Service ESC: Electronic Stability Control System and Its Relation to ADAS Calibration

Loss of control, unsurprisingly, consistently leads the pack as the leading cause of vehicle crashes. Whether it be poor road conditions, unforeseen obstacles causing the driver to swerve, or other cars veering into the lane, losing traction often leads to a collision. 

That’s why around a decade ago manufacturers made Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems standard to combat vehicle swerving. This system helps drivers maintain directional control and reduces skidding. A 2007 study found that ESC has overall reduced crashes involving cars by 14% and those involving light trucks and/or vans by 28%. This drastic improvement prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) requirement that all new cars integrate ESC systems from 2012 onward.

This is important for your shop, as when you service ESC systems, you may impact other ADAS features. This is where proper ADAS calibration is critical, as overlooking steps can risk compromising vehicle safety and liability.

What is an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, and how does it work?

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a critical safety feature designed to aid the driver in maintaining control of the vehicle during skidding. These systems work by automatically applying the brakes of individual wheels to help the driver stay headed in the intended direction and reduce the possibility of spinning out.

ESC constantly monitors the vehicle’s movement using sensors that measure wheel speed, steering wheel input, lateral acceleration, and angular speed. This data is shared with the vehicle’s computer, which determines when the readings indicate that the vehicle could potentially lose traction and spin out. If so, ESC acts and helps to regain control of the vehicle’s direction. ESC can also automatically control the engine throttle.

These systems go by many names, such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Stabilitrak, among others. Despite the variation in names, these systems all serve the primary objective: maintaining control and preventing spin-outs.

These days, ESC does not work in isolation. With the direction of the auto industry and increasingly sophisticated safety systems, other Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features now work in sync with ESC. For example, Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) use the same core sensors as ESC.

Key components of ESC systems

There are many moving parts that work in sync for ESC to function properly. As this system is sensor-reliant, precise data from each is vital. If one of these sensors is damaged or miscalibrated, it can cause the whole system to malfunction, and you will need to service ESC. Here are some of those moving parts that make up typical ESC systems:

Wheel Speed Sensors

This sensor is an instrument that counts revolutions. These sensors are located on each wheel of a car. It tracks how fast the wheel is spinning and shares this information with numerous systems. 

Steering Angle Sensor

Located behind the steering wheel, this sensor measures input from the driver on the steering wheel and shares it with the car’s computer. It records how wide, fast, and in what direction the driver wants to turn, and this information is used to control the wheels. Small misalignments can throw off the accuracy of this sensor, such as those after steering column repairs and more.

Yaw Rate Sensor

This gyroscopic sensor, typically located under the center console, measures the angular velocity of the vehicle. This means it measures how fast the car is moving in relation to its vertical axis. The computer will read this data and detect skids and loss of control. 

Lateral Acceleration Sensor

This sensor measures a car’s acceleration side-to-side. This is vital to monitor sideways motion, sharp turns, and evasive maneuvers; key to ESC function. They are typically located near the Yaw Rate Sensor as these sensors work in tandem.

Hydraulic Control Unit

This heavyweight component controls the flow of brake fluid and is vital to ESC and other ADAS functions, including anti-lock braking systems (ABS). It can modulate the pressure to individual brakes during skidding to correct the trajectory of the vehicle.

ESC calibration requirements and procedures

When it comes time to service ESC systems, your shop needs the necessary expertise to provide quality care. Having a robust knowledge of ESC systems can save you time and money, strengthen your shop’s reputation, and avoid liability issues. 

When ESC calibration is needed

One of the most asked questions by drivers and technicians alike is: What does “service ESC” mean?

Often triggered by an illuminated dashboard icon, all this means is that some feature in the ESC system needs to be fixed, recalibrated, or replaced. This issue must be resolved as soon as possible because the proper function of the ESC system ensures driver safety.

While some manufacturers may have different names and specifics for their ESC systems, an illuminated signal (seen below) that resembles a swerving car indicates that you need to service the ESC system.

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source: https://www.carparts.com/blog/should-you-worry-about-an-illuminated-service-esc-light/

Some common triggers require ESC calibration. They may not seem obvious, but these situations require attention:

• Steering or suspension repair
• Wheel alignment or tire replacement
• Sensor replacement (e.g., yaw rate or steering angle)
• Collision repair or airbag deployment

Like previously mentioned, some manufacturers have specific names for their ESC systems and different procedures for servicing them. For example, Chevrolet’s “Stabilitrak” and Toyota’s “Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)” function almost identically, with a few small differences.

