Every new car sold in Europe since 2014 must be equipped with an electronic stabilization system, but not all car owners know how ESP and ESC differ, and also what the chosen option affects.
ESC (or ESP) is regarded by many as one of the greatest advances in automotive safety and motorsport in particular. The fundamental difference between the stabilization system and such traditional passive safety elements as belts and pillows is that they are designed to save lives, as well as preserve the health of the driver and passenger in an accident, but ESC (or ESP) are used.
For reference, ESC stands for Electronic Stability Control and ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program. In fact, the goals of both are the same, and research and empirical testing clearly prove their effectiveness. According to British experts, who were based on statistical data, equipping a car with ESP helps to reduce the risk of a serious traffic accident by 25%. At the same time, Swedish researchers tend to believe that this active safety system helps to reduce the likelihood of a fatal accident by 35% in bad weather conditions.
This is a gloomy prospect, which, nevertheless, should be subjected to careful analysis, which is why in Europe the mandatory equipment of all new cars with ESP was fixed at the legislative level. Such an initiative was implemented in 2014, until that moment such an important system was included only in the list of additional equipment available to fairly expensive models. At the same time, the prototype of this electronic system was patented back in 1959, and it was only possible to implement it on a mass production model by 1994.
How ESP and ESC work
With so many electronic systems installed in the car, each of which has its own abbreviation, many car owners do not understand at all what is the fundamental difference between them. Further complicating the situation is the fact that different names are used to designate active safety devices that are similar in purpose, which in most cases are determined by the manufacturer himself.
So, ESP (Electronic Stability Program) may be known as ESC (Electronic Stability Control), VSC (Vehicle Stability Control or Vehicle Stability Control), VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) or DSC (Dynamic Stability Control - Dynamic Stability Control). Some automakers use their own "brands" to promote ESP, so you may come across, for example, DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) from or PMS (Porsche Stability Management) from.
So, now we have decided on possible naming options, let's see how ESP works.
Adding a Third Safety Element to ABS and Traction Control
In order to be able to equip your car with an ESP system, it must be equipped with ABS (anti-lock braking system) and TCS (Traction Control System - traction control). In the simplest case, these two elements of active safety are designed to improve handling and predictability, as well as maintain control over the car when braking and accelerating, respectively, so their intervention in the control process is reduced to linear acceleration control.
ESP complements them and introduces a third controlled dimension, since it is responsible for moving the car in a direction perpendicular to the trajectory of movement, in which phenomena such as understeer or oversteer occur - skidding. In more advanced versions, it is in constant interaction with the electronic engine control unit in order to maximize its efficiency.
According to statistics, ESP can prevent up to 80% of skids, which is an excellent indicator, especially since about 40% of accidents occur precisely because of this phenomenon. However, it is worth recalling the words of Scotty from the movie Star Trek: "You can change the laws of physics!". Of course, the possibilities of active safety systems are not unlimited, and this should not be forgotten. If the driver crosses the line when loss of control over the car is inevitable, none of the systems currently in existence will prevent serious consequences.
Additional cornering stability with ESC
Since ESP provides additional safety along with ABS and TCS, it will hardly surprise you that it uses most of the equipment from these systems to work. Using sensors to measure the speed of individual wheels, as well as information from the lateral acceleration sensors and lateral speed sensors, the ESP control unit constantly monitors the vehicle's lateral movements and correlates them with the position of the steering wheel. If the car does not respond to the steering movement as programmed, or the set angle of rotation, as well as the speed, are too high, ESP will begin to brake the wheels, trying to maintain a straight line of motion. In this case, braking is carried out with active interaction with, which eliminates the blocking of one of the wheels. The very essence of the system in question is to begin to actively contribute to the process of driving a car even before the driver realizes that he is starting to lose control.
The system works constantly, regardless of the driving mode, and even when coasting. And the mechanism of its influence completely depends on the situation and the design features of the car. For example, if the beginning of the rear axle slippage is detected in a sharp turn, then the electronics begin to smoothly reduce the amount of fuel supplied to the engine, ensuring a decrease in its speed. If this is not enough, then the gradual braking of the front wheels begins. If the car is equipped with an automatic transmission, then ESP allows you to force the activation of winter mode, providing the ability to shift to a lower gear.
