Traction Control And Stability Control

**johnyfalco** · 16-03-2010, 11:15 AM

I am looking at at buying a 2005 or 2006 Golf TDI but just wanted to know what the difference is between the standard Traction control and the optional Automatic Stability Control.
I realize the Automatic Stability Control wasn't standard in the Golfs until 2008.

**Gravey** · 16-03-2010, 11:31 AM

Isnt ASC just another name for ESC? ESC is the combination of Traction Control + ABS. ECS will use ABS to brake a particular wheel that is spinning, which also works with Traction Control to limit the revs to the engine to prevent wheel spin also

**Maverick** · 16-03-2010, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by johnyfalco

I am looking at at buying a 2005 or 2006 Golf TDI but just wanted to know what the difference is between the standard Traction control and the optional Automatic Stability Control.
I realize the Automatic Stability Control wasn't standard in the Golfs until 2008.

Traction controls stops your front wheels from spinning under power by applying the brake(s) to the spinning wheel(s) and/or retarding engine power.

Stability control is a much more advanced system that takes control when the car is not going where the steering wheel is pointing (it does this via numerous sensors including lateral acceleration, roll rate, steering wheel angle, yaw, wheel speed and other sensors (depends on type and generation of stability control). It uses the brakes on individual wheels, the transmission (can go up or down), can assist in steering and can retard engine power (again depending on type and generation of stability control).