Chiptuning-info

Key takeaways An engine remap can push more torque through a gearbox than it was designed for. A gearbox tune changes shift speed, clutch pressure and torque limits, and should match the engine tune. Tuners quote different torque limits for each type of DSG, so find out which gearbox your car has. Fluid changes matter even more once the car is tuned. Most people think of chiptuning as an engine job. But if your car has an automatic or DSG gearbox, that gearbox has its own computer, and it has to cope with the extra power too. What a gearbox tune changes A gearbox remap, often called a TCU tune, adjusts how the gearbox behaves. Tuners say it can raise the torque limit, change shift speed and timing, increase clutch pressure so the clutches do not slip, and alter launch and gear selection. The result is meant to be a gearbox that suits the new engine settings. Why it matters If you tune only the engine, the extra torque can make the clutches slip and wear faster. The gearbox computer...

Key takeaways A remap can improve economy on some turbo diesels, but it is never guaranteed. Auto Express reports claims of 7 to 10 per cent on turbo diesels, and warns that economy can also get worse. Any saving disappears if you use the extra power often. Do not tune for fuel savings alone. Measure your own MPG before and after. Some tuners promise more power and lower fuel bills at the same time. It sounds too good to be true, and sometimes it is. Here is when a remap can save fuel and when it will not. Why a remap can save fuel Factory settings are a compromise between power, emissions, smoothness and cost. A good remap can add torque at low revs, so the engine does less work to hold a speed. You can stay in a higher gear for longer and use less throttle to pull away. On diesels, adjusting injection timing and pressure can also help the engine burn fuel more completely when cruising. This is why most economy claims come from turbo diesels, where Auto Express reports figures of ...

Key takeaways BHP is measured at the flywheel, WHP at the wheels, so wheel figures are always lower. Comparing a wheel figure with a manufacturer's BHP figure is misleading without allowing for drivetrain loss. Different dynos and calculations give different numbers, so only compare before and after runs on the same machine. Ask for the full graph, not just the peak number. A dyno graph is the most common proof a tuner shows to sell a remap. It can be useful evidence, but only if you know what you are looking at. This guide explains the main terms and the traps to watch for, with help from two UK motoring sources. BHP and WHP: what is the difference? As explained by Car Throttle , brake horsepower (BHP) is measured at the flywheel and reflects the power delivered to the gearbox, while wheel horsepower (WHP) is measured at the wheels. WHP is always lower because it includes the losses through the gearbox, driveshafts and the rest of the drivetrain. Car makers usually quote BHP becau...

Key takeaways A remap does not automatically cancel your warranty, but cover can be refused for related faults. A remap can sometimes be detected, even if the original software is restored. A tuner guarantee is not the same as the manufacturer warranty. Ask the right questions before you tune and keep all paperwork. If your car is still under warranty, the first question about chiptuning is almost always the same: will I lose my cover? The honest answer is that it depends, and it is better to understand the risks before you book a remap than after something goes wrong. What a warranty actually covers A manufacturer warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. It does not usually cover damage caused by modifications. If a modified engine or gearbox fails, the manufacturer may ask whether the tune could have contributed, and it can refuse the claim if it believes that it did. Can a remap be detected? Many tunes leave traces in the engine software, and a dealer can often tell tha...

Key takeaways Who does the remap matters far more than the brand of the software. A poor tune can cost you performance, reliability and money. Ask these eight questions before you pay and compare more than one workshop. Get the guarantee and the work description in writing.  The quality of a remap depends far more on who does it than on the brand of the software. A poor tune can cost you performance, reliability and money, so it is worth taking a little time to choose well. These eight questions will help. 1. Do you have experience with my exact engine? Engines in the same family can behave very differently. A workshop that regularly tunes your model will know the safe limits and the common weak points. 2. Is the tune made specifically for my car? Some workshops simply load a generic file. A better approach is a file adjusted to your car’s software version, mileage and condition. 3. Can you show me dyno results? A power measurement before and after shows what was really gaine...