Electronic Engine Tuning – Naas

What is engine/electronic/chip tuning?

A vehicle powered by an injection system has a device called the Engine Control Unit (ECU). The ECU is responsible for the parameters of engine performance at all levels of speed and load. Operation parameters are stored in the form of a table and are placed in the ECU memory. Chip tuning – sometimes called remapping or electronic tuning – optimises these parameters in the table to increase flexibility and efficiency. As a result, after chip tuning (remapping), IC Garage can provide an increase in the power of circa 8% for fuel cars without turbo, and circa 35% for turbo petrol and turbo diesel engines.

Why is this not done by the manufacturer?

Think of the standard factory ECU settings as a safety margin. Manufacturers know that the majority of vehicle owners use the cheapest fuel, sacrificing quality over price, and once an engine’s electronics have been tuned/remapped, it is strongly recommended that a high-quality fuel is used to prevent negative side effects of the tuning/remapping. Manufacturers also know that regular maintenance and component replacements are often late or not done at all. This safety margin allows for these factors, and so factory ECU settings accommodate all kinds of vehicle owner.

Does engine/electronic tuning affect my manufacturer’s warranty?

This is a very important consideration when deciding on whether to undertake engine/electronic (chip) tuning at IC Garage in Naas. If any part of your vehicle’s ECU is removed and replaced during the process then this invalidates any manufacturer warranty. However, most engine tuning (remapping) modifications are done so that they are undetectable to manufacturer service equipment in standard warranty inspections. These modifications will likely be detected if more in-depth testing is carried out by a manufacturer looking to resolve any reported faults with the vehicle under warranty. Discovery will lead to any remaining warranty being invalidated.

How do IC Garage do it?

The most common modification made during engine/electronic tuning/remapping is to the dose of fuel. The upper limit of the turbo (if applicable) is also increased, resulting in higher pressure in the intake manifold. Depending on the amount of increased fuel, the injection dynamic is accelerated so that fuel can burn longer without excessive smoking. Adjustments can be made to the torque limiter curve so the resulting acceleration increase is smooth and soft. This is crucial to the service life of the gearbox and/or clutch.

We usually use the least invasive techniques and adjustments, but it is important to remember that engine/electronic tuning modifications can be detected by manufacturer examiners and therefore there is always a risk of invalidating any remaining warranty. Any engine tuning modifications must be carried out by a skilled, experienced technician to ensure that changes are safe, smooth, and, in most cases, don’t invalidate manufacturer warranties.

IC Garage don’t install ready-made programs

IC Garage in Naas makes every modification using our own original licensed program based on original software read from a particular vehicle. Such modifications do not cause any errors or turn different indicator lights on. You will not experience any communication problems with diagnostic computers or other interfaces, and any modifications will be undetectable during a warranty service.

In summary:

Engine/electronic tuning does not affect the durability of the engine as long as routine maintenance and any necessary component replacements are carried out on time and/or when required.
Engine/electronic tuning does not increase fuel consumption, and after proper modifications, (SL ECO) reduces consumption by up to 10-15% during the “eco riding” style.
Engine/electronic tuning increases vehicle performance mostly by improving the torque and optimising engine supply, provided that you use good quality fuel.

IC Garage is a member of the IMI (The Institute of the Motor Industry) and proud to serve vehicle owners in and around Naas with the highest standards of workmanship and customer service. Our team are friendly, knowledgeable, and always happy to help.

To find out more about Electronic Engine Tuning in Naas, contact us online or call us directly on 045 883 900