Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Ford Owners Club - Ford Forums

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.



Join the Independent Ford Owners' Club

Our community has been built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, and proudly run by Ford owners' for over 18 years. As an independent, non-official club, everything you’ll find here, advice, support, and opinions, comes directly from members with genuine Ford ownership experience.

Join our friendly community... it's Free!

 

Esp question

Featured Replies

I'm trying to find on the forum a topic which included a discussion about pros and cons of turning off the ESP but I can't find it.Why do some drivers turn it off?? 



its pish.

however, even if you do turn it off, its still not completely off, I believe its impossible to fully disable the system. 

If you know how to drive safely then ESP doesn't really help all that much and if its snowing you should turn it off anyway.

Personally I don't think I would  miss it if it was disabled and I cant think of a situation its been useful for me either.

28 minutes ago, Dee_82 said:

its pish.

however, even if you do turn it off, its still not completely off, I believe its impossible to fully disable the system. 

If you know how to drive safely then ESP doesn't really help all that much and if its snowing you should turn it off anyway.

Personally I don't think I would  miss it if it was disabled and I cant think of a situation its been useful for me either.

Why would you turn it off when it's snowing? I have never switched it off during winter.

  • Author

I've heard from other sources it's best to turn off when snowing,something to do it's the power not going to the front wheels or something?  Anyone explain ? 

that is exactly it. The system works be monitoring the rotation of wheels in relation with the rotation of other wheels, if one is moving quicker than another the computer takes that to be slipping so it applies a small amount of brake to slow the slip and hopefully get traction or at the very least get all the wheels rotating at the same speed.

The problem in the snow and on ice is that you will be hard pushed not to spin up the wheels and in most cases, unless your a complete numpty who drives about in the snow 1st gear, that isn't a bad thing, you might need to spin up a little to be able to pick up some traction, this is mostly true when starting from a stand still.  Once moving if the system is smart enough, it can help but every time you stop and need to start, all your efforts to get going might be hampered by the system clamping down on your brake, personally I don't like it running in the snow at all but then I have modified my steering to reduce the assist a fair amount and prefer to "feel" the road.

6 hours ago, Dee_82 said:

that is exactly it. The system works be monitoring the rotation of wheels in relation with the rotation of other wheels, if one is moving quicker than another the computer takes that to be slipping so it applies a small amount of brake to slow the slip and hopefully get traction or at the very least get all the wheels rotating at the same speed.

The problem in the snow and on ice is that you will be hard pushed not to spin up the wheels and in most cases, unless your a complete numpty who drives about in the snow 1st gear, that isn't a bad thing, you might need to spin up a little to be able to pick up some traction, this is mostly true when starting from a stand still.  Once moving if the system is smart enough, it can help but every time you stop and need to start, all your efforts to get going might be hampered by the system clamping down on your brake, personally I don't like it running in the snow at all but then I have modified my steering to reduce the assist a fair amount and prefer to "feel" the road.

Actually in snow it might help by reducing engine power (for driving). For braking there is always the suggestion that if you lock all 4 wheels, where is the car getting it's speed signal from? Will the ESP/ABS think you're at a standstill?

I leave mine on all the time it only clunks a bit if I hit bumps or potholes on corners. Even in the snow we had last year and the couple of years before that I've never had to turn it off because it was impeding my progress. If you're setting it off in normal driving, then you're probably driving the car too hard for the conditions (snow/ice excluded).

Latest Deals

Ford UK Shop for genuine Ford parts & accessories

Disclaimer: As the club is an eBay Partner, The club may be compensated if you make a purchase via the club

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

The "Digestive"






Background Picker
Customize Layout

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.