Back in the 70s, rudimentary and mostly ineffective electronic systems started being introduced in a range of European and American vehicles. Their purpose was to make vehicles safer, faster and more pleasurable to drive. Most of the things that we take for granted today and don’t give a thought about, such as fuel injection, turbocharging, ABS, traction and cruise control, all went through a ton of experimentation and years of refinement before they became as we know them today.
One of the first innovations that completely changed how vehicles work was fuel injection. In fact, fuel injection was so revolutionary, that it changed how engines were made entirely. The carburettors became a thing of the past, along with mechanically operated cables. Instead, acceleration was now done using a drive-by-wire system that’s entirely electronic-operated. In order to operate these electronic systems, vehicles are equipped with a computer known as an ECU. Today, accelerating with your Camry is quicker, more linear and precise.
Throttle Response Explained
Throttle response is the time needed for your vehicle to accelerate after you press the pedal. In drive-by-wire systems, there’s a small delay that’s built-in by manufacturers in order to smoothen out acceleration. The ECU reads the signal sent from the sensors that are located near the pedal, but safety requires a longer response time to open the vehicle’s throttle body. While this is still faster than carburettors and mechanical cables, there’s still room for improvement. This is where an aftermarket Camry throttle controller can help.
Throttle Controllers Explained
Throttle controllers are electronic devices designed to change the signal the ECU gets from the sensors on the acceleration pedal. The strength of the signal varies based on how much you press your foot on the pedal. The harder you press the pedal, the more voltage is sent to the throttle body. An electronic Camry throttle controller manipulates that signal, forcing the throttle body assembly quicker, allowing for more air and fuel to go into the cylinders. As a result, your car will accelerate faster, without experiencing throttle lag.
Throttle Controller Benefits
Having a more responsive throttle is almost always beneficial, and more fun. In cases where you need a better pick-up, such as when overtaking, a more responsive throttle can come in very handy. Throttle lag is more noticeable in lacklustre transmissions, and in-gear acceleration isn’t something to brag about even in cars with larger displacement. With a throttle controller, the ECU gets a stronger signal than usual, allowing the car to get to safe overtaking speeds much quicker. Sometimes, this can be the difference between safe driving and an accident waiting to happen.
Improved acceleration doesn’t only make you go faster from a standstill, but also when you’re hauling extra weight. Cars equipped with aftermarket throttle controllers can handle the weight of the trailer or caravan attached at the back, reducing jerkiness. The transition between gears will also become smoother.
Vehicles with turbo engines, like many newer petrols and utes will get reduced turbo lag on top of reduced throttle lag. The car will reach the RPMs needed for the turbo to kick in significantly quicker. This, as a result, will decrease the amount of fuel spent in the process.
Speaking of fuel consumption, throttle controllers can save you money at the bowser. They’re not all about acceleration and speed, but you can also switch between different modes. If you’re looking for a faster throttle response than that programmed by your factory settings, you can dial the throttle controller into performance mode. Performance mode can go by the name of ultimate or sport mode, depending on the controller.
However, you also might want to reduce the throttle response, in which case, you can dial the controller into economy mode. This will cut down the air intake, and as a result, the fuel intake. Reduced throttle response can be beneficial when driving through the city, when you’ll have to constantly stop and drive slowly. Moreover, reducing the throttle can be beneficial when driving through water, soft soil, beaches or streams.
Simply put, throttle controllers make your vehicle more versatile, allowing you to tune your throttle response based on the way you drive. The modes feature incremental settings that allow your engine to respond as best as possible. As your driving conditions change, you can quickly adjust the throttle response with the push of a button. While you may think adjusting the throttle is a distraction, it’s quite the opposite. You can also set it to auto mode, allowing it to adjust itself based on the road conditions and weather.
The best thing about throttle controllers is that they’re extremely easy to install. All you have to do is find a suitable location along the dashboard, and mount the module there. You’ll have to find the sensors on the acceleration pedal, and place the connectors that come with the module that allow you to by-pass their signal.
