Drive by wire throttle woes

[LeeLee]

Hey guys

I am on the verge of buying a Mazda3. Honda no longer makes a product I want to buy for under $20K, but that's another thread...

In testdriving the Mazda3, I noticed that the clutch engages/disengages closer to the floor than other manual vehicles, but this is just something I have to get used to. The main thing I am worried about is the delay built into the electronic throttle. I have no idea why Mazda would do such a thing, but the throttle reacts about a second after I change the throttle pedal input. It is making the car difficult to drive smoothly, especially from a stop, where throttle modulation is rather important. As it is, throttle modulation is pretty pointless due to the delay, and the result is either a bogged engine, or a lot of clutch slippage. After the test drive, I drove off in my Accord and the difference was so dramatic it startled me. The delay made the Mazda 3 feel lethargic and slow in comparison even though it is a much faster car. I think Car and Driver's complaint in this regard echos my observation.

Is there a work around for this design flaw? I've never heard that good throttle response is a bad thing, so why would Mazda engineers, or anyone else for that matter, build in poor throttle response via a electronic delay?

 

[Dre]

...

Is there a work around for this design flaw?

Slip the clutch slightly? Not a good thing but it's a workaround.

On that note, I personally don't have a problem with mine. Yes, there is a slight delay, but it's really not that bad.

 

[Pirana]

this is one of my worries about me getting the STi with its drive-by-wire throttle. I dont like it.

 

[Vulcanon]

its all the rage now, better get used to it

 

[zmepro]

what is the protege?

 

[Pirana]

Its the same as every manufacturer inverting the engine to have the exhaust next to the firewall (dunno)

 

[Pirana]

hard wired throttle cable.

 

[nufsaid]

Does anyone have anything technical on how this works? Anything background from Mazda?

 

[Mr. Win]

not to thread jack bu an sti now>!>!>!

 

[ibanez78]

i found no problems when driving the car, when i first drove the 6 it was like i was someone learning to drive, couldn't drive smooth at all, but i got used to it and now have no problems, when i drove the 3 i remember realizing that i was able to drive the car just as smoothly as my protege

 

[jeremyfl]

I had a 6s and I couldnt figure out why the car did that, if you gun it it takes about 5 seconds to do anything then the rpms kick up to almost redline and the car takes off like a bat outta hell. Almost made me crash a few times. But now reading your post I understand why it did that, and I hate it to be honest.....

 

[TheMAN]

that could explain why I kept ******* up at rev it up

I had a 6s and I couldnt figure out why the car did that, if you gun it it takes about 5 seconds to do anything then the rpms kick up to almost redline and the car takes off like a bat outta hell. Almost made me crash a few times. But now reading your post I understand why it did that, and I hate it to be honest.....

 

[yashooa]

that could explain why I kept ******* up at rev it up

Hmm, I was at the Dallas Rev It Up and didn't notice this?
Oh well I was just there to see how many cones I could knock over anyway And of course to kill the moose

 

[PCGenious]

hehe, I was at the miami rev it up...damn moose. I loved reving it and then swirving at the last minute to mess with my passengers.

 

[PeaB0dy]

One thing about drive by wire that really sucks..

when using cruise control, you can't feel the pedal depress when the engine needs to give more gas..

In my P5, when using cruise, and the car needs to give more gas, the pedal will go down.

When I drove my Dad's F250 (2002 Powerstroke Deisel, loud ******..) It's a drive by wire, when using cruise, and the truck needed to give more fuel to accelerate, the pedal was dead..

Also when you want to accelerate while using cruise, the pedal is there ate the point, just give gas, and go, but with drive by wire, you have to press from the start..

I just found that annoying, throttle wires are one of the LEAST problematic parts of a car, why they would change it, who know's..

 

[spec5protege]

I was seriously looking at the 3, but this throttle thing has me looking elsewhere I'm afraid...

 

[LeeLee]

Well, I ended up buying the 3, so the problem isn't a lethal one. I will probably get used to it, until the next time I step into a cable-throttled car, when it will be like I was taking a breath of fresh air.

Sigh...

In the mean time, I'll wait to see if an update from Mazda in the manner of an ECU flash can fix this issue for me.

 

[nufsaid]

Go test drive the car before you worry so much about new technology. At worst, some delay. At best a VERY driveable and fun car. Try it out in traffic in first gear - a dream to drive - doesn't stall or stutter. There ARE some benefits. I love the car (if you can't tell), and don't find your concerns so serious. What did you drive before?

 

[Togan]

pirana how did u take that avartar pic when u were driving so fast?

 

[Pirana]

I actually wanted the 150mph pic, but ran out of road. One hand on the steering one hand on the camera