Chip tuning pros and cons. Advantages and disadvantages of engine chip tuning. Advantages and disadvantages

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There is rarely a car owner who would completely refuse to add “horses” to his car, and even more so since the procedure does not require mechanical action on the engine and other systems. The essence of chip tuning is to correct the software of the control unit responsible for the correct operation of the engine. We will understand the pros and cons of chip tuning the engine.

Of course, the method cannot be called guaranteed or 100% win-win. Miracles don't happen. And therefore, there are both supporters pointing to the pluses and opponents looking for the minuses of this method of car tuning.

Despite this, chip tuning has gained great popularity among car owners. And one of the main confirmations of this is the close cooperation of large automakers with reputable tuning companies. They carry out joint programs and offer a single product. However, we should not forget that such cooperation is rather connected not only with the desire to please the client, but also to control the process of improving the engine, which was set to factory limiting settings. Often, by the way, official chip tuning consists in removing them.

Features of the procedure

Chip tuning is defined as the modification and optimization of the settings of the program that controls the operation of the engine. Literally, the name of the procedure is translated as follows:

• chip - microcircuit;
• tuning - tuning.

Actually, the improvements are based on the source data, which is stored in the form of tables in an integrated circuit. Connection to the control unit for working with data is carried out by means of special software. The control unit does not even need to be removed for this. Everything happens quite quickly and without any mechanical intervention.

Some garage professionals do their own chip tuning by downloading tuned firmware from the Internet. However, we still think that even digital intervention in the operation of the engine should be carried out by real masters, who, among other things, are also responsible for the correct operation of the control unit after the engine upgrade procedure. Otherwise, you can achieve the opposite of the desired results.

Likely results

According to various estimates, the result of a well-conducted chip tuning can be an increase in power power unit car by 5–25%. At the same time, the price of the procedure is disproportionately low and, most importantly, no dangerous mechanical impact is required on engine parts and other systems, which entails recommended improvements to the entire design to balance the system.

Mostly, the percentage of engine power increase depends on the factory settings. So, some motors that leave the factory with optimal settings are unlikely to be overclocked. The best way to add "horses" is to those motors whose capabilities are curtailed by software. Some manufacturers may even sell cars with "better" engines that are actually just equipped with the correct (better) ECU firmware.

However, the advantages of the idea do not end with power. Proper tuning allows you to balance fuel consumption. Obviously, this does not mean that fuel consumption will decrease if you try to squeeze all the declared and received additional power out of the engine. Driving with the "pedal to the floor" will remain uneconomical. Moreover, due to the increase in power, fuel consumption with an aggressive driving style can only increase proportionally.

The effect of the procedure on the wear of the power unit

Chip tuning is an absolutely safe and 100% harmless procedure. Even an incorrect setting, as a rule, only leads to a decrease in power performance and an increase in fuel consumption. However, these disadvantages are easy to fix by contacting a professional tuning specialist.

Advantages and disadvantages of chip tuning

The main advantages of improving the firmware are as follows:

• increasing the power of the car engine;
• growth speed characteristics auto;
• improved response to the gas pedal;
• increase in dynamics;
• the procedure is carried out quickly (in contrast to the mechanical improvement of the engine);
• relatively low upgrade cost;
• absolute harmlessness of the procedure and its results;
• the ability to restore the "native" factory firmware without any damage;
• suitable even for cars under warranty, since the dealer service process does not provide for checking the software version.

And this is not a complete list. Pluses can be supplemented with other pleasant things, for example, the possibility of unique customization of non-standard equipment.

Cons fade against the background of the above list. In principle, the main disadvantage is the increase in fuel consumption during aggressive driving. In the list of "cons" you can also add the possibility of incorrect installation, which can worsen performance indicators car.

What is engine chip tuning? This is the firmware of the improved software of the electronic control unit that controls the operation of the vehicle's systems.

An analogue is the installation of operating systems on computers, cell phones or game consoles. Under individual requests, software is created that controls the operation of iron.

