How does ESP® work?

Skidding is one of the main causes of road accidents. International studies show that at least 40 percent of all fatal traffic accidents are caused by skidding. ESP® could prevent up to 80 percent of all skidding accidents. ESP® recognises if skidding is imminent and intervenes at lightning speed. The driver stays in control of the vehicle and does not get into a skid provided that the physical limits are not exceeded.

ESP® is always active. A microcomputer monitors the signals from the ESP® sensors and checks 25 times a second, whether the driver's steering input corresponds to the actual direction in which the vehicle is moving. If the vehicle moves in a different direction ESP® detects the critical situation and reacts immediately – independently of the driver. It uses the vehicle's braking system to "steer" the vehicle back on track. With these selective braking interventions ESP® generates the desired counteracting force, so that the car reacts as the driver intends. ESP® not only initiates braking intervention, but can also intervene on the engine side to accelerate the driven wheels. So, within the limits of physics, the car is kept safely on the desired track.

ESP® substantially reduces the complexity of the steering process and lessens the demands placed on the driver. ABS, TCS, and ESP® were all introduced to the market by Bosch.