There are many claims on the internet that throttle controllers will provide your Colorado with free horsepower. A device worth just a few hundred dollars providing extra horsepower – sounds too good to be true, right? It’s because it’s not true. While a Colorado throttle controller will improve performance, it won’t do so in the form of extra horsepower. So, what’s the purpose of these devices that many people swear by? Do you need one? What are the advantages and disadvantages of installing one? And what do you need to know should you decide to get one? I’ll answer all these questions to reveal the truth behind throttle controllers.
The Purpose of Throttle Controllers
In order to understand the purpose of throttle controllers, you need to know how the throttle in your car works. Basically, the throttle in your Colorado responds to the signal input that comes from the accelerator pedal when you press it. The signal goes from the pedal box transducer to your vehicle’s electronic control unit, where it’s interpreted. So, the harder you press the pedal, the more voltage goes to the ECU, and the ECU reads that as more throttle input. In theory, bottoming out on the accelerator pedal should mean that you get maximum throttle response. In reality, however, the signal is sent as a ramp-up signal, so it may take a few seconds for the throttle to fully open. In stock vehicles, this is not a bug, but a feature. It’s meant to reduce jerkiness out of the vehicle’s acceleration profile, making for smoother acceleration.
If you get an aftermarket Colorado throttle controller, you’ll be able to manipulate the signal sent to the electronic control unit, resulting in instant, maximum throttle response. You won’t modify the mapping of the electronic control unit, just the amount of voltage it receives from the pedal box transducer.
Do You Need a Throttle Controller?
The answer to this question will depend on who you ask, your driving habits and your needs. If you ask me, someone who owns one, I’ll tell you – yes, simply because I take advantage of it in a variety of driving situations, as it makes a significant difference in acceleration control and profiles. But keep in mind that I tow a trailer frequently and I need the extra acceleration when going over rough terrain. Plus, I’m so used to it by now that it’s hard to imagine driving without one. So, if you’re also someone who tows heavy, and needs their vehicle to traverse through tough, uphill terrain, you should definitely consider one.
But there’s more to throttle controllers than just ramping up your throttle response. In fact, they can also reduce it, making your throttle less responsive. Yes, you read that right. But who would want to reduce throttle response? Well, if your commute involves driving through rush hours, you’ll have an easier time driving with a reduced throttle.
Contrary to what most people think, throttle controllers come in a wide range of settings, or rather, modes. These modes can include but are not limited to normal mode, economy mode, ultimate mode and automatic control mode.
Advantages and Disadvantages
I’ve already mentioned some of the advantages of throttle controllers, such as better acceleration when towing heavy or when driving through adverse terrain. However, all of the advantages can be summarised in two words – better control. Having better control over the acceleration of your vehicle can go a long way in improving your driving capabilities. No matter whether you want to ramp up or ramp down the throttle response, modifying it to your liking can provide for a better driving experience.
On the downside, some throttle controllers make you lose pedal travel at the top end. In other words, once you press the accelerator pedal halfway through, your ECU may already read the entire output. So, pressing the pedal all the way down won’t make any difference. Also, some people have trouble finding a place to mount the device where they can easily access it and read its display. Installing one generally entails drilling holes into the dash or using double-sided tape. To deal with all these inconveniences, some manufacturers implement Bluetooth, so you can hide the module behind your dash and control it using your phone. But keep in mind that tweaking the throttle controller when driving is illegal.
What Do You Need to Know Before Buying?
First and foremost, you should find out whether your vehicle features an eco/power button. If it does, find out whether that makes a difference when driving. If it does, you might not even need a throttle controller. If you need a throttle controller, however, make sure you buy one that’s compatible with your vehicle model and make. There are universal controllers, but there are also models made for specific vehicle makes and models. Next, make sure you do your due diligence on the throttle controller you consider. Read reviews and watch videos to see how it works, and whether it works at all. Avoid buying a cheap eBay or Amazon knockoff. There are known cases of cheap throttle controllers sending 100% throttle signal to the ECU no matter how much the pedal was pressed. So, don’t cheap out on this device, as it can play a huge role in the control of your vehicle, and safety always comes first.
