GM has announced in 2005 that all of GM’s cars and trucks sold at retail would have StabiliTrak standard by the end of 2010. However, StabiliTrak is now standard in many GM vehicles. StabiliTrak is General Motors’ trademark name for their Electronic Stability Control system first introduced in 1997 Cadillac models. This helps in low-traction conditions like ice, snow, gravel, wet pavement, and uneven road surfaces. Electronic stability control systems like StabiliTrak, are proven to help reduce single-vehicle crashes.

Using sensors, StabiliTrak detects the difference between the steering wheel angle and the direction you’re actually turning. It also applies quick, precise force to the appropriate brakes to help the driver control the vehicle’s direction to help keep it on course.

Today, the 2007 Cadillac STS includes standard safety features such as the StabiliTrak system and brakes with brake assist technology. One of the things that could follow StabiliTrak relatively quickly is a technology known as panic brake assist. Everything is in place with the StabiliTrak systems to enable the activation of panic brake assist. GM rolls that out on all StabiliTrak-equipped vehicles in coming years. There are other safety technologies that ESC systems can enable, but when it comes to protection in a crash or near crash, the most effective technology remains the safety belt.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 19th, 2007 at 9:18 pm and is filed under Braking Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.