Subaru Forester: Vehicle safety system / Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is designed to help maintain vehicle stability during cornering and sudden steering maneuvers, reducing the likelihood of losing control and helping the Kia Telluride remain on its intended path.

When necessary, ESC selectively applies braking force to individual wheels and works together with the vehicle management system to improve stability and help the Kia Telluride maintain traction.

Although ESC significantly improves vehicle control, it cannot prevent every accident. Excessive speed while cornering, abrupt steering inputs, hydroplaning, or driving beyond available traction may still result in loss of control.

Safe driving habits remain essential. Even with ESC equipped, always drive at speeds appropriate for traffic, weather, and road conditions while avoiding sudden or aggressive maneuvers.

WARNING

The ESC system is intended to assist the driver rather than replace attentive driving. Vehicle speed, steering input, road surface, and available tire grip all influence how effectively ESC can help maintain control. Continue to drive the Kia Telluride cautiously and leave adequate safety margins at all times.

When braking under conditions where wheel slip could occur, you may hear a rapid "tik-tik" sound or notice a slight pulsation through the brake pedal. These are normal signs that the ESC system is actively assisting.

TIP

ESC operation

The ESC system operates under the following conditions:

• When the vehicle is switched to the ON position, both the ESC and ESC OFF indicator lights illuminate for approximately three seconds while the system performs a self-test. The ESC system then becomes ready for operation.

• After starting the vehicle, press the ESC OFF button for at least half a second to switch the system off. The ESC OFF indicator appears. Press the button again to restore normal ESC operation, at which point the indicator turns off.

• A light ticking sound during engine start is normal and simply indicates that the ESC system is completing its automatic self-diagnosis.

When operating

While ESC is intervening, you may feel slight brake pulsation or subtle vehicle corrections. These are normal operating characteristics of the system.

When accelerating on slippery roads or while driving through mud, snow, or similar low-traction conditions, pressing the accelerator pedal fully may not immediately increase engine speed because the ESC system is limiting wheel slip.

ESC operation OFF

The Kia Telluride provides two ESC OFF modes. If the system is switched off and the vehicle is stopped, ESC remains off until the next engine restart, after which it automatically returns to normal operation.

Traction Control disabled

ESC OFF state 1

To disable only the traction control function while retaining the ESC braking assistance, press the ESC OFF button (ESC OFF ) for less than three seconds. The ESC OFF indicator (ESC OFF ) illuminates.

Traction and Stability Control disabled

ESC OFF state 2

To disable both traction control and ESC brake intervention, press and hold the ESC OFF button (ESC OFF ) for more than three seconds. The ESC OFF indicator (ESC OFF ) remains illuminated and a warning chime sounds, indicating that ESC assistance has been turned off.

Indicator light

When the vehicle is switched to the ON position, the indicator lights briefly illuminate and then go out if the ESC system is operating normally.

The ESC indicator flashes whenever the system is actively stabilizing the vehicle. If it remains illuminated continuously, the ESC system may require inspection.

The ESC OFF indicator remains illuminated whenever the ESC system has been manually switched off.

WARNING

ESC OFF usage

When driving

• Whenever possible, keep the ESC system enabled for maximum stability and safety.

• If it becomes necessary to disable ESC, do so only while driving on a flat road surface and only when appropriate for the driving situation.

WARNING

NOTE