Venturing out with your vehicle can be a daunting task if it doesn’t have the right tyres, equipment and most importantly, drivetrain. That last part is what makes a car capable of off-roading or not. With the presence of a 4×4 system, you won’t be able to go deep into the wild and not worry about getting home safely.
Of course, other factors play an important role here but they can be easily adapted to the terrain you’re going to be driving on. 4X4 vehicles are also best at providing traction even when on the road and they usually offer more space than most sedans. They are true all-terrain vehicles that are never not short of power.
Advantages of Adding a Throttle Controller
Performance
One of the main reasons to add a throttle controller to a 4×4 is because it’s always hungry for more power. You may think that’s not the case until you stumble upon a challenging hill or uneven terrain where it puts its capabilities to the limit. A compatible 4×4 throttle controller will definitely reduce acceleration times and make your 4×4 feel nippier.
Efficiency
By sharpening the throttle response of your car you get to experience a more efficient drive especially when on the motorway. While the same can’t be said for your adventures in the wild, you will certainly affect a different aspect in every scenario.
Lifespan
That is the lifespan of engine components and overall the engine as a whole as a more efficient use of fuel and air will result in less strain on injectors and the pump that operates them. That is unless you drive your 4×4 like a track car.
Lag
Some 4x4s experience throttle lag after some time, especially high mileage ones. That is mainly the case with turbocharged vehicles as well as diesel ones but it can happen with petrol engines too. With a 4WD throttle controller, this issue is easily resolved.
Safety
Since you get to improve the throttle response of your vehicle and make it work more efficiently you also make it a lot safer. Since it responds on time with a throttle controller, it means you get to experience fewer late and potentially harmful encounters.
Types of 4×4 Throttle Controllers
Standard
The most straightforward throttle controller you can get for your 4WD vehicle is a basic or standard one. It tells you which mode you’re in and it allows you to create a limited number of modes of your own. Within these custom modes, you can adjust a small number of parameters which is why most people prefer this type of 4WD throttle controller since it’s rather simple to use.
Advanced
If you want a more comprehensive and more capable throttle controller, you should invest in an advanced controller also called a programmer. These controllers are able to not only let you create as many modes as you want and change a dozen different parameters, but they also display more information. You can have yours show you information about certain temperature levels, turbo boost, acceleration times and more. They also provide real-time data about the engine and some even allow you to use time as part OBD scanners.
How to Set up a 4×4 Throttle Controller
1. Due to the capabilities of a 4×4 throttle controller you might think that such an aftermarket accessory is not something you could install on your own but you’re wrong. You don’t need any tools and the first step involves unplugging the connector behind the accelerator pedal.
2. The following step is to connect the connector that came with your 4WD throttle controller in the same spot where the factory connector was, behind the accelerator pedal. Once that’s done, you then need to plug in, what is known as the piggyback connector in the back of the connector you just plugged in.
3. The last connection you need to make is that of the very first connector you removed. This connector now needs to go in the back of the piggyback connector and once done you should seek for a place to attach the controller. As long as it’s not in the way of other controllers and in arm’s reach you’re good to go. Make sure to route the cable through the steering column so your cabin looks tidy.
4. At this point you should turn on the ignition and the controller too. On the controller, you usually get either a letter or a number to choose from. What you select on the screen depends on the type of transmission your car has – manual or automatic.
5. Once set up, select the mode you want to drive your 4×4 in or create a custom one and go for a test drive to see if it’s what you want. If you’re unsure which mode is best for your vehicle, you can always leave the controller in “AUTO” which means the device determines the parameters for your type of driving as it learns from it.
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