Electronic stability control system ESP (Audi A4 B6)

The vehicle's stabilization to the possible physical limits is provided by the electronic stability control system ESP. This electronic program is not designed to compensate for possible weak points in the chassis, it is created with one goal: to further increase the active safety of the vehicle. Thanks to this program, the vehicle remains controllable even in critical situations.

ESP constantly monitors the vehicle's course; this system starts working when critical situations arise in terms of driving dynamics, when the vehicle begins to get out of control.

The ESP system works on the basis of the electronic anti-lock braking system ABS, in addition, it includes the anti-slip system ASR. While ABS and ASR act in the longitudinal direction, ESP affects the dynamics of movement in the transverse direction. This possibility became possible thanks to the so-called yaw rate sensors. Experts call yaw the angular movement of the car relative to its vertical axis.

If the car starts to tend to go around a curve, ESP brakes the wheel on the outside of the curve for a fraction of a second before the rear of the car starts to skid outwards. If the car understeers, for example when the front wheels hit a slippery patch of road, ESP intervenes on the rear axle. As a result, the rear wheel on the inside of the curve is braked and the car returns to a neutral course.

Electronic stabilization does not interfere with the driver. Although ESP constantly monitors the vehicle's driving mode, in the range of stable dynamics it operates in the background, i.e. unnoticeably for the driver.

By the way, the ESP system can be switched off by pressing a button. However, this option is primarily intended to switch off the ASR in certain situations. When the system is switched off, a yellow light comes on the speedometer.

[The original text is available on the website AUDIMANUAL.RU]