1. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System):
- Purpose: ABS prevents the wheels from locking up during braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control even under heavy braking.
- Functioning: ABS uses wheel speed sensors to monitor the rotation of each wheel. When a wheel is about to lock up (stop spinning), the ABS system modulates the brake pressure to that wheel, allowing it to regain traction and continue rotating. This rapid pulsing of brake pressure prevents the wheels from locking and skidding, enhancing the driver's ability to steer and control the vehicle during braking.
2. ESC (Electronic Stability Control):
- Purpose: ESC assists in maintaining vehicle stability by preventing skids and loss of control during cornering, acceleration, or sudden changes in direction.
- Functioning: ESC uses various sensors, including wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensor, yaw rate sensor, and lateral acceleration sensor, to monitor the vehicle's dynamic behavior. When it detects a potential loss of control, such as understeer (car pushing straight instead of turning) or oversteer (car turning more than intended), ESC intervenes by applying brakes to individual wheels and reducing engine power to regain vehicle stability. ESC also helps correct the vehicle's trajectory and prevent it from skidding or rolling over.
To summarize, ABS is specifically designed to prevent wheel lock-up during braking, while ESC is a broader system that assists in maintaining overall vehicle stability and control in various driving situations by managing the brakes and engine power. Both systems work independently but complement each other to enhance the safety and drivability of modern automobiles.
