What is engine chip tuning

The chip tuning a car - reprogramming the engine control unit in order to improve its performance. The engine of a modern car has an impressive power reserve, but manufacturers limit its capabilities at the programming stage.

Modern technologies make it possible to reflash these programs in order to improve the technical characteristics of the vehicle. There is a heated debate among motorists and mechanics about chip tuning, its capabilities, advantages and disadvantages. It is worth understanding these issues in order to understand whether you specifically need this service, what consequences it leads to.

Why do manufacturers impose restrictions on the operation of the motor?

The first question that car owners ask when they first come across the concept of chip tuning is why manufacturers generally program the operation of the motor with significant restrictions. There are several reasons for this:

• taxation - in many countries, the size of the tax on transport directly depends on the power level of its engine, therefore, manufacturers deliberately program motors in such a way as to reduce the fiscal burden;
• environmental standards - a decrease in power leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, car manufacturers program the engine in accordance with environmental standards;
• financial savings - a derated engine allows using cheaper and lower quality fuel without negative consequences for it.

Any new engine has an impressive margin of safety and durability. By slightly adjusting the performance of the software, you can significantly increase the torque and improve other characteristics of the motor.

Can an engine fail after chip tuning?

It is believed that interference with the work of the "brains" of modern vehicles leads to rapid physical wear of the engine. In reality, it all depends on the literacy, qualifications of the master who performs the readjustment.

He can be compared to a jeweler, because the utmost precision in his work is extremely important. If you turn to professionals who understand these issues, then there will be no problems.

Each engine has an impressive margin of safety, so intervention in the operation of the software practically does not reduce the resource of the motor. This question is relevant only for old cars.

If you are far from the first vehicle owner, the decision on the need for chip tuning should be made only after a full comprehensive diagnosis.

Engine wear is much more influenced by the quality of fuels and lubricants, and not by software adjustments. But it is worth remembering that any car is a single well-coordinated system. A significant increase in torque leads to an increase in the load on the gearbox. The chip tuning technician should take into account such features.

What about the factory warranty?

By interfering with the operation of the vehicle software, which is under the factory warranty, you risk losing it. Although specialized companies convince customers that no one will be able to identify the changes made in time, in reality, the situation is different.

The car dealer you are partnering with will detect the changes in the firmware, if this is the goal. You can, of course, take the risk, but the responsibility for such a decision remains only with you.

Is chip tuning effective? How much power can be increased?

We can definitely say that povečanje moči and the increase in torque is noticeable only on turbocharged engines. Chip tuning of naturally aspirated engines does not give such a result, here the power will increase by only 7-10%, which most motorists will not even notice.

The increase in the power of turbocharged engines is 35-50%. Such changes are especially noticeable while driving on the highway, when overtaking. Within the city, you will simply have nowhere to use the increased potential.

What parameters can be adjusted during chip tuning?

Chip tuning masters adjust the following parameters and indicators:

• calibration factors influencing the choice of the optimal ignition timing;
• valve timing;
• bypass valve operation;
• excess air ratio.

This process is complex and individual, because it is impossible to reconfigure two different motors according to the same parameters. Chip tuning experts take a comprehensive approach to the task, correct those indicators that can be readjusted without harming the motor.

What is the point of chip tuning for naturally aspirated engines?

Ordinary people are often interested in what is the point of chip-tuning naturally aspirated engines, if the increase in their power is quite insignificant. After the adjustments made, the torque increases, the car becomes "livelier", especially when overtaking. For this, many motorists turn to professionals.

Does chip tuning affect fuel consumption?

Chip tuning masters claim that such changes can not only increase engine power, but also reduce fuel consumption. In principle, this is realistic, but at the expense of lowering environmental standards.

With an increase in the ignition timing, the volume of emissions of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide also increases. A car is more harmful to the environment, but consumes less fuel. For motorists, saving gasoline is more important than environmental parameters, so they use chip tuning.

Does chip tuning allow you to make the gas pedal more "responsive"?

Some car enthusiasts are turning to chip tuners to make the gas pedal sharper and more responsive. It is not necessary to make drastic changes to the firmware for this. For this purpose, an electronic corrector can be used, which is installed between the pedal and the ECU. It doubles the pedal signal without interfering with the motor.

What are the chip tuning options?

Some manufacturers offer removable chip tuning units that adjust engine performance without interfering with firmware. Usually such units are removable. They are installed between the motor controller and the injectors. Management is carried out using a mobile application.

There are many operating modes, you choose the right one, depending on the usual driving style and the conditions in which the car is operated. Such a box can always be removed, reconfigured for another model of transport.

Disadvantages of chip tuning

The obvious disadvantages of chip tuning appear only if you order such services from semi-legal specialists who do not give any guarantees of success. The disadvantages of flashing include:

• the risk of computer malfunctions;
• reduced engine life;
• a significant increase in fuel consumption with incorrect settings;
• high cost of work.

Chip tuning advantages

Chip tuning, if performed in a reputable specialized company, has advantages:

• minimum terms of work execution;
• increase in power, "responsiveness" of the engine;
• the ability to quickly return to the original factory settings;
• chip tuning allows you to correct factory engine errors, remove defects, improve its performance;
• the ability to remove restrictions on the maximum permissible speed;
• an individual approach to the development of updated firmware, taking into account the wishes of the client and the recommendations of the master.

Should I order chip tuning?

The decision on the need to use chip tuning and ordering such services is made only by the car owner, having previously studied all the advantages, disadvantages, features and consequences of interference in the operation of the electronic control unit.