Is EPC safe?

IS EPC SAFE?

The Electronic Power Control Circuit with its EPC light virtually has every motorist annoyed globally. Most motorists seem to be up in arms over this "idiotic warning light". Yes, this is exactly what several clients have called it because they believe manufacturers added it into cars as  a "cash cow" measure, which the dealer will reset by just pressing a button and charge then through there noses. This is really not the case because there are so many dealer's mechanical workshops that have no idea how to fault find nor repair and EPC fault. Motorists have even gone as far as saying the the EPC circuit is an unnecessary addition, as the tried and tested Otto Cycle internal combustion engine has worked perfectly for at least a hundred years without it.  

Without question, the EPC light is probably the most misunderstood dashboard light plaguing motorist the past two decades. However the EPC circuit is in fact a safety feature that few seem to appreciate. But is doesn't work in isolation, it is a sub circuit of a the ECU circuit. The ECU overseas the running of the running of engine at its peak whereas the EPC circuit is specific to the torque circuit - whatever propels the vehicle and safely stops the vehicle!

For example, in older cars that used a physical cable to control the throttle; it was prone to fray and could easily get stuck whist driving at high speed. This actually happened hundreds if not thousands of times, hence an alternative was imperative. When releasing the accelerator pedal with a frayed cable the engine would remain at a high rev and make braking difficult if not impossible. Restated, an accident in the making. This will never happen with cars fitted with EPC because it uses drive by wire - which in effect is an electronic throttle control,

Some Volkswagen vehicle problems makes driving in traffic very difficult let alone dangerous due to loss of braking & steering assistance. Case in point, when the ABS warning light comes on, its more often than not a melted fuse located on the battery cover that dies from metal fatigue or caused by faulty  or  intermittent connection on the wheel rotation sensor wiring.  Or if one of the brake light burns out, the EPC circuit would determine that the car is not in a "roadworthy condition" and instruct the ECU to disables propulsion so that the necessary repairs can be effected.

The EPC circuit monitors several sensors and when anyone of them go out of whack, the EPC kicks in, to the rescue of the driver by sending the car into limp mode. Admittedly not everyone shares the sentiment that "limp mode" is a safety measure because if appears to causes more feelings of frustration than feelings of safety. There are tens of thousands of motorists who would testify to the latter, myself included. I experienced  loss of power whilst driving on the freeway with a large trucks behind me, that almost wiped me out if I hadn't swerved out of its way just in time.

I'm almost certain you've had a similar experience with your Volkswagen. My sister had such an experience with her grandchildren in the car ad she swore she would never drive a Volkswagen again.