Comment Throttle by Wire is more than just assembly (Score 1) 610
The comments about TBW making assembly cheaper are well-founded and accurate, but there's WAY more than just that:
TBW let's you get rid of the idle speed solenoid / idle speed bypass motor, which handles high idle during warmup and anti-stall during big drop throttle. Instead, the ECU can move the throttle plate directly. More control authority, less under/overshoot, more stable idle, less idle fuel consumption - not to mention a savings of between 1 (PWM idle solenoids like Honda) to as many as 6 wires (stepper motor systems like Mitsubishi)
TBW allows you to change the ratio between delta pedal and delta throttle - and do so *dynamically*. You can do this by changing the linkage and cam on a mechanical throttle, but it's a big deal and not easy to tune. With TBW, it's a lookup table or a function. If you have a powerful car with a big throttle body, this can pay HUGE fuel savings and vehicle control dividends at low throttle plate angles, where tiny tiny differences in throttle plate angle make huge differences in airflow.
TBW makes traction control / stability control WAY easier - and it doesn't crackle and bang like spark retard systems do.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Just because you can't imagine the benefits don't mean they aren't there.