Minuses

• One-time financial costs;

Is chip tuning harmful?

Why underestimate the power:

• 
  
• The difference in environmental requirements and taxes is a problem for manufacturers. When selling in a particular country, you need to adapt the model to its conditions. To do this at the iron level is to incur additional costs. It is cheaper and faster to adapt a car due to changes at the software level.

Skoda dealer.

Where are the failure cases?

Real Consequences

pros

Benefits of ADACT

• Certificate
• customer reviews;
• The engine resource is not reduced;
• All diagnostic functions and fault codes from the manufacturer are retained. In the event of any breakdown, diagnostics will show the cause. The exception is the transition to E2. In this case, errors that appear when changing the environmental standard are deleted;
• Democratic prices. We are focused on ordinary drivers, not sports car owners;
• Test Drive. Within 10 days you test the results and can return the money back if you don't like something.

How is chip tuning done?

Creating firmware

The calibrator changes the parameters in the factory firmware: enrichment thresholds, fuel supply restrictions, rpm limits, etc.

Car diagnostics

The service technician checks the vehicle to make sure it is in good working order.

Firmware installation

The specialist flashes the car with or without opening the ECU. In the first case, more time is required.

What happens to the dealer's warranty?

In most cases, nothing happens with the guarantee:

• Firmware changes are hard to detect for many car dealers. This does not happen in TO;
• If the dealer finds that unofficial software is installed, he will replace it. According to the Consumer Rights Protection Law, he cannot refuse service;
• Official dealers themselves offer ECU reprogramming services.

If you are afraid of losing the warranty, you can fill the drain before going to the dealer.

myths

1. The left chip is placed on the engine.
   The operation of the electronic engine control unit is controlled by special software. Only the control program is changed. It is poured through the diagnostic connector, no external modifications are made.
2. After flashing, fuel consumption increases.
   ADACT software optimizes engine performance and sometimes reduces fuel consumption. Some customers talk about an increase, but this is due to a change in riding style. When the car becomes more dynamic, overtakes better and behaves perfectly on the track - why hold it back?
3. Nothing changes.
   Read customer reviews and see measurement charts. Come to the firmware and feel the difference. We give 10 days for a test drive. If you do not like it, we will fully refund the money and restore the original program.

What is engine chip tuning? This is the firmware of the improved software of the electronic control unit that controls the operation of the vehicle's systems.

An analogue is the installation of operating systems on computers, cell phones or game consoles. Under individual requests, software is created that controls the operation of iron.

Minuses

• Increased requirements for fuel quality;
• One-time financial costs;
• The environmental load increases during the transition to E2 toxicity standards;
• When flashing from non-professionals or installing poorly calibrated software, you can get a negative result.

Is chip tuning harmful?

Some drivers think that the firmware reduces the life of the engine. The Experts write:

“resource from a million will roll down to 7000 km”

It is difficult for owners to understand where the extra power comes from. They are sure that the hardware is not designed for such a load and do not understand why the performance is worse on the factory firmware.

Why underestimate the power:

• It's cheaper for a car manufacturer to limit capabilities at the software level. This reduces the amount technological processes at the factory and standardizes the requirements for the supplied iron. Production costs are reduced.
  Example: Mercedes-Benz ML 320 and Mercedes-Benz ML 280 in 164 body, which have one diesel engine, and the differences are only at the firmware level of the control unit. A similar situation with the Volkswagen T5 2.0 liter. The power of the versions is regulated at the ECU level.
• The difference in environmental requirements and taxes is a problem for manufacturers. When selling in a particular country, you need to adapt the model to its conditions. To do this at the iron level is to incur additional costs. It is cheaper and faster to adapt a car due to changes at the software level.

Power is not taken from the air, but by optimizing the parameters. There is no additional load on the iron. Many dealers openly acknowledge this and offer flashing services. For example, BMW dealers in Moscow and St. Petersburg or a Skoda dealer.

