Vehicle stabilization, basic function

Overview

This document contains information on:

 General

 Function

General

To ensure that the vehicle can be driven safely during braking, acceleration and steering, subsystems intervene by checking, optimizing or regulating.

Function

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking up when braking and, as a result, maintains steerability and driving stability during the braking procedure. The ABS system shortens the braking distance.

Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) counteracts oversteering or understeering of the vehicle. The ESP® ensures, within the physical limits, that the vehicle follows the course specified by the driver. If the ESP® detects that movement of the vehicle is deviating from the desired course, specific individual or multiple wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. In order to increase the driving stability, the drive torque is also reduced.

Traction control

Traction control prevents spinning of the drive wheels when starting off and accelerating. For this purpose, the engine torque is adapted until the wheels grip the roadway.

Drive torque correction

The drive torque correction function acts like a kind of electronic differential lock when cornering. When cornering, a short intervention by the brake system on the inside drive wheel causes a defined inward turning of the vehicle.

Crosswind Assist

The Crosswind Assist supports the driver in the event of strong crosswinds. For this purpose, specific individual wheels are braked and the vehicle's yaw response and track offset are minimized.