Toyota has been outselling major rivals for years, and virtually dominated the car market with over a quarter of all sales. It has strong contenders in all segments: the Hilux in the ute category, the Landcruiser for serious off-roading, the Corolla to zip around town, the GR Yaris for some track thrills and the RAV4 that can do just about anything. Buyers are sold on reliability, low maintenance costs, decent performance and fuel economy, and unrivaled owner support. Add to this the low list prices and you can see why no other brand can come close.
While the lineup of performance models is expanding with cars like the Supra, the GR Corolla and the old-school 86, Toyota isn’t exactly praised for straight-line speed or thrilling handling. Their cars are more about getting the driving basics right. But if you want more fun in bigger and higher-sprung cars like the RAV4 or Kluger, simple and effective performance additions like throttle controllers can make a world of difference.
What are Throttle Controllers?
Throttle controllers are aftermarket devices that let you adjust the factory throttle settings in your car. They use some electronic wizardry to make your car faster, accelerate better and add a dose of fun each time you step on the acceleration pedal. Controllers are small, unobtrusive, easy to set up, and most importantly liven up the engine without actually adding more power. These are its main plusses, but they also boast other benefits, especially considering how cheap they are.
How do Throttle Controllers Work?
To understand the working principles of any Toyota electronic throttle control system, first a few basics on how the throttle is actuated on fly-by-wire cars. Virtually everything in your car, from braking to how different engine components work, is controlled by the main computer or ECU. When you press on the acceleration pedal, sensors that line it send a defined voltage to the ECU, telling it how far down the pedal is. The computer also reads data from other sensors, like those monitoring the position of the throttle body, the component that opens and closes when the gas pedal is pressed. This car part lets the right amount of air in for efficient combustion.
What car makers don’t tell you is that there is a slight delay between pressing the pedal and actual acceleration. They cite safety reasons and the need to curb excessive emissions. Those few moments of nothing happening can be outright frustrating, but also a major safety concern. Think of how many cases you’ve had with the pedal floored and the car still hesitating to pick up speed.
Throttle controllers remedy this by sending an increased voltage to the ECU, thereby tricking it to think that the pedal is further down than it really is. This helps the car by being more responsive from a standstill, with power delivered right when you need it. In short, a throttle controller reduces instances of throttle lag and makes your car faster.
The Benefits for Your Car
Much like all car tech, throttle controllers have also evolved and brought in more features. And these will transform how your RAV4 or Corolla performs in everyday driving conditions. To cut to the chase, a Toyota electronic throttle control system provides your car with the following benefits:
- Better acceleration, higher top speed, better pick up and go – The main purpose of a throttle controller is to minimize throttle lag. This nets you considerably better acceleration and control from a standstill, more response and faster in-gear acceleration, and a car that gets to highway speeds much quicker. The different performance modes help here. Some controllers have a separate ultimate mode for the best possible throttle response, in addition to incremental adjustments that you let fine-tune what the car does with the pedal down. The improved reaction times are necessary when overtaking, merging, towing, and going uphill. The separate launch mode also cuts down wheel spin and increases traction.
- Safer driving on unsealed roads and when off-road – The controller can also be dialed down and set in modes that actually cut down the factory throttle. This helps on looser surfaces, such as unsealed roads, and prevents wheel spin and loss of steering feel, A mellower throttle response is also useful in heavy traffic, low-speed towing maneuvers, and when driving through deep mud or sand in the bush. This too can be adjusted and fine-tuned just the way you like. Similarly, an anti-slip mode increases safety on slippery roads during heavy rain.
- Lower fuel use – WIth eco modes, your Toyota will sip less fuel. While the savings aren’t anything to write home about, they add up over the long run, meaning the controller will be paying itself off in no time.
Other modes also prove handy. Parking modes cut the factory throttle response by half, allowing smooth and safe parking, especially in tighter spaces. Additionally, the controller can be programmed to immobilize the engine, good for preventing theft or tampering.
Final Word
Throttle controllers are some of the best performance upgrades for your Toyota. There’s a better use of your engine’s power without bumping up HP numbers, so they’re also perfectly legal. Moreover, there are dozens of modes and settings to play with in different driving scenarios. Set up takes less than five minutes, and a handy mobile app lets you control everything from your phone. For the asking price of just a couple of hundred dollars, you won’t find anything better.