Where are the failure cases?

1. Installed unverified firmware from amateurs. Calibration is incorrect and this will have a bad effect on the engine life. Trust your car only to professionals.
2. Before the chip tuning, there were problems in the car. That is why an experienced master first makes a diagnosis.
3. Poor service that has nothing to do with software changes.

Real Consequences

• The engine resource is not reduced;
• Increased requirements for fuel quality;
• When installing dynamic (sports) firmware, you need to carefully monitor the technical condition.

pros

The main plus for each model and owner is different. Some are most annoyed by the "stupidity" of the electronic gas pedal, someone lacks traction on the bottoms, someone achieves a smoother operation of the gearbox.

Feedback from the owner of Mitsubishi Pajero Sport about the ADACT firmware:

Benefits of ADACT

• Firmware security and quality assurance. This is confirmed by certificates of compliance with GOST R ISO 9001-2011 and the experience of calibrators. We have been working since 2006, all firmwares have been run in and tested under conditions of many years of use;
• A certificate that confirms that they have installed official program ADACT, not fake;
• Confirmed results. We have flashed the most cars in Russia and are constantly getting positive

In the old days, to increase the power of the engine, they climbed into its insides. With the advent of electronics, it became possible to do this without interfering with the hardware, simply by applying a different control program. Well, chip tuning gained even more popularity with the transition of the industry to turbo engines.

You can "chip" any engine. The only question is what kind of increase can be squeezed out of it, and whether the owner will feel it in everyday use. For the aspirated, this is, for the most part, a useless undertaking. More than 10% change of the program will not give. Applied to a small car like Volkswagen Polo or Hyundai Solaris it's only about a dozen "horses". They will be on paper, they will be measured at the stand, but without precise instruments, with your own “fifth point”, you are unlikely to feel the return on investment.

And exceptions are possible when the manufacturer himself allows such a possibility. For example, the gasoline aspirated 1.6, well known from the Polo and Rapids, is presented in two power options - 90 and 110 hp. The first version is specially deformed, and an increase of up to 110 forces cannot be considered an exception to the laws of chip tuning. But to the full version it will no longer be possible to add more than the notorious 10%. That is, the idea to make a racing projectile out of your car with a naturally aspirated engine is unrealizable without interfering with the hardware of the power unit.

The presence of a turbine opens up fundamentally different possibilities for chip tuning. And this is true for both gasoline units and diesel engines. For them, the programs offer growth in the range of 15% to 30%. You can squeeze even more, increasing the return by one and a half times, but this is true for those cases when the initial modification of the engine is specially strangled by the manufacturer. For example, the Volvo diesel, which was installed on almost the entire brand line, was hidden behind the designation D3, D4 and D5, depending on the degree of forcing. More than 250 “horses” can be squeezed out of it, while the most modest performance has only 163 forces from the factory.

Of course, as always, there are a number of exceptions. For example, some turbo engines are already in the factory version swung "nowhere else." So, if 200 or more forces have been removed from a 1.6-liter unit, then adding another 20-30% to it is unlikely to work. VAG's two-liter TSI in the Audi TT S produces 310 hp, which is also a lot for such a displacement.

We've dealt with the pros. Chip tuning is practically useless for an aspirated engine, and for a “turbo” it promises a significant increase in power and torque. What's on the opposite side of the scale? If you plan to use the full power of the engine to its fullest, then it would be a good idea to tighten up the brakes and tires under its capabilities. Regular during the "flights" may one day not be enough. Excess torque may not be digested by the gearbox. Before uploading firmware with wild horsepower, find out what the maximum transmission is designed for. Competent tuning specialists will do it for you and protect you from an unreasonable step, but, rest assured, not everyone will do this. As a result, the automaton or robot may suddenly die. You will have to spend money on its bulkhead and even “roll back” the firmware back (of course, you will not receive money back).

