What Does Pedal Commander Do
Technology is advancing faster and faster every day and the disconnect between drivers and the road continues to grow. With Electronic steering, Electronic braking, and electronic throttles, driving has begun to move from a personal experience with an individual car to feeling more like pushing buttons and waiting for a response. The most notable and arguably the most frustrating has been manufacturers switching to electronic throttle controls.
Electronic throttles were first introduced by BMW in the late 1980s, and in the mid-2000s began to take over as the industry standard. Electronic throttles differ from past throttle controls, in that an electrical signal is now used to “connect” the accelerator pedal and the throttle body. Previously a mechanical system was used to link the pedal and the throttle body. This system was commonly called a “Drive by wire” system because a metal cord created the connection between the two.
The switch to electronic throttles does pose a number of benefits for the average driver. Electronic throttles help create a consistent driving experience, regardless of external factors such as altitude or load weight. While these benefits certainly help to improve the overall driving experience, the largest downside created by electronic throttle control (ETC) is the lag from the signals’ travel time. In other words, when stepping on the gas pedal there is a certain amount of time between the signal being created in the pedal’s sensor, sent to the cars Electronic control unit or ECU, and then continuing to the electric throttle body. The time it takes for the signals to be sent results in throttle lag, sometimes feeling like a sticky gas pedal, or the gas pedal feeling soft and not responsive.
This lack of response is frustrating and has the potential to put drivers in unsafe situations. Thankfully there does exist a solution to electronic throttle lag, The Pedal Commander is the world's most advanced plug-and-play throttle response controller. The Pedal Commander connects between the gas pedal’s sensor and the car's ECU. By intercepting the signal before it can reach the ECU the Pedal Commander can adjust the signal to be faster or slower. Creating an experience similar to a chiptune without changing overall power output or voiding the vehicle’s warranty.
With four main modes: eco (for improved fuel economy), city (moving in traffic), Sport (for spirited driving), and sport+ (recommended for race and track use) and 9 different levels for each mode, the Pedal Commander offers 36 different driving options to match every driving style. The Eco mode reduces signal strength and prompts a slower response than stock, this helps to improve fuel economy up 20%. While the city and sport modes won’t improve fuel economy, they will improve the driving experience. Increasing signal speed increases pedal sensitivity returning drivers to the “drive-by-wire” feel of the past.
Installing the Pedal Commander could not be any easier, generally requiring no additional tools except for a screwdriver depending on the ease of access to the pedals sensor. If you are experiencing difficulty, the Pedal Commander website has a trove of install videos for different makes and models. Once installed the Pedal Commander is ready to go, just turn it on and test different settings until you find your perfect driving setting. Don’t forget to download the Pedal Commander App. as well, so you can control the Pedal Commander from your smartphone through Bluetooth connectivity.
