Cars have greatly evolved over the years since their beginnings back in the early 1900′s. Many things have evolved surrounding cars as well, such as the roads they drive on, the distance that they travel, and the demands we have put on cars.

One of the biggest evolutions to cars is hardly visible to the average person. The engine computer, otherwise called the ECM (engine computer module) was developed to help improve many things about the way an engine performs.

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 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 also serves as a monitoring system for the driver and can make them aware when there is a problem. When a problem is detected, it sends a signal to the instrument cluster in the dash telling a light to turn on that will indicate to the driver that there is a problem. Also, a code number is stored in the ECM that is accessible by a mechanic. That code will tell him what the exact problem is allowing him t o know what to fix.

Another aspect of ECM’s is they now monitor what used to be done through the use of mechanical gauges. They monitor things like coolant temperature and oil pressure. Once these things go outside of the parameters that have been set, the ECM sends a signal to the instrument cluster to turn on a light that will alert the driver.

Of all of the improvements to our vehicles over the years, you can see why the engine computer is perhaps one of the largest. It is relatively unknown to most people, who simply enjoy the benefits of it.

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.

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