Stability control

Updated 28/10/2024

Your car has stability control systems in place that can help to prevent skidding.

Electronic stability control

Electronic stability control1 consists of several sub-features that can apply your car's brakes automatically to prevent skidding when the car detects a loss of traction or steering control. To do this, ESC applies the brakes to each wheel individually. When this intervention happens, the symbol for ESC flashes in the driver display.

Your car's stability control includes several other features, such as:

Anti-lock braking system2	The car's anti-lock braking system prevents the brakes from locking up during hard braking. This improves braking performance and manoeuvrability and helps with stabilising the car.
Trailer stability assist3	TSA can intervene if snaking is detected when you are towing a trailer.
Spin control and traction control	These features act to prevent the wheels from slipping against the road surface when you apply acceleration.
Engine drag control4	Helps with preventing wheel locking during engine braking on slippery surfaces.
Roll stability control	Reduces the risk of overturning in certain situations, for example during a sudden evasive manoeuvre or if the car skids.

Stability control malfunction

If your car notices a stability control malfunction, it will notify you with a symbol and a message in the driver display. The message and symbol depend on the nature and severity of the detected fault. If the electronic stability control symbol is continuously shown instead of flashing, this could indicate a stability control malfunction.

Be sure to read and follow any instructions in the message. It is recommended to address any ESC malfunctions as soon as possible, although it is possible to drive the car with disabled ESC.

Tip

Some ESC malfunctions may only be temporary. You can try turning your car off and then turning it back on to see if the message persists. If the message disappears, the malfunction was only temporary.

Warning

Stability control features are supplements to safe driving practices. They do not reduce or replace the need for the driver to stay attentive and focused on driving safely. Drive the car with the same attention to safety as required by a car without the ability to intervene.