Accelerator

The gas pedal or accelerator pedal.  This can be cable operated or electronic- known as drive-by-wire in todays cars and trucks. The accelerator is what opens and closes the throttle on the engine to let more or less air in.

Closed throttle- less air at idle. Wide open- more air and the engine revs up.

Electronic gas pedals can cause a check engine light and throttle codes. Many people get confused with these codes. An accelerator position sensor code relates to the gas pedal- not the throttle.

Pilots and gear heads sometimes call this the “throttle.” Call it what you will, pressing down on it should encourage the vehicle to accelerate.