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Have you ever considered what the computers in your car actually do? Did you know that your car had computers in it? Can you name what those computers are or what they do?

Cars have come a long way since the first car rolled off the assembly line way back in history too far for any of us to remember. With most new advancement in the comfort of a car comes a need to have a new computer in the car, or at least a new sensor that will relay information back to a computer. Cars continue to become more and more complicated as new computers and sensors are added to them.

Some of the things that car computers monitor via sensors include oxygen sensors, air pressure sensors, air temperature sensors, engine temperature sensors, throttle position sensors and knock sensors

There are even more sensors on cars, particularly for luxury cars. The extra sensors in luxury cars usually have to do with the extra features that come in those types of cars. In the end, a lot of sensors are designed to relay information back to the computer that can then relay the information to you on the dash. An auto mechanic can also hook up to the cars computer and get more specific data. That specific data helps them to quickly and accurately diagnose the problem so that it can be fixed.

All of these computers have been designed and installed for different reasons. Some of them relate to our comfort, some of them relate to the handling of the car, some of them relate to the emissions of the car (environment in mind) and yet others have to do with the performance of the car.

There are 2 main computers on most cars. The engine control module (computer) controls all things that relate to the performance and emissions of the engine. The power control module (computer) has everything to do with the handling of the car including the traction control and the brakes.

The engine control module, or ECM for short, is a very common computer found in all newer cars. This is because of environmentalist pushing for improved emissions of vehicles and the impact that they have on the environment. Fuel mileage, also of environmental concern, has also improved in large part because of engine computers that control more accurately the flow of fuel and air.

Car computers work in the background creating a better ride and a more efficient car, while alerting you to the information it has gathered only if it determines that there is a potential problem that needs attention. Some will look at car computers as just one more thing that potentially will need to be fixed on a car. However, when all benefits and costs are considered, their arguments are short handed.