ENGINE OPTIMIZATION

Targeted measures have a positive impact on performance and consumption

Under the name “Chiptuning”, interventions in the electronic engine management of vehicles have been common practice for years. In the meantime, the term no longer has the best reputation, as some providers took the “tuning” component too literally at the expense of the stability and service life of the machines. Targeted interventions in the engine management system enable the torque and power of cars and commercial vehicles to be noticeably increased and consumption to be reduced.

This is made possible by the fact that modern control units determine the performance of an engine so comprehensively that it was previously not possible for technical reasons. Central control software regulates all aspects, from the load-dependent supply of combustion air and fuel to the exhaust gas behavior. This creates a central starting point for holistic engine optimization.

In contrast to “classic” chip tuning, it is no longer necessary to replace parts of the engine electronics. Instead, new software is simply imported via the OBD-II interface with which all modern vehicles are equipped. This has a number of advantages, of which the rapid changeover and updating of the control programs is only one. It is also possible to upgrade to the manufacturer’s original software at any time. Structural adjustments are unnecessary. Most important advantage: Modern engine optimization is not a blanket solution.

 

Individually adapted engine performance

Rather, the software can be individually adapted to the application profile of the vehicle and the requirements of its owner – the “optional equipment” in terms of performance and consumption, so to speak. In comparison, the factory settings have to cover all operating modes, climatic and geographical conditions and therefore always represent a compromise.

Individual engine optimization means the adjustment of power, consumption and responsiveness and thus ensures more driving fun in every situation: Those who work mainly on long motorway routes have different priorities than someone who mainly uses their car as a towing vehicle on short distances or the sporty second car chases winding mountain passes in his free time.

As group-wide modular solutions, modern engines often have reserves that can be teased out without making structural changes. The bandwidth ranges from a moderate increase in performance in favor of more torque even at low engine speeds to a dramatic increase in performance, which enables driving performance as otherwise only in higher vehicle classes. An increase in output of up to 28 kW has the advantage that it can not only be implemented relatively cheaply. As a rule, the type class remains the same up to this limit, so the motor vehicle insurance is not more expensive.