Additional benefits of ESC
Since ESC is able to brake the wheels of a car regardless of pedal pressure, it opens up a huge potential for the implementation and implementation of various other safety technologies. These include the now fairly well-known Brake Assist, designed to shorten the braking distance, which recognizes the situation of emergency braking and provides the necessary assistance to the driver. As well as Hill Hold Control, the essence of which is to help when starting uphill by braking the wheels for a couple of seconds after releasing the pedal to prevent rolling back. All this is a few steps closer to the moment when electronics will completely replace the driver.
Only a couple of decades have passed since the appearance of the first electronic stabilization system, and the ninth generation ESP has already proven itself on the market.
EVOLUTION ESP
ESP-Evolution für Pressebild 10"2014_dt und engl.ai
First, let's go back to 1978. Then, for the first time, an ABS system (anti-lock braking system) was serially installed on a car, which did not allow the wheel to completely block during braking. Thus, the driver was able to control the trajectory of movement. It is difficult to assess the importance and necessity of this system, but those who at least once in their lives, braking “to the floor”, crossed four lanes diagonally, unable to correct the direction of movement, fully realize the benefits of ABS.
Another 8 years passed, and the TCS (Traction Control System) system, an anti-slip braking system, began to be installed on cars. It prevents the wheels from spinning when starting. These systems, ABS and TCS, use the same sensors and actuators, the only difference is in the software. And finally, in 1995, the first ESP stabilization program appears. Electronics began to control not only the blocking and slipping of the wheels, but also the rotation of the car around a vertical axis - the engineers were able to curb the skidding of the car. Moreover, if the first ESP consisted of 11 elements, then in the modern stabilization system there are only four of them.
The main task of this system is that the car must go where the steering wheel is turned, while skidding and yaw are excluded. It works like this: the driver uses the steering wheel to set the trajectory of movement, the angle sensor transmits data to the control unit, along with them information from the ABS sensors, acceleration and angular rotation of the body. The last two are now combined into one housing and are placed directly on the valve body. It's easier, cheaper and more reliable.
As soon as the data from one or more sensors exceeds the critical values recorded in the database of the control unit, the program, according to the specified algorithm of actions, will begin to straighten the vehicle's trajectory. Now this can only be done with short braking pulses, braking the wheel around which the car should turn and change the trajectory of its movement. If this is not enough and corner entry speed is high, the system can choke the engine a little, thereby reducing traction on the wheels. Many active "drivers" will not like this, but for the average driver this is a good help.
2. Should I pay extra for ESP when buying a new car?
Starting in mid-2014, all new vehicles produced in Europe must have ESP as standard. Everything is not so strict with us yet: new cars that receive homologation for the first time must be equipped with this system, and if they only renew the certificate, its presence is not necessary. It should be borne in mind that if you need various assistants, such as a hill start assist system, imitation differential lock, parking assistant, etc., then electronic stabilization is indispensable. Those who do not want to drive with an "electronic collar" can be advised to choose the good old classics (before 1995), but finding such a car in good condition is now very problematic. It is even better to buy a new one, but with a switchable ESP system. An example is the Alfa Romeo MiTo model. Depending on your mood and driving conditions, you can select one of three basic settings. Dynamic - the most aggressive, the security system works at the last moment, allowing you to get complete driving pleasure. The All Weather mode is sharpened for safety, all electronic assistants work quickly and to the maximum. Natural is an intermediate setting designed for everyday driving.3. Can an ABS-equipped vehicle be retrofitted with an ESP system?
It is very tempting to buy the missing sensors, install them on a car with ABS and get a car equipped with ESP! Is it possible? After reviewing several forums, we were convinced that the “Kulibins” had not yet died out. Owners of the second and third generation Ford Focus are actively discussing the topic and sharing instructions on how to remake a car. From an economic point of view, this is a rather costly undertaking, you need to buy a new hydraulic unit, the missing sensors and tubes, and most importantly, have access to the control unit programs and install them correctly.Bosch specialists do not recommend doing such experiments: even if the wiring matches, the valve bodies and control units will still be different. Moreover, even ABS versions may differ and, accordingly, different software will be loaded in control units. In addition, other components of the brake system may differ. Reworking an active safety system in a garage can have dangerous consequences. Still, complex systems should be dealt with by specialists, not amateurs.
