If the ESC light stays on, it means that your vehicle is not under control. And if the ESC light stays on for an extended period of time, your ESC may be malfunctioning, or the system has been manually disabled. Of course, if the ESC light comes on, you can still drive your car. The most common cause of an ESC light is that the system is off or that the wheel speed sensors are faulty.
But while these are the most common causes of an ESC light, they are not the only things to look out for. Below we've highlighted the four most common reasons why your vehicle's ESC light might be on Founder, owner and lead author of Mechanic Base. I have been repairing cars for over 10 years, specialising in advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting. I have also been a drifting driver and mechanic for over 7 years.
The light on the dashboard could have multiple meanings so it is important to understand how your particular system works. Generally, the light will illuminate when the computer is actively trying to maintain control. This light will remain on only as long as the vehicle is not under control. If the light stays on constantly, it is likely that a malfunction has been detected or the system has been manually shut down.
It is important to understand how your particular control system works because the ESC light on the dashboard could have multiple meanings. Generally, the light will come on when the computer is actively trying to maintain traction control. The most common causes of 4-wheel ABS malfunction are worn brake linings and air or dirt in the brake fluid. Both ESC and ABS work most effectively when the tyres are properly inflated and in good condition.
If the ESC light flashes when driving in typical driving conditions, it means that the system is engaged and is trying to keep the vehicle under control. If you are driving in slippery conditions and the light continues to illuminate, reduce speed to make the car easier to control. If your vehicle is still under warranty, take your car to the dealer to have the ESC problem properly diagnosed. This is because the ESC system regains stability by turning on the ABS and applying the brakes to each of the tyres, which means that as you drive down the road, the brakes can start to pump and shut off, even if you're going 80 miles per hour on the highway.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) works in tandem with the traction control system, comparing data from the wheel speed sensor along with the steering wheel angle sensor and yaw sensor. The reduction in fatal single-vehicle rollovers is the most dramatic, and drivers with ESC are 75% more likely to survive such accidents than drivers without ESC. If you notice the DSP, ESP or ESC light coming on, it's a good idea to have it checked by a qualified mechanic. But what exactly does the ESC light mean and what should you do when you see it? Read on and we'll explain everything you need to know and do.
You can search by vehicle year and make, to see a list of models that have ESC as a standard or optional feature, as well as models that don't have ESC as an option at all. However, if the ESC light comes on when it shouldn't or stays on all the time (when you haven't turned the system off), it is not a safe driving condition. The ESC light is there to alert you when there is a problem in the electronic stability control circuit or that your stability control system is currently in use. Under normal conditions, the ESC light should only come on when the vehicle is started for a couple of seconds and then turn off.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) may also be referred to as Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) or Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).
