Driver Wish and Pedal Interpretation ⋆ ECU Remap & Chiptuning Files — DPF, EGR, AdBlue, DTC

🧠 Part of the TuningBot ECU Knowledge Base — in-depth documentation on ECU logic, maps, emissions systems and safe calibration methods.

The “driver wish” is the ECU’s interpretation of what torque the driver wants based on pedal position. This translation from pedal percentage to torque request shapes the entire driving experience.

Übersicht

When you press the accelerator, you’re not directly controlling fuel or throttle — you’re making a torque request. The ECU interprets pedal position through multiple maps and filters to determine the appropriate torque demand.

Pedal Sensor

Dual-track potentiometer — redundant signals for safety
Voltage range — typically 0.5-4.5V or 0-5V
Plausibility check — tracks must correlate or fault triggers
Idle validation — closed position must be within tolerance

Fahrerwunschkarten

The primary driver wish map converts pedal position and RPM to torque request:

X-axis — pedal position (0-100%)
Y-axis — engine RPM
Z-value — requested torque (Nm) or torque percentage

Driving Modes

Modern vehicles have multiple driver wish maps for different modes:

Eco mode — conservative torque curve, smooth response
Normal mode — balanced response
Sport mode — aggressive torque curve, sharper response
Snow/Ice mode — very gentle response to prevent wheelspin

Response Shaping

Tip-in filter — smooths sudden pedal inputs
Rate limiter — limits how fast torque can increase
Kickdown logic — triggers downshift at high pedal position
Cruise resume — gradual torque application when resuming speed

Logic Flow

Pedal Position Sensor → Plausibility Check
         ↓
Mode Selection (Eco/Normal/Sport)
         ↓
Driver Wish Map Lookup
         ↓
Tip-in Filter / Rate Limiter
         ↓
Raw Driver Wish Torque
         ↓
Torque Coordinator

Calibration Objectives

Improve throttle response without sacrificing smoothness
Eliminate “dead zone” at low pedal travel
Match response to driver expectations
Maintain good drivability in traffic

Common Modifications

More linear response — remove aggressive curve at low pedal
Earlier tip-in — more torque from initial pedal movement
Reduced filtering — faster response (can feel “jumpy”)
Sport mode as default — bypass mode selection logic

Throttle Response Devices

Aftermarket “throttle controllers” simply multiply the pedal signal voltage. This is NOT the same as ECU calibration — it just tricks the ECU into thinking you’re pressing harder. Proper calibration adjusts the actual interpretation maps.

Best Practices

Test response in various driving scenarios (parking, highway, traffic)
Overly aggressive response causes jerky city driving
Keep some smoothing for drivability
Match driver wish to actual engine capability