Honda "Drive by Wire" question... what if the power goes out?

That would fit in this day-n-age of
soccer-moms-driving-SUVs-with-a-phone-stuck-on-their-ear.

 

The "drive by wire" refers to throttle butterfly control, not the
steering.

The usual connection between throttle and accelerator pedal is
accomplished with a cable firmly affixed between the two. In the new
"drive by wire" setup, the computer determines how to operate the
throttle butterfly depending on several factors, only one of which is
your foot.

If your car dies, it will feel no different from what you're used to.
Luckily, the steering still consists of solid metal connections.

 

The "drive by wire" refers to throttle butterfly control, not the
steering.

The usual connection between throttle and accelerator pedal is
accomplished with a cable firmly affixed between the two. In the new
"drive by wire" setup, the computer determines how to operate the
throttle butterfly depending on several factors, only one of which is
your foot.

If your car dies, it will feel no different from what you're used to.
Luckily, the steering still consists of solid metal connections.

 

the fly wrote:

<snip>


"Drive by wire" is there for emissions control and for no other reason.
Blame the regulatory authorities.

 

the fly wrote:

<snip>


"Drive by wire" is there for emissions control and for no other reason.
Blame the regulatory authorities.

 

That quote from Billy-Bob has nothing to do with advances
in design utilizing differing technologies. That only has
to do with capacity - he was basing his opinion because
of the current state of capacity. The technology hasnt
changed in computers, but the capacity of devices has,
such as faster CPUs (with increasing cache size), higher-
capacity drives, more RAM, and so on.

Higher capacity is required because of bloated operating
systems and the bloated software written by lazy programmers.

The basic design of the computer is still the same: to
move 0's and 1's around the bus to peripherals, all
controlled by various chipsets.

 

That quote from Billy-Bob has nothing to do with advances
in design utilizing differing technologies. That only has
to do with capacity - he was basing his opinion because
of the current state of capacity. The technology hasnt
changed in computers, but the capacity of devices has,
such as faster CPUs (with increasing cache size), higher-
capacity drives, more RAM, and so on.

Higher capacity is required because of bloated operating
systems and the bloated software written by lazy programmers.

The basic design of the computer is still the same: to
move 0's and 1's around the bus to peripherals, all
controlled by various chipsets.

 

Theodrake wrote:

I am slightly puzzled why everyone seems to assume "drive by wire" has
anything at all to do with the steering.

 

Theodrake wrote:

I am slightly puzzled why everyone seems to assume "drive by wire" has
anything at all to do with the steering.

 

We have been served up a lot of dumb ideas in the past...ideas
which were interesting, but not worth the cost and the risk.

I am sure we will continue to make firm advancements in
transportation science. If Honda wants to spend the money
to offer a solution to a problem that does not exist, go for it.

 

We have been served up a lot of dumb ideas in the past...ideas
which were interesting, but not worth the cost and the risk.

I am sure we will continue to make firm advancements in
transportation science. If Honda wants to spend the money
to offer a solution to a problem that does not exist, go for it.

 

That's because of the car shows on TV. They show the prototype drive by
wire vehicles as basic body modules you can just plug into one
platform. You know, drive the sports body for the week and drop the SUV
body on for the weekend type trip...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/index.html?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

 

That's because of the car shows on TV. They show the prototype drive by
wire vehicles as basic body modules you can just plug into one
platform. You know, drive the sports body for the week and drop the SUV
body on for the weekend type trip...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/index.html?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

 

Well the newest 4 stroke outboard I bought does not have points. But then
neither did the two stroke it replaced. And if you want reliability in a
boat, a diesel seems like the way to go.

Ed

 

Well the newest 4 stroke outboard I bought does not have points. But then
neither did the two stroke it replaced. And if you want reliability in a
boat, a diesel seems like the way to go.

Ed

 

I think you are operating under the mistaken impression that the "drive by
wire" system is referring to the steering gear. It does not. The only part
that is "drive by wire" is the throttle. Instead of having a conventional
linkage or cable between the accelerator pedal and the throttle plate in the
intake, the accelerator pedal is connected to a rheostat which feeds
positional information to the car's engine management computer. The computer
then uses this information to open or close the throttle based on all the
inputs. Toyota, Ford, GM, BMW, and others have been using such systems for
several years in an effort to improve engine performance, reduce emission,
and increase fuel economy. I see some complaints from Toyota owners about
lagging response in their fly by wire systems. I have a Ford with a fly by
wire system and did not even realize it until I looked through the shop
manual.

Failure of the fly by wire throttle system is not more dangerous, or likely,
than the failure of a traditional throttle cable (I've had two of those fail
in my life). The most likely failure mode is the engine dropping back to
idle. I feel certain that you'll be able to control the car if this happens.

See
http://automobiles.honda.com/models/engineering_overview.asp?ModelName=Civic+Sedan

Regards,

Ed White

 

I think you are operating under the mistaken impression that the "drive by
wire" system is referring to the steering gear. It does not. The only part
that is "drive by wire" is the throttle. Instead of having a conventional
linkage or cable between the accelerator pedal and the throttle plate in the
intake, the accelerator pedal is connected to a rheostat which feeds
positional information to the car's engine management computer. The computer
then uses this information to open or close the throttle based on all the
inputs. Toyota, Ford, GM, BMW, and others have been using such systems for
several years in an effort to improve engine performance, reduce emission,
and increase fuel economy. I see some complaints from Toyota owners about
lagging response in their fly by wire systems. I have a Ford with a fly by
wire system and did not even realize it until I looked through the shop
manual.

Failure of the fly by wire throttle system is not more dangerous, or likely,
than the failure of a traditional throttle cable (I've had two of those fail
in my life). The most likely failure mode is the engine dropping back to
idle. I feel certain that you'll be able to control the car if this happens.

See
http://automobiles.honda.com/models/engineering_overview.asp?ModelName=Civic+Sedan

Regards,

Ed White

 

And what does this have to do with "drive by wire" throttle systems? The
Civic does not have a steer by wire system.

On the other hand, I do own two farm tractors that have drive by hydraulic
systems. They have no mechanical link between the steering wheel and the
front wheels. It is all handled by hydraulics. I had a line blow once and
had to steer off the road with the brakes.....

Ed

 

And what does this have to do with "drive by wire" throttle systems? The
Civic does not have a steer by wire system.

On the other hand, I do own two farm tractors that have drive by hydraulic
systems. They have no mechanical link between the steering wheel and the
front wheels. It is all handled by hydraulics. I had a line blow once and
had to steer off the road with the brakes.....

Ed

 

The Civic drive by wire system is just for the throttle. If it fails, you'll
just coast to a stop. You'll be able to steer just like most other cars can
when the engine dies.

Ed