4. Are there any differences between ESP systems that are installed on cars of different classes?
Of course, there is, and this applies not only to mechanics, but also to software. For example, the difference between ESP 9 Plus and Premium valve bodies is in the number of pistons that create pressure: the more expensive Premium has six of them instead of two for the ESP 9 Plus. A budget car doesn't need much of what a business car can't do without. Additional options greatly affect the cost of the entire system. It's easy to imagine Renault Logan without brake drying, but the absence of this option in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class equipment list is unacceptable.5. How will security systems evolve in the near future?
The main goal for the next decade is to create a car with a fully autonomous control system and launch it into a series.
For this, there are practically all the necessary prerequisites and developments. Prototypes have already been created that can, without the participation of the driver, move in the usual flow of cars, perform various maneuvers and take passengers to their final destination. But such cars, firstly, are very expensive, and secondly, they are not yet completely reliable. At first, the autopilot will work on highways, then gradually it will be used on ordinary roads in cities. True, for this it is necessary to solve a number of problems.
Sensors providing 360 degree analysis of the environment
In fact, it is required to create a system that will analyze the environment and issue the correct solution. The first step has already been taken: active cruise control uses radar and video sensors to monitor the traffic ahead of the vehicle.
Redundant system architecture
The car will soon become much safer, it, like modern aircraft, will have various duplicating systems. This, first of all, is necessary so that the sudden failure of one of the systems does not lead to an accident.
Bosch specialists have already developed the technology of a redundant braking system. The electromechanical brake booster iBooster and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) allow you to stop the car independently of each other.
Highly accurate map data
Now the positioning accuracy of modern navigation systems lies within one meter. For a safe autopilot, the accuracy must be increased at least ten times. In addition, the actualization of maps should occur more often. Our habit of installing new signs while the road is being repaired and then forgetting to remove them can drive the car's cybernetic brain crazy. For example, when the video camera fixes the “brick”, and the navigation defines the road as one-way. Where to move then? After all, the prohibition to violate the rules of the road will be the main one for artificial intelligence.
We have listed only three problems, while there are dozens of them on the way to creating an autopilot! And yet there is hope that in ten years we will be able to leave early in the morning to the country house in a “smart” car, and on the way to sleep peacefully in the driver’s seat.
Electronic Stability Program is a dynamic vehicle stabilization system that prevents the development of a skid or minimizes it. Even if the car cannot be left on the road, it will hit the obstacle with the front bumper, and thus save the lives of passengers.
The ESP system almost constantly interacts with the anti-slip control system (ABS) and the electronic control unit of the power plant, thereby forming a single system that consists of an electronic controller and a set of sensors: wheel speed sensor, brake fluid pressure sensor, steering position sensor. This "alliance" provides counter-emergency measures. Lateral acceleration and angular velocity sensors transmit basic data to the system, based on which the side slip indicators are calculated. The system continuously monitors the speed of the vehicle, what is the current engine speed, as well as the angle of the steering wheel.
ESP plays a huge role in terms of vehicle safety. But do not forget that the possibilities of ESP are not unlimited - you cannot bypass the laws of physics, and it is impossible to foresee all possible situations on the road. Every driver must remember that ESP does not release him from the obligation to drive carefully and comply with traffic rules.
Why does a car need a stabilization system? The answer in the style of Captain Obvious is clearly begging. However, ESP does much more than just keep the car on the road...
Vehicle stabilization system
ESC, DSC, VSC, DSTC, VDC, PTM, CST ... As soon as today the marketers of automotive companies do not go out of their way, coming up with original designations for, in general, the same system - dynamic stabilization.
And it all started, by the way, exactly 20 years ago. When, in 1995, Bosch began supplying then-innovative electronics to the Mercedes-Benz brand to complete the expensive two-door S 600 Coupe. Since then, even budget small cars have acquired stability control, and almost two dozen companies around the world have launched the release of the system. Still, after all, in America and the European Union, the sale of new cars without stabilization in the basic equipment has been banned for several years now.
