What is ECU tuning? Does it really work?

Posted by ECU Genie on February 18th, 2020

An ECU tuning or an engine control unit tuning is also called remapping. It is done in order to adjust the settings of the car in order to bring out the best in terms of the performance of the car. This is done by overwriting the already existing settings that the car comes with so that the owner can re-adjust or re-program the car according to his or her needs.

You may wonder how this remapping is done. It simply refers to the changing of the manufacturer's default settings of the car and adjusting it to the needs of the owner but within what is legally permitted. However, the effects of tuning can only be measured on the basis of how the owner uses the tuned car. Like for example, it may be difficult to see a star difference in fuel efficiency because after a remapping is done a car usually sees an increase in the power which may result in the more usage of fuel and also sometimes the owners drive extremely fast thinking it is a benefit of the remapping however doing this will also increase the usage of fuel by the car. But if the owner adjusts the driving in accordance with the tuning that is done, then he or she can experience the effects of the tuning properly.  This tuning also has an effect on the speed and power of the car as well. If the tuning is taken advantage of more strategically, then the car’s engine will become more responsive than before. This will allow the diver to drive with more torque when required with a minimal number of gear changes. This will also help in boosting the fuel efficiency of the cars.

If you are contemplating whether car remapping is for you or not here are a few things to take into consideration while making your decision:

1. Firstly, it is important to know which cars can be remapped. The cars that were produced before 2000 are too old and do not support remapping. You also should not consider remapping your own car if you are not an expert in the field, as it needs extremely precise and efficient. If you do want to remap your car, then choose the right company to do it to reduce any risks regarding the remapping. This will ensure that you not only get the best services but also ensures that you have the required warranty for replacing the software if needed in the future.
2. Secondly, it can also affect your insurance. When you remap your car, it is essential to let the insurance company know so that your insurance is modified in accordance. Some companies also do not provide insurance services for cars that are remapped. that is why it is important to check beforehand to see if it would be advantageous for you in all sectors or not.

There are three stages of the car tuning stage that you should be familiar with:

1. Stage 1 tuning is a single modification that does not require any other work to the car engine. This stage can be used for daily use, and your car will also retain its reliability and daily drivability.
2. Stage 2 tuning is considerably more aggressive than the first stage and needs to be put in with other parts while tuning. This will help you gain a lot of power but will need a replacement of other parts in order to work properly.
3. Stage 3 tuning is usually unsuitable for road use and is done for a competition or for motorsport.