Reader Michael Haworth is now convinced that throttle controllers are not a fad…
AFTER NEARLY A WEEK of playing with different settings I finally have decided if I like this device. I do, I really do. When I read about people installing these units I did not understand why they would want them. I felt the Everest had terrific throttle control with its standard mode or sport mode. The low range also automatically calms down the throttle when wheeling so I did not understand why one would want a throttle controller. I sure as heck was not going to pay $300 to $400 for one so I figured this was a fad I was not going to join.
Then I saw a Facebook post that had these for $75. I could get my head around that, so I did and placed my order. A week or so later it came in. I went out and installed it in about 2 minutes. By far, the easiest mod I have done to any vehicle, ever. Just find the throttle pedal, look up for the plug, lift the red tab on the plug and disconnect it. Then connect the controller connectors in between the plugs you just separated and press the red tabs back down. Now connect the thin wire for the controller LED box and route it along the side of the steering wheel and ignition switch, pull off the sticky tape plastic and press it where you want to mount it. Then just roll up the excess wire and use the included cable ties to neaten up the extra wire. Done.
Now for the settings. There are three main modes that you will want to use: Full on; Half (or semi); and economy. The full and semi modes also have manual and automatic transmission modes. I will break it down for you:
- FA = Full Automatic Transmission mode. Maximum input throughout the throttle range (CRAZY)
- FH = Full Manual Transmission mode. Skip it, no Everest has a manual transmission
- HA = Half (or semi) Auto Transmission mode. More aggressive than stock throttle control but more tame than FA. (SANE)
- HH = Half Manual mode – again, skip it.
- EC = Economy mode. This is what you use to numb the throttle. Good when off road when it is bumpy to keep you from surging the throttle. Also good to eek out a bit more fuel economy.
- NOI- = Stock mode
So here is how it all works. You pick a mode (e.g. HA) then you pick a number 1-9 to dial in how much you want the throttle to respond. 1 is basically same as stock and 9 is more aggressive.
I tried FA9 and it is basically like driving with either full throttle on or completely off. Way too mental for me. Even FA5 kept downshifting the transmission and launching me forward with any touch of the throttle. I call FA mode “Whiplash mode”. My neck was killing me after playing with this settings.
Next I started playing with HA settings. This is where I fell in love with this unit. Starts from red lights are much faster but not overly crazy. If I wanted to be a bit more aggressive with my driving I found HA8 a good setting but I have settled on HA6 for most uses. EC mode is nice if you are feeling a bit more mellow and want to slow things down a bit. I used it in the rain to stop any wheel spin. I did play with it by bouncing my foot up and down a little on the throttle while in this EC mode and it does a good job buffering out any surges of power. The higher the EC number the more numb the throttle becomes.
Interesting note. When I have it in HA mode I do find my self driving faster and a bit more aggressively because, quite frankly, it is a lot of fun. It really gives it a much sportier feel. On the other side, when I use EC mode I found my kids saying that I was driving like an old man. The numb pedal does have you taking it a lot easier and I could tell my fuel economy would be better as I was laying off the accelerator a lot more.
I now get it. The ability to customise the throttle response to whatever you feel like or how the road conditions dictate is a wonderful trait. This is one of my favourite mods I have done yet.
