Will Mandatory Stability Control Roll Over the Pickup Truck Aftermarket?

Will Mandatory Stability Control Roll Over the Pickup Truck Aftermarket?
By John Stewart

Electronic stability control is a generic name for a suite of active safety systems that aim to prevent loss of vehicle control, including reducing rollover risk. They work by selectively braking certain wheels and controlling engine output in order to mitigate driver error or slick road conditions.

Stability control is scheduled to become mandatory safety equipment on all vehicles by the 2012 model year, and while it certainly improves safety, it could also create problems for those who modify their pickups -- particularly with upgrades like lift kits and suspension modifications.

Stability control is an antilock-braking-based safety system. On trucks, when they’re driven too hard through a corner, the system’s yaw sensors can recognize that the truck is likely to tip over. At that point, it checks inputs like steering-wheel direction, individual wheel speed sensors and what the driver is doing with the brakes and throttle to assess the driver’s intentions. If the driver’s interpreted intentions don’t fall within the systems acceptable operating parameters, it intervenes.

The system could help bring a swerving truck under control by cutting throttle and individually braking wheels, which would scrub off speed and whip the front end back in line, averting disaster. If this happens, a small icon usually flashes in the instrument panel, or a warning tone may sound, and the driver will notice a brief moment of hesitation while driving through the corner. Should the yaw detector see more-than-acceptable tilt, it will interpret that as an unsuccessful intervention. Airbags could even deploy beyond the point of recovery but before the vehicle has rolled completely, to protect occupants.

Electronic Stability Control

As America’s most customized vehicles, pickup trucks are often fitted with specialized aftermarket equipment. However, when an owner alters a vehicle’s wheels, tires, suspension, steering or anything that affects the center of gravity, the stability system could be compromised. This could theoretically include putting a roof rack with a spare tire on top, adding larger tires or an off-road suspension, or even changing to a different-size steering wheel.

Adding complexity: pickup truck stability control systems require special calibration settings that can exceed that of cars and crossovers because most trucks are rear-wheel drive and ESC response has to account for when a truck is hauling a load over those wheels in the cargo box and when it’s empty.

So far, nobody really knows exactly which alterations can be tolerated without compromising a stability system, but it’s clear the arrival of these systems will be a game-changing event for both owners and the aftermarket.

To get a sense of what would happen if modifications were indiscriminately made to a new pickup with stability control, we asked GM’s full-size truck vehicle line director Mike Tulumello.

“Systems integrated to compliance [with mandatory stability control] could be harder to monkey with,“ Tulumello said.

Lifted Chevrolet Silverado

He explained that the electronic systems are so interwoven, it’s hard not to affect some aspect of stability control when you change the handling charateristics of the truck by adding or replacing driveline or suspension hardware.

“Everything has to talk,” Tulumello said. “It’s all integrated. They’re not independent systems.”

Customizing a pickup truck could be risky, he said, “depending on how you do it. More and more, as you alter center of gravity, you’ll get yaw sensors that predict rollover and you’ll get false airbag deployments, things like that.”

Nick Cappa, spokesman for Chrysler, agreed that modifications could be problematic.

“Engineers design, test and optimize performance on factory tires and suspension,” he said. “Modifications, tampering with safety devices and the installation of some aftermarket parts can create unforeseen issues with stability and safety systems.”

The widespread use of stability control technology has prompted manufacturers of suspensions, wheels and tires to begin to study stability systems and what can be done to allow owners to continue to confidently install specialty equipment.

Legally, should an accident occur, the aftermarket parts manufacturer and installer could be targeted, whether the accident was caused by the alterations or not. Once the safety equipment becomes government-mandated, altering a vehicle’s dynamics might even be considered tampering -- a federal offense. The worst-case concern is that aftermarket modifications for pickup trucks could be legislated out of existence.

Lifted Chevrolet Silverado Ready for Testing

The Specialty Equipment Market Association is already well aware of the issue. John Waraniak, SEMA’s vice-president of OEM relations in Detroit, is leading a team that’s been working with computerized simulations that OEMs use to predict stability in vehicles they design. The simulations can make predictions about what happens when specific changes are made.

“I can tell you that we have been working on this for the last two years,” Waraniak said, adding that he is not ready to roll out specific information on what may or may not constitute a problem. Waraniak did say that SEMA is planning seminars on active and passive safety systems for SEMA members attending the show next November.

Some manufacturers have already begun stability testing on their own.

