Torque Determination and Energy Management
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The powertrain control module (PCM) is responsible for torque determination and energy management functions. The PCM monitors gear selector position (PRNDL), brake pedal position (BPP) and accelerator pedal position (APPS). The PCM then makes a torque command determination. Positive torque is perceived as vehicle acceleration and negative torque is perceived as braking. Based on the amount of torque requested by the driver, the PCM decides which power source has to deliver the torque to meet the driver demand while the powertrain system is running most efficiently.