In simple terms, stability control is a computer-managed system that is designed to help the driver maintain control of a vehicle during sudden maneuvers. The technology is considered an "active" safety system because it is designed to help the driver avoid an accident. Sudden braking, throttle or steering inputs when traveling on slick surfaces,or during emergency avoidance maneuvers, can put a vehicle in an unstable state which can potentially result in a spin-out. Without stability control, the vehicle could be nearly impossible to keep on the road. With stability control, however, the driver will feel the loss of control only momentarily.

When sensors and software identify a loss of control, within fractions of a second the system will automatically begin to regulate the brakes and throttle in an attempt to bring the vehicle back under control.Throughout the process, the driver only needs to steer the car toward its intended direction of travel as the system will remain working until the person behind the wheel has complete control once again.However, stability control is not fail safe. If the car is violently heading off course, the driver is traveling at a high rate of speed, or the surface is particularly slick, stability control might not correct the situation. It can, however, work to mitigate whatever damage might occur from a loss of control even if it cannot fully correct the skid.