The first serial production with a stabilization system is the luxurious Mercedes-Benz S 600 coupe, on which Bosch's ESP appeared in 1995. However, competitors responded to this attack immediately. In the same year, BMW and Toyota introduced their variants, followed by Audi and Volvo. And today, not a single, even the cheapest, model can do without electronics for maintaining exchange rate stability in the USA and the European Union. I must say right away that in official terminology, the system for maintaining exchange rate stability is usually called ESC - Electronic Stability Control. But for simplicity, further in the text we will use exactly the historical, familiar to everyone, Bosch designation - ESP, which means Electronic Stability Program or (in German) Elektronisches Stabilitätsprogramm. It will not affect the essence of the matter.
The purpose of ESP seems to be really obvious.
It is designed to help the driver keep the car on the road when the capabilities or skills of the person behind the wheel are no longer enough for this, or if he made a mistake. At one time, novice journalists, when describing a new model, even liked to say that, they say, "a strict ESP collar prevents an experienced pilot from showing all his skills." Lies, of course, - modern stabilization will not interfere with management just like that. Although in case of danger it can do it rather abruptly and rudely.
But still, there is some truth in those amateurish words. After all, if you dig deeper, it turns out that it works on a modern ESP ... almost constantly! How so!? Let's figure it out together.
As can be seen from this diagram, the structure of ESP is slightly more complicated than that of its progenitor, ABS. All the salt of the stabilization system is in another hydraulic unit, new sensors and strong electronic connections with other machine systems First, let's understand where this very stabilization came from. In fact, ESP has become an evolutionary development of anti-lock - ABS. Indeed, on modern cars, it allows you to control the brake circuit of each of the wheels separately. The speed of their rotation is monitored by special sensors, and the control unit evaluates the situation using these signals and issues a command to the so-called modulator - a cunning block of valves and hydraulic accumulators. It is he who regulates the fluid pressure in each brake mechanism, if necessary, promptly dumping it by means of an electrically driven exhaust pump. And then one day the engineers thought - why not make this very pump work in the opposite direction? So that, when necessary, not to release the brakes, but on the contrary - to slow down one of the wheels?
The principle of operation of the stabilization system is already known to many. So we will not dwell on this in detail. And for those who are not familiar with ESP, we recommend watching this visual video - everything is clearly explained in it
No sooner said than done. So in the mid-80s of the last century, long before the debut of ESP itself, its first “side” function was born. On powerful models, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and BMW began to use Traction Control (TC), that is, an anti-slip system. Its purpose is clear from the name. But still, just in case, we recall that it works if the driver puts too much pressure on the gas, and the wheels break into slip. Then, in order to restore traction, the electronics apply the regular brakes and, if necessary, reduce the engine thrust. The algorithm is quite primitive, but effective. Probably, each of us in the winter observed a blinking yellow light in the instrument cluster - a sign of TC operation. Without it, it would be much more difficult to start on ice from a traffic light, right? Rear-wheel drive models can generally stay in place like this ...
This is how the filling of the working ESP module looks like. Isn't it impressive how much can fit in this little box? By the way, Bosch infographics clearly show that with the development of the stabilization system, its main unit became not only lighter and more compact, but also “smarter” - the microprocessor memory was steadily increasing 
But technology has moved on. And gradually, electronic control appeared not only in motors, gearboxes or brakes, but in almost every system of the car. This led to a breakthrough in the field of active safety - the emergence of a full-fledged ESP. In fact, its control unit has become the main sensory organ of the car. Information was sent here from sensors of longitudinal and transverse accelerations, steering wheel rotation, rotation about the vertical axis, pressing the accelerator and brake, wheel speed, etc., etc. The computer in real time compares the current indicators with those stored in the memory and evaluates - can, for example, this dashing carrier, with such a ride, stay on the trajectory in the turn? No? So it's time to take rescue measures.
Actually, marketers immediately found how to get hooked on it in order to attract more buyers. And they asked the engineers to put a "magic" button in the car. Depending on the purpose and type of car, the driver was allowed to either completely cut down the ESP (which is useful, for example, for SUVs), or limit its assistance. On models with a sporty bias, this makes it possible to feel like a cool drifter without fear of getting out in the first turn. And Ferrari went even further and taught its stabilization to maintain a constant skid angle - after all, since a person paid that kind of money for a supercar, he has no right to embarrass himself.
