Chiptuning

As Chip tuning refers to the increase in performance of automotive engines by subsequent modification of the factory-set control parameters of the electronic engine control.

Concept

When Chiptuning no structural changes to the engine are made, the performance increase is solely based on achieving outstanding thermal and mechanical reserves, about, according to a statement of chip tuners, each series engine features. To illustrate these reserves is stated that some engine manufacturers have started to manufacture more engines on the same basis, but have different performance characteristics. In fact, the more powerful models are built with components of significantly higher strength ( by using higher-quality materials ) but geometric equality in part. This allows for tuning such machines appear to be particularly attractive. Despite having the same main dimensions, these engines are, however, different. The tuning companies of frequently used argument that the same engine would be available with higher performance series, is usually just plain wrong. For example, the 110 -kW (150 - hp) version of the VW-1 0.9 -liter TDI engine and the 85 -kW (115 - hp ) variant with a modified crankshaft, modified rods, pistons differ with higher fire webs, a cooled exhaust gas recirculation and a more efficient turbocharger, despite the same main dimensions greatly from each other. Therefore, it often happens that particular rogue providers overplaying any reserve a motor, not only - but. In order to assure their customers that this was not the case with their range of services provide reliable chip tuner up to a certain mileage (usually 100,000 km ) or vehicle age (within 3 years), a warranty on engine and gearbox or damage to the engine or transmission that are clearly due to the chip tuning. This clear evidence, however, is often very difficult to perform.

The parameters of the electronic engine control, through the optimization of resources to be released is stored in the control as a data on a memory chip. In a few manufacturers of these is rewritable. It is generally a multi-dimensional map. When Chiptuning all relevant data, which are responsible for the control and regulation of the engine, a modified linked together. These are aspirated air mass per unit of time, temperature, condition of the engine and environment, possibly turbocharger boost pressure and all other control and regulation mechanisms of a modern engine. From these parameters, and possibly further, permanently stored information then the output parameters are determined, these are primarily injection timing, injection quantity and possibly ignition timing for each cylinder. Each internal combustion engine that has an electronic engine control, can, though usually without more power, be modified by chip tuning, chiptuning most effective is but for four-stroke diesel engines with turbochargers. Some tuning specialists achieve short-term performance gains of up to 44 % of the series data.

In contrast, when Ecotuning not improve performance, but the power consumption reduction is the optimization goal. Here the fact is used that most drivers do not exploit the savings potential of your vehicle. Thus, in constant motion, the injection quantity is reduced until a slight and not noticeable to the driver velocity drop takes place. Only at this point, the minimum fuel consumption is achieved in this driving situation. This is to -be- NOx trade-off. In this case, the lower specific fuel consumption (be) through a conscious accepting higher nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx ), which can be significantly lower outside of acceptable limits, bought.

Influences on the life expectancy of the motor

For a professional adjustment of the engine control system meet the durability and life of the engine and drive in about the series values ​​, assuming this is that the more power is used to a limited extent, because any higher strain leads inevitably lead to increased wear and a much shorter life expectancy.

Especially modern turbo diesel engines allow significant performance gains. This is partly due to the fact that the limits of performance not gas dynamic as the gasoline engine (knocking ), but mainly mechanical in nature. In other words, can be increased significantly almost at each turbo-diesel engine at the expense of durability performance. Regardless of the type of fuel but gave in relation to Chiptuning long-term observations an increased incidence of damage to the turbocharger.

The programmed software from a reputable tuner changes the characteristic fields of the motor control only slightly, so that no thresholds are met or even exceeded. Such tuning companies have usually via a dynamometer, with the help of which can be matched to the corresponding vehicle the tuning software.

The warranty on the work done in chip tuning work can legally include only the chip tuning themselves, but not an engine or a transmission that was not sold by the tuner, but by series producer comes. The guarantees offered voluntarily vary from provider to provider and generally lead to a higher purchase price. Reputable tuner close to their subject to additional warranties usually directly affected engine components with.

