A few years ago, one of GM's concepts was pitched for its 'drive-by-wire' technology. They even had CBS's Dan Rather drive it on TV, explaining there was no mechanical link to the accelerator! All GMs were supposed to be this way in "the future".....so, the future is here and I wonder, is there a direct mechanical link from the TCH accelerator to the ICE or does the "go pedal" just connect to the computer?

 

Try putting your TCH in park, and then give it some gas, I think you will get your answer.

 

I will jump in here...

Mine doesn't rev in this case

On the other hand, my previous vehicle (2002 Chevy Trailblazer) acted strangely when you stepped on the gas while in neutral or park. It would only rev up to about 3000 rpm. I don't know - maybe this had drive by wire too?

 

Last week a friend of mine asked if you could rev the engine in Park or Neutral, so we gave it a try. It's stange to floor it and have nothing happen.

Definitely drive by wire. Couldn't be mechanical since there are times you give it "gas" while driving and the engine is off.

 

My Sienna has a drive by wire gas pedal too. It will rev the engine in park. However, even in a conventional vehicle it does make it feel different. The power band is much mellower lower down and when accelerating quickly extra power comes up almost like a flick of a (computer) switch. Definitely not the same feeling when your foot is linked directly to the air intake system.

 

Wow, no "revving" in neutral either? I was expecting it to do something in neutral...

 

Actually I'm not sure of the gear we were in. I think it was Park and not neutral, but I'm not sure. Oh well, something else to check out this afternoon.

 

I only tried in Park. Haven't tried Neutral - I will give it a shot later!

 

It's a self preservation mode... you never want to rev your engine unloaded. On some cars the red line is even reduced until the engine warms up.

 

Keep in mind, that the lack of ability to rev in neatral doesn't mean your car isn't drive by wire.

Reving in neutral is not something you want to do in any car. You should only rev while the car is under load (transmission engaged). Lot's of cars today, prevent reving in neatral. Not all drive by wire systems prevent this though...