Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is designed to help stabilize the vehicle during cornering. ESC checks the direction in which you are steering and the direction in which the vehicle is actually moving.

ESC applies the brakes to individual wheels and intervenes in the engine management system to stabilize the vehicle.

WARNING

Never drive too fast on slippery road conditions or take curves at excessive speed. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent accidents. Excessive speed in curves, sudden maneuvers and hydroplaning on wet road surfaces can still result in serious accidents. Only a safe and attentive driver can prevent accidents by avoiding maneuvers that cause the vehicle to lose traction with the road. Even with ESC installed, always observe all normal driving precautions, including driving at a safe speed for the conditions.

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is an electronic system designed to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle in adverse conditions. It does not replace safe driving practices. Factors including speed, road conditions and driver steering input can all affect the effectiveness of ESC in preventing loss of control. It is still your responsibility to drive and corner at reasonable speeds and to leave sufficient safety margin.

When you depress the brake pedal under conditions that may lock the wheels, you may hear a "clicking" sound from the brakes, or feel a corresponding sensation in the brake pedal. This is normal and means that your ESC is active.

NOTICE

A clicking sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the vehicle starts to move after the engine is started. These conditions are normal and indicate that the Electronic Stability Control system is operating properly.

Cruise Control Operation

ESC On Condition

• When the ignition switch is turned ON, the ESC indicator and ESC OFF indicator light up for approximately 3 seconds, then the ESC indicator turns off.
• Press the ESC OFF button after turning the ignition switch ON to turn ESC off. (The ESC OFF indicator will light up.) To turn ESC on, press the ESC OFF button again (the ESC OFF indicator light will go off).
• When the engine is started, you may hear a slight ticking sound. This is the ESC performing an automatic system self-check and does not indicate a problem.

During Operation

When ESC is operating, the ESC indicator flashes.

• When Electronic Stability Control is operating normally, you may feel a slight pulsation in the vehicle. This is only the effect of brake control and does not indicate anything unusual.
• When driving out of mud or on a slippery road, engine speed (rpm) may not increase even if you press the accelerator pedal fully. This is to maintain stability and traction of the vehicle and does not indicate a problem.

ESC OFF Condition

To cancel ESC operation:

• Condition 1

Briefly press the ESC OFF button. (The ESC OFF indicator light and message will light up.) In this condition, the engine control function does not operate. In other words, the traction control function does not operate, and only the brake control function operates.

• Condition 2

Press and hold the ESC OFF button for more than 3 seconds. The ESC OFF indicator light and message will light up and an ESC OFF warning buzzer will sound. In this condition, the engine control function and the brake control function do not operate. In other words, the vehicle stability control function no longer operates.

If the ignition switch is in the LOCK/OFF position when ESC is turned off, ESC remains off. After restarting the engine, ESC will automatically turn on again.

Indicator

When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the indicator lights up and then goes off if the ESC system is operating normally.

The ESC indicator flashes whenever the ESC is operating, or illuminates when the ESC is not operating.

The ESC OFF indicator light illuminates when the ESC is turned off using the button.

CAUTION

Driving with tires or wheels of different sizes may cause the ESC system to malfunction. When replacing tires, make sure they are the same size as the original tires.

WARNING

The Electronic Stability Control system is only a driving aid. Use safe driving precautions by slowing down on curved, snowy or icy roads. Drive slowly and do not try to accelerate whenever the ESC indicator light flashes or when the road surface is slippery.

Using ESC OFF

While driving

• ESC should be turned on every time you drive whenever possible.
• To turn ESC off while driving, press the ESC OFF button while driving on a level road surface.

Never press the ESC OFF button while ESC is operating (ESC indicator flashing).

If ESC is turned off while ESC is operating, the vehicle may lose control.

NOTICE

• When operating the vehicle on a chassis dynamometer, make sure ESC is turned off (ESC OFF indicator light on).
• Turning ESC off does not affect ABS or brake system operation.

WARNING

Never press the ESC OFF button while ESC is operating. If ESC is turned off while ESC is operating, the vehicle may lose control.

To turn ESC off while driving, press the ESC OFF button while driving on a level road surface.