The programming will vary depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle, the size of the engine, whether it has California, federal or Canadian emissions calibration, the type of transmission, gear ratios and tire size, and whether it has special options (such as traction control, automatic climate control, etc.) that interact or communicate with the PCM. So unlike Windows XP or some other piece of software you might purchase for your personal computer, the programming for a PCM is unique to that vehicle and that vehicle only. There are a lot of lines of code in the programming, and the instructions include calibration information designed for a specific vehicle application. The software may also include information on how to handle communications from other onboard modules such as the ABS/traction control/stability control system, climate control system, body controller, air bag module, keyless entry system and so on. This includes all the things the PCM controls such as spark timing, fuel mixture, various emissions functions (EGR, EVAP, PCV, etc.), transmission shifting and torque converter lockup (unless these jobs are handled by a separate transmission control module), theft deterrence and self-diagnostics (including OBD II monitors and self-test procedures).

The software tells the PCM how to process its various sensor inputs and other requests so the vehicle operates normally.

Like any laptop or desktop computer, the powertrain control module (PCM) in a car or truck contains a software program that tells it what to do.

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