Explorer Pro Comp, a manufacturer of wheels, tires and suspension systems, based in Compton, Calif., recently announced it had completed a round of stability control compliance testing, successfully passing what’s known as FMVS Test 126, as described by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

So far as we know, Pro Comp is the first suspension manufacturer to report significant progress in this area. Its test vehicle was a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado equipped with a six-inch lift, 35-inch A/T tires and 18-inch alloy wheels. For each test, the vehicle performs maneuvers at various steering-wheel angles. Because the test involves the possibility of rollover, a robotic steering-wheel controller is used. While driving at 50 mph, the robotic steering wheel, when activated, rotates the steering wheel up to 300 degrees to the left and 300 degrees to the right in less than half a second.

The Silverado was instrumented with a multi-axis inertia-sensing system to measure roll, pitch and yaw. It also included ultrasonic distance-measuring sensors to measure ride height and calculate vehicle-roll angle; a radar speed sensor to measure vehicle speed; and a data acquisition system to record the test data.

Stability Control Test Equipment

According to the Explorer Pro Comp announcement, the test results demonstrated that this combination of wheel, tire and suspension system didn’t alter vehicle dynamics to a degree that the stability system would be significantly degraded.

“The results are not blanket results,” said Mark Mathews, marketing manager at Explorer Pro Comp. “This is just a first step, but it demonstrates our commitment to offer a high-quality product and respond to the changing demands of the market. This is the future; it’s what it’s going to take in order to be successful in this business.”

While Pro Comp’s testing showed that a Chevy pickup truck with a well-engineered, moderately tall lift can comply with government standards, each truck chassis is different. There are also differences in stability systems themselves from manufacturer to manufacturer, so much more testing will be needed. Mathews said the company would be doing more testing in the future using different platforms.

“The complexity of the systems and how they are engineered varies a bit between Ford, Chevy and so on,” Mathews said.

The question will be, how much added time, complexity and money will this testing add to the development of new suspension components for trucks? Have we approached the point where giant or moderate-sized lift kits will no longer be feasible for either consumers’ or manufacturers’ wallets? If that’s the case, the number of customization options available to truck owners will have shrunk as government-mandated safety regulations have grown.


In most states there are measurements of frame,door,bumper,or headlight height that must be maintained for safety inspection.Some states wont allow any deviation from factory specs.I think its high time to keep the off roaders to the off road,and the on road "pretenders"off the road period.Just a macho looking truck does nothing for safety,and actually makes it worse.(whats the gas mileage on those high riders as well....?)

Vehicle stability control is more government control over our lives because people out there DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE PROPERLY!

Why should I get punished for the stupid driving of the public?

I own a 2005 Tacoma X-Runner and it is modded for running high-speeds on road courses like Road America where I typically take the kink at over 110 mph, yeah with a pickup truck!

Stability control is for the morons that lack driving abilities, drive while talking on their cell phones, do not pay attention to their mirrors, drive handicap vehicles otherwise known as automatic transmissions, sit in the left lane all the time, cannot get up to speed while entering a highway, miss their apex all the time on the highways and so forth!

A driver lisense does not mean you know how to drive properly, it just grants you permission to drive on public roads!

99% of the motoring public does NOT know how to drive properly at slow speeds and high speeds.

YOU said it right OXi and Paul...I couldn't have said it any different..

Fortunately there is an ESC Off/On switch on those vehicles.
That will save you from the trauma of having to have a truck with ESC.

And yes Americans are the worst drivers on Earth. So putting some incompetent behind the wheel of a 4x4 with a 1 foot lift is a disaster in the making.
So the Feds put in Traction Control and Stability Control to keep the idiots from destroying 2 acres of farmland per day.

No problem we will find a way to bypass the crap. Anything is possible if you have the will. (or pay someone to do the job)

Great story Mike - fascinating implication of stability control that I had never considered. I wonder if after-market lift kit companies will just do what K&N does and put "off-road use only" disclaimers on any accessory they don't want to bother testing. Seems like the easiest way to push the responsibility off on the consumer and avoid the whole issue.

Actually I have a Tacoma with Stability Control, and have lifted it and added bigger tires. There haven't been any problems what-so-ever.

Just more freedom being taken away, if the government steps in and practically shuts down the aftermarket industry. Which will make many more companys go out of business.

I think lifted trucks should stay off the road anyway. I'm fine with have a lifted truck out on a farm or for off roading, but they poss a safty risk to those people on road with thier much higher then factory bumper hieghts, not to mention higher roll over rates.

ESC should be standard because even the most experienced drivers can get in trouble. I do agree some people do not drive properly.

