A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a
pitch rate sensor (37) generating a pitch rate signal, a longitudinal
acceleration sensor (36) generating a longitudinal acceleration signal,
and a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a yaw rate signal. A safety system
(44) and the sensors are coupled to a controller. From the sensors, the
controller (26) determines an added mass and a position of the added
mass, a pitch gradient and/or a pitch acceleration coefficient that takes
into account the added mass and position. The controller controls a
vehicle system in response to the added mass and the position of the
added mass, the pitch gradient and/or pitch acceleration coefficient
variables.