Maserati Ghibli Owner's Manual page 198

Driving
Activating under slip conditions
different control systems:
• if slippage affects both drive wheels,
it reduces the power transmitted by
the engine;
• if slippage only affects one drive
wheel, it brakes the slipping wheel
automatically.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
This system completes the ABS system
by optimizing the vehicle braking
capacity during emergency brake
maneuvers. The system detects an
emergency braking situation by
sensing the rate and amount of brake
5
application and then applies optimum
pressure to the brakes in order to help
reduce braking distances.
The quick brake coupling is optimal for
BAS performances. In order to fully
exploit the system, apply continuous
brake pedal pressure during the entire
vehicle stop sequence. Do not reduce
brake pedal pressure earlier than
required. Once the brake pedal is
released, the BAS is deactivated.
196
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)
This system enhances directional
control and stability of the vehicle
under various driving conditions. The
ESC corrects over steering and under
steering of the vehicle by applying the
brake to the appropriate wheel.
Engine power may also be reduced to
assist in counteracting the conditions
of instability and maintain the right
direction. The system is also able to
reduce the engine power.
Through sensors fitted on the vehicle,
the ESC system detects the driver's
chosen direction comparing it to the
one maintained while running. In case
of discrepancy between the required
trajectory and the current one, the ESC
system brakes the appropriate wheel
to counteract over or under steering.
• Oversteer - when the vehicle is
turning more than appropriate for
the steering wheel position.
• Understeer - when the vehicle is
turning less than appropriate for the
steering wheel position.
The ESC system has two available
operating modes:
ESC on
This is the normal ESC operating mode.
At each start-up of the vehicle, the ESC
system is set in this mode and should
be used for most driving conditions.
The ESC should only be turned off for
specific reasons as pointed out in the
following paragraphs.
ESC off
The "ESC off" mode is aimed for a
more spirited driving experience but
also purposeful for driving in deep
snow, sand, or gravel. The current
mode disables the TCS portion of the
ESC and raises the threshold for ESC
activation, allowing higher wheel spin
than normally granted by the ESC
system. The switch is fitted beside
the gear shift lever: to deactivate the
system see"Drive mode" in "Automatic
Gearbox" in this section.
NOTE:
• When in "ESC off" mode, the TCS
functionality of ESC is deactivated
(except for the limited slip feature
described in the TCS paragraph of
this chapter). All other stability
features of ESC function regularly.
• To improve the vehicle's traction
when driving with snow chains, or
when starting off in deep snow,
(Continued)