Jacked up 4x4s really are silly. Don't these morons know that the lowest point on the truck is the rear differential?
These vehicles are dangerous on the roads and the owners probably have minimum or no insurance coverage because they tend to be poor and clueless.
These morons don't care about gas mileage because most of them live off of lawsuits and their old ladies.
The only problem with federally mandated stability control is that it will puss up the costs yet again in a time where they are not selling.

Too much FUD [fear, uncertainty, doubt] in this article.

ESP has nothing to do with 'rollover protection systems', though they are often integrated with such.

Ford's system to prevent rollovers LOCKS the outside rear wheel, initiating a skid, which reduces lateral grip reducing the likelihood of a rollover. [in the E-series van]

ESP, for reducing/correcting understeer/oversteer is a damn good thing, seeing as NO vehicles have 4 brake pedals. (and you need a third foot)

ESP can mitigate understeer in stages: the first level is to brake the inner rear (as seen in photo), if that is still not enough then the inner front & outer rear can also be braked, reducing the vehicle's speed/kinetic energy, leaving the massively understeering outer front wheel to roll unhindered-trying to generate as much cornering force as possible.

Brake actuated traction control [hardware traction control] is good for compensating for the limitations of an open differential, but can affect stability because hardware traction control is dumb. Imagine a rear drive pickup, you spin up the inner rear tire on a wet road, traction control can brake the wheel sending power to the outer rear wheel. Well if you stay on the power, then you can likely spin up the rear outer wheel, causing oversteer/fishtailing.

Software traction control can work in tandem with hardware traction control, say by limiting engine power (closing throttle, retarding spark, cutting fuel, etc.), cause an early upshift. This can prevent too much power sent to outer wheel, and keep overall wheel slip rate to a programmed percentage.

Are you serious Paul? Everyone who lifts their truck is poor and clueless? Please open up your eyes and crawl out of that ignorant rock you are stuck under. If you are on this site, you should already know truck customization is a huge hobby/passion all over the world. If someone has the money to lift their truck, they aren't going to be hurting too much. We love trucks and we will do what we damn well please with them.

Huh, seems, that the electronic guardian angels can not only help, but make things even worse... My car-philosophy is: the less electronic features in a car, the easier life You're having with it! If they want to push that damn stability control, make it first useful - the best way will be a (fully) turn off option, because not every car driver is an rookie or idiot. Don't get panic people - here in Europe the EU is having the same crazy idea!

Such a crock of B.S. Just another gov't control initiation designed to condone crappy driving habits. And to those who claim lifted 4x4s should be illegal; I hope you all drive cars, because you have no business being on a site like this or driving a pickup. If you're a good driver, then you shouldn't have to worry about run-ins with lifted 4x4s. Outlawing everything is NOT the answer. If you collide with a tractor-trailer, it's likely you'll be dead, so maybe we should out law them too. Get rid of all these bogus (gov't mandated) technologies, and start taking licenses away from people getting into accidents repeatedly. The driver is the sole factor in road safety, NOT the vehicle. The problem here is people getting paid waaay too much money to figure out ways to make our lives more difficult (and expensive). When is this going to stop? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

The only people have a problem with ESC/ETC are the Freepers who see a government conspiracy behind every government law or ruling!

Most don't have their panties in a bunch over this NON-issue issue!
As for me, if the vehicle does NOT have ESC & Traction Control & the Advanced Bosch ABS system, I won't buy the vehicle!
Couple lousy pieces of electronics that could save your life!

Unlike some, I don't depend on my vehicle to keep me safe; just my driving abilities.

Do they also come with binkies and fresh diapers

@ Taylor


I think the author is missing something key; you can go ahead and install that 10" lift kit, just add larger/heavier/lower truck nuts to keep the center of gravity at the factory spec.

Mandating stability control isn't a big deal. Tons of sports cars have it and give you the option to turn it off. Is anyone mad about having ABS on their car/truck? No way, the system is faster and more effective than even the best drivers. If any of the commenters who oppose stability control can choose exactly which wheels to apply the brakes to in an emergency, my hat's off to you.

Lots of comments, most of them baseless.

Here's some FACTS:

The most important piece of equipment in the vehicle is the driver, and there is no substitute for quality driver training, an alert driver, and a well set-up vehicle.

A well designed and executed stability control system will enhance the driver's experience.

They call them accidents for a reason - nobody plans on having to avoid a collision and very few people are prepared when presented with the necessity. What happens next - the panic - is where stability control systems help most.

I routinely measure over 1g of lateral acceleration in F150s and Ranger pickups - system on! There is no way to approach that without the AdvanceTrac with RSC electronics.

Physics still rules the day. A vehicle with a narrow track, high CG, and/or sticky tires is more prone to roll over than a vehicle with a wide stance and low CG. Tires with less lateral grip also make roll overs less likely.

