What are the effects of high throttle absolute position?
4 Answers
The hazards of high throttle absolute position are as follows: 1. The engine's air intake and load are controlled by the throttle, which in turn affects the engine's fuel injection and ignition, potentially triggering the malfunction indicator light; 2. It may cause metallic knocking noises and could leave marks on components such as rocker arms and valve stems, resulting in persistent noise issues; 3. It reduces intake and exhaust volumes, affecting the engine's power and other performance characteristics. Additional information: The throttle absolute position is the ratio of the throttle position sensor's output voltage to its reference voltage. For example, if the throttle position sensor's reference voltage is 5V and its output voltage range is 0-5V, then at a certain throttle position where the sensor outputs 2.5V, the throttle absolute position would be 2.5V/5V=50%. It's important to note that when the throttle is fully closed, the sensor voltage is not 0V but another value (e.g., 1V), making the throttle absolute position at fully closed 1V/5V=20%, meaning the throttle absolute position is not 0% when fully closed. Similarly, when the throttle is fully open, its absolute position is not 100%.
As an average driver, I often encounter the issue of high throttle position on the highway. This essentially means pressing the accelerator too hard, which directly makes the car accelerate faster and delivers more power, especially when overtaking—it feels great. However, the downsides are significant: fuel consumption spikes instantly, sometimes costing up to half more in fuel expenses. Driving like this long-term puts a heavy load on the engine, making it prone to overheating and even triggering warning lights. From personal experience, during a long trip with sustained high throttle position, the engine started to shake slightly—turns out the throttle was dirty and needed cleaning. I recommend avoiding constant full-throttle driving and adjusting your driving habits moderately to save fuel and protect your car.
As a seasoned driver with decades of experience, I fully understand the significant impact of high throttle position on the engine. A large opening increases the intake air volume dramatically, subjecting the engine to high pressure. Prolonged operation under such conditions accelerates internal wear and may lead to premature aging of piston rings or seals. Especially when climbing mountain roads, although a high throttle position provides strong power, if accompanied by sensor issues—such as the position sensor falsely reporting high values—it can trigger fault codes. Once, while helping a friend repair their car, I discovered that the excessively high position was due to loose wiring. After addressing it, the car ran much smoother. Regular maintenance should include cleaning the throttle body and inspecting the wiring to prevent minor issues from escalating.
When I first bought my car, the mechanic taught me that a high throttle position is not a good thing. It indicates that the throttle is opened too aggressively, causing the engine to intake too much air, resulting in incomplete combustion and increased fuel consumption. While driving, you may easily feel the car shaking or unstable. If the position remains too high for a long time, the engine light may even come on, indicating a potential fault. I personally experienced a similar situation—after accelerating on the highway, the throttle position suddenly spiked, and the car started jerking, which scared me into pulling over to check immediately. I suggest beginners avoid stomping on the throttle abruptly when starting; gradual acceleration is the safest approach.
