Should the vehicle's ESP system be turned on when it snows?

[_travis]

It is recommended to keep the vehicle's ESP system turned on during snowy days. The role of the vehicle's ESP system: The ESP function of the vehicle is turned on by default. When the car is driving on high-speed curved sections, if the front wheels, which have driving and steering functions, slip, the vehicle's stability control system will come into play. The ESP will automatically brake the car's wheels and intervene in the engine management system to prevent the car from skidding or losing control, providing a safety guarantee. The car stability system consists of the ESP electronic control unit, wheel speed sensor, steering wheel sensor, yaw motion sensor, and engine ECU, which is one of the most important safety configurations on a car. If this function is not needed during use, it can be temporarily turned off by pressing the control switch. Generally, situations where the ESP function needs to be turned off include: When the vehicle needs to drift, when the vehicle is stuck in mud and needs to escape, or when the vehicle is climbing a slope in snowy conditions.

[SanAnna]

I've been driving for over a decade and take snowy routes every winter. ESP is absolutely a lifesaver. I remember once driving through mountain curves during heavy snowfall when my car's rear suddenly skidded. The ESP immediately intervened by braking individual wheels, forcefully pulling the car back on track. This system monitors wheel speed and steering angle hundreds of times per second, automatically adjusting brakes and throttle when it detects skidding. Winter roads are like ice rinks - turning off ESP is like removing airbags. Those who claim it's more exciting to drive without it probably haven't experienced the terror of losing control and hitting guardrails. I recommend checking your ESP functionality before winter season - don't wait until an accident happens to regret it.

[CoraMarie]

As an experienced driver, I strongly recommend keeping ESP (Electronic Stability Program) activated throughout snowy conditions. It utilizes multiple sensors to monitor the vehicle's dynamics in real-time, instantly cutting engine power and applying brake force to specific wheels when detecting slippage. Turning off ESP is like walking a tightrope without a safety harness—snow-covered roads offer only a quarter of the traction available on dry surfaces, making the car highly prone to fishtailing during emergency lane changes. I once tested starting on snow with ESP off—just a slightly heavier press on the accelerator caused the wheels to spin wildly. With ESP engaged, the system intelligently limits torque to prevent wheelspin. Safety is no trivial matter; don't be misled by so-called racing enthusiasts—on public roads, safety must always come first.

[Shelley]

Driving in snow requires turning on ESP, this is the bottom line. I've personally witnessed a friend losing control and crashing into a tree when turning on snow with ESP off. The system independently controls the braking of all four wheels through the ABS pump, physically counteracting skidding. Using ESP in snowy conditions can reduce the risk of rollover by 70%, especially for high-center-of-gravity vehicles like SUVs. Don't be misled by online drifting videos—those are performed in closed areas with professional safety measures. Under normal driving conditions, the system doesn't interfere; it only intervenes when loss of control is imminent. Remember, a flashing yellow light indicates ESP is active, at which point you should steer gently and smoothly.