In which of these dangerous situations on the road does a car equipped with the so-called ESP, i.e. the electronic stability program perform well?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
C. In the case of a necessity to overcome several consecutive turns.
Explanation
The question is about the ESP system, that is, electronic stability control. Of the situations listed, it works best when taking several bends one after another - answer C. Keeping a constant speed (A) is the job of cruise control, and driving uphill (B) does not require stabilising the vehicle's line.
A series of bends is a situation in which a car most easily loses stability: when the direction of steering changes quickly, the mass of the body leans first to one side and then to the other, and the delayed swaying can throw the rear of the car outwards on the second curve - this is how you go into a skid when avoiding an obstacle or on a winding road. ESP monitors the steering angle and the actual rotation of the car, and when they start to differ, it brakes a selected wheel and limits the engine power, damping the swing of the rear and guiding the car along the line the driver wants. You can recognise it working by the flashing warning light with the symbol of a car and skid marks. Do not treat ESP as an invitation to drive fast - when it activates, it is a sign that you are driving at the limit of grip and must slow down.