How does the ESP work?

[TuckerFitz]

ESP works by: sensor signals determining the driving state, and through calculations, the control unit performs optimal control. When rotation, understeer, or oversteer occurs, it individually controls each wheel to improve vehicle stability, and controls indicator and warning lights based on the vehicle's condition. ESP (Electronic Stability Program) is an active safety system, a non-independent system built on top of other traction control systems. Its control steps are: 1. The ECU determines the driver's intention and analyzes the vehicle's movement state; 2. When there is a significant deviation between the driver's intention and the vehicle's movement, the hydraulic pressure control device adjusts the braking force of each wheel separately, and adjusts the engine output through the communication circuit connected to the engine to prevent accidents.

[DelPresley]

That day in heavy rain, the car almost fishtailed while taking a high-speed corner, and the dashboard suddenly beeped—it was really startling. Later, I learned it was the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) stepping in, acting like an experienced driver helping you brake! The car has several 'eyes': wheel speed sensors constantly monitor the rotation of all four wheels, the steering angle sensor remembers how much you've turned the wheel, and the yaw sensor detects if the car starts 'dancing.' When the computer notices wheel speeds mismatching or the rear end sliding, it instantly applies brakes to individual wheels to straighten the car. For example, during a fishtail in a left turn, it aggressively brakes the right front wheel to stabilize the front—way faster than human reflexes. The system even tells the engine to ease off the power, all in just fractions of a second. Now you know why they say never turn off ESP when driving on highways in the rain!

[JaxsonFitz]

Anyone who's driven a go-kart knows how overwhelming it is to handle skids with just hands and feet. That's exactly what ESP does for you! This system works in three parts: The monitoring team uses sensors to track wheel speed, steering angle, and vehicle dynamics; the decision-making team (the computer) calculates 100 times per second—if it detects a wheel spinning faster than its peers, it knows a skid is coming; the execution team immediately applies targeted braking to that wheel, like aiming a hose at a spinning tire to slow it down. Even smarter, it can also reduce engine torque. Ever experienced wheel spin when starting on snow? ESP applies a few quick brake taps to transfer power to the wheels with grip, way more efficient than left-foot braking. Now you get why it's mandatory in Europe and the US, right?

[LeMartin]

For beginners, the scariest moment is when the car suddenly loses control. ESP is like an invisible bodyguard. It works through smart helpers all over the car: the sensor in the steering wheel knows where you want to go, the sensors on the wheels monitor where the car is actually heading, and the gyroscope in the chassis detects any body sway. When the computer detects excessive differences in wheel speeds or excessive tail sliding, it immediately instructs the hydraulic module to apply brake pressure individually to the slipping wheels. It's like when you're about to slip on ice and instinctively use your foot to regain balance. The system also reduces engine output to assist, completing the entire process in just 0.1 seconds. Ever felt the wheels suddenly jerk and regain traction when entering a snowy garage ramp? That's ESP working its magic behind the scenes!