The world of 4X4 is inundated with advertisements claiming “this product will give you extra horsepower,” or, “that product will give you better performance.”
However, nine times out of ten, the best upgrades are not those that change your vehicle’s performance substantially but those that allow you to fine-tune it. This is certainly the case with an electronic throttle controller (ETC).
What are electronic throttle controllers?
These are incredibly smart pieces of kit that monitor driver inputs via a sensor. This then relays information to an electronic motor, allowing for the responsiveness of your accelerator to be more acutely fine-tuned to either sharpen or dampen your throttle response. It can also be used to dul throttle response in off-road situations to significantly improve traction and avoid wheelspin.
It’s all about giving you more control of your car and more control of your driving experience. A sharper throttle response allows for more aggressive driving with less lag and greater overall drivability and a duller throttle response gives you more control over your wheel power, which is particularly handy in off-road scenarios.
How do electronic throttle controllers work?
In traditional setups, the throttle is opened by a cable when the foot hits the accelerator but in an electronic system, the cable is removed from the equation, with a sensor monitoring the exact position of the pedal instead. They are a light, flexible, and compact solution for 4×4 owners who wish to have more control over their throttle.
The benefits of electronic throttle controllers
Installation – While this isn’t true of all products, certain controllers, such as the iDrive EVC Throttle Controller Accelerator Booster (which is available for a large range of passenger cars; 4×4 and otherwise) can be installed in just a few minutes.
It’s as easy as unplugging the harness between your accelerator and your engine and fitting the controller in between the plug and the pedal before reconnecting it. Then use the included display to configure the controller. You’ll be away in 5 minutes.
Regulation – The main benefit of an ETC is that it allows the car to regulate engine speed without additional hardware.
Weight – Now only are ETC systems incredibly small and compact, they are also exceptionally lightweight, making them easy to package.
Flexibility – Do you want to change the relationship between the pedal motion and the throttle opening on the fly for a punchier drive?
Or do you want to meter out the engine’s response over the length of the accelerator and reduce the risk of wheelspin on icy roads? The choice is yours – simply dial it up for urban driving and dial it down for 4×4 adventures.
Towing – The faster and more refined acceleration means that, if you are using your 4×4 to carry a heavy load, an ETC will get you moving much faster, so while it’s not technically giving you extra horsepower, it will certainly feel like it.
There are no real drawbacks to using an ETC. It’s an easy and cost-effective upgrade that will give you so much more control over your 4×4 that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one.
