Trailer Stability Assist - TSA1

Function

The snaking phenomenon can occur with any car/trailer combination. Snaking normally occurs at high speeds. But, there is a risk of it occurring at lower speeds (70-90 km/h) if the trailer is overloaded or the load is improperly distributed, e.g. too far back.

In order for snaking to occur, there must be a triggering factor, e.g.:

Operation

If snaking has started, it could be difficult or even impossible to suppress. This makes the car/trailer combination difficult to control and there is a risk that you could, for example, end up in the wrong lane or leave the carriageway.

The trailer stability assist function continually monitors car movements, particularly lateral movements. If snaking is detected, the front wheels are individually braked. This serves to stabilise the car/trailer combination. This is often enough to help the driver regain control of the car.

If snaking is not eliminated the first time the TSA system comes into action, the car/trailer combination is braked with all wheels and engine power is reduced. Once snaking has been gradually suppressed and the car/trailer combination is stable once again, the system stops regulating and the driver once again has full control of the car. For more information, see Electronic stability control (ESC) - operation.

Miscellaneous

TSA can engage within the speed range 60-160 km/h.

TSA may fail to engage if the driver uses sudden steering wheel movements to try to rectify the snaking because, in such a situation, the system cannot determine whether it is the trailer or the driver that is causing the snaking.

The ESC2 symbol in the combined instrument panel flashes when the TSA system is working.