Is Anti-Skid the Same as ESP?
2 Answers
ESP is a system designed to prevent skidding and fishtailing, ensuring stable vehicle control. Below are detailed explanations: 1. Operational State: It only forcibly intervenes via computer control under extreme conditions, adjusting power output and braking as needed. Under normal driving conditions, there is virtually no difference between having ESP activated or deactivated. When the vehicle remains under control, the system stays in standby mode, continuously monitoring driving conditions. It activates only when incidents like fishtailing or skidding occur. 2. Types: (1) Four-wheel braking force is applied independently in a four-channel or four-wheel system. (2) Braking force can be individually applied to the two front wheels in a dual-channel system. (3) A three-channel rear system simultaneously applies braking force, capable of separating the two front wheels and applying braking force.
I did a lot of research on this when I bought my car before. Strictly speaking, anti-skid isn't actually ESP, but people often mix up the terms. ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program, which is essentially a comprehensive system that integrates anti-skid functionality. I've driven on slippery roads during rain or snow - whenever the tires start spinning or the car body begins to skid sideways, the system immediately intervenes by adjusting power and applying brakes. That's the anti-skid function at work. However, ESP has broader responsibilities - it also handles issues like understeer/oversteer during sharp turns or body sway during emergency lane changes. Nowadays, automakers use various names for these systems - some call it ESC, others VSC - but at their core, they all work by using sensors to monitor steering wheel angle and wheel speed, then taking control when they detect anything abnormal. If you turn off ESP, you're basically disabling the anti-skid function too.
