On my last Maxima (2000) and my current (2002) I noticed the gas pedal is very sensitive and "loose". It's not a very big problem but is there a way to tighten up the tension between the tb and the pedal?

 

The throttle setup is different between the 5th gen and the 5.5 gen. The 5th gen is the old style arrangement using a cable between the gas pedal and the throttle body. The 5.5 gen is electronic, no cable. The gas pedal has a position sensor that goes to the ECU and the ECU sends signals to a stepper motor on the throttle body.

You are no longer pushing a bunch of mechanical parts when you step on the gas pedal so there is less resistance. If the feel is too soft or sensitive or whatever, you will have to figure out how to add a spring for extra resistance.

 

I will always prefer a throttle cable. Dont know why they had to change it other than moving towards the ECU driving the car instead of the driver

 

^ same here. It brings me peice of mind knowing that i am in control, rather than electronics, not saying things cant go wrong with a drive by wire setup.

 

They do use TPS and Accelerator Pedal Sensor. I personally prefer throttle cable since I don't have to worry about "unintended acceleration" lol, no pun intended to Toyota. The whole idea behind drive by the wire is improve throttle response. I had a car with one and it doesn't seem quicker off the line than the traditional throttle cable. What sucks about Accelerator Pedal sensor if they malfunction, of course CEL will throw, when replacing it, some manufacturer usually need to program the new Acel Pedal Sensor or as they call TPS 2. In order to respond to the TPS on the Throttle body.