Should ESP be turned on or off when driving on the highway?

[DeAustin]

Under normal driving conditions, ordinary car owners should not easily turn off the ESP system. The ESP system has the following functions: 1. ESP analyzes the vehicle's driving state information from various sensors and then sends correction instructions to systems like ABS and EBD to help maintain the vehicle's dynamic balance. ESP can keep the vehicle in optimal stability under various conditions, with more noticeable effects in cases of oversteering or understeering; 2. ESP is a very important function in a car's active safety system. It may silently assist the owner in emergency situations. However, owners should not blindly assume that ESP can make the car drive faster or have better handling; 3. ESP cannot improve the car's limits or handling, and it can only provide effective and correct intervention within a certain speed range, ensuring the car does not lose control in specific situations (such as emergency avoidance or slippery roads).

[OJessica]

Never turn off ESP on the highway because high speeds can easily lead to danger. Once when I was on a long-distance drive, my car suddenly skidded sideways on the rainy highway. Fortunately, the ESP intervened in time to help me stabilize the direction, preventing a collision with the guardrail. It acts as an invisible assistant for the vehicle, automatically adjusting braking force and power during turns or sudden stops to prevent loss of control and skidding. On highways with dense traffic, slippery roads, or during emergency maneuvers, turning off ESP increases the risk of accidents. Of course, in some off-road or recovery scenarios, it might be temporarily turned off, but the highway is a completely different world. Keeping ESP on is like adding an extra safety bumper for yourself. It’s essential to check if the ESP indicator on the dashboard is off before every highway trip. Developing this habit can greatly enhance driving confidence.

[DeBrandon]

It's safest to keep ESP on when driving on the highway. I remember when I first started driving, I was always curious to turn it off and test the effects. As a result, the car reacted excessively on a highway curve, almost causing a tailspin accident, which scared me into never tampering with it again. ESP is like a smart coach, constantly monitoring driving stability, especially during high-speed acceleration or lane changes, where it quietly adjusts tire grip. With it turned off, the wheels are more prone to losing control, and any slight unevenness in the road surface amplifies the risk. Unless you're stuck in snow or deep mud and need to get out, but those are rare situations. Normally, keeping ESP activated on the highway, along with paying attention to speed and following distance, can prevent major problems. Simply put, it makes high-speed driving more reassuring—don't risk turning it off.

[Talia]

ESP should be turned on when driving on highways. At high speeds, road conditions change rapidly. ESP automatically determines whether to stabilize the vehicle through sensors. Turning it off removes this layer of protection. Check the ESP button in your car; the indicator light should be off during normal driving. With ESP activated, it prevents skidding and rollovers on slippery roads or sharp turns, enhancing safety. Turning it off provides more direct control but carries higher risks, potentially leading to sudden loss of control. Therefore, I recommend keeping ESP on at all times during highway driving and regularly confirming its proper functioning.

[ChaseAnn]

As a new driver just starting on the highway, I also hesitated about the ESP switch issue. But experienced drivers say never turn off ESP on the highway—it helps stabilize the vehicle during emergency braking and evasive maneuvers. Turning it off might make the vehicle respond more aggressively, especially during high-speed turns, increasing the risk of skidding. Imagine suddenly slamming the brakes in traffic—without ESP, the wheels are more likely to lock up, doubling the accident risk. It's best to ensure the ESP function is enabled as soon as you start the car; if the indicator light isn't on, it means it's active. Highway safety comes first—though you can't see it, ESP can save your car in critical moments. Just make it a habit.