@Strap Hanger posted:... Its for those reasons, plus the lack of any such disclosure as cited above in the manual as there is for the PS3 model, that I am certain its not engaged when I run my PS2 engines in the manner I noted above. As for this thread, I'd say the issue is fully resolved in light of the PS3 manual language.
I googled "MTH PS2 manual" and the first entry that popped up was this SD-45 which happens to be a PS2 5V version so 15-20 years ago. The manual clearly states "Each time you shut down the engine completely, it will automatically turn speed control on."
So apparently MTH changed the Speed Control to default=OFF for some PS-2 models...and then reverted to default=ON with PS3? Interesting, in which case I agree with your characterization of this being "ridiculous." Learn something new every day!