Drive By Wire Cruise Controls

 

Each year the motor vehicles we drive are becoming more refined as new technology replaces old. It started with luxuries like Key Start, then Hydraulic Brakes and continues today with Climate Controlled Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Electronic Fuel Injection and now Drive by Wire throttle systems.

Like so many of today’s technologies, Drive By Wire is primarily a response to tightening emission standards. As with fuel injection and integrated engine controllers, Drive by Wire systems improve engine efficiency while reducing vehicle emissions. This is achieved by replacing the mechanical linkage and cable controls with highly advanced and precise electronic control sensors. 

Currently, Drive by Wire applications are being used to replace the throttle-cable system on newly developed cars such as:

 

• Toyota’s Land Cruiser, Prado, Hi-Lux and 78 Series Cab Chassis

• Peugeot

• Holden Barina & Astra

• Renault Clio

• Landrover

• Nissan’s Patrol, X Trail and Some Pulsar Models

• BMW

• Mercedes Benz

• VW Golf and Caravelle

The Drive By Wire system works by replacing the conventional throttle control system. Instead of relying on a mechanical cable that winds from the back of the accelerator pedal, through the vehicle firewall and onto the throttle body, Drive by Wire consists of a sophisticated pedal position sensor that closely tracks the position of the accelerator and sends this information to the Engine Control Module (ECM). This is superior to a cable operated throttle system for the following reasons:

• Drive by Wire greatly reduces the number of moving parts in the throttle system. This means greater accuracy, reduced weight and, theoretically, no service requirements (like oiling and adjusting the throttle-cable).  

• The greater accuracy not only improves the driving experience (increased responsiveness and consistent pedal feel regardless of outside temperature or pedal position, but it allows the throttle position to be tied closely into ECU information like fuel pressure, engine temperature and exhaust gas re-circulation. This means improved fuel economy and power delivery as well as reduced exhaust emissions.

• With the pedal inputs reduced to a series of electronic signals, it becomes a simple matter to integrate a vehicle’s throttle with non-engine specific items like ABS, gear selection (on Alfa Romeo’s and other fully electronic gear shift vehicles) and traction control. This increases the effectiveness of these systems while further reducing the amount of moving parts, service requirements and vehicle weight.

You may say, “Sure, this sounds great in theory, but what if the “wire” in my Drive by Wire system, breaks?” In other words, what if an electronic malfunction disrupts the flow of information between the throttle position sensors and the ECU? It could give a whole new meaning to the term “sticking throttle” couldn’t it? The reality is that just like fuel injection and ABS, a Drive by Wire system is only as good as the programmers and manufacturers who design it.

While the first generation of fuel injected cars had its share of technical problems, the fuel system of the average year 2000 model is far more accurate, and dependable, that any carburetor equipped vehicle from 20 years ago. Because Drive by Wire technology was first used on military aircraft over 10 years ago (called Fly by Wire in the aviation industry), you can be assured that its reliability under less than ideal conditions has been tested. It is now used on everything from industrial equipment to Semi Trailers.

Today, many commercial jets use Fly by Wire technology for all their control systems including turning and braking, in addition to throttle control. Next time you are looking at buying a new vehicle check under the bonnet for the accelerator cable, you may be surprised to find that even some of the locally manufactured vehicles are becoming Drive by Wire.

Vehicle Designers and Manufacturers have spent hundreds of thousands of hours developing Drive by Wire Throttle Systems to be safe so the last thing you, as the consumer would want is to compromise your safety by having a Cruise Control System fitted which mechanically connects to your accelerator pedal. 

This is the reason why we at Cobra Car Alarms install a range of Unique Drive by Wire Cruise Controls specifically designed and manufactured in Australia to suit your vehicle. If enquiring about cruise controls for your drive by wire vehicle be sure to insist on genuine Auscruise drive by wire cruise controls, the fitment of any other cruise control will result in not only erratic operation but may have implications regarding the roadworthiness of your vehicle and to the safety of you and your family.

 

Drive by Wire greatly reduces the number of moving parts in the throttle system. This means greater accuracy, reduced weight and, theoretically, no service requirements (like oiling and adjusting the throttle-cable).