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I don't know for a fact but I believe that almost every new car is DBW. At least 80 % would be my guess. If it has stability control, or traction control, it def has DBW.
Just look at the accelerator pedal assembly. If you see a cable that moves with the pedal and goes through the firewall then it almost certainly is not DBW.
As Lux said, the only way to tell for sure is to look at the throttle assembly. If you see a cable attached to a pivot point, you don't have drive by wire. The drive by wire assemblies look like a nub attached to the side of the throttle body with a couple wires running to it.
I tried to think really hard to come up with a vehicle that isn't drive by wire these days and I honestly can't think of one. I know there were still some in the mid-00's, but not much since then. The prevalence of traction and stability contorl systems makes it almost mandatory. Additionally, they are considered to be safer than the cable systems as the cables can snag or become worn...ironic.
I don't know for a fact but I believe that almost every new car is DBW. At least 80 % would be my guess. If it has stability control, or traction control, it def has DBW.
Traction control doesn't equate to drive by wire, my car has traction control yet has a direct throttle link.
Additionally, they are considered to be safer than the cable systems as the cables can snag or become worn...ironic.
Well, DBW is considered safer in that the cable won't wear out. However, the longevity is still debatable, as introducing electronics into the equation has just increased the complexity of what once was a simple system.
Other arguments against cables ... besides allowing finer control of the air/fuel ratio, DBW allows better placement flexibility; the engineers could practically place the throttle body anywhere, whereas they are limited with cable operated ones.
Change is inevitable ... anyone servicing vehicles through the 80's knows the argument of fuel injected vs. carburetors very well.
Cables wear out? I have to ask how that would even happen. It's steel.
I've seen plenty of throttle cables break or freeze up.. Embarrassing when you leave a stop sign and step on the throttle and nothing happens. You can only hope to be able to idle to the side of the road..!
Normally, the cables are sheathed, and passes through a nylon bushing at the ends. if the bushings disintegrate over time, the cable left to rubbing against the end.
Then there's the whole corrosion aspect ... braided galvanized wire is corrosion resistant, not corrosion proof, so given the right conditions, it will still rust, reducing its strength.
Well after 15 years mine works perfectly fine still. I'll take that over a wire that can also corrode.
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