I see alot of people on here complaining about esp and how it hinders they're driving abilities. Well I'd have to say I've never had any issues with mine, even with the lift and taller tires.

Here in northern virginia we got about 3" of snow in my area. was driving to a buddy's house earlier this evening, roads were wet but clear, temp on my display said 36 deg F. Following another car about 60 mph down a 4 lane divided state route about 10 cars behind. We come up on a bridge where there is an emergency vehicle in the other side of the road, well out of the way. I didnt think about it at all, but looking back i should have. The car in front of me goes onto the bridge and hits black ice, panics, cuts the wheel, sldes sideways, and slams head on into the side of the bridge. I let off the gas and brake and abs kicks on immediately, no brakes at all. Turn the wheel lightly, nothing. So I'm basically going about 45-50 mph now and expecting to slam into the side of this Camry that just hit the bridge. At the last second I turn the wheel and hit the gas, at least hoping to slide sideways and hit the other side of the bridge instead of the car. The ESP light and traction lights come on and the Jeep goes around the wrecked car and misses him by what had to be inches. Talk about a miracle. Itd have been real bad had I hgit that car. Especially with the heavy bumpers I have. Im amazed that the esp worked so fast and got me under some form of control, at least enough to miss the car. I slid to a stop in the grass in the median and got out to make sure everyone was ok and called 911, and popped some flares to put out. That road was slick as could be.

I know I wont be tampering with my esp ever. That shit just saved my ass tonight.

 

First of all glad to hear you (and your JK) are okay. A similar type of situation caused me to become a fan of ABS a number of years ago. As for the ESP, I personally love the fact that its there but you can turn it off. On the road I leave it on for situations exactly like yours. But I like having the off switch for things such as doughnuts

 

I'm glad that everything turned out okay for you, HO. I haven't had anything so harrowing happen to me, but I also believe that the Jeep engineers knew what they were doing when they designed the ESP. The only time I've ever felt the need to turn it off on the highway was after wheeling and we'd (my son and me) bent the drag link. The ESP kept kicking on as we tried to enter the Interstate, killing the gas as we were trying to accelerate. We killed ESP for the trip home, then, after recentering the steering wheel, have let it run as programmed by the engineers. Off-road, I think some folks prefer a bit more control with the ESP fully off, but I guess my skills haven't progressed that far--the way it's programmed to function works just fine for me.

 

glad to hear you are okay. i also like the esp on the jk

 

Glad your OK. I've never given much thought to all the electro-goodies in the Jeep, but I'm glad that they are there. I've seen too many situations exactly like you described.

 

here in Arkansas we don't get snow. we do get lots of black ice though.

I came around a corner one dark morning on the way to work.
I had a truck in front of me and no one behind me.

we hit the corner and all I saw were lights coming from all different directions out of a ditch a little further up on my left.

I see the truck go out of control in front of me as I feel my tires loose all grip.

the jeep immediately took over. it took control of the gas and brakes and I just tried to steer. I was able to come of the slide and keep going foward while the truck in front of me slid right off into the ditch.

I can only tell you from experience. ESP kicks ass.

I think with the 5 ( i believe) different stability and traction contol systems we
have on our Jeeps now and the ability to turn some off.
we have one of the safest vehicles on the road today.

 

Living in Michigan I have learned to appreciate what I call the nannies always looking out for me. The jeep is awsome in snow and ice as the ESP is faster than me and more accurate.

 

Good deal.......glad you made it for sure. Even though you learn to drive on it pretty quick, here in Alaska the ice builds up and stays on the road for months. I can't tell you how many times the ESP has probably saved me. I love it and really think it's great that you can partially disable it at the push of a button....

 

Glad your are okay there HO.....I agree....ESP is great for on road save ur butt incidents....butt for wheelin it only takes away from your fun......

ESP on road =
ESP off road =

 

Interesting, if i had any sort of weather i'd leave mine off. for vegas its either sunny or cloudy, no real need.