Comments on: Govt makes ESC manadatory from 2011

By: Bill Yeates

Bill Yeates — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:21:29 +0000

Is there actually an exemption planned for kit-cars in the proposed legislation?
Is retrofitting an option?
Why does ABS increase stopping distances of heavy vehicles?

By: John Lambert

John Lambert — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:31:25 +0000

Comment bto Captain Mainwaring
You are obviously one of those people who is to say the least ill informed, and who makes assumptions without the facts. I was selling the Jeep Cherokee for a cousin who lives in remote part of Victoria – it was NOT my car.
And for the rest – there has been no study that has shown ESC makes cars safer – ABSOLUTELY NONE! All the studies have either compared apples with pears or not directly checked the impact of ESC at all.

By: DGS

DGS — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:15:35 +0000

My concern about ESC and Traction Control devices is that over time car companies may begin to make crap handling cars that only drive well because of ESC etc, and if the ESC is turned off or it fails (especially with age) you could be left trying to steer a pig.

I am sure most manufacturers will do the right thing, but it would be very handy if publications like CA etc test all new cars with ESC on and off to make sure this tech is not used to mask crap handling refinement.

By: mememememe

mememememe — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:36:19 +0000

Why wait until 2011, every manafacturer already has the technology available.
The like of toyota, honda and even volvo offered ESC as a standard feature on their vechiles overseas for years before they where added to australain models.

This will stop dodgy car ripping off australians by deleting safety features off australian models.
Honda needs a kick in the head.

It is inexcusable for australains to be offered less safety features than Japanese or european buyers.

By: Mad Max

Mad Max — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:19:53 +0000

Confused, ESC systems in cars do differ. Some cut in quite early, others like Holden and Ford (Aus) give the driver time to react before cutting in. I prefer driving with the system on.
The other point I will make about some of the comments above is that you might be a very good driver, but all it takes is one second or two of inatention or driving while tired and if the system is off, you are an accident waiting to happen. The computer in the car never gets tired and never lacks concentration. You might be a great driver but what about the people around you? That teenager with a 2 week old license or the person next to you brushing their hair or eating cereal on the way to work. Making it mandatory is a great idea, but if you want to turn it off then by all means do so.

By: ABC

ABC — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:08:33 +0000

Good move as long as the ESC systems are properly calibrated and switchable, like some Traction Control systems.

I have driven some cars where I feel Traction Control actually impedes safe driving due to poor calibration and prefer to drive with the system off.

By: gazman

gazman — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:33:12 +0000

Jake02 just to correct you it is Mr Rudd and he is doing plenty right.

By: Captain Mainwaring

Captain Mainwaring — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:29:21 +0000

The fact that the highly experienced editor of a prominent motoring magazine recently destroyed a new BMW M3 because he was stupid enough to turn the ESC off proves that most of you heroes don’t know what you’re talking about.

By: Yanzo

Yanzo — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:21:56 +0000

i dont really care as long as there’s a esc off button

By: Confused

Confused — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:09:30 +0000

Some ppl are plain stupid; sorry to say that.
ESC has been researched thoroughly and has been proven to stabilize the car in emergency. No argument against that. Ceratinly, like seatbelt and airbags, ESC has side-effects and the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. Sure, if you are driving offroad through the mud, then turn off the ESC. But car accidents happen mostly on our common roads.

My only question is – whether ESC in all cars have same capability or they differ in their quality/reliability like brake, or clutch or any other equipment from cars to cars.