By Gene Markel
Technical Editor

Driving skills and Electronic Stability Control
One of the first things a novice driver asks is: “Do I turn into the skid or away from it?” With Electronic Stability Control, this decision is made for us. When a vehicle begins to skid during a cornering maneuver, the skilled driver steers into the direction of the rear wheels and modulates the throttle to control the skid. Electronic Stability Control program (ESC) operates with no action on the part of the driver. When activated the stability control program reduces engine rpm and applies braking to the appropriate wheels to eliminate the skid.

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) program uses the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) to maintain vehicle stability in a cornering maneuver. The ESC program requires the communication between the Engine Control Module (ECM) a...