Android suppression

[GSM123]

This has been bugging me for a while. 18 states at the Budokai it's difficult to hold back:

Chapter: 431 (DBZ 237), P13.5-7, P14.2-6
Context: taking the punch machine preliminaries test
Kuririn: “Hey, don’t put too much power into it! You’ll break the machine.”
No.18: “I know.” *she hits it*
Referee guy: “Se-se-se-774!? I-I’m sorry, it seems to be malfunctioning! Wait a minute.”
Kuririn: “That’s why I told you not to overdo it!”
No.18: “Be quiet! It’s hard to hold back!”
Referee guy: “It-it seems to be fixed. Try again. *she hits again* …203 points…!?”

However, 18 seems to have a pretty good power control when she holds back to fight Vegeta. 17 also casually go trought Trunks, Piccolo and Tenshinhan without killing any of them, and his futre self is able to suppress to less than half without much trouble.

So, can the Androids control their powers levels or not?

 

[Void]

They definitely can. 17's statements to Future Gohan pretty much tells you all you need to know. Future No.17 was taking it easy on Gohan and knew exactly how much power he was using.

 

[GSM123]

What about 18's quote about her troubles to suppress?

 

[Void]

Just looks like more Boo arc nonsense, considering she had no problem casually kicking that human fighter out of them ring without killing him. Also, she tells Vegeta she was holding back against him.

 

[Future Warrior]

It's hard for her to hold back because she doesn't like to I presume.

 

[Let's Go Fearless!]

Its more like supressing his power to PL 5 IMO.

 

[Goku9001]

Perhaps they have some degree of control over how much energy they use, but don't have complete control over it.