Should ESP be turned on or off normally?
3 Answers
ESP is normally turned on. On ordinary roads or during normal driving, drivers should not easily turn off this system. ESP analyzes the vehicle's driving state information from various sensors and then sends correction commands to systems like ABS and EBD to help maintain the vehicle's dynamic balance. The functions of ESP include: 1. Precisely controlling the braking process of one or more wheels and distributing the braking force applied to each wheel; 2. Automatically adjusting the engine's output torque to control the vehicle's speed; 3. Forcing the vehicle to generate a rotational torque around its center of mass to adjust the driving direction on behalf of the driver.
As someone who frequently commutes by car, I always feel more at ease with the ESP system turned on. It's enabled by default when the car starts and can automatically prevent tire slippage or loss of control during sharp turns. On city roads or highways, there's usually no need for manual operation. Once during heavy rain, my car almost went into a skid, but the ESP intervened and stabilized it, preventing an accident. Unless in special situations like getting stuck in snow where you might need to turn off the ESC button to free the car, it's safer to keep it on. After turning it off, a warning light appears on the dashboard—remember to turn it back on immediately after handling the situation. Make it a habit not to fiddle with the switch unnecessarily; keeping ESP on actually makes driving easier and more worry-free, while also protecting vehicle components and reducing wear. For driving on regular roads, keeping ESP on is the best choice.
As a car enthusiast, I've studied the ESP function in depth. Its full name is Electronic Stability Program, which usually activates automatically after starting the vehicle, using sensors to monitor wheel speed and dynamically adjusting braking to prevent loss of control. I've tried turning off ESP on slippery roads and found the handling noticeably unstable with a tendency to skid. With ESP on, driving is more precise and safer, especially during turns or rapid acceleration. Not all vehicles offer a complete deactivation option—some only have a sport mode. For daily driving, including commuting, I never turn off ESP, only briefly disabling it during off-roading or recreational driving, but always reactivating it afterward. Understanding how ESP works allows me to enjoy driving more while prioritizing safety.
