Your vehicle is made up of many mechanical and electrical components, including several control modules allowing you to interact with your car and drive it around.
What is an ECU?
ECU is an acronym for ‘engine control unit’, which is what your vehicle uses to function. In computer terms, the ECU is your car’s motherboard, which all components run through and cannot function without. Your vehicle has a range of control modules that route back to the ECU. Your ECU controls aspects such as fuelling, timing and the air-fuel ratio (AFR). Without these essentials being set, your vehicle’s engine will not function properly.
How Does ECU Remapping Work?
Enhancing or remapping, your engine control unit is a process whereby the software on your ECU is modified to change parameters affecting the operation of your engine. These parameters include aspects such as air-fuel ratio, ignition timing and boost pressure, among others.
Changes can be made to the manufacturer’s default settings and the software can be replaced. New software that allows for tweaking and customisation to your specifications can be installed, providing you stay within legal limitations.
Old ECU software is overwritten when customised software is plugged into the vehicle’s serial port (sometimes referred to as the OBD port). This functionality has made tuning vehicle’s considerably easier and has created jobs for ECU software developers and tuning engineers.
Advantages of ECU Remapping
ECU remapping affords vehicle owner’s a range of benefits when they decide to remap or overwrite the manufacturer’s default settings.
Increased Power and Torque
A prominent benefit of ECU remapping is the increases in engine power and torque output that can be achieved. By optimising the settings of your ECU, the full potential of your engine can be revealed, making your vehicle more responsive and agile. The expected performance gains are related to the type and quality of the remapping your vehicle undergoes, but generally between 5% to 40% improvement can be achieved. This can make a significant difference in your driving experience, particularly in speed and acceleration.
Better Fuel Economy
Another advantage of ECU remapping is the improvements that can be made to your vehicle’s fuel economy. By adjusting the settings of the ECU software, you can achieve the same performance but at a better fuel efficiency, saving you money spent on petrol. For example, you could reduce the amount of fuel injected into the cylinders, advance the ignition timing or lower the idle speed. Depending on your driving style and conditions, up to a 20% fuel consumption saving can be realised through ECU remapping.
Customisation and Flexibility
Customisation and tailoring your engine to your needs and preferences is a benefit that can be achieved through ECU remapping. You are able to choose from different types of system enhancements and remapping options, including plug-and-play models, standalone ECU systems or flash tuning. You can also select different modes for various situations, including economy, race or sport. You could even revert your ECU back to its factory conditions, giving you a great deal of control and flexibility over your engine’s performance.
Drawbacks of ECU Remapping
Despite the range of benefits that ECU remapping affords vehicle owners, it does have shortcomings that you should be aware of.
Void of Warranty
A primary drawback of ECU remapping is that your warranty may become void or you may have issues with your insurance company. Most vehicle manufacturers disapprove of modifications to the ECU software due to the potential to affect reliability and safety of the engine. If you decide to remap your ECU, you may face a loss of warranty coverage, higher insurance premiums, or denial of claims. There is potential for your vehicle to have trouble passing emission testing or inspections, as the engine may not meet legal requirements.
Engine Damage
ECU remapping can cause damage to the engine or other components if done incorrectly or pushed too far. By altering the settings of the ECU, increased stress can be placed on parts such as the pistons, injectors and valves. Pushing an engine beyond its limits can lead to overheating, knocking, detonation or premature wear and tear. You may also affect the balance and harmony of your engine’s system relating to cooling, transmission or lubrication. If you decide to remap your ECU, you should be aware that there are possible consequences and associated costs with pushing the limits too far.
Professional Service Required
The requirement of professional service and expertise is another shortcoming of ECU remapping. It is advised that you don’t attempt remap or alter your ECU by yourself, unless you have the proper knowledge, tools, software and skills required. Careful consideration should be given to selecting a reputable and qualified service provider to carry out any remapping for you. It is also a good idea to ask for a warranty or a guarantee for their services, just in case something goes wrong.
Why Choose Pace Auto Werks For Your ECU Remap?
The service team at Pace Auto Werks have been servicing European vehicles since 1999. Our workshop features the latest in diagnostic, scanning and performance tuning technology, allowing us to enhance the performance of your vehicle seamlessly. Our highly skilled technicians have a deep understanding of European vehicles and how to tune them for greater performance and/or fuel economy. If you’re looking for a viable alternative to the expensive dealerships, get in touch with us today!
Our ECU Remapping Services
At Pace Auto Werks, we offer different ECU remapping services to suit your individual needs and driving style.
Performance Remap
A Performance Remap is focused on improving the overall performance of your vehicle’s engine. Our expert service team can tune your engine to maximise power output, improving your car’s general performance.
Economy Remap
Focused on improving the fuel economy of your vehicle, a Pace Auto Werks Economy Remap aids in reducing your vehicle’s fuel consumption. As a bonus, an economy tune will slightly boost your power output.