Throttle response
Encyclopedia
Throttle response or vehicle responsiveness is a measure of how quickly a vehicle's prime mover
, such as an internal combustion engine, can increase its power output in response to a driver's request for acceleration, such as a pedal being pressed. Throttle
s are not used in diesel engines, but the term throttle is often used to refer to any input that modulates the power output of a vehicle's prime mover. Throttle response is often confused with better power, but throttle response is rather related to time taken for change in power level.
In general, gasoline
/petrol engines exhibit better throttle response over diesel
engines. Also, naturally aspirated gasoline engines have better responsiveness than supercharged or turbocharged engines, for engines with similar peak power outputs. Several tuning factors can have an effect on the responsiveness of an engine.
Throttle response in manual cars can be enhanced by dropping to a lower gear (e.g. 5th to 4th) before atttempting to accelerate. This is often used in smaller cars
to aid in overtaking
.
Most new cars are equipped with a drive-by-wire system. Throttle response is often affected badly by this and drivers feel a noticeable delay when quickly changing the position of the gas pedal.
Overtaking:
After following a vehicle or going side by side, there is a need for sudden increase in power to execute a successful overtaking
. This is why throttle response plays a crucial role in racing
.
Coming out of a corner:
While entering a corner
, the requested power output is reduced since the vehicle is coasting or braking. After passing the corner, the driver will suddenly request more power to accelerate back to normal speeds. Fast throttle response allows a vehicle to regain its speed quickly after cornering.
Driving pleasure:
Throttle response plays a major role in driving pleasure
, as this gives the driver more control over the vehicle's acceleration.
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
, such as an internal combustion engine, can increase its power output in response to a driver's request for acceleration, such as a pedal being pressed. Throttle
Throttle
A throttle is the mechanism by which the flow of a fluid is managed by constriction or obstruction. An engine's power can be increased or decreased by the restriction of inlet gases , but usually decreased. The term throttle has come to refer, informally and incorrectly, to any mechanism by which...
s are not used in diesel engines, but the term throttle is often used to refer to any input that modulates the power output of a vehicle's prime mover. Throttle response is often confused with better power, but throttle response is rather related to time taken for change in power level.
In general, gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
/petrol engines exhibit better throttle response over diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
engines. Also, naturally aspirated gasoline engines have better responsiveness than supercharged or turbocharged engines, for engines with similar peak power outputs. Several tuning factors can have an effect on the responsiveness of an engine.
Throttle response in manual cars can be enhanced by dropping to a lower gear (e.g. 5th to 4th) before atttempting to accelerate. This is often used in smaller cars
Supermini car
A supermini is a British term that describes automobiles larger than a city car but smaller than a small family car. This car class is also known as the B-segment across Europe, and as subcompact in North America....
to aid in overtaking
Overtaking
Overtaking or passing is the act of one vehicle going past another slower moving vehicle, travelling in the same direction, on a road. The lane used for overtaking another vehicle is almost always a lane further from the road shoulder — that is, to the left in places that drive on the right,...
.
Most new cars are equipped with a drive-by-wire system. Throttle response is often affected badly by this and drivers feel a noticeable delay when quickly changing the position of the gas pedal.
Application of throttle response
Throttle response comes into play in the following situations:Overtaking:
After following a vehicle or going side by side, there is a need for sudden increase in power to execute a successful overtaking
Overtaking
Overtaking or passing is the act of one vehicle going past another slower moving vehicle, travelling in the same direction, on a road. The lane used for overtaking another vehicle is almost always a lane further from the road shoulder — that is, to the left in places that drive on the right,...
. This is why throttle response plays a crucial role in racing
Racing
A sport race is a competition of speed, against an objective criterion, usually a clock or to a specific point. The competitors in a race try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time...
.
Coming out of a corner:
While entering a corner
Corner
A corner is the place where two lines meet at an angle, and a concave corner of intersecting walls is generally thought to be the least beneficial position to be in a life-or-death situation. From this notion was born the verb to corner, which is used to mean "to back into a corner" and usually...
, the requested power output is reduced since the vehicle is coasting or braking. After passing the corner, the driver will suddenly request more power to accelerate back to normal speeds. Fast throttle response allows a vehicle to regain its speed quickly after cornering.
Driving pleasure:
Throttle response plays a major role in driving pleasure
Driving pleasure
Driving pleasure is a feeling of enjoyment derived from operating a motor vehicle. Factors known to contribute to driving pleasure include responsiveness of the vehicle to driver manipulation of the controls, which means that the vehicle obeys and executes driver's commands faithfully.In the...
, as this gives the driver more control over the vehicle's acceleration.