Top 6 Problems With DIY ECU Remapping

Top 6 Problems With DIY ECU Remapping

You’ve probably heard that you can improve your power, torque and performance by remapping your vehicle’s ECU, but you probably haven’t thought about the options as to how you can do that exactly.

You can either choose to try and do it yourself through purchasing DIY remapping software and equipment, or you can get your ECU remapped through professional ECU tuning and remapping specialists.

The DIY option may seem cheap and affordable while the professional option may seem daunting and priced a little too high.

The question that remains is: “What option gets you the right results and how much are the results worth to you?”

Here we explore 6 problems with going down the DIY remapping rabbit hole and why you should probably reconsider your options.

Issue 1: Performance Upgrade Failure

Issue 1: Performance Upgrade Failure

Before even attempting your ECU remapping, you should have an idea as to what results you are looking to achieve. How much torque and power are you wanting to achieve? By fiddling around with the range of settings on your DIY remapping software you run the risk of not only missing out on peak performance opportunities but you could also cause significant damage to your vehicle if you run the incorrect setting combinations.

Issue 2: Diesel Particulate Filter Issues

Issue 2: Diesel Particulate Filter Issues

ECU remapping is available for both petrol and diesel vehicles. Diesel vehicles however are among the top vehicles that get ECU remapping. The most popular diesel vehicles that get remapped in Australia include: Mazda CX5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Isuzu MU-X, Mercedes C Class, Peugeot 308, Toyota Landcruiser, Volkswagen Toureg, Ford Everest, Hyundai Santa Fe, Land Rover Range Rover, Audi SQ5, Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, Mitsubishi Pajero and more. From these models, the Diesel Particulate Filter works hard to ensure that the vehicles ‘soot’ is trapped and not released into the atmosphere. When you remap an ECU there is a chance that the DPF can have issues and you can start to see black smoke coming from the exhaust. This is something you want to avoid as DPF replacement is very expensive and is not worth trying to save a few dollars on DIY ECU remapping.

Issue 3: Stressing Out Your Engine

While everyone wants more power in their vehicle, you don’t want it at the expense of blowing up your engine. There is a fine line between too much power and having serious engine problems. Some DIY ECU remapping software are completely untested. They have not tested their settings on real life make and models that they are set for and they run the risk of completely damaging the vehicle that it is originally intended to improve. Professional ECU Remapping companies work with settings that have been properly tested and monitored to ensure true performance improvements while having no short or long term negative effects. It’s important to preserve not only the engine after remapping, but the vehicle’s internals, fuel efficiency and all related vehicle components.

Issue 4: Using Outdated & Incorrect Software

You’d be sceptical to install a random software on your new home computer and so you should be with your vehicle too. When it comes to ECU remapping, there is such a large range of software and providers to choose from. What is good, what is average and what is downright horrible? A lot of the time, the one off DIY ECU remapping software packages are made as a quick product to send out the door. They are set up once and never updated. Professional ECU tuners and remapping specialists know the difference between good and bad ECU remapping software. All good ECU Remapping software has been properly tested on live vehicle’s to get real-time results. Not only are they tested, they are also updated and kept to the latest standards and driving conditions required for the vehicle.

Issue 5: Check Engine Light Blinking

Issue 5: Check Engine Light Blinking

When you play around with the a vehicle’s ECU you the diagnostic system can interpret any setting changes as a failure which will bring the engine light on. This light will continue to stay on if the vehicle’s settings are not set correctly. There are times also where the vehicle can override the standard settings and go into a ‘safe mode.’ As a result, the vehicle’s performance will be limited and safeguarded from getting the most from it.

Issue 6: No Going Back

If you are new to ECU remapping and are wanting to risk ‘plug and play’ type ECU remapping software, you may not have the option to ‘undo.’ Professional tuners know the vehicle’s standard settings and if a customer is not happy with their new ECU tune, a professional can reset the vehicle to its standard settings again. With DIY software, there is the chance you may not have the option to go back and would then have to contact a professional to change your settings again. All of this causes more problems, headache and more money spent on the issue.

Like with anything DIY, the more you know the better you are. The risks involved in DIY remapping can have a big impact on your vehicle if you set the settings wrong and then drive the vehicle for long periods of time on those settings. DPF issues, engine issues, performance issues and monetary issues all contribute to making DIY remapping a potential problem.

At Auto Stop, we highly recommend getting a professional to assess, conduct and monitor your ECU remapping. As an AVON Tuning Authorised Agent we pride ourselves on our professional ECU remapping service that we offer and are here to help and educate our customers of the benefits that our ECU tuning service can have on your vehicle.

Auto Stop are professionals in ECU remapping and we have a comprehensive service for ECU remapping in both Brisbane and Gold Coast. Contact us for any ECU remapping questions you may have, we’re here to help.