What it does
With drive by wire, the ECU moves the throttle blade based on the pedal. The DBW Open Rate Damping table sets how much damping is applied while the throttle is opening. Damping slows the throttle's response to sudden pedal movements, which softens the feel and makes the car less twitchy.
- 0 turns damping off. The throttle follows the pedal as fast as it can.
- Higher numbers mean more damping, and a softer, slower response.
- 10 is the maximum.
When we use it
Open rate damping helps where drivability matters more than instant response:
- Street cars with a very light or sensitive pedal, where small foot movements make the car surge.
- Powerful cars in low gears, where a sharp throttle opening can break traction.
- Rough roads, where the driver's foot bounces on the pedal.
On a race car, drivers usually want the throttle to follow the pedal exactly, so damping is often left low or off.
Start low and add damping a step at a time, test-driving between changes. Too much makes the car feel lazy and can mask a pedal-to-throttle curve that really needs reshaping.
Opening is only half the picture. See close rate damping and lift rate damping, and if the throttle misbehaves, start with how to diagnose DBW issues.
