Computer question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
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From: Santa Maria CA
Computer question
I've heard that the cars computer will adjust itself to the way the car is driven. What does this mean? How does it affect the way the car drives and performs? Does the computer adjust itself continually with changing driving habits? Will the car run better if it's driven more aggressively?
Team Owner
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Good question. I have always wondered the same thing. If this is the case, what year did this start? I know they changed the computer from OBDI to OBDII in 96 (me thinks). 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
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From: Santa Maria CA
Thanks for the replys; but I'm still wondering how the computer adjusts. It can't adjust shift points with a manual and red line is not changed. How is the drivability of the car influenced? Anything specific?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Miami FL
Originally Posted by jfiechtner
I've heard that the cars computer will adjust itself to the way the car is driven. What does this mean? How does it affect the way the car drives and performs? Does the computer adjust itself continually with changing driving habits? Will the car run better if it's driven more aggressively?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,496
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From: alaska
far as i know it doesnt really learn "you" so to speak.
what its doing is calibrating sensor input and adjusting air/fuel ratio and timing to the optimum after a reset.
i usually go out and run on em pretty hard during that initial "learn" just so it doesnt have to do it at a later time,possibly during a critical mustang pass.
obd 1 cars do this also,only difference is obd ll has a lot more parameters it deals with versus obd 1.
good question.and i dont want to come off sounding like an expert by any means.this is just the way i THINK it works,judging by the data accessible to our monitor 4000 at work when plugging in to obd1 and obdll vehicles.
what its doing is calibrating sensor input and adjusting air/fuel ratio and timing to the optimum after a reset.
i usually go out and run on em pretty hard during that initial "learn" just so it doesnt have to do it at a later time,possibly during a critical mustang pass.
obd 1 cars do this also,only difference is obd ll has a lot more parameters it deals with versus obd 1.
good question.and i dont want to come off sounding like an expert by any means.this is just the way i THINK it works,judging by the data accessible to our monitor 4000 at work when plugging in to obd1 and obdll vehicles.
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by jfiechtner
Thanks for the replys; but I'm still wondering how the computer adjusts. It can't adjust shift points with a manual and red line is not changed. How is the drivability of the car influenced? Anything specific?
http://para.noid.org/~lj/PCM%20Tutorial/PCMtutorial.htm
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Drifting
Joined: May 2002
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From: "Drive like Hell, you'll get there faster." Tucson AZ
Originally Posted by jfiechtner
I've heard that the cars computer will adjust itself to the way the car is driven. What does this mean? How does it affect the way the car drives and performs? Does the computer adjust itself continually with changing driving habits? Will the car run better if it's driven more aggressively?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,496
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From: alaska
Originally Posted by MaSTeRofDZaSTeR
This is precisely why you need to vary your speeds wwell after your motor has been "broken in". Same thing goes for Porsches. The ECMs in our vettes regulate just about everything in the car and I'm sure they adjust to how the car's driven. If you drive like an 82 year old woman 98 percent of the time and floor it like a bat outta h e l l 2 percent of the time, your engine and everything else your vette's comprised of isn't gonna laste very long.
if you took a poll i bet you would find that thats exactly how 95% of us drive our vettes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NH
St. Jude Donor '14
Originally Posted by mitymek
if you took a poll i bet you would find that thats exactly how 95% of us drive our vettes.-Joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: walled lake MI
largely categorized there are two types of learning algorithms - those that learn differences in the car itself, and those that learn the driver "style" or driving conditions.
examples of the former include BLM's and initial IAC valve position. it makes (usually) small adjustments to take into account for some variance in the vehicle or sensor/actuators. these algorithms can, however, be affected by how the vehicle is driven, but that is usually not the intent. this type of a learn algorithm has been around pretty much since ECM's have been around.
the latter has appeared only in the last few years or so. it checks to see driving habits (ex. pedal position history depending on driving conditions) to adjust the amount of torque the engine or transmission generates. the only application with which i am familiar is with tranny controllers. if the driver is aggressive, the TCM can adjust shift lines to a higher RPM. i'm certain there are analogous algorithms out there that apply to ABS, engine control, and chassis (stability) control.
examples of the former include BLM's and initial IAC valve position. it makes (usually) small adjustments to take into account for some variance in the vehicle or sensor/actuators. these algorithms can, however, be affected by how the vehicle is driven, but that is usually not the intent. this type of a learn algorithm has been around pretty much since ECM's have been around.
the latter has appeared only in the last few years or so. it checks to see driving habits (ex. pedal position history depending on driving conditions) to adjust the amount of torque the engine or transmission generates. the only application with which i am familiar is with tranny controllers. if the driver is aggressive, the TCM can adjust shift lines to a higher RPM. i'm certain there are analogous algorithms out there that apply to ABS, engine control, and chassis (stability) control.