The Engine Computer Is Likely The Greatest Improvement To Cars Since The Car Was Invented.

By Nick Varner

Cars have changed a lot since they were first invented in the early 1900's. Many things around cars have changed too. Roads are now paved with asphalt or concrete rather than dirt. The distance that we travel in our cars has also grown. We also demand more out of our cars today than they did in the beginnings.

Of all of the changes in the car over the years, perhaps none has been more important than the advent of the engine computer. The Engine computer module (ECM) was invented and introduced into cars in large part to improve the efficiency in the way an engine performs. The main benefit of that improved performance is the lower emissions put off by the cars which pose environmental concerns.

The gas mileage is one of the things that the ECM was developed to improve. The engine computers accomplished the goal of improving gas mileage. That is perhaps the one, mostly pursued aspect of a car engine that is continually being attempted to be improved.

The emissions of vehicles and their impact on the environment has been a great concern for some time. The engine computer came about partly due to this issue and has been a big factor in improving the pollution levels of vehicles. The computer continually adjusts things like fuel and air depending on the conditions that it is driving in. This helps to reduce the emissions and thus the pollution from cars.

The ECM can warn drivers of a potentially serious issue with the engine, such as an engine knock before it is too late. When the computer discovers a potential problem like this, will send a signal to the dash to turn on the check engine light. The trouble code is stored for the auto mechanic to look at.

Another job of the engine control module is to monitor other aspects relating to the engine. The ECM alerts the instrument cluster when there is a problem of something operating out of normal parameters, such as the engine coolant temperature or the oil level. The instrument cluster then will turn on the appropriate light signaling to the driver a potential problem. The ECM also stores a trouble code that a mechanic can retrieve in the diagnosis of the problem so that they can fix it.

The use of ECM?s on vehicles could well be argued to be the most improvement of cars since they began. Unlike some of the other major improvements that we have seen in cars, the engine computer is not highly noticed by the common driver.

We will certainly see more improvements to cars as time moves on. There may never be a car like we see in the movie, "Back to the Future", but there will be drastic changes that impact our travel. One such change is very close. Chevy announced a new car, called the Chevy Volt which they claim is able to get 230 miles per gallon. It is scheduled to be on lots in 2010. - 21392

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car computers have been one of the most beneficial improvements in cars. The engine control module, or ECM is the reason for the reduction of emissions from cars, thus helping the air quality in the country.