This system enhances directional control and stability of the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESC corrects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the over/under steer condition. Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the desired path.

ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.

• Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than appropriate for the steering wheel position.

• Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than appropriate for the steering wheel position.

The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (located in the instrument cluster), starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active. The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions.

WARNING!
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot prevent accidents, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning.

ESC also cannot prevent accidents resulting from loss of vehicle control due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESC equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others.

The ESC system has three available operating modes in 4H range. The system has one operating mode in 4L range. Two-wheel drive vehicles and four-wheel drive vehicles in 2H range have two operating modes.

4H Range (4WD Models) Or 2WD Models

On

This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 4H and 2WD vehicles.

Partial Off

This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the ESC OFF switch.

ESC OFF Switch

When in Partial Off mode, the TCS portion of ESC has been disabled and the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” will be illuminated.

All other stability features of ESC function normally. This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand, or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESC would normally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESC on again, momentarily press the ESC OFF switch. This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of operation.

NOTE: To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off” mode by pressing the ESC OFF switch. Once the situation requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily pressing the ESC OFF switch. This may be done while the vehicle is in motion.

WARNING!
With the ESC switched off, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESC and ERM are unavailable. In an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESC and ERM systems will not engage to assist in maintaining stability. The “Full Off” ESC mode is intended for off-road use only.

4L Range (4WD Models)

ESC Off

This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 4L range.

Whenever the vehicle is started in 4L range, or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4H range or NEUTRAL to 4L range, the ESC system will be in this mode. In 4L range, ESC and TCS, except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS section, are turned off until the vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At 40 mph (64 km/h), the normal ESC stability function returns but TCS remains off. When the vehicle speed drops below 35 mph (56 km/h), the ESC system shuts off.

The ESC is off at low vehicle speeds in 4L range so that it will not interfere with off-road driving, but the ESC function returns to provide the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h). The “ESC Activation/ Malfunction Indicator Light” will always be illuminated in 4L range when ESC is off.

NOTE: The “ESC OFF” message will display and the audible chime will sound when the shift lever is placed in the PARK position from any position other than PARK, and then moved out of the PARK position. This will occur even if the message was previously cleared.

WARNING!
With the ESC switched off, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESC and ERM are unavailable. In an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESC and ERM systems will not engage to assist in maintaining stability. The “Full Off” mode is intended for offroad use only.