And the firmware affects a lot of engine parameters. If it is written correctly, then there will be no problems with the motor after tuning. Otherwise, the unit can literally collapse after a few hours or even minutes after starting. Most the best way- reflash the engine with the factory program. For example, if your car has a power plant with a minimum degree of boost, and you bring it to the maximum. If you want more, it's better to trust a company with a proven reputation and recommendations than a garage uncle Vasya, pecking at a price several times lower. Please note that the factory version of increased power has passed the entire test cycle, including resource tests. And written by tuning specialists, by definition, does not pass any serious tests.

You cannot tune a faulty engine. If he feels bad in the stock version, then changes in the software will definitely not make him healthier. This applies to both problems with various electronic sensors and mechanical wear of parts.

And sometimes chip tuning is not done for the sake of an increase in power. It allows you to adapt the engine to gasoline with a lower octane number or lower the environmental class. In this case, the output of the motor may even fall. And this "anti-tuning" also has its customers.

Finally, you should think about the warranty. Non-standard firmware will pop up when connecting diagnostic equipment at the dealer with almost 100% probability. The consequences, we think, are clear: removal from the warranty and potential repair of the “heart” of the car at your own expense. And the fact that it will be required is very possible.

Is it worth the risk? Everyone decides for himself. For a turbocharged unit, the increase in power can be very impressive. If you constantly press the gas to the floor, then the resource of the modified motor will melt before our eyes. If you use the engine's capabilities occasionally, then it will last for a long time.

Good day to all good people. Is it worth doing an engine chip tuning? A question of interest to a large number of drivers. Many of them are trying to "squeeze" the maximum power out of the engine, but doubt the advisability of chip tuning. The truth, as usual, lies in the middle.

It is necessary to trust professionals to do chip tuning of the engine. Garage conditions not the right place for such a complex and responsible procedure.

Requires the use of licensed software and special hardware. Independent actions can lead to unforeseen consequences.

Chip-tuning of the motor allows an average increase in its power up to 30%. It all depends on specifications each car model. Correct tuning power plant able to increase power, leaving fuel consumption at the same level.

The chip tuning of the engine reveals unused reserves and makes it work with maximum efficiency. It is important to strike a balance when making adjustments so as not to reduce the resource of the power plant.

Each driver decides for himself: is it worth doing chip tuning of the engine? If the work is carried out by specialists, then there is no need to doubt. Warranty, service and subsequent maintenance allow you to avoid the unpleasant consequences of interference in the operation of the power plant.

Advantages and disadvantages of chip tuning

Before doing an engine chip tuning, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Each manipulation, and primarily concerning electronic systems fraught with "pitfalls".

Advantages of chip tuning:

• Increasing engine power.
• Fast software update.
• Can be reset to factory settings.
• Increase in engine speed.
• Optimization of fuel consumption.
• Improved dynamics.
• Keeping the car warranty.
• Quality assurance.

Disadvantages of chip tuning:

• It's hard to do the firmware yourself.
• Reducing the resource of the motor (on average from 3 to 5%).
• "Garage specialists" are highly likely to ruin the electronic control unit.

It is better to do chip tuning of the engine in specialized workshops, where trained personnel work and modern equipment is used.

Where and how to do chip tuning of the motor?

Many companies offer to perform chip tuning, but you should not trust the first car engine that comes across. First you need to visit the service and see with your own eyes the level of service and approach to customers.

For example, the madcat.biz site offers chip tuning for the skoda octavia A7 and many other models from world famous manufacturers: Audi, VW, Mercedes, Opel, BMW, Ford, Renault, Peugeot and others.

The cost in each case is determined depending on the model of the machine. There are budget options and expensive offers. The site contains all the information necessary for the client.

When releasing a car, the manufacturer sets the standard settings in the control unit, with the aim of maintaining the resource and environmental performance of the engine during the warranty period. But most drivers want to get the full potential of the car, and for this they turn to tuning the electronic control unit.

