DBW vs Throttle Cable

[gen6eric]

This '07 Camry is the first "new" car we have purchased since 1988 when we purchased a 1989 Suburban and a 1989 Caprice Classic.

My husband is not thrilled with all the advances in technology on the newer cars, because he has always been the one to do the maintenance and repairs on our vehicles, and he is not as familiar with the newer vehicles as he is with the older ones.

Even though we did have a throttle cable kink up on us, with the '89 Suburban, when we were on the downhill side of a mountain pass, he was able to handle that situation. He got us into town safely, rigged the throttle cable in such a way that he was able to drive to the nearest city with a dealership that had a throttle cable in stock, replace it in the parking lot and continue on with our vacation.

Now, with the DBW technology, what types of malfunctions might occur that would render the vehicle undriveable until repairs are made? What type of repairs might he not be able to make that he has always been able to do up until now?

[Epsilon]

I have DBW on my '03 Celica and never had a problem with it. I'm sure the auto manufacturers must spend alot of time and effort to thoroughly test any computer controlled system crucial for safety and add backup system when necessary instead of rushing the poorly tested vehicles into the market for customers who unknowingly become guinea pigs of their new model vehicles.

[onsknht]

DBW does nothing more than move the sensors that have been in use for years closer to the gas pedal, it "centralizes" these controls making for cheaper production.

There is no benefit whatsoever to the car's owner to have DBW or a cable.

Personally, I'm not thrilled with DBW's latency, that's my only gripe.

[Epsilon]

For those who are wondering, Drive By Wire (DBW) is a cable leading from the gas pedal to the throttle plate under the hood, that's all replaced with a sensor at the gas pedal and a sensor at the throttle body. So when you press down on the gas, it sends a signal to the ECU, which then sends a signal to the throttle body...ECU has full control all the time.

The only downfall I see to DBW is it's harder to tune. Besides that, I don't mind having it.

[eflw1029]

Each technology has it's own pro's and con's....While the old throttle cable is tried and tested there has been ocassion on older cars when the throttle cable would bind possibly break. Should the throttle cable bind depending on the situation it could potentially pose a serious fatal hazard. Pro's being there is no lag similar to what we all experience on DBW. Maintenance issues eventually requires you consider cleaning possibly oiling the actual cable to prevent binds. DBW on the other hand is maintance free other than the fact you get the horrible "delay" until the electronic's performs it's digital to analog conversion via the ECU and motor's. Con's are if and when DBW fail or act up requires sophisticated testing equipment not to mention high costs for parts replacement. Positive's is with all the pollution caused by cars, DBW minimizes some of the pollution using the ECU's process controls which are updated real time.

[gen6eric]

So ... it sounds like we are safe on mountain passes ... maybe?

But ... that if the electronics give us fits we can expect repair bills that we have never paid before.

[TRD VVTi]

Everyone had the same crybaby fits when emissions, electronic ignitions, airbags, ABS, and fuel injection came out.

Yep, now there are parts there that weren't there before. There are also parts that aren't there that used to be. It's not a big deal. It's all part of progress.

Technology isn't free, and cars aren't an exception.