Mazda fly by wire. Ugh.

Is there anyone out there that isn't really annoyed by the lag in throttle response on first gen. Mazda 3? I've tried the extra ground to the throttle body but to no avail. You can never have too many grounds.........right?

What the hell was wrong with a damn throttle cable? I don't see any benefit of this system other than the fact that the flying M will rake in the coin for TPS and actuators.

If it ain't broke, right?

Welcome to 2005.

Seriously, do a search on the many reasons why everyone has gone to drive-by-wire.

I would not be surprised if there were a reflash available by now.

Isn't there a company that advertises in GRM selling a drive-by-wire "throttle modifier" (that's probably not the name for it), but I do remember a full page ad in the last few issues. I've always hoped that the magazine would do a test on these things to see if they were all they are cracked up to be.

I've driven cars that had throttle linkages (TR-3, and you need to see that linkage to see why no one uses that type of throttle actuation, anymore),and I've had cars with throttle cables. Even cables on older cars can be sticky/problematic.

Drive-by-wire and electric instead of hydraulic steering assistance are here to stay....on most cars. Strangely, you still see some models of cars that have electrically assisted steering and hydraulically assisted steering (tho not in the same exact car). Example? I think, I could be wrong, the "Sport" model of the Fusion has hydraulically assisted steering, while all other Fusions have electrically assisted steering. Supposedly this switch was done for space saving reasons...but if the Fusion has it both was, you have to wonder.

It does take a while to get used to but ETB its not going anywhere. I know on the speed 3's you can clock it with the Cobb Access port but on a regular 3 try the sprint booster.

http://www.sprintboostersales.com/detail.cfm?year=2004&make=Mazda&model=3&engine=Gas

Worth a shot.

I've got a TR3. Never had an issue with the linkage except when the return spring broke. Of all the (16) cars that I've owned, I have yet to have an issue with any throttle cables.

I had a cable snap while running a track day. My SAAB 96 used to twist the rubber coupling off. a hose clamp and a pedal stop fixed it. Drive by wire is used to control the engine under other circumstances and eliminates some other parts.

I have replaced one throttle cable on a car since 1975, that was on my 1994 Rodeo. Bikes, well that's a different story. Water gets in the housings and makes them rust.

integraguy wrote: Strangely, you still see some models of cars that have electrically assisted steering and hydraulically assisted steering (tho not in the same exact car). Example? I think, I could be wrong, the "Sport" model of the Fusion has hydraulically assisted steering, while all other Fusions have electrically assisted steering. Supposedly this switch was done for space saving reasons...but if the Fusion has it both was, you have to wonder.

electric powered assist is also an attempt to reduce parasitic drivetrain power losses...at the expense of feedback

and yes, our Terrain has Hydraulic power assist, but thats because it has the V6. Get the 4 banger and you get electric assist.