The best systems can only minimize the risk of rolling over or spinning out and causing a tripped roll over, with the intention of saving lives and reducing injuries.

Are the systems absolutely necessary - no. Would I want my family to drive vehicles equipped with a well-sorted stability control system - absolutely.

Paul needs to see a SHRINK. Poor people! these kits are expenssive. I drive a 2005 NISSAN K/C SE. I could not wait for the 12/36000 to expired so I can start modifying my truck. Guess what Paul the cheapest for me was a 2.5 in front and a 1.5 block in the rear. Do your homework before you start inssulting the hardcore individuals. Some of the modifications take months to years accomplish. So let them be. I work as a part-time auto tech. It's hard work!

I would really like to hear from an insurance underwirter to chime in here on a couple of points. If the owner has modified the vehicle in a way other than the factory built it, is there typically language in a policy that would make the owner responsible for the damages to property and life as a result of his modifications if they can be proven to attribute to the incident?

Each who reads should consider this from a different viewpoint.......I don't see it as government control but rather a way to help mitigate increasingly expensive insurance premiums, which you benefit from these types of laws in the long run. The government is not telling you you cannot modify your truck....they are simply saying you cannot modify a truck built by a automobile manufacturer. If you don't like the rules then create your own line of vehicles and sell to people (who should have been consumed by the process of natural selection) and see how much money you spend defending frivilous law suits for not having stability control on trucks.

I am all for it 100% and will rely on the ability of the team of professionals I work with to create lift products that operate within the boundaries of the law. It's not the end but rather a beginning to the next chapter of products!!

Just to let everyone know in here, im against the stability programs, my fathers unlimited wrangler has it and thank god you can turn it off, because sometimes tire spin is mandatory to get you somewhere, and with it on, it kills the engines power and almost comes to a screaching hault! To those who say only poor men own lifted trucks, thats the same as saying every man who drives a mini-van is a women. although some might be not everyone of them are. LIfting trucks and wheeling is a passion just like you enjoy sipping on tea and reading a book

so, for those of you who are for the nannying, when a car crashes in front of your vehicle, you swerve quickly to avoid it. But because of the ESC, you no longer have control of your vehicle and instead iof turning, you drive straight into another car and kill all passengers inside. How is that safe? to brent saying ESC allows you to pull 1 g in a car. My 1955 jeep can pull just as much lateral as any truck with esc if not better. ESC works by applying and releasing the brakes, that means the brakes are only on 90% of the time, which means 90% of the braking. The Ferrari Enzo barely pulls 1 g at road speeds, it costs about 850k if you can get one, if not more now. This is just the Democratic party trying to control one more thing that they dont like while giving themselves more power. ESC does not make a car safer for other people on the road, only those in the car by making you crash straight on instead of sideways. There are already safety laws out, 22 inches minimum and 48 inches maximum headlight hight from center of bulb to ground here in california. That means a stock honda del sol is illegal to buy, sell or drive in california. Solve that little problem. ABS is a great thing, ESC can be a great thing, if you dont have the skills required to drive. An accident is when you crash your car by yourself which is usually because you were stupid, ive done it and im sure some of you have as well. Did you know... That most car crashes on a freeway involve only victems? The person that causes most car crashes is not involved because they are oblivious even after the loud noise. Like watchin an old asian lady drive around town with a flat and not know somthing is wrong and no im not racist, ive seen it here where i live. Just like the people in a smart car or prious that go 90mph and cut everyone off. Most lifted trucks drive slower then other traffic which by the way 95% of people on freeways are speeding. And car computers keep track of all that when there is an airbag deployment. Manufacturers will never be responsible for a crash unless it was a manufacturing defect like toyota throttle peddles, or firestone tires. The technology is there in place already to show exactly what happened at the moment of impact, even which windows were down, were the cab lights on? were ytour wipers on in the rain? no, this law is pointless and expensive, just like the democratic party, they know how to spend our money for everyone else, except for us. Ill spend my own money, i know what i need, you dont.

hay i am mithcell i love gmc i can not waite until i can get one butt my dad is a ford gye and i am only 9


Well said Mr. Two wheels. Accidents are called like that for a reason and even the best drivers at some point will have one. I have been driving trucks, cars, and motorcycles since I was 11 without any accidents and now at age 43 I would definitely drive any vehicle with ESC over one without it. This becuase I know humans are capable of errors which can become accidents, but this is were stability control takes over. For all those stubborn pick up truckers- it's to avoid accidents cousr by human errors!! Get it? Human error. Who has or knows a "perfect" human?

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