Electronic stability control to be required in US

[dlr97]

by 2012.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14821253/
Ford says all of its cars will have it standard by 2009, and "SUV's" by end of 2007. At least we will not have to bug Volvo dealers to carry cars with this option in the near future.

[ellita]

I heard about this last night--NBC news had a segment on it. They showed an XC90 not skidding, followed by somebody else's car doing a double-loop.

The story made me glad that I had insisted on DSTC during the purchase of our new XC70, particularly when, after seeing the NBC broadcast, my wife asked if our new car had this feature, and I was able to say "yes".

None of the Volvo salesmen that I talked to made any mention of DSTC, unless to say it was unnecessary for an XC70 (those guys were at dealerships that had no cars with DSTC). This was early last June, when DSTC was a rare feature on the '06 models, and no '07s were available. Now that DSTC is finally standard on 07's, hopefully they will change their tune. Volvo should have made DSTC standard years ago.

[Willy]

After reading the message in the link, I am not sure what kind of
electronic stabilty control Ford is talking about.
STC is such a system, I don't see any references to DSTC!
I do hope I am wrong though, since there is quite a difference between
STC and DSTC.
Willy

[Raynald]

After reading the message in the link, I am not sure what kind of
electronic stabilty control Ford is talking about.
STC is such a system, I don't see any references to DSTC!
I do hope I am wrong though, since there is quite a difference between
STC and DSTC.
Willy

If I'm not mistaken, the word DSTC is a kind of "trademark" for Volvo. The difference between STC and DSTC is the "dynamic" word added. In fact, Volvo's DSTC only works on a AWD system: in conjunction with Haldex AWD system, brake or torque can be applied on each wheel. In the case of a FWD, only brake can be applied on rear wheels, thus STC. I'm pretty sure that the magic word here is "stability", controlling brakes, torque and reducing power for either FWD, AWD or RWD cars. It becomes very confusing, IMHO, because each manufacturer has its own system... and designation.

[littlewaywelt]

If I'm not mistaken, the word DSTC is a kind of "trademark" for Volvo. The difference between STC and DSTC is the "dynamic" word added. In fact, Volvo's DSTC only works on a AWD system: in conjunction with Haldex AWD system, brake or torque can be applied on each wheel. In the case of a FWD, only brake can be applied on rear wheels, thus STC. I'm pretty sure that the magic word here is "stability", controlling brakes, torque and reducing power for either FWD, AWD or RWD cars. It becomes very confusing, IMHO, because each manufacturer has its own system... and designation.

The generic term for the system is Electronic Stability Control and unless I'm mistaken, Mercedes pioneered it in the early 90s.

There was a study last year that showed that drivers that had this system were 50% less likely to die in a single vehicle accident. Presumably this is the standard type where people overcorrect as a result of a lack of attention, a lack of skill, or both.

This system was important enough to us that we had to special order to get a car with it equipped the way we wanted it, and we contacted over 20 dealers. We heard the same song and dance from countless dealers about the uselessness of the DSTC system. Volvo should be ashamed of themselves that for years they continued to make such an important, life saving option so impossibly difficult to find and that they apparently did such a poor job educating their dealerships about the system. I suspect that Volvo will be the first ones to toot their own horn about this now "standard" feature.

At least they have finally stepped up to the plate.

[Raynald]

(...) Volvo should be ashamed of themselves that for years they continued to make such an important, life saving option so impossibly difficult to find and that they apparently did such a poor job educating their dealerships about the system. (...)

I totally agree with you. And it can be said for all safety features that were judged "non essential" in the past by many manufacturers like seat belts, air bags, disc brakes, radial tires, ABS and so on. If it's available, tested and efficient, then put it in! Some will say that it cost more, but who cares if it saves lives. And if it's mandatory, the cost per unit will probably drop anyway.

[RedXC]

Tire pressure monitoring systems are also being standardize.

[Jack]

It's sad that I couldn't find an XC70 in dealer stock with DSTC in '05 (and I looked!). It's sad that I had to order my V50 in '06 to get DSTC. It's wonderful that all '07s will have it! Better late than never but not the image that Volvo should be promoting. With today's US government announcement it would have been a nice sound bite to hear "...but Volvo has had stability control standard for xxx years..." but of course we didn't (and couldn't).

[JsR]

Tire pressure monitoring systems are also being standardize.

I totally agree. I'd love to have warning of lowered pressure caused by picking something up whilst driving, before I start running on the rims. Just as long as the mnfrs don't use it as the opportunity to get rid of the spare and use the 'spare' space for something else, making it impossible to carry one if you want to .

John R

[Willy]

It is still not very clear to me what kind of system the article refers to.
I mentioned STC and DSTC just to show that there are major differences in
sophistication between these stability systems.
I just checked on the Volvo website, DSTC is available on 2WD cars as well.
Willy