Good Day, everyone. Cayenne here. Do you know what TPS stands for? No, it's not Tender Porterhouse Steak, even though that sounds good to me. It means Throttle Position Sensor. Yes, I know it's not as tasty-sounding, but it's very important to your vehicle. So let's get barkin' about TPS.
You know you have an accelerator pedal; step on it, and your vehicle is supposed to go. But did you know there is a part in your vehicle that tracks where the throttle is? It's called the Throttle Position Sensor, or TPS.
The TPS is a sensor that helps your vehicle determine the right mix of air and fuel reaching your engine. It does that by keeping track of the throttle and sending that information to your vehicle's computer. Other factors play a role in how well your engine is performing, including air temperature, how fast the engine is turning over, and airflow.
When the TPS isn't working right, you may find your vehicle won't accelerate or doesn't have the power you're expecting when you press on the accelerator. In some cases, it may accelerate on its own. Sometimes, your vehicle won't go over a certain speed. Your Check Engine light may go on.
Any of these symptoms should be checked out soon. If your TPS stops working right, your vehicle may not be safe to drive. Fortunately, most vehicles have a "limp home" mode that allows you to get off a busy road and to a safe spot.
Your service advisor can tell you which TPS is the correct replacement for your vehicle. Your shop may have to re-program the new TPS so it works correctly with your vehicle's software.
It's a fact of life these days that computers control many of a vehicle's functions. The sensors that feed information to those computers help make your vehicle work how it was engineered to and keep you motoring safely and efficiently down the road.
I leave you with an inspirational quote for the week,
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." ~ Walt Disney
Cayenne
Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
650.968.7227
http://alliedautoworks.com