I think I figured out the ESP this weekend. With it off the throttle is more responsive, faster to actually open up, thus the car feels faster. I think when the ESP is on, the throttle is calibrated to a slower response time. Remember we have drive by wire so the computer does control the throttle. As far a MPG going up with the ESP off again just a thought but since the throttle is more sensitive do we then feather foot the throttle more increasing the MPG. Also I found that with the ESP off if I start to get a lot of wheel spin, it sounds like the traction control kicks in anyway but not as fast or hard?

I assume you mean ESC and that your car does not have Extra Sensory Perception?

Yes the stability control. I think its called something else on my Tuscon.

My car felt more "nervous" during more spirited driving with the ESC off.I like the ESC in the Sonata as it's not too intrusive.

This post has been edited by Lambda: Apr 4 2006, 09:17 AM

LOL! Yah...its called ESP on the Tuscon. I beleive it was Hyundai's first vehicle to have that feature and they were still determing what the correct term to call it. I still occaisionally refer to it as ESP at the dealership and it confuses them all....

Oh Sorry Terkar, I did not realize it really used to be called ESP.

Just a question about the ESC...is it normal that it is on everytime you turn the car on you have to shut it off or is it just my car that is being silly?

It's on by default. I wish it had a rocker type off/on switch.

What are you driving? Since I was not aware of the different name in the Tucson I will only answer for the 2006 Sonata. Yes, you have to turn it OFF each time you start the car. It is designed to be ON all the time.

bobad beat me to the post LOL

Same for the Tuscon you must turn it off each time you start the engine. In case you all are wondering I drive a 2006 sonata lx, my wife drives a 2006 sonata gl auto, and my daughter drives a 2005 tuscon gls, and my stepson drives a 2005 elantra. To date I have never had to bring any of these vehicles in for anything more than oil changes, maintenance, or recalls!!!!

Would be interesting to check your RPM with and w/o ESC at certain speeds... I think that would be more accurate way to test it...

I have to admit the little tesst I've done did NOT give me anything different between driving with or w/o ESC.

Maybe the V6 is different in that aspect?

I tried it on my wife's gl--no difference, but there is a difference on my LX.

And let me guess... you are using a Hyundai computer monitor, right? :)

This post has been edited by bobad: Apr 5 2006, 08:22 AM

Tried what, exactly? Did you check the RPM at certain different speeds? Was there a difference, and if yes, what kind of difference?

Do you really think the V6 reacts to ESC on-or-off in a different way than the I4?

I'll try it today...hope it won't affect my break-in period...!

Is ESC a worth while option, or is just another gadget just asking for expensive repairs down the road? I have never driven a car with this feature and would like some good advice on this.

ESC is not an option - it is standard on all Sonatas. As far as repairs go, any time you add more actuators, sensors, and computers, there is the potential for things to break. I would guess that some of the ESC parts are rather expensive.

The ESC should be invisible until you get into a situation where it is needed, such as a skid or impending roll-over, then the car actuates the brakes individually and cuts power in an attempt to bring the care back into control. As noted above, some Sonata owners seem to notice a difference with ESC off in normal driving - I personally do not, and I tend to push the car pretty hard in my "normal" driving. I do find it quite useful (and sometimes entertaining) in winter driving.