Electronic Stability Control

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Dodge Charger and 2010 Chrysler 300. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) enhances control and stability of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC corrects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the over/under steer condition. Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the desired path. ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.

Oversteer - When the vehicle is turning more that appropriate for the steering wheel position.
Understeer - When the vehicle is turning less than appropriate for the steering wheel position.

The "ESC/TCS" indicator light located in the instrument cluster starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active. The "ESC/TCS" indicator light also flashes when TCS is active.

The ESC can be turned off by using the ESC Off switch. When the ESC Off switch is depressed, it does not completely turn the system off. The ESC system shuts off engine management but retains brake activations for yaw control.

The SRT8 equipped vehicles have three-mode ESC functionality. When the ESC Off switch is depressed and quickly released, the system enters "partial" mode which has no engine management but retains brake activations for yaw control. If the switch is held down for a period of five seconds or longer before releasing, a chime will sound and the ESC system enters "full-off" mode which disables engine management as well as brake activations. The system can be returned to "normal" by briefly pressing and releasing the ESC Off switch. The system will default to full-on mode at the beginning of each ignition cycle.