I could make it home, but on a rainy day, the wheels skidded on a curve and I almost hit the guardrail—luckily, only the car body was scratched. The mechanic said this is often caused by a faulty wheel speed sensor, which might be dirty or broken, leading the system to misjudge. Fixing it can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a thousand yuan, depending on the extent of the damage. Since then, I strongly recommend that as soon as the light comes on, you should immediately slow down, pull over, and call for help or drive slowly to the nearest repair shop. Safety first—don’t try to save a little money and risk something major. An ESP warning light is no small matter.

[Elise]

I recommend not continuing to drive. Issues with the ESP system indicate the loss of vehicle stability control, which could lead to uneven brake distribution during sudden braking or sharp turns, potentially causing a rollover. Common causes include faulty sensors, module short circuits, or aging wiring, all of which increase the risk of accidents. Although the car may still be drivable, it's as dangerous as an acrobatic performance without a safety net. In my experience repairing cars, I often encounter similar cases where people take chances and end up in minor accidents, resulting in higher repair costs. It's best to immediately check the manual to locate the fuse and inspect or restart the system to see if the light turns off. If that doesn't work, drive slowly to a service center for inspection. Especially avoid driving in bad weather—don't wait for an accident to regret it. The core of safe driving is prevention.

[VonJasmine]

It's best to stop or drive slowly to get the ESP light checked, as this system controls vehicle stability and failure can easily cause skidding on slippery roads. Last time my light was on but I was in a hurry, so I reduced my speed to no more than 60 km/h, avoided sudden braking and sharp turns, and paid extra attention to surrounding vehicle distances, driving for 20 minutes to the repair shop. It might just be a minor issue like a dirty sensor or unstable voltage, which could be fixed with cleaning, but it could also be a major fault requiring part replacement. Regular maintenance should include cleaning the wheel speed sensors to avoid sudden issues. Driving is like wearing shoes - missing an anti-slip pad makes walking awkward, so getting it fixed early brings peace of mind.