How does my car know how much torque it's making?

[Dr. Nopps]

What does the vehicle use (97 cavalier w/ automatic) to determine how much torque it is actually producing for a reference in the line pressure shifting tables? It seems to know somehow. It obviously uses some formula, (X vs. Y vs. Z) but what input does it need? I am left to assume there is some non-accessable reference table the computer looks at using Spark, RPM, and MAP to calculate it's torque output.

[NitrousNitro]

Also curious....

[PSYKOSTEVO]

well Torque is Accel/Time, and Horsepower is TQ/RPM, so I guess maybe it can keep track of accel somehow. Most cars now have a calculated torque function built into granny controls, safety features, and transmissions. More than likely it uses a calculation based off of engine load and rpm.

And cars dont really need a dynometer, as long as you can log certain sensors while driving on the road. Hence why aeroforce gauges and others can calculate power.