The increasingly popular active cruise control and automatic emergency braking systems would not be possible without ESP. No matter how the distance to the obstacle ahead is measured, the emergency stop command is in any case implemented through the stabilization system module. By the way, even if the driver himself reacts to the danger at the last moment, it will still be easier for him to stop. After all, ESP will increase the pressure in the system in advance and bring the pads to the discs But ESP also has other "secret" functions that the average car enthusiast usually does not suspect at all. Here is an example of a common case. A lady in colors describes to her friend how some idiot braked sharply in front of her at a traffic light. Our heroine stopped a few millimeters from his bumper. A little gape - and you have an accident. And our young lady is unaware that the ESP, most likely, worked even when braking. Indeed, as statistics show, most of us in an emergency hit the brake pedal sharply, but not hard enough. Therefore, the stopping distance is longer than it could be. And the electronics on the increase in pressure in the system sees this and activates the modulator pump. Accordingly, the brake mechanisms develop the maximum force possible for these conditions. Usually this function is called Brake Assist - braking assistant. By the way, it can help not only fragile young ladies, but also brutal men who, on dry pavement and good tires, also lack the strength to “push” the pedal until the ABS is activated.
Now I risk incurring the wrath of car dealers and marketers, because I will reveal their terrible secret. A fair amount of such driving assistants and systems, which are often included in the list of options and cost a lot of money, turn out to be ... just ESP software functions! Since no additional details are required in this case. To activate advanced features in the literal sense, it is usually enough to check the box in the system menu of the corresponding control unit. Of course, this requires a diagnostic scanner. But such things are worth a penny today, so the enthusiasts of many car clubs have put the electronic upgrade of their cars on stream.
When the brakes of a conventional road car become hot, their effectiveness drops. To prevent the driver from noticing this, ESP automatically increases the pressure in the system, pressing the pads against the discs more strongly. It turns out a kind of additional hydraulic brake booster Meanwhile, you can get very useful things almost for free. In particular, on many models of the Volkswagen concern, the XDS function is easily activated - an imitation of a dynamic differential lock. In corners, ESP will slow down the unloaded inner wheel, directing torque to the outer tire, which has better grip. Thus, you will become less likely to remember what the demolition of the front axle is.
Hill start assist can also be easily connected. In this case, when the brake pedal is released, the ESP will maintain pressure in the brake mechanisms for several seconds - until the engine thrust is sufficient for a confident start without rolling back.
Surprisingly, ESP can even measure ... tire pressure! Not directly, of course, but indirectly - with the help of wheel speed sensors. Simple math works. If the tire is flat, it means that its diameter has become smaller, so it now spins faster than others. This is monitored by the control unit. Do you suspect an air leak? The driver will immediately see a warning in the instrument cluster.
The 1997 Mercedes-Benz A-Class rollover scandal during the Moose Test in 1997 not only accelerated the introduction of ESP, but also led to the introduction of another purely software feature - rollover protection. The essence of this assistant is that the electronics monitors not only the slip itself, but also the level of lateral accelerations, which, with a given load of the machine, can lead to its overturn. Now the ROP (Rollover Protection) function has many SUVs, pickups and convertibles. Moreover, in the latest ESP, it is also responsible for activating retractable safety arches. Also indirectly, ESP is able to determine the presence of a trailer. Once the electrical connector (simply - a socket) of the “hook” is closed, it means that the car has turned into a tractor. Now the system will rebuild its algorithms in such a way as to eliminate the characteristic fluctuations of the stern and "chatter" - the electronics will simply slow down the front wheels in antiphase. Again, incredibly simple, but how useful!
Want more magic? Please! How do you like the ESP connection with the windshield wipers and the rain sensor? When they work, the electronics understands - it starts to rain, the road is wet and slippery. The braking distance will increase. In order to improve the situation at least a little, the modulator will raise the pressure in the brake pipes and begin to cyclically bring the pads to the discs, cutting off the water film on them. The driver does not even notice this, and the mechanisms are put on alert ...
The holy of holies - steering and that fell under the omnipresent eye of ESP. Imagine: the car skids, the driver starts to turn the steering wheel, but obviously misses, for example, there is not enough experience. No problem! Electronics will force the electric amplifier to prompt with impulses of effort where and at what angle to turn the "steering wheel". Overzealous? Feel the heaviness. Is the wheel lighter? So you are doing everything right. By the way, the same assistant helps with braking in mixed driving. When, for example, the left wheels were on the pavement, and the right wheels slid onto the dirt roadside. An ordinary car will immediately begin to deploy, but equipped with ESP - no.
