Question of the Day: Should I Avoid Purchasing the 2008 Ford Fusion Because it Doesn't Have Stability Control?

Although it's primarily a feature associated with SUVs and crossovers, stability control is a fantastic addition for any car buyer concerned about safety. Does that make it absolutely necessary for any small car? It depends on how much you want to spend and what type of climate you plan to drive in. Ask.cars.com can give you further advice on how important stability control will be to you.

Should I avoid purchasing the 2008 Ford Fusion because it doesn't have stability control? (Ask.cars.com)

Comments

yes.

Stability control is only a necessity in rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks/SUVs with a high center of gravity. A Ford Fusion will fare just fine with four wheels and a sober driver.

Stability control is only a necessity if you don't know how to drive. Rear wheel drive cars and trucks/SUVs, along with anything that has 4 wheels, will fare just fine with an intelligent driver.

No. Stability control can help out situations that are not of your own making.
Say you are going around a bend, and some careless truck has spilled loose gravel into the median.
Your front outer tire will slide, cause understeer. You can turn the front wheel all you want, you are still understeering, and leaving your lane.

Now what would be bad is if a car just happens to be coming the other way. You will hit it, and be at fault.

With stability control, the inner rear tire will be braked, generating a torque to help yaw the car, compensating for the understeer. It may be enough to avoid colliding with that other car, but you still may cross over the center.

and the stability programing can brake 2 and even 3 wheels to help control the vehicle's attitude.

Stability control is good. That is why VW is making it standard on all '09s, and is being mandated for all vehicle in a few years.