Slip Indicators
These are all Slip Indicator and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Fault symbols. When a vehicle detects slippery conditions, its stability or traction control system is activated. The light will flash, irregularly in some vehicles, indicating that the system is doing its work, which is to help keep the vehicle in control (next paragraph).
- Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
- Otherwise, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!
These systems work by applying brake action to individual wheels when a loss of steering control is detected. Braking may be applied to an outer front wheel to counter oversteer, or an inner rear wheel to counter understeer. Its important to note that some systems, depending on the manufacturer, may reduce engine power until control is reestablished.
If the same light remains lit or flashes for an extended period when starting your vehicle, it indicates a fault in the stability control system. The vehicle will operate normally, but without the advanced control system. You may continue driving, but do so with caution, particularly in poor weather.
Many More Versions
The indicators may also be in text form. Some manufacturers also include an intermittent beep while the system is active. Your dealer or authorized service center will be best equipped to address problems with the system.
But again, for the most part, these images appear when the system is functioning properly and doing its job! There are no other warning lights that will appear on your instrument panel when a vehicle’s system is doing what its supposed to do. They are frankly an unnecessary distraction, particularly given that road conditions are likely slippery.
Note that Traction Control evolved to Active Traction Control, finally evolving to Stability Control Systems. Warning lights for these systems are more commonly seen as variations of the image of a car with skid marks behind it, but all of them are doing essentially the same job.
The image with its squiggly or wavy lines behind a car, is unfortunately that of a car in a skid, which can be more than a little unnerving, particularly to drivers unfamiliar with the symbol’s meaning. It is seen whether the system is working to keep the vehicle in control and when the system is off, which the strike through line indicates. The addition of the wrench also indicates that the vehicle has detected a fault in the system. Again, the vehicle will operate normally, but without the advanced control system.
The last image to include is the triangle with an exclamation point inside. Some older vehicles that were first to offer stability control use this as a Slip Indicator or as a Fault Indicator. That is, it is seen when the system is doing its job and keeping the vehicle in control when a slip or skid is sensed, as was noted above.
Unfortunately, the symbol is more commonly seen in red as the Master Warning symbol. It is used to get a driver’s attention so that he or she would take notice of a message in the instrument panel’s information center. Learn more here.
Too Many Names
Due to a lack of standardization, stability control systems go by names chosen by individual vehicle manufacturer. It may be:
- AdvanceTrac
- Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)
- Electronic Stability / Stabilization Control (ESC)
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
- Interactive Vehicle Dynamics (IVD)
- Precision Control System (PCS)
- StabiliTrak
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
- Vehicle Dynamics Control Systems (VDCS)
- Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
- Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
- Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), etc.
But the lights and the words mean exactly the same thing.
When illuminated, this text indicator, DSTC SPORT, does not indicate a problem. Rather it says that the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system’s Sport Mode has been selected by the driver. The manufacturer states that the actual function is to provide maximum traction in sand, snow or while driving with snow chains, which would seem completely counter to a “Sport Mode”.
DSTC includes a number of functions: Traction Control (TC), Active Yaw Control (AYC), Spin Control (SC), and Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), all of which sound too much like an attempt at winning an acronym competition. The end game is helping you keep your vehicle safely on the road.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY