While the latter takes the longitudinal forces occurring in straight-ahead running into account, DSC additionally registers and analyses lateral dynamic forces to ensure directional stability.
This means that also - and particularly - in cornering at high speeds, unstable vehicle states such as oversteering or understeering are effectively countered and vehicle stability and road safety are enhanced.
Not only when starting, driving in a straight path or braking does the vehicle remain entirely stable - this feature particularly provides maximum stability when taking bends.
Your benefits :
Function in detail :
Whilst ABS and ASC+T take account of longitudinal forces when the vehicle is travelling in a straight path, DSC also monitors and regulates the lateral forces.
The DSC computer constantly calculates an ideal driving condition that is compared with the current status. If the vehicle oversteers or understeers, the calculated ideal deviates from the measured status. DSC then intervenes within a few milliseconds via the engine management system by influencing the engine torque and activating brakes on individual wheels where necessary.
The system thus counteracts unstable vehicle behaviour in normal driving situations, e.g. when accelerating, braking, rolling or under sudden load changes (when changing gear, swerving or suddenly releasing the throttle).
These reactions translate into so-called "oversteer" (rear of car brakes into a slide towards the outside of the curve) and "understeer" (front of car pushes towards the outside of the curve).
In the case of oversteer, DSC would brake the "outer" rear (and, if needed, also the "outer" front) wheel in order to correct the vehicle's stance by generating a counter-momentum to neutralise the oversteer. In the new 3 Series, the braking effect is applied at both "outer" wheels.
Similarly, in the case of understeer DSC would act upon the "inner" rear (and, if needed, front) wheel to regain vehicle stability. In the new 3 Series, the braking effect is applied at both "inner" wheels.
These regulatory interventions are effected by the DSC electronic and hydraulic systems more rapidly and precisely than a driver's reactions, and, moreover, they are hardly felt by the vehicle's occupants.
DSC makes use of the ABS wheel-speed sensors, and also of the following additional components :