Despite variations between manufacturer-specific ESC systems, don’t worry. That is where Revv comes in, where the guesswork has been eliminated. Revv has documented all of these differences and is well-equipped to handle any questions you may have.

Impact of ESC calibration on ADAS performance

As each new model year vehicle becomes more advanced, safety technologies are increasingly integrated, and this can present challenges for collision shops that are not up-to-date. The delicate nature of the many sensors that make up ADAS or ESC systems means that even slight tweaks on one feature present the potential need to address the others.

Because these systems work in sync, the precise and proper calibration of each is vital to ensure proper function. When servicing ESC features, it’s important to note that even the smallest repair or service warrants recalibration of other sensors in the system. Failing to do so can cause malfunctions that even experienced technicians may overlook.

Interconnected systems

ESC doesn’t operate in isolation, it uses numerous sensors that support other ADAS functions, such as:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Think about the scenario in which the Hydraulic Control Unit needs to be serviced. If done incorrectly, or a vital recalibration step is missed, this could wreak havoc on numerous ADAS features and cause an accident. This would compromise not only ESC, but also AEB and ABS, in addition to the normal function of the brakes.

Failure to properly service one facet of the ESC system can have a domino effect.

Safety implications

Accurate and precise calibration is a must when servicing ESC systems. These ADAS systems are designed to intervene during human error or unforeseen situations. All sensors need to be correctly calibrated to ensure proper function.

Skipped steps can cause false system alerts, inconsistent braking response, vehicle drift, or ESC failure during a skid.

You could be responsible for a malfunction that leads to injury or even death. 

This is why correct and careful attention is required when servicing the ESC system. Keep your customers safe and satisfied while building a great reputation for your shop by having Revv help you get it done right the first time.

The future of ESC systems

The direction the auto industry is headed is clear: more safety technology and integration. For this reason, it’s vital to be empowered with the knowledge of how ESC and ADAS systems work. The technology will become more sophisticated, and the level of cooperation between each facet will grow.

For repair shops, that means staying ahead of the curve isn’t optional, it’s essential. ESC is no standalone safety system, it’s part of an expanding web of interconnected driver assistance technologies.

Here are a few examples of the future development of ESC systems and what that will mean for your shop:

Integration with autonomous driving systems

As fully autonomous cars become a larger share of the market, ESC is playing an increasingly active role in coordination with other features. Not only will ESC be able to correct skids, it will be able to predict and decide how to stay in control.

This will make ESC recalibration even more sophisticated and important in the years to come, especially as these systems will begin making decisions without driver input.

Enhanced sensor networks

Future ESC systems will rely on more advanced and precise sensors, with real-time connectivity. For example, Real-time road surface detection and cloud-connected computers will become the norm in ESC systems.

With further complexity, manual calibration and guessing will prove disastrous. Shops will need to adapt to the rapid change in OEM standards, your shop will need diagnostic and calibration software to ensure proper service.

AI and machine learning applications

Artificial Intelligence and machine learning is coming to drastically change safety systems and the auto industry in general. Soon, systems will personalize vehicle behavior based on the driver, enabling the prediction of potential hazards such as loss of traction before it happens.

These systems will be designed to think on their own, meaning shops will be challenged with servicing technology that doesn’t behave the same way twice. As safety features adapt, the tools and methods we use to service them must also evolve.

Revv ADAS can help when it’s time to service ESC

Our software platform is specifically designed to quickly and accurately identify, document, and invoice for ADAS calibrations. We have vehicle-specific information and will walk you through OEM guidelines.

When it comes time to calibrate an ESC system, your days of thumbing through documentation for over an hour are over. Revv has everything you need right at your fingertips. With REVV ADAS, you can scan the vehicle’s VIN number and instantly find:

• Identification of required calibrations
• Detailed OEM procedures 
• Comprehensive documentation tools
• Integrations with existing shop systems

Since Revv has already done the exhausting work, your shop can save valuable time and focus solely on calibrating with confidence and complete the job accurately and efficiently the first time. 

Are you looking to enhance your calibration process? Set up a call with our team and see how Revv ADAS can improve your shop by capturing more revenue from ADAS calibrations and keeping your customers safe.