Special to Car Care Council Spring 2001 Supplement

The ever-improving cars and trucks designed by today's automotive engineers provide great help to drivers who may find themselves in situations where it is difficult to control their cars and trucks.

The next technological advances beyond the benefits of ABS, or anti-lock braking systems, are a group of technologies now available as standard or optional equipment on many new models.

Smart or "intelligent" technologies provide stability and handling advantages without specific actions by drivers. They can avoid the consequences of oversteering or understeering when a vehicle may stray from the driver's intended path.

Whether driving a particular vehicle daily, occasionally, or on a one-time rental or borrowed basis, drivers should be aware of that vehicle's technologies, and the benefits they can provide to both drivers and passengers. Only by knowing and understanding the vehicle's equipment can drivers maximize safety for everyone in the vehicle, as well as bike riders, pedestrians, and riders in nearby vehicles.

Newest Safety Features

Today, intelligent stability and handling system technologies are designed to help drivers maintain control of their vehicles when loss of control is imminent. For example, if you're steering one way, but your vehicle is about to head another, such as before a skid, these systems automatically brake specific wheels, allowing you to maintain control and continue in your intended direction.

Some of these systems also intervene with the engine's momentum, slowing the vehicle while correcting the steering.

Intelligent stability and handling systems should not be confused with intelligent suspension systems, which are designed to compensate for rough terrain and provide the driver with an uninterrupted smooth ride.

Drivers do not need to activate the intelligent stability and handling systems. When sensors detect that loss of control is imminent, the systems automatically engage.

Intelligent stability and handling systems are marketed under a variety of names, such as Active Handling, AdvanceTrac®, Dynamic Stability Control, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), StabiliTrac, and Traxxar®.

A list of vehicles that have these, and other intelligent stability and handling systems, can be found by clicking here.

Anti-lock brake systems

ABS can help drivers maintain vehicle control and steering to avoid a crash. There are two kinds of ABS - four-wheel and rear-wheel (RWAL).

Proper use of four-wheel ABS, which is available on cars and some light trucks, requires that drivers firmly brake their vehicle, hold the brake pedal steadily in place, and steer the vehicle to safety. When ABS is activated, drivers may notice a mechanical sound or feel some pulsation or increased resistance in the brake pedal.

Rear-wheel ABS, found only on some light trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), prevents the rear wheels from locking up, but because it involves only the rear wheels, the vehicle's front wheels may lock up, causing loss of steering control. To prevent this loss of control, drivers should ease up on the brake pedal briefly just before the front wheels lock up, and then reengage the brakes.

It is important that drivers of vehicles equipped with four-wheel or RWAL anti-lock braking systems practice using the technology before they need to use it in an unplanned or panic stopping or slowing situation.

Airbags

Airbags, when safety belts are used, can significantly reduce injury if a crash occurs. It is important, however, that children and adults of small stature not ride in the front seat of a passenger-side airbag-equipped vehicle because the impact of the activated airbag can injure a child or small adult.

No Substitute for Cautious Driving

Even with all these advances in safety technologies, drivers should not forget basic safe driving habits. Nor should a driver of a vehicle with these new systems drive more aggressively and expect the same level of safety. Even the best safety technologies will not allow drivers to beat the laws of physics.

When sensors in intelligent stability and handling systems detect oversteer is imminent, the outside front wheel brake is automatically applied to prevent loss of control.	Likewise, when the sensors detect understeer is about to occur, they automatically brake the inside rear wheel, helping the driver make the turn and continue forward in the right direction.