If necessary, stabilization can also interfere with the operation of an automatic transmission, blocking shifts in it for a while so that traction surges on the wheels do not upset the balance of the car.
Various options for simulating cross-axle differential locks are an exclusively software function of ESP. That is, for its implementation, additional sensors or parts are not needed. Nevertheless, for example, this assistant helps owners of crossovers with short-travel suspensions on off-road
Even off-road ESP found a use. Have you seen how skillfully modern crossovers without hard locks cope with diagonal hanging and other difficult situations? The unloaded wheels will grind in the air a little, when suddenly the car jerks and slowly moves on. This ESP redistributes traction to tires that have better ground contact. By the way, it was the sensors of the stabilization system that made it possible to implement the preventive operation of the automatic all-wheel drive. The clutch for transmitting traction to the rear axle on modern SUVs is closed not by the fact of slipping of the front wheels (when it is sometimes too late), but by an alarm signal from the ESP unit.
There is a steep descent ahead. Activate Hill Descent Control (HDC) - assistant descent from the hill. We release all the pedals and voila! The car under a crunch of brakes smoothly and smoothly rolls down. Again, it's worth saying thanks to ESP - this is also part of her program.
Thanks to the stabilization system, almost every all-wheel drive crossover has acquired a hill descent assistant. The driver just needs to set the course with the steering wheel and release both pedals. And the electronics itself will support the desired speed and insure against a turn on the slope
And, I repeat, all this can be implemented on one aggregate base, without serious refinement of the machine's filling. In the computer world, such fantasy is called cheating, akin to entering a secret code into a game for eternal life or endless ammo. But in the automotive environment, this is not punished. In the end, we all have a common task - to win the road. Therefore, ESP really works almost always: both when starting from a standstill, and in motion, and when decelerating ... So it is already wrong to consider the stabilization system only as a means of last resort these days.
ESP: is it a whim or a necessity? Is it necessary to have this system in the car or can you easily do without it? You will learn the answers to these questions from this article.
ESP is a system of electronic stabilization or exchange rate stability. Whoever likes to be called. Different manufacturers may have different names. Twin brothers are DSTC, DSC, VSC, VDC, ESC systems.
ESP. What does it give the driver?
Safety first In the event of an emergency, the system takes the initiative and intervenes in control in a fraction of a second. ESP controls the vehicle's lateral dynamics and helps maintain directional stability. In particular, it is able to prevent side sliding and skidding, and stabilize the position of the machine. Especially when driving at high speeds and with poor traction. Of course, nothing in this world is perfect, and no one can guarantee 100% protection. But this smart assistant will help you out more than once in extreme situations.
The principle of its work is quite simple. It receives data from the ABS sensors and, if necessary, brakes the wheels.
Story
Something similar to the modern ESP was patented in 1959. The German company Daimler-Benz called such an invention a "control device". However, it was only in 1994 that the idea was put into practice. Since 1995, the ESP system has been serially installed on the CL600 coupe, and then on all S and SL cars. What is it - a whim or a necessity?
Judging by the fact that today such an option is available on almost all car models, it can be judged that the system has proven itself well. But don't buy ESP Japan. Trust the original.
ESP: What is it and how does it work?
The system is linked to the engine control unit, ARS and ABS. ESP continuously processes signals from various sensors. In particular, thanks to it receives data on the speed of rotation of the wheels. The position of the steering wheel and the pressure in the brake system are also taken into account. But the main indicators are a sensor that is calculated relative to the vertical axis, as well as a lateral acceleration sensor. It is these devices that are able to give a signal that a lateral slip has appeared along the vertical axis, determine its degree and give orders for further actions. The system constantly monitors vehicle speed, steering angle and skidding.
The controller continuously compares the actual behavior of the car on the road with that which is laid down by the program. If deviations are observed, the system perceives this as a dangerous situation and takes actions to correct it.
To return the car to its previous course, the system can give a command to force the braking of the wheels. This action is performed by the ABS hydraulic modulator, which pressurizes the brake system. At the same time, a command is given to reduce torque and reduce fuel supply.
The system works constantly - during braking, acceleration and even when coasting.
