Engine chip tuning allows you to improve the dynamics of your car in favor of more power and efficiency. This service is inexpensive and takes no more than an hour. It is usually legal. Chip tuning is a remapping of the factory settings of the engine control unit (ECU). However, such an interference increases the cost of insurance and jeopardizes your warranty.
What is car chip tuning?
Engine сhip tuning is something like a software update. Changes are made to the ECU using a program file or a “map”.
The ECU is crucial because it controls the engine’s operation — ignition timing, fuel and boost pressure. It radically changes the “appearance” of your engine.
But what are the risks? Will this tuning affect your insurance payment? In addition, how do you know that the firmware in the car has already been changed? Today, we will tell you about this in our article.
Engine chip tuning — which option to choose?
You have to decide for yourself what is more important to you – power, fuel efficiency, or handling? Chip tuning is relevant not only for passenger cars, but also for vans, motorcycles, trucks, and even tractors.
The ECU’s remapping can be adapted to your driving style. Chip tuning is not just about speed.
But chip tuning can…
- increase the cost of insurance, even if it’s not visible on the surface
- cancel your car insurance policy if you don’t notify your insurer
- increase the engine load, which reduces its service life
Therefore, pay attention to the shortcomings of the ECU chip tuning and take a responsible approach to choosing a service provider.
The advantages of chip tuning
Most manufacturers install “average” programs in the ECU (electronic control unit) of the car, which don’t take into account the characteristics of a particular fuel, the climatic characteristics of the region, etc. Therefore, it is always possible to “rock” the ECU for better performance.
Chip tuning typically adjusts the fuel-air mixture by increasing the turbocharging pressure. In some cases, you can see a performance leap of 25-35%. Most diesel and petrol cars can be easily and safely remapped.
- In the simplest cases, this procedure takes less than an hour. This requires a regular laptop
- Thanks to chip tuning, your car’s engine will perform better with minimal effort or mechanical changes
- Chip tuning allows you to increase the power and efficiency of the engine
How much will it cost to chip-tune the engine?
A simple chip tuning of the engine will cost you only 150 pounds. But usually additional VAT is charged.
High-quality chip tuning usually costs from 200 to 350 pounds. If you need to replace the ECU, you will have to pay more. Check with your supplier.
The same principle applies here as in real life: the more you pay, the more you get.
What about safety?
If the chip tuning is made by highly qualified specialists, it doesn’t represent any danger for the car. With poor-quality repairs and maintenance of the car, chip tuning increases the risk of unforeseen breakdowns. If there is any malfunction, remapping of the ECU is also not advisable.
Some cars are designed in such a way that they can’t give you the power that is more than one put into them. Carefully study the issue before you decide to remap the engine.
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Published June 03, 2021 • 3m to read
