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.
Visão geral
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
Mapas de desejos do motorista
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
