There are several threads on this forum about how to disable the JK's ESP. They include using the steering wheel dance method, as well as hardwiring in a switch. I don't consider myself a safety nut--I do things safely, but I think many folks go to extremes--the third brake light is a great example. I'm not one to care whether you remove your rear seat headrests--the improvement in visibility, thus reducing the chance of an accident, may very well offset the risk of having an accident with a passenger who'd benefit from that headrest actually in the rear seat. And the safety of a vehicle is one of the last things I consider in a new vehicle purchase. I just think of the 99% safety solution as being a cautious driver, not a vehicle with a bajillion safety gizmos to make up for stupidity and unnecessary risk taking.

Anyway, the news article below, which is about accident statistics, has some very pertinent information about electronic stability control in SUVs (which for their purposes includes Jeeps). It's a strong argument why you should let the Jeep's electronics take care of things when driving on road. If you must disable ESP completely, then chose the hardware mod rather than the steering wheel dance, because with the former you can turn it back on easily when it could be most beneficial. In fact, properly wired up it could reset to back on every time you turn off the vehicle, making disabling it a conscientious act.

usatoday.com/money/autos/2011-06-09-suv-crash-death-rates-drop_n.htm

 

I agree... to an extent. I grew up in Northern Idaho, where it snows anywhere for 4 to 8 feet each winter. My first truck was a 1977 two wheel drive Chevy. No traction control. Second vehicle, 91 dodge cummins, no traction control. Third vehicle, 97 Jeep no traction control. No accidents, you get the point.
ESP serves a purpose to a very large majority, who in an emergency while driving would panic. I, however, feel my safety is put at risk by giving a computer, which has no instincts, the ability to hinder my driving by using the ABS to counter wheel-spin. Not to mention how big of a buzzkill ESP is when playing in an icy parking lot.

The JK is an awesome vehicle, but given the choice, i would take the electronics package, and throw it in the dumpster.

I want control of my vehicle, and I want it now!

 

I'm used to driving in snowy / icy conditions and turning the electronic nanny of is the first thing I do before driving away in the winter.

It is a safety feature but with my driving style and experience, it has nearly caused a few accidents.

I know how to correct over/understeer and have driven in many rally events in pro stock class.

I guess it's one of those personal preference things.

 

My JK has all the electronic stuff. I still have control of the vehicle.
I avoid accidents because of the way I drive. The computer programs are there as a limited backup.

 

The ESP on these things really isn't very good at all.

I've nearly wrecked twice coming into a red light where the road is rippled with brake bumps....the second a tire skips off of one of these the ESP goes insane bouncing off the rest and violently throwing the Jeep around. The last time it happened I nearly hit a cop sitting in the turn lane trying to get it back under control.

It's also detected the slightest slippage pulling onto busy roads and shut down the throttle nearly leaving me stuck to get broadsided.

I am not a fan of the stability control on the JK at all.

 

really? try steering in to a slide, cant do it! the esp, abs and everything else tries to control the vehicle. hell try whipin a shitty then tell me whos in control, you or the computer?

 

I've never had anything like that happen.
I've had it back off the throttle in the snow, once or twice, but it was just doing what I would have done anyway, only before I had the chance to do it.
As far as at sandy intersections, I've never had it kick in. The inside tire does slip a little on the sand, but never enough the make it back off the throttle.

 

I know all about steering into a slide, but I've never slid the Jeep.

 

I think you are fortunate. I do not drive aggressively on the road in the Jeep... Kinda pointless to do so, however with the horrible road surfaces in Illinois, I can't hit a clover leaf exit ramp without kicking on the ESP. Now I'm fine with being protected in an actual emergency, but I agree that it becomes dangerous when trying to merge at highway speed only to be greeted with a moment of panic because you lost power on a clear road in beautiful weather due to the ESP and a bump. I don't want ESP gone, maybe just less sensitive. The braking things mentioned above has never happened to me to that extent, but I hate that too. I have some train tracks followed by a stop sign that sometimes causes a bit of an interesting moment.

 

Within an hour of buying my jeep, I almost hit a curb with the frontend pulling into an icy parking lot. I have always played hard in every vehicle I've owned, and can control a vehicle quite well. But when the computer chops your throttle and starts applying brakes to straighten you right out into a curb, it's gotta go!! Had the jeep been allowed to properly slide it would've been controllable. Not that there is a proper slide in an hour old jeep!! I immediately looked up the steering wheel dance and haven't looked back since. I think all the stability control in the world is worthless if you know how to correct a vehicle. All it does is counter-intuitive to what you need to do as a driver! It's meant for people that do not have experience controlling a vehicle that is close to being out of control.