There’s a lot of confusion about these acronyms so we thought it useful to do a quick and dirty explanation.
All of these relate to electronic control systems on modern vehicles but not all of them relate to stability control.
This is an important distinction to make as traction control and stability control are 2 quite different areas of function even though they often work together.
However, the drive layout of the vehicle amongst other things will determine how each segment is treated and deployed in the mix. Broadly speaking;
“Stability Control” is about controlling dynamic vehicle cornering attitude, stuff like understeer and oversteer that affect the vehicles cornering stability. Often involves looking a “yaw” relative to lateral G forces and intended direction as shown by the steering wheel angle. Most common method of control is selective braking of individual wheels to force the car to “turn” or rotate back in to a more stable position. Needless to say this means “understeer” and “understeer” where possible as that is the favourite. However, it can also correct excessive understeer and is more about steady-state or constant cornering behaviour.
Works in conjunction with Traction Control systems but largely at the limit. Front wheel drive vehicles easier to control overall with stability control systems.
“Traction Control” is about controlling or moderating wheel slip or traction, logically enough. Its more about retarding power or redistributing torque to those wheels that have traction and away from those that don’t. Can be felt through throttle lift-off (throttle by wire), ignition cut to engine, mild selective braking of opposite wheel or all of the above.
Early systems were more ham fisted and blunt in execution, so much so that they actually pushed back on the throttle and the drivers foot. Later systems are much more refined and work in tandem with stability control and other chassis systems like diff controllers.
Rear wheel drive vehicles are finely tuned by traction control systems because of power throttle steer effect.
So easiest way to think about it
“stability control” for cornering and
“traction control” for accelerating.
They do mix and work together
but it’s important to keep the two separate when trying to understand what’s going managing the process.
So what about the acronyms?
DSC – Dynamic Stability Control.
Largely a Euro term to describe OEM system used to control dynamic vehicle cornering attitude. Non-proprietary and often used to describe the technology overall but used Rover, Opel etc.
ESC – Electronic Stability Control.
Generic term recognised by Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to describe OEM system used to control dynamic vehicle cornering attitude. Honda use this name amongst others.
ESP – Electronic Stability Program
and a trademark jointly owned by Mercedes Benz and Robert Bosch GmbH. The original name for the first ESC system developed and sold as OEM, famous for fixing the A-Class Mercedes in its battle with a moose. Name used by VW and VAG group.
TC – Traction Control.
Refer above.
VDC – Vehicle Dynamic Control.
Describes a total solution of integrated TC and ESC systems and used by Nissan and Subaru.
VSC – Vehicle Stability Control.
Describes a total solution of integrated TC and ESC systems and used by Toyota.