Drive by wire?

[Water 97SSEi]

With all these Toyota problems lately...I've been thinking...and now I read this article:

http://jalopnik.com/5461945/apple-co+fo ... -dupilcate

Is the 96-99 Bonneville drive by wire or is it mechanical? Basically what I'm asking is my 97 SSEi's throttle software/computer controlled?

Also, I go school for a computer related major, and let me tell you something, I would never trust a computer to control anything in my car. Why? Software is coded by humans, and almost always has bugs and errors that need to be patched and fixed. Why would I want a software program to control my car in any way? That is just plain scary. Granted these flaws are usually fixed and rare, but still I'll take good old fashion mechanical stuff in my car over computer controlled crap anyday.

[ChilinMichael]

It's mechanical.

[J Wikoff]

It's mechanical.

edit: BAH! beat me...

[repinS]

DBW didn't start until the S3 L26/L32.

[Water 97SSEi]

Wow, that's nice to know, thanks guys for the fast answer.

Anyone else afraid to walk across the street in front of a Toyota? Yeah I know it sounds crazy, but it comes to mind every time I cross the street in front of a late model Toyota product.

Also I think I'm getting a bumper sticker that says "If your driving a Toyota, move to the other lane". Don't want any unintended accelerations of Toyota Camrys rear-ending my beautiful car.

Is drive by wire pretty much the common thing these days on new cars? Do most modern GM products use it?

[repinS]

I think the media hype is getting to you some.

[ChilinMichael]

It's not something I personally like (Drive by wire), but, implemented correctly (like with BMW and Mercedes) it's a fine system actually allowing for better control, etc...there's outlines why it's better, supposedly, if you look it up. When there's a lack of fail safes...then it becomes a problem. Don't forget, although rare, a physical cable can also get stuck...

[Water 97SSEi]

I think the media hype is getting to you some.

I don't own a TV or subscribe to cable. But I have been reading about it on Jalopnik.

And I'm not completely serious about the whole walking in front of Toyotas thing...its more of a joke. However I still think about it.

[SSEi95]

I have the fly by wire throttle in my Sierra C3. For the purpose of maintenance by me I prefer the old school linkage, but I have had absolutely no issues otherwise with this new style.

[Water 97SSEi]

My biggest problem with this whole situation, is that Toyota keeps covering stuff up.

First they blame the floormats, so they twist tie them to the seats.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/toyo ... them-down/

Then it turns out it is actually the accelerator pedal. So lets put a metal block behind it so that it doesn't stick.


And now, the founder of Apple, and one of the most respected tech icons says that he can repeat a software flaw in his 2010 Prius.

[laxmangl]

Its kind of funny how quickly a lot of the good will and good pr Toyota has gotten recently is out the window.

I like have a mechanical linkage, but the drive by wire system in my GF's 07 Impala hasnt been a problem and it does seem to have quicker throttle response than my car.

[agrazela]

In my opinion, DBW equals (or was meant to equal) a few bucks saved on labor/install cost for the manufacturer, and higher parts replacement cost for the consumer.

DBW doesn't increase safety, economy, or (obviously) reliability, and the old cable technology works just fine--in other words, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." It's nothing more than an attempt to transfer cost and risk away from the mfgr to the consumer, and I don't like it.

[ChilinMichael]

I've also read how DBW is supposedly easier for the manufacturer during construction of the vehicle because they no longer have to route TB cable, etc.

[2000Silverbullet]

I'm having a hard time interpreting the brake pedal assembly view.

It does look much more complex & expensive than a cable with double springs, a throttle position sensor and a pedal with one spring.

Every change the automakers make has cost/profit in the equation.

I estimate that each of the 2.5 million fixes will cost them about $200.

That's 500 Million dollars!

I believe that the real fix would cost about 10 times more and would bankrupt the company.

[Mechanical Mike]

If I heard correctly, the piece of metal for the fix is about the size of a postage stamp. It'll cost them alot more than 500 million if this doesn't work.

[Water 97SSEi]

If I heard correctly, the piece of metal for the fix is about the size of a postage stamp. It'll cost them alot more than 500 million if this doesn't work.

I like how they call it a "precision cut steel reinforcement bar".

[John Deere Boy]

The new Deere 8R series tractors steer by wire. For once ag adopts something before the automotive industry. Not that this is necessarily good...for either application.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

We've had fly-by-wire F16's since the early 1980's. Plus the darn plane is unstable aerodynamically, so it needs a computer buffering the inputs to get off the ground.

Toyota must not have gotten (or stolen) the memo on how to make a good electronic control system.

[00Beast]

The new Deere 8R series tractors steer by wire. For once ag adopts something before the automotive industry. Not that this is necessarily good...for either application.

Flaming River makes a full electronic power steering setup. I saw it used on a charger that was converted to right hand drive, so they didn't have to move linkages, etc. Steve Strope did the car.

[John Deere Boy]

The new Deere 8R series tractors steer by wire. For once ag adopts something before the automotive industry. Not that this is necessarily good...for either application.

Flaming River makes a full electronic power steering setup. I saw it used on a charger that was converted to right hand drive, so they didn't have to move linkages, etc. Steve Strope did the car.

Did it have any "force feedback" to give you road feel?