Noticed the “service electronic stability control” light on your dash?
This isn’t a warning to ignore.
Your vehicle’s electronic stability control (ESC) system, also called electronic stability program (ESP), is key to road safety. It helps prevent skidding and rollovers by detecting vehicle instability.
But how does the ESC do that?
And why is that warning light suddenly on?
We’ll explain how the ESC system works, why the service ESC light might come on, and whether it’s safe to keep driving when it does.
This Article Contains
- What Is Electronic Stability Control (ESC)?
- When Does the Electronic Stability Control System Activate?
- What Does the ‘Service Electronic Stability Control’ Light Indicate?
- 10 Causes that Trigger the Service ESC Warning Light
- Is It Safe to Drive with the Service ESC Warning Light On?
- 5 FAQs about ESC
What Is Electronic Stability Control (ESC)?
The ESC is a computer-controlled system in modern vehicles that helps correct oversteering or understeering. It activates when you start your vehicle, but only engages when there is a loss of traction or directional control.
Here’s how it works:
The electronic stability control system manages traction by controlling individual wheels and regulating throttle and engine power. For example, if the vehicle is skidding to the right, ESC may apply braking to the left-side wheels to steer it back in line.
To do this, the ESC system gathers vehicle information from different sensors around the car and measures the yaw (sideways movement). These include:
- Vehicle speed sensor: This magnetic sensor generates an analog signal equivalent to the vehicle’s speed.
- Lateral acceleration sensor: It tracks the vehicle’s lateral acceleration, especially during cornering. The electronic stability control uses the vehicle speed and lateral acceleration sensors to assess vehicle behavior and applies individual brakes to one or more wheels. The suspension system also uses this sensor to maintain vehicle stability.
- Steering wheel position sensor: Also known as the steering angle sensor, it tracks the steering wheel’s position and rotation to determine the direction of travel.
- Yaw rate sensor: This sensor tracks the vehicle’s rotation around its vertical axis to detect skids. The ESC system uses this vehicle information to correct the course.
So, when does this system spring into action?
Keep reading!
When Does the Electronic Stability Control System Activate?
Even though the ESC system is always active in the background, the system only engages under the following conditions:
- Slippery roads: The ESC light activates when the road conditions are slippery due to snow, rain, or ice to avoid collisions or skidding.
- Over-correction: The ESC light is triggered when you steer the vehicle more than required. This is called over-correction and can happen during fast turns.
- Sudden maneuvers: When you suddenly hit the brakes or swerve the car to avoid a collision, the ESC system works to correct the sudden change in movement, causing the light to come on.
- Bad turns: Another common trigger for the ESC light is when the vehicle turns at a bad angle (too sharp or too fast) and begins to oversteer.
- Hydroplaning: This occurs when the car’s tires no longer touch the road because of excessive water between the two surfaces. The ESC system activates to help avoid skids or accidents.
When any of these conditions are encountered, you’ll notice the ESC light flashing as the Electronic Stability Control system is actively working to maintain vehicle stability.
However, if the light stays on even after regaining traction, it could mean that the ESC is manually disabled or that the ESC system is malfunctioning.
On the other hand, seeing the “Service Electronic Stability Control” message on the dashboard definitely points to an issue that needs attention.
Let’s understand it in more detail.
What Does the ‘Service Electronic Stability Control’ Light Indicate?
An illuminated service ESC light means the ESC system isn’t working correctly, and you should get it fixed. This can be due to faulty wires, bad sensors, or damaged control modules.
It’s best to seek professional help in this situation since it involves working with complex electronic components. The light should turn off once the mechanic resolves the issue and the ESC system is working correctly.
We’ve covered why the ESC light might be flashing — now let’s dive into what triggers a static service ESC light.
10 Causes that Trigger the Service ESC Warning Light
If you see a static service ESC warning light on your car’s dashboard, it could indicate one or more of the following problems:
- Faulty sensor: When any of the sensors, like the vehicle speed sensor or yaw rate sensor, malfunction, the ESC system can act up, and the service ESC warning light can turn on.
- Faulty wiring: Wires connect the vehicle’s computer to the various sensors. If these wires are damaged or a fuse blows, the service ESC warning light can come on.
