Seat Ibiza: Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)

Seat Ibiza Owners Manual

General notes

The electronic stabilisation programme increases the vehicle’s stability on the road. The electronic stabilisation programme helps to reduce the danger of skidding. The electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) consists of ABS, EDL and TCS.

Electronic Stabilising Program (ESP)

ESP reduces the danger of skidding by braking the wheels individually. The system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to calculate the changes of direction desired by the driver, and constantly compares them with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If the desired course is not being maintained (for instance, if the car is starting to skid), then the ESP compensates automatically by braking the appropriate wheel. The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the vehicle back to a stable condition. If the vehicle tends to oversteer, the system will act on the front wheel on the outside of the turn.

WARNING

• It must be remembered that ESP cannot defy the laws of physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet roads and when towing a trailer.

• Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.

Caution

• In order to ensure that ESP functions correctly, all four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.

• Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the efficiency of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS.

Note

To disconnect using the ESP button.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking during braking.

Electronic differential lock (EDL)

The electronic differential lock helps prevent the loss of traction caused if one of the driven wheels starts spinning. EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult or even impossible. The system will control the revolutions of the drive wheels using the ABS sensors (in case of an EDL fault the warning lamp for ABS lights up). At speeds of up to approximately 80 km/h, it is able to balance out differences in the speed of the driven wheels of approximately 100 rpm caused by a slippery road surface on one side of the vehicle. It does this by braking the wheel which has lost traction and distributing more driving force to the other driven wheel via the differential. To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle will continue to function normally without EDL. For this reason, the driver is not informed that the EDL has been switched off. The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.

WARNING

• When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice and snow, press the accelerator carefully. Despite EDL, the driven wheels may start to spin. This could impair the vehicle’s stability.

• Always adapt your driving style to suit road conditions and the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by EDL tempt you into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.

Caution

Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the efficiency of the EDL.

The traction control system (TCS)

The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from spinning when the car is accelerating.