Internal combustion engines might just burn fuel but the way they do so is far more complex than it seems. There are various components that need to work perfectly together for the above process to take place. One of these components is the throttle body which controls the amount of air that goes into the engine. This component is controlled by the accelerator pedal.

When you push on it the throttle plate opens and lets more air in, thus increasing engine RPM. In recent years this system has been replaced by a more advanced system known as a drive-by-wire. Electronic control over your vehicle's throttle makes for more efficient engines and also more powerful ones. This is also the case with throttle controllers. These devices can add the functionality of a drive-by-wire system to a vehicle that doesn't have it.

The first thing you'll notice with a throttle control unit is improved performance. Since the engine will get the right mixture of fuel and air it will make use of it a lot better too. This is thanks to their ingenuity electronic throttle controllers are able to detect the exact amount of air needed when you press the accelerator pedal.

The electronic aspect of this device also leads to a more efficient vehicle. Since the exact amount of air is let through, there isn't rich combustion. This means less fuel is wasted thus making you save on petrol in the long run. But you also save on fuel from having a snappier response.

Quicker throttle response is also a big proponent for a more efficient engine but also one that will last you longer. Throttle lag appears as time goes by. The older the engine the higher the chances you'll experience throttle lag. But a car throttle controller gets rid of that by adjusting the throttle response with the help of electric signals. Although the internals of a throttle control unit may involve a complex process, adding one to your vehicle is quite the opposite.

1. You would think that a throttle controller would involve going deep into the engine to install it but in fact, you only need to be in the driver seat in order to install it. The first you need to do once you have the unit out of its box is to find the plug at the back of the accelerator pedal.

2. Once that's located, disconnect the original plug and connect the new one that came with the throttle controller. After you've put in the new plug, make sure to plug in the piggyback connector into it and then connect the original plug into that connector.

3. With everything connected properly, you should then find the ideal location of the throttle controller. You should have the car throttle controller unit on the dashboard, out of the way of other controls. A throttle control unit is as big as the palm of your hand, so it's easy to find an area where it will be easy to access without impeding other controls.

4. Once you find a place where the controller is easy to reach and use then put some double-sided tape on it and stick it there. Make sure that you also route the cable going from the controller to the accelerator pedal in a way that doesn't dangle between your knees. This is best done by having the cable run through the steering column.

5. With the throttle controller being neatly placed on the dashboard turn your engine on and then the controller. Select the correct letter or number according to the type of transmission your vehicle is using. Once that's done you can then select one of the three modes that are usually found on throttle controllers or make a new one yourself.

The ability to create new modes and the information you get from the unit will depend on the type of throttle controller you get. If you want a set it and forget it electronic throttle controller then you should consider a basic one. Basic throttle controllers only allow you to choose from an eco, auto (automatic), and performance mode. There are some that offer the ability to create your own mode but usually, you get a limited number of custom modes and limited customizability over them.

If you want to be able to create countless driving modes with the ability to adjust certain parameters then go for what are known as throttle programmers. These advanced throttle controllers often come with a small display. This display can show information such as fuel consumption as well as range. These throttle controllers are ideal if you want to make the most out of your vehicle's engine and do so on a daily basis.