Stability Control Sensor Cluster (ABS With Stability Assist)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Lincoln Navigator and 2005 Ford Expedition. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The sensor cluster (also called the accelerometer) consists of the yaw rate sensor, roll rate sensor, lateral accelerometer, and longitudinal accelerometer. The lateral accelerometer measures the acceleration that corresponds to the force involved when the vehicle slides sideways. This acceleration has 2 forms. The first is the centrifugal acceleration that is generated when the vehicle travels around in a circle. The second is the acceleration due to gravity. On level ground there is no contribution from this acceleration. However, if the vehicle is parked sideways on a bank or incline, the sensor measures some lateral acceleration due to gravity, even though the vehicle is not moving.

The longitudinal accelerometer measures the acceleration corresponding to the force involved when the vehicle moves forward and rearward in the horizontal plane, along the centerline of the vehicle's front and rear wheels.

The yaw rate sensor measures the relative vehicle motion about the vertical axis through its center of gravity.