Conversions of chiptuning

• Individual vote

• Using pre- optimized records

• Chip tuning by the user

• Tuningboxes

Differences in turbo and naturally aspirated

Unlike turbo engines naturally aspirated engines do not provide a distinctive potential to be used only by Chiptuning a - to achieve functional performance increase - relative to the output power. Here in principle requires only previous modifications to the engine and possibly components, which then reach their full potential in the context of chip tuning or tuning.

Terms in Germany

As with many structural changes to a vehicle, it is also necessary chip-tuning a decrease in the change by an officially recognized expert or inspector such as TÜV or DEKRA and a corresponding change in the registration certificate Part I and II, as this would render the vehicle's operating and it may not be moved on public roads. Therefore Reputable chip tuner feature Teilegutachten to their modifications and pass this on every job basically with out. With less reputable sellers there are these reports, which are described in § 19 traffic regulations after tuning compulsorily required, possibly against high fees or not. Many rogue providers advertise at all so that their modification during inspections undetectable ( and a complex assessment, therefore, not necessary) is. But even at a flue gas measurement, which is part of the main study, fall vehicles with modified engine management software to clear. Then there is no entry in accordance with § 22 traffic laws, the approval expires immediately. Driving without approval is an offense and will be punished accordingly with fine and points in Flensburg. The operation can be prohibited. Also, the insurance coverage may be voided by unauthorized modification of the vehicle and not detached.

Therefore, it should be checked before each design change, if acceptance is required.

Even in demeanor well Chiptuning, duly taken and registered in accordance with traffic regulations will void the manufacturer warranty on the ( re) vehicle, with the non- manufacturer-authorized modification to the vehicle. However, the manufacturer can not reject the warranty claim by the customer, if items are defective, that have nothing to do with the tuning. Thus, a manufacturer can indeed refuse in a tuned car damage to the engine to regulate warranty, but not a broken window fix repair. Some ( reputable ) chip tuner take on new vehicles for affected components, the manufacturer's warranty, so as to eliminate even this disadvantage for the customer. If this is not the case, the customer can still make most to damage to the engine or powertrain neither against the manufacturer of the tuner claims that, since the warranty on the work done in chip tuning work legally may include only the chip tuning themselves, but not a motor or transmission, which has not been sold by the tuner, but from series manufacturer from

Criticism

• The engine manufacturers determine by long-lasting and extensive testing, the standard indicators of the engines. It may not be in the interest of the engine manufacturers to equip the engines with bad settings and therefore to let it run below their actual potential. An increase in the performance by Chiptuning so often leads to results that have been deliberately avoided by the engine manufacturer, such as lower life, poorer emission levels or high wear.
• A readjustment of motor control or the control unit, for example, to a different camshaft, exhaust system or higher boost pressure, is indeed possible in principle, but is only possible with the help of a suitable test facility and a modern dynamometer.
• The promised by Chiptuning underutilisation are often not visible; occasionally there is even an increased consumption by changing the settings.
• Because usually by the customer there is no in-depth knowledge, is great potential for abuse by unscrupulous results Tuner by improved fuel economy suggested by manipulation of, for example, the onboard computer than actually exists. Also, modifying the electronic accelerator pedal gives subjectively already a power increase.
• In the absence of proof measuring risk of placebo effect. The " experienced may " More power is most striking about the performance increase, which was actually achieved.
• In turbo-diesel engines in exploiting the power increase, the particle emissions increase dramatically. This becomes noticeable by a strong soot emissions during acceleration of the vehicle.
• Higher exhaust gas temperatures that arise as a result of thinning of the proportion of fuel in the combustion mixture, it can cause damage to turbochargers, catalytic converters and particulate filters on.
• Due to the higher exhaust gas temperatures, there is a more rapid and irreversible thermal aging of the catalyst and the particulate filter. That is, their conversion ability deteriorates, they will rapidly ineffective and remain there, even after the removal of chiptuning.
• Often, the motor torque is limited in turbo diesel engines by the maximum input torque of the transmission, therefore, the series will be throttled engines. An excessive increase in the boost pressure by a chip-tuning means, thus overloading and fracture risk for the transmission. As a result of an increase in performance, it can also cause damage to the clutch and the rest of the drive train.