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Ford Taurus ESC vs. AWD

5 messages,  Last post on Oct 28, 2007 at 8:37 AM

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#1 of 5 ESC vs. AWD by doc144 Oct 23, 2007 (3:53 am)
I had a general question about safety features. In your opinion, If you only had a choice of one of these options, which is better to have on a car, ESC or AWD? Secondarily, if the car has AWD, does ESC actually add much more to the safety equation? Thanks to all who may have an opinion Replies to this message: thegraduate (Oct 25, 2007 12:07 pm) gregg_vw (Oct 25, 2007 12:27 pm)
#2 of 5 ESC AWD by mschmal Oct 23, 2007 (10:12 am)
ESC is yaw control. This is a seperate benefit from AWD and you want it:   New data, same finding: electronic stability control REDUCES CRASH DEATHS A federal report finds that electronic stability control, or ESC, reduces fatal crashes involving a single car by 36 percent. The corresponding percentage for SUVs, pickups, and vans is 63 percent. Fatal single-vehicle rollover crashes are reduced even more — 70 percent for cars and 88 percent for the other vehicles. These findings, published in July by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), update a 2004 agency report, which also showed ESC’s lifesaving benefits. Two Institute studies show similar effects (see Status Report, June 13, 2006 and Jan. 3, 2005). ESC helps by monitoring vehicle response to steering and detecting when a vehicle starts to stray from a driver’s intended path or the rear of the vehicle starts to spin out. Then ESC automatically brakes individual wheels to maintain the intended direction and, thus, driver control. Responding to accumulating evidence of ESC’s effectiveness, NHTSA issued a regulation in April to require this feature on passenger vehicles by the 2012 model year. In issuing the requirement, NHTSA estimated that 5,300 to 9,500 lives will be saved annually when every passenger vehicle is equipped with ESC. This is in line with the Institute’s conclusion that ESC may save as many as 10,000 lives each year. Most of the benefit will be in rollover crashes, in which NHTSA predicts that deaths may be reduced by 4,200 to 5,500 annually. Automakers may be moving faster than NHTSA requires. About 2 of every 3 new passenger vehicle models already have ESC. This proportion is expected to rise in the years before the federal rule takes effect. “Statistical analysis of the effectiveness of electronic stability control systems: final report” (DOT HS 810 794) is available at http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/ p102/479883.pdf.   Mark
#3 of 5 Re: ESC vs. AWD [doc144] by thegraduate Oct 25, 2007 (12:07 pm)
Replying to: doc144 (Oct 23, 2007 3:53 am) AWD helps you start in slick conditions. It does not provide the extra braking prowess and safety that Stability Control does.   In the south where it rarely snows, I'd much rather have ESC over the AWD because I feel it adds safety benefits that AWD does not; not to mention the AWD's added weight, complexity, and lower fuel mileage.   Give me ESC! Replies to this message: gregg_vw (Oct 25, 2007 12:27 pm)
#4 of 5 Re: ESC vs. AWD [thegraduate] by gregg_vw Oct 25, 2007 (12:27 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Oct 25, 2007 12:07 pm) Most people will find ESC and traction control superior to AWD for safety purposes. The best combo might be ESC with AWD, since a lot of AWD vehicles tend to be a bit top heavy and more prone to rolling. ESC corrects a lot of that tendency. For a low sedan though, unless you live near the tundra or drive slalom, AWD will not pay you for its upkeep.
#5 of 5 Practical Experience. by mschmal Oct 28, 2007 (8:37 am)
At my training for the new Nissan Rogue, they had a slick plate set up (6 4x8 metal panels edge to edge in 2x3 pattern covered with soapy water.   They showed us the Rogue on the slick plate starting from stop with ESC off and ESC on. AWD was on in both instances.   ESC makes a huge difference in control and smoothness.   With ESC off all four wheels where spinning and the Rogue started to move sideways. Also the engine revved alot higher to get the car moving.   Mark.

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