Benj-AMG

Isn't a normal accelerator attached to a throttle cable that regulates the throttle body? This is, of course, pure speculation... I don't know very much about how engines work yet... What is the benefit of an electronic throttle?

MadMax1996

iTrader: (1)

I think it just benefits the service dept when it breaks. Instead of simply charging you for throttle cable and installation - they can probably spend all day diagnosing the problem! CHA-CHING!! Shortly thereafter you will hear a large sucking sound - it's coming from your wallet. Doh!

spirilis

iTrader: (2)

I suppose in theory it simplifies the idle management... since you don't need an IACV valve or anything (it just adjusts the throttle automatically instead, right?)

Should also simplify the Cruise Control, however it would require the cruise control to be implemented by the ECU instead of a separate computer...

Oh yeah, it also inflates the cost of throttle-related repairs!

jattmax

a "computer" controls your vehicles acceleration... now thats just scary, i hope microsoft didn't have anything to do with that software

KLOOGY

iTrader: (12)

Screws with NX installs.....for WOT hook up .

MadMax1996

iTrader: (1)

How much would that suck... people with Nav would probably get the old BSOD every once and a while... Where's the Ctrl-Alt-Del?????

BSOD=Blue Screen Of Death.

Fezzik

iTrader: (2)

Yeah. when I cleaned the throttle body on my 2k I could work the butterfly with the throttle, but in the 2k2 the accelerator pedal doesn't work the butterly. There's a nice little black box that is next to the throttle body on my 2k2 that controls it.

slvr2KSE5

as far as how it works....you have a potentiometer on the throttle pedal sending a position signal to the "black box" which controls the motor for the throttle plate. im not sure if its a stepper motor or what.

volvos have been using it for a while now. ford diesels have half the system. (no throttle plate) the new F150 has it.

bixmaxxx

I had a long talk with a retired engineer friend about this when I had first purchased my Max because I had expressed doubts as to the advantages and reliability of the drive-by-wire system. He said it was FAR superior to the old cable linkage. Basically this system through computer control can read what your foot is doing while knowing what gear the car is in and knowing atmospheric conditions of the air going into the engine and through computer control of these (and many other factors that he mentioned) combine to create more power, economy, better performance, etc. because all of these variables, including what your foot is doing are now linked by computer. I, for one, still can't tell it's there unless I use the cruise control which lets the pedal stay all the way up now instead of being modulated like the old systems.

desperado_45

Its obviously not powered by microsoft, since my car doesnt unexpectedly die every day.

2k2kev

but it may be some day!!

REDMOND, Wash. -- First Microsoft set out to put a computer in every home. Now the software giant hopes to put one in every vehicle, too.

"We'd like to have one of our operating systems in every car on Earth," said **** Brass, vice-president of Microsoft's automotive business unit. "It's a lofty goal."

(more)
http://www.wired.com/news/autotech/0...=wn_bizhead_10

edit: his name is d i c k and it got ****ed out.

NYC TAR

iTrader: (2)

the reason they changed the system is becused they can hook up the ABS, fuel cut,TCS,HSLP,accelation. to the same computer. basically, cost cutting. that is what I was told.