2006 Saab 9-5 Owner's Manual - Page 165

Starting and driving 165 Electronic Stability Program (ESP) WARNING When driving normally, ESP will help to improve the stability of the car. This does not mean that car can be driven faster. The same care and prudence as normally applied should be displayed on cornering and when driving on slippery roads. The Electronic Stability Program employs both the antilock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). It is a system that helps the driver to stabilize the car in unusual circumstances that would otherwise be more difficult to handle. How the ESP system works The Electronic Stability Program can help to prevent the car from skidding by braking one or several wheels independently of the driver. The engine output is then also reduced to prevent the driving wheels from spinning. The car has sensors that measure wheel speed, yaw acceleration, lateral acceleration, steering wheel position and braking pressure. The values provided by these sensors are used to calculate the actual direction of the car. If this direction does not agree with that intended by the driver, calculated from the steering wheel position, the ESP is engaged. ESP improves the driver's chances of retaining control over the car in critical situations. To ensure that the system works as designed, the dimensions of all four tires must be the same. Increased stability with ESP. The system applies the brakes to the wheels as shown in order to reduce the likelihood of the car skidding IB1841