Cayenne Answers The Question, "What is a TPS? (Throttle Position Sensor)"

Hello, Cayenne here today. TPS......hmmm, that sounds like it stands for Tender Porterhouse Steak.....yummy. No, don't be silly and wishful. What it really stands for is Throttle Position Sensor. Yes, I know it's not as tasty sounding, but it's very important to your vehicle. So today we will bark about what TPS is. Let's get barkin'!

You know you have an accelerator pedal; step on it, and your vehicle is supposed to go. But did you know there is a part in your vehicle that keeps track of where the throttle is? It's called the Throttle Position Sensor, or TPS.

The TPS is a sensor that helps your vehicle determine the right mix of air and fuel reaching your engine. It does that by keeping track of the throttle and sending that information to your vehicle's computer. Other factors affect how well your engine is performing, including air temperature, how fast the engine is turning over and air flow.

When the TPS isn't working right, you may find your vehicle won't accelerate or doesn't have the power you're expecting when you press on the accelerator. In some cases, it may accelerate on its own. Sometimes, your vehicle won't go over a certain speed. Your Check Engine light may go on.

Any of these symptoms should be checked out soon. If your TPS stops working right, your vehicle may not be safe to drive. Fortunately, most vehicles have a "limp home" mode that allows you to get off a busy road and to a safe spot.

Your service advisor can tell you which TPS is the correct replacement for your vehicle. Your shop may have to re-program the new TPS so it works correctly with your vehicle's software.

It's a fact of life these days that computers control many of a vehicle's functions. The sensors that feed information to those computers help make your vehicle work how it was engineered to and keep you motoring safely and efficiently down the road.

As we move into Winter, I leave you with this,

He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter.

-John Burroughs

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com