|
Is
My Car’s Computer Similar To My Home PC?
You probably have a computer
at home. What you may not be aware of are the other computers
in your home. You may have an auto-focus camera that uses a small
computer to adjust focus and exposure. Or you could have a thermostat
that is controlled by computer to provide heat at certain times
of the day or to certain areas. However the most sophisticated
computer you own is not on your desk or in your home, it’s
on your car.
Controlling virtually all the
critical elements of your car, the computer, or ECM (electronic
control module), is making hundreds of decisions every second
while your car is running.
What makes this computer different
from your home PC is how it gets input. On your PC you provide
input through the keyboard or mouse. On the car’s ECM, it
receives input through multiple sensors located through-out the
car. These sensors monitor almost every function of the car including;
temperature, speed, fuel mixture, timing, spark, braking and
much more.
The ECM monitors these sensors
and then makes adjustments to the vehicle to optimize performance.
This scenario is played out hundreds of times every second; input,
analysis, output, and then input, analysis, etc.
Subjected to constant vibration, grease, dirt,
flying debris, not to mention extreme heat, the ECM has to overcome
an unfriendly environment to perform. That is why it is so important
to have it serviced at regular intervals.
*********
 
|
