The importance of tyre grip for the function of ESC systems on icy roads

In this study we have investigated how tyres with different road grip affect the stability of passenger cars equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems during winter road conditions. The introduction of ESC in passenger cars has been very positive for traffic safety. An ESC system's function is however dependent on forces between road and tyres. Thus, it is not clear how important the tyre road grip performance is for the ESC system to function properly. Field tests on ice with six different drivers were used for assessing how well an ESC system can help the driver in a specific critical situation during slippery road conditions, namely a sudden double lane change. Four different studless winter tyres were used in the study: one studless winter tyre for Nordic conditions, and three studless winter tyres for central European conditions. The specific tyres were chosen to represent a large difference of road grip on ice and snow, and winter tyre tests in the media served as a guide for picking out the tyres.