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

Vehicles, both cars and trucks, have improved drastically since they were first introduced back in the early 1900′s. Many aspects about driving a car have also changed. Roads, which used to be dirt, are now paved and smooth (at least comparatively). We go far further in our cars today than they did in the beginning. We use our cars for many more things than they did when they first came out.

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.

One of those things is the gas mileage. The gas mileage on cars improved greatly when they started to use engine computers. Everyone likes better gas mileage and that happened with the advent of the ECM.

The emissions of vehicles have been and continue to be a large issue and point of discussion. The impact on the environment that our cars have is a concern. However, the ECM has been and will continue to be a large factor in the improvement of emission levels. The ECM does this by continually adjusting the fuel, air and spark to the condition of the driving. This reduces the pollution of the vehicle.

The ECM can also alert drivers to potential problems with the engine before they become a problem. The computer, when it discovers a problem, sends a signal to the instrument cluster to turn on the check engine light. A code then is stored that your auto mechanic can recover to know what the problem is and get it fixed.

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.

The future will certainly hold more improvements to our vehicles. One that seems to be around the corner is another drastic jump in gas mileage. Chevy announced that there new car in 2010, the Chevy Volt, is capable of getting 230 miles per gallon around town. This is a combination of an electric car and a traditional gas powered engine.