Modern engines are controlled by small onboard computers called the Engine Control Unit (ECU). This small computer is in charge of tasks such as ignition timing, air to fuel ratio and boost pressure among other tasks. By making some adjustments to these settings the vehicle can be altered to increase performance or lower performance or sometimes a mix of both.
Advantages of remapping your vehicle
There are a lot of advantages to remapping your motor vehicle. One of the biggest advantages is greater performance and lesser fuel usage. It is known that remapping or chipping your vehicle can save you money overtime but does it justify the expenses?.
You want to increase your car’s performance. Consider remapping it. Remapping a car means updating its microchip so that the car can function at its full potential. You’ll save time and money, as well as get the latest features.
Drivers get their engines remapped for many reasons: increased speed, more power, and better fuel economy. The best part about car engine remapping is that if you aren’t too aggressive on the gas, it can actually make your fuel economy better.
The ECU, or Electronic Control Unit, is a computer in your car that regulates the power of the engine. In most cars, these settings are set at the factory and typically limit performance.
Manufacturers do this for many reasons. Some of them are to comply with regulations and make their cars quieter or more environmentally-friendly. Even if these goals are not met, manufacturers lengthen their cars’ lives by doing this.
Manufacturers make their cars quieter and cleaner because they’re trying to follow the law, extend the life of the car, or both.
Limiting the capabilities of ECUs can also have a positive effect on the production of faster, more powerful models. Remapping ECU software can boost a car’s power and torque output, and maximise performance – sometimes by as much as 35%.
When you buy a car and drive it, the amount of fuel you use will directly impact the level of CO2 emissions you produce. This means that if you change your car’s settings, you can increase the MPG miles per gallon your car is capable of and therefore reduce your CO2 emissions.
Remapping electric engines is a tricky business. The engine must be de-tuned and then recalibrated to operate efficiently. If you’re not qualified, you’re risking your car’s engine. The process takes about 30 minutes and, if done correctly, should show an improvement in performance almost immediately. The clear benefit of a remap is the improved performance that drivers see after the procedure.
remap is not just for performance vehicles. It comes as an aftermarket package to tune your vehicle’s power and torque to the low to mid-range rpm for better throttle response, smoother power delivery, and less gear changes, which means your car will use less fuel.
Disadvantages of remapping your vehicle
So, you’re considering a remap for your car. How do you know what will happen? It’s impossible to predict the changes, especially on older cars with limited past experience being remapped. Many people say that an older car may be slower or handle differently, but the reality is that it’s unpredictable.
Turbo-powered engines benefit the most from an engine remapping. If your car is a non-turbo model, it could be difficult to notice the difference in bhp from a remapping alone. Turbo engines are also more likely to need regular servicing as major components may become worn or damaged.
If you get a new remap that isn’t approved by the manufacturer, you could be putting your car warranty at risk. If you have an approved dealership do it for you, then your warranty is safe. However, some insurance providers won’t cover cars with remapped engines at all.
Its not going to be cheap to remap your car. Expect to pay anywhere from £150 to £300, with an average cost of over £300. Various factors will affect this, such as whether or not you want a device to be able to switch between remaps or have it always-on.
Can you remap a leased vehicle?
You can’t and shouldn’t remap a lease vehicle without the funder’s permission. They own the vehicle, after all, making it their decision to make it yours. If you ask for permission, you can, but it’s at their discretion. You have to get permission from the car’s owner before you can remap a lease vehicle. If they allow you to do this, it is at their discretion only.
Remapping Stages
Sometimes you might hear Remapping referred to as Stage 1 tuning. Tuning companies often offer many different stages; sometimes it can be more complex for certain vehicles that may require a greater number of stages to be performed for a successful remap.
Stage 1 Remap is a custom-developed remapping of the engine management system of your vehicle. This optimization includes parameters such as fuel, ignition, and boost. The values of all safety parameters remain at this stage within manufacturer-prescribed safety standards.
Stage 1 tuning is often the simplest tuning method as it requires some simple software changes on the vehicle’s ECU.
Stage 2: Stage 2 tuning will often involve changes to be made in additional software and can sometimes require new hardware to be fitted. A good example would be a new exhaust and or high-pressure fuel pump.
Stage 3 & 4:
Stages 3 & 4 can involve upgrading the vehicle’s turbocharger/supercharger. These stages can require a lot more intensive work and can often lead to less gains in performance per pound compared to the first stage.
Conclusion
Altering your car for the better is no easy task, but it’s worth it. When your vehicle is out of warranty and you’ve done your research, you can reap many benefits from a remap company. You’ll find that this may be the best option if you don’t want to buy a new car or spend an exorbitant amount on repairs.
Remapping a vehicle is a potentially risky procedure. You should research the company you’re looking to remap with extensively, and also get an insurance quote before proceeding.