What is engine chip tuning

Chip tuning is the process of optimizing the control unit program to improve the power characteristics of the power unit. Successfully made changes to the firmware improve the dynamics of the car, reduce fuel consumption, increasing the elasticity and efficiency of the engine.

Changes in the control unit relate to the injection map for a specific vehicle, turbine pressure, ignition, injection timing and injection angle parameters. Artificial restrictions on torque strength are removed, the moment of gear shifting is optimized, etc.

Chip tuning of a gasoline engine

For gasoline engines ECU settings are carried out more often than for other types of power units. To do this, the electronic unit is connected to a reader to determine the system parameters set at the factory. With the help of the program, they are changed to more optimal ones and significant errors are removed that prevent the engine from revealing its capabilities.

After making changes, all settings are saved in the control unit. Also, the program can be changed to a completely new one, while there is always the opportunity to return the factory firmware, after saving it on the computer. The procedure takes several minutes in time.

Diesel chip tuning

diesel engine modern car has similarities with motors developed several decades ago, only in the way of ignition. It, like gasoline, is controlled from an electronic unit containing a microprocessor and a specific program that controls the operation of the main systems. And the unit itself receives information from sensors programmed for a specific operation in different modes. Changing the settings in the firmware changes the behavior of the engine and is a chip tuning.

Changes to the diesel ECU are carried out only on the basis of a standard program sewn there by the manufacturer. This leaves the opportunity to return to the initial settings, retaining the configuration options. With chip tuning, the main control program is calibrated, which raises the power characteristics by 25-40%. This difference is enough for a noticeable improvement in the behavior of the car on the track.

Firmware process

Before starting chip tuning, the following preparatory measures are carried out:

1. They will find out if it is possible to flash or make changes to a specific ECU. On some car models, such an upgrade cannot be carried out, since information, due to technical reasons, cannot be read or written from the blocks.
2. Learn about the potential efficiency after a successful upgrade, as the effort spent on tuning may not bring an increase in power and torque.
3. Carrying out diagnostics of all systems of the power unit to exclude the impact of some malfunctions on the operation of the engine after chip tuning.

The process itself is carried out using a standard computer with special software and a service connector for connecting an electronic unit. To do this, the standard firmware in the block is replaced with a modified one or changes are made to its operating modes using the program. To do this, use the software of tuning companies, certified and third-party developers.

Pros and cons of chip tuning

When carrying out chip tuning, the following positive results can be obtained:

1. Increased engine power and improved dynamics that make driving easier, at a lower investment compared to the cost of making structural changes to the engine mechanics.
2. Reducing fuel consumption by up to 3-5%, the ability to switch to a lower octane number.
3. Removing speed limits (for some firmware).
4. Removal of engine errors accumulated in the ECU.

Although if the firmware is unsuccessfully changed, it is possible to roll back to the factory settings, unprofessional actions in some cases disable the control unit.

In addition, the following negative consequences are possible:

1. Reducing the resource of engine parts (up to 4%).
2. Improper tuning increases fuel consumption.
3. Possible problems with the passage of technical inspection associated with increased exhaust toxicity.
4. Possible fuel injection problems.
5. Professional chip tuning is expensive.

Is it worth it to do a chip tuning of the engine

For the following types of vehicles, chip tuning will bring a significant increase in power and improve dynamic performance:

1. Vehicles with LPG equipment. Changing the type of fuel greatly changes the performance of the power unit. In this case, tuning is required.
2. The presence of a turbocharger in the engine. The increase in power after tuning in such cars reaches 25%.
3. FROM diesel engines. Changes in the diesel ECU will give a visible effect only in the presence of turbocharging, while the torque increases by a third, and power up to 25%.

Outcome

Chip tuning is a popular way to optimize engine performance in order to improve power and dynamic characteristics. Along with the increase in torque and power, fuel consumption decreases. But due to unprofessional intervention, the price of an error can be too high. To flash the chip, it is recommended to contact professional services, whose services are not cheap, but the car will remain in good condition.