Kia near Clearwater Explains How Stability Control Improves Car Safety

Jun 22, 2013

New safety features are developed with each new release of a vehicle. One of the common, modern safety features found on Kia vehicles includes stability control. Stability control is designed to improve handling of a vehicle for the driver in the event the vehicle starts sliding or skidding on the road. If you’re interested in learning more about this safety feature, visit Kia near Clearwater and talk with one of our knowledgeable sales or service team members.

How Stability Control Works

There are a collection of sensors around the wheels and on various places of the vehicle which “talk” to the central computer and indicate when the vehicle starts going off course. The stability control feature examines information from each of the sensors and the input from the steering wheel to determine whether there are problems. If needed, stability control can apply anti-lock brakes to one or more wheels automatically to help keep the driver in control of the vehicle.

Benefits of Electronic Stability Control

Statistics compiled by the government show us that single vehicle crashes have decreased by 34% for cars and as much as 59% for SUVs since electronic stability control has been installed on vehicles. International studies indicate that electronic stability control is effective in helping a driver maintain control of an automobile, thus saving lives and reducing injury. The lower death and injury rates experienced on the roads make us all safer on the roads.

Difference Between Traction Control and Stability Control

Stability and traction control is not the same safety feature. Stability control senses wheelslip and lessens the power of the engine pushing the car or applies brakes to stop it while traction control does not to alter the vehicle’s course as electronic stability control does.

It is important to note that stability control does not prevent the driver from losing control of the car in every situation. Factors such as slick roads, improperly inflated tires, or improperly warn tires can easily lead to losing control of the direction and/or speed of a vehicle. This is why it is very important to be aware of upcoming weather conditions.

Vehicle stability control is generally unobtrusive and virtually invisible to the driver of the car. Even when the braking does occur it is not normally noticeable to any great extent. When stability control is used, it generally happens without the driver even noticing. This is beneficial since the driver won’t be over-compensating for the situation and increasing the likelihood of losing control of their vehicle.