With all the posts from people about the sluggishness of the electronic throttle, it got me thinking about something. Has anybody given any thought to the incredible amount of engineering that went into this drive by wire system?

Whether it's the software that needed to be created, or the development of the motor that activates the throttle when you plant your foot, to the endless hours that must have gone into developing the foot pedal to get just the right feel. There must have been thousands of dollars spent to get the pedal to feel like it operates a cable attached to the throttle. Not to soft, not to hard.

Think about this technology, Mercedes uses a similar system on it's upper end vehicles. The only difference being that their system is drive by wire AND brake by wire. No physical connection between the pedal and the master cylinder, how does that make you guys feel? If the Ford system fails the truck won't go. If the Mercedes system fails then the vehicle quite possibly won't stop! Although I'm sure there are failsafes designed into the system. At $60-80,000 a pop one would hope so! I'm not making excuses for the lag we have all experienced, but don't forget this is Ford's first crack at this technology, so there are going to be bugs. As Ford gets better at using this tech I'm sure the system will get better.

I'd love some feedback, what do you guys think?

 

No matter how you look at it, when it all comes down to it, throttle by wire sucks.

 

Well it depends on who's product it is....GM has been using it in it's Vette since '97 when it introduced the C5 and it works flawlessly....I know because I've had one since '00....
So, there is room for improvement in the Ford system, but the theory of the system is sound... JMHO

 

It's the wave of the future, get used to it FATHERFORD.

 

Yeah it is, and thats whats sad. There are some things you just let be. If it aint broke dont fix it.

 

Ok, I have to chime in here. There doesn't seem to be many '05 owners posting here yet. The throttle by wire system on my truck has no lag whatsoever. When I hit the gas pedal.....she goes. I swear you wouldn't even know it is a drive by wire system.

Ford may have corrected this problem with the 05's.

 

Thanks for posting that.....supports what I said in spades!

 

there are several members on this board and others that have had total brake failures, and that's on a basically traditional system. i could only imagine the havoc ford would cause if they tried a brake by wire system.

p.s. throttle by wire sucks!

 

That also proves my point, as Ford gets better at using this tech, the system will improve.

 

I will never drive a vehicle with brake by wire or steer by wire.

 

You might not drive a vehicle with brake and steer by wire FATHERFORD, but the kids think that kind of stuff is cool. Ultimatly they will decide what gets produced, we won't have a say forever, like it or not.

 

I refuse to use the remote control for the t.v., too.

 

Just gotta have those cables eh?

 

The throttle on my '04 works great. I didn't know it was any different until I read about it several weeks after I bought it.

 

NO CABLE!

Rabbit Ears are the only way to go!

Of course I am joking. I have no problems with the drive by wire.

The Ford version is not as seamless as that which was in my M3, but I am sure it'll get better in time. Its complicated stuff as the original post pointed out.