• Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
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    9 months ago

    At a time when there’s added scrutiny on the rollover potential of sport utility vehicles, automakers are turning to technology to improve their handling and safety performance.

    All major automakers will offer advanced stability systems on large SUVs in the coming model year, using technology that helps ensure a smoother ride on their upscale vehicles in the hopes of instilling better confidence in their SUVs. Source

    I’m old enough to remember SUVs and Ford Explorers specifically being death traps because they rolled over at the drop of a hat. Traction control (ESC) is designed to prevent that.

    If they weren’t so top-heavy, they wouldn’t roll over so easily and wouldn’t need traction control.

    • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
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      9 months ago

      Traction control and stability control are two different things. Traction control checks for wheel slippage and either brakes or cuts power to the wheel that is slipping so that you maintain traction in inclement weather like rain, snow, and ice.

      Stability control adjusts your suspension on the fly to prevent G-forces from causing you to lose control of the vehicle.

      Your mention of Explorer and other SUV rollovers has little to do with modern CUVs as those were body on frame vehicles built with 1980s technology. CUVs are just taller modern sedans with unibody construction.

        • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
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          9 months ago

          Well, it’s a good thing you’re not then, right?

          Your own source calls this system “stability control.” Can you explain what traction has to do with rollovers? Adding more traction to the tires when you’re sliding sideways makes a rollover more likely…