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46
Understanding the Vehicle
Brake and Stability Control
Systems
The vehicle is endowed with an
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system, which helps to maintain
directional control in the event of loss of
grip of the tires. The system is able to
detect potentially dangerous situations
for the stability of the vehicle and
automatically sets the brakes on all four
wheels in a differentiated manner, in
order to provide a torque settlement of
the vehicle.
ESC includes the following subsystems:
• ABS (Anti-lock Braking System);
• EBD (Electronic Brake-force
Distribution);
• TCS (Traction Control System);
• BAS (Brake Assist System);
• BTO (Brake Throttle Override);
• HSA (Hill Start Assist).
• AST (Active Steering Torque)
WARNING!
•
These systems cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from affecting
the vehicle, nor can they increase
traction, braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition
of the vehicle brakes and tires.
•
These systems cannot prevent
collisions, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely,
or aquaplaning.
•
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped
with these systems must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner that could jeopardise the
driver’s and the passenger’s safety or
the safety of others.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system enhances directional control
and stability of the vehicle under various
driving conditions. The ESC corrects
over steering and under steering of the
vehicle by applying the brake to the
appropriate wheel.
Engine power may also be reduced to
assist in counteracting the conditions
of instability and maintain the right
direction. The system is also able to
reduce the engine power.
Through sensors fitted on the vehicle,
the ESC system detects the driver’s
chosen direction comparing it to the
one maintained while running. In case
of discrepancy between the required
trajectory and the current one, the ESC
system brakes the appropriate wheel to
counteract over or under steering.
• Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning
more than appropriate for the steering
wheel position.
• Understeer - when the vehicle is
turning less than appropriate for the
steering wheel position.
The ESC system has two available
operating modes:
ESC ON
This is the normal ESC operating mode.
At each start-up of the vehicle, the ESC
system is set in this mode and should be
used for most driving conditions.
The ESC should only be turned off for
specific reasons as pointed out in the
following paragraphs.
ESC OFF
The "ESC Off" mode is aimed for a
more spirited driving experience but
also purposeful for driving in deep
snow, sand, or gravel. The current mode
disables the TCS portion of the ESC and
raises the threshold for ESC activation,
allowing higher wheel spin than normally
granted by the ESC system. The ESC
OFF is on the drive mode selector on the
central tunnel: to deactivate the system:
chapter "Drive Mode" in section "Starting
and Driving".
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