Throttle Body Cleaning Question

[Skarbro]

Something I've been wondering about because I'll want to do this in the future...

When using throttle body cleaner, you're supposed to rev the engine a bit. Is there a way to manually rev the throttle from under the hood? On cars with throttle cables, you can simply rev the car by moving the throttle linkage. But since the 3's have drive-by-wire, is it possible to rev it under the hood, or do you have to get a second person to rev it from the driver's seat?

[MPS]

get a friend sure you got lots of them hanging around .... unless you have a snap on scanner to do it for you


Something I've been wondering about because I'll want to do this in the future...

When using throttle body cleaner, you're supposed to rev the engine a bit. Is there a way to manually rev the throttle from under the hood? On cars with throttle cables, you can simply rev the car by moving the throttle linkage. But since the 3's have drive-by-wire, is it possible to rev it under the hood, or do you have to get a second person to rev it from the driver's seat?

[Skarbro]

Well that sucks. 2 people to do a 1 person job.

[FLIPDADY]

That's the problem with not having a throttle cable and lever.

[JPAV8S4U]

That's the problem with not having a throttle cable and lever.

Flippy what was the reasoning behind mazda going this way (drive by wire).. rather than the traditional linkage? Seems like a more costly route for a car that nobody would care either way...... It is cool to say drive by wire... but that seems like the only benefit to the system.... I am not the most knowledgable person when it comes to driving systems, but am I the only one who thinks that is a bad set up for our cars?

[Xerox]

A LOT of manufactures are using drive-by-wire. They have been for a while and I don't think it'll go away.
There are many technical benefits of an electronic throttle control.
It's another step in incorporating more computerized components on the car (as opposed to mechanical).
Driver input goes through the ECU and it has final say on what you're allowed to do. This could help with fuel economy.
With an ETC, it is so much easier to "integrate features to the vehicle such as cruise control, traction control, stability control and others that require torque management" (Wikipedia).
Also, the use of ETC means parts reduction – and parts reduction means less things on the car can go wrong.

ETC is a must for applications like BMW's throttle control on their M's.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Well that sucks. 2 people to do a 1 person job.

turn the ignition to "on" without starting the car, put a brick on the accelerator pedal (or something to hold it down)...1 person job.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Flippy what was the reasoning behind mazda going this way (drive by wire).. rather than the traditional linkage? Seems like a more costly route for a car that nobody would care either way...... It is cool to say drive by wire... but that seems like the only benefit to the system.... I am not the most knowledgable person when it comes to driving systems, but am I the only one who thinks that is a bad set up for our cars?

one major reason is the ability to control emissions when releasing the gas pedal (especially after going WOT).

on a cable-actuated throttle body, the throttle plate will close 'shut' rather abruptly, leaving too rich of a mixture and spiking emissions at that point.

on a drive-by-wire throttle body, the ECU can control the rate at which the throttle plate closes, thereby controlling the air/fuel mixture and, as a result, the emissions released (even though our car already runs pig rich to begin with).

this is in addition to the features Xerox mentioned.

[Skarbro]

turn the ignition to "on" without starting the car, put a brick on the accelerator pedal (or something to hold it down)...1 person job.

Thanks for the suggestion, but that won't work. The car has to be running.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Thanks for the suggestion, but that won't work. The car has to be running.

not necessarily; do it the old fashioned way... throttle body/carb cleaner and a toothbrush and/or rag (with the car off).

[JPAV8S4U]

A LOT of manufactures are using drive-by-wire. They have been for a while and I don't think it'll go away.
There are many technical benefits of an electronic throttle control.
It's another step in incorporating more computerized components on the car (as opposed to mechanical).
Driver input goes through the ECU and it has final say on what you're allowed to do. This could help with fuel economy.
With an ETC, it is so much easier to "integrate features to the vehicle such as cruise control, traction control, stability control and others that require torque management" (Wikipedia).
Also, the use of ETC means parts reduction – and parts reduction means less things on the car can go wrong.

ETC is a must for applications like BMW's throttle control on their M's.


Thanx man! Awsome reply! Very helpful! Not only very informative, but it actually makes me like the idea even better! Sweet!