We can’t think of anything worse when you hear your vehicle technician vocalise all these fancy words which you don’t fully understand and ECU remapping is probably one of them! So let us explain to you exactly what it means…
So what is ECU?
ECU is also known as an engine control unit. This is a small computer which controls how your vehicles engine works. Vehicle manufacturers will de-tune your vehicle’s engine by setting the software on the ECU to default before they send the vehicle out to any dealerships; this is done because many manufacturers sell their vehicles worldwide. Nowadays, most modern car and van engines will have a small electronic computer which will control the fuel consumption. When you put your foot down in your vehicle the ECU then determines how much fuel & air it needs to mix together. ECU also controls the boost of the turbo – if your vehicle has one of course.
How Does ECU Work?
An ECU remap replaces the original software, which in turn will install brand new software that can then be programmed to increase the vehicle’s overall performance. There are several ways in which you can remap your engine; firstly you can connect to your vehicle via a diagnostic port and overwrite the software – of course, make sure you keep in mind this is not a DIY job and a highly trained professional is recommended – but once the software is completely overwritten a new map can be uploaded to the ECU, often in less than 30 minutes.
There is a second option too, which might prove a little more costly but will provide you with much better results in the long run. Connect your vehicle to a laptop and you will have a one size fits all remap being uploaded onto your ECU which will allow you to check and tweak your vehicle’s performance and fuel consumption right through to the rev range.
A good example of why you should get your vehicle remapped would be to improve the force produced by the engine after remapping which means the driver no longer has to drop down a gear to maintain speed when on an incline or changing gears frequently in traffic. All of these little things increase fuel economy.
Why choose vehicle remapping?
By choose remapping you will notice a big difference in your engine – it will begin to respond better when the accelerator is pressed. The overall force and power will suddenly be increasing and the power delivery will be smoother making driving a safer experience, which in turn makes overtaking other vehicles safer and easier.
When out driving you will notice a change in your MPG too – it will start to show signs of improvement which not only saves you money on fuel costs but it also minimizes your carbon footprint. Last but not least, the throttle response will be improved and the rev range will be enhanced.
So if you want to do your part by helping the environment and keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum, book in for an ECU remapping with one of our highly trained professionals today at your local Bristol based AP Autocare!