- Issues with the steering angle sensor: A steering angle sensor gauges the angle of steering, and if it’s faulty, it may result in a malfunctioning ESC.
- Alignment issue in the wheel: Rough terrain, such as potholes and uneven roads, can damage the car and cause wheel misalignment. This misalignment is a common reason for illuminating the service ESC warning light.
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction: The ABS can malfunction due to low brake fluid, a problem in the sensors, or wear and tear on the brake pads. This can cause the ESC system to underperform and trigger the warning light.
- Software glitches: Bugs and defects are common in any electrical system and can affect the ESC system.
- Low battery level: Sometimes, the service ESC warning light can also trigger when a fuse blows or the battery is low.
- Faulty brake light switch: If the brake light switch breaks or isn’t working properly, it can reduce the ESC system’s performance.
- Bad tire condition: If the car’s tires are old or have worn-out tread, they can decrease the efficiency of the ESC system.
- High-speed driving: Sometimes, the ESC system can’t accurately gauge the vehicle’s steering control input or direction at high speeds, and activate when not needed.
Wondering if it’s safe to drive with an active service ESC light?
Let’s find out.
Is It Safe to Drive with the Service ESC Warning Light On?
It’s not advisable to drive with the service ESC light on, as it indicates an issue with the ESC system. If you encounter adverse driving conditions or bad roads, you can get into an accident without the ESC system in working condition.
So, take your vehicle to a skilled mechanic as soon as you notice the warning light.
Next, we’ll review some general queries related to the ESC system.
5 FAQs about ESC
Here are the answers to some common questions about the ESC system:
1. What Are the Benefits of ESC?
Here are some advantages of having a functional ESC system in your car:
- Provides corrective measures during sudden maneuvers
- Helps improve highway safety by counteracting skidding and loss of traction
- Assists the driver to easily regain control in bad driving conditions
The ESC system has different names depending on the model or vehicle type, such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).
NOTE: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety constantly highlights the importance of implementing ESC in all modern vehicles as it’s a critical safety feature.
2. How Much Does it Cost to Fix the Service ESC Light?
Repairs for electronic stability control systems can vary based on your car’s model. Still, on average, fixing the service electronic stability control warning light can cost anywhere from $100 to over $1,000, depending on the cause.
For example, a minor issue, such as replacing a faulty brake light switch, can cost between $80 and $100, while fixing a faulty wheel speed sensor can cost about $200.
3. Can You Manually Turn Off the ESC?
Yes, some vehicles allow you to switch off the electronic stability control manually by holding down the dedicated switch for three to five seconds.
The dashboard may display an “ESC OFF” warning light when the ESC is deactivated.
4. When Should You Reset the ESC System?
Here are a few conditions that require you to reset electronic stability control systems:
- Suspension repair: It’s important to recalibrate and reset the ESC system settings if the suspension system is repaired or replaced.
- New parts: If you repair or replace parts of your car linked to the ESC system, such as the sensors, steering wheel, tires, or braking system, it is essential to reset the system.
- New driving conditions: If you’re driving in extreme conditions such as snow, mud, or steep mountain regions, the ESC system’s output may need to be recalibrated or reset for better performance.
5. How Are ESC and Traction Control Related?
Although the ESC and traction control are two separate systems, they work together.
ESC helps keep your vehicle stable during sharp turns, sudden swerves, or slippery road conditions. To do this, it relies on other systems, including traction control and the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
In many modern vehicles, traction control is actually a built-in function of the ESC system. However, it may also be available as a standalone feature.
The traction control prevents wheel spin during acceleration by using sensors shared with the ABS. It does so by either reducing engine power or applying braking force.
If you see a “TRAC CNTL” or “TRAC CONTROL ACTIVE” indicator light on the dashboard, it means the traction control is working to keep your tires gripping the road.
Maintain Your ESC System with AutoNation Mobile Service
Ignoring the service electronic stability control warning light could put your road safety at risk. Whether it’s a faulty sensor, an alignment issue, or a bad brake light switch, it’s best to leave the diagnostics and repairs to certified professionals.
With AutoNation Mobile Service, you get expert car care in your driveway. We offer convenient mobile repairs, upfront pricing, and a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty.
Book a service with us today to save the hassle of going to a repair shop.