Engine Reflash

The Second Easy Way to Improve Gas Mileage: Engine Reflash

This is an easy way to get more gas mileage and more horsepower. However this isn't an option for every car. Custom engine management programs are usually marketed toward people wanting more horsepower. And people that like horsepower buy performance cars. So most average cars on the road may not be able to enjoy this option. However, everything seems to be available to American pickup trucks and mechanically related SUVs.

What makes this easy is that all the engine tuning has already been done. Most of these manufacturers sell a 'canned tune' which is a program file ready to install in your vehicle. Some sell a few variations of the canned tune. There is usually a canned tuned designed to optimize engine power and often a second canned tune to optimize gas mileage. The canned tunes should increase both power and gas mileage, but one is weighted one way more than the other.

Some of these companies offer some variation on a customizable engine tune. Don't worry about doing this unless you have a wideband oxygen sensor kit to observe fuel stoichiometry and a way to measure engine power and acceleration.

See how a canned tune affected the Effcient-Mileage test car.

To find out if your car is supported do a web search on "your car make + model + reflash." Or go to the websites of companies that manufacture reflashers. Not all of the new engine programs are equal. Join a web forum dedicated to your make and model and ask people what they've tried and how it worked for them.

GM refers to all brands sold by General Motors. Those include Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, and Vauxhall. Chrysler refers to all brands sold under the Chrysler LLC, Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep, Eagle and Sprinter. Using Dodge alone usually implies Dodge trucks or the Viper. Ford refers to all brands sold by Ford Motor Company, Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury. Even though Ford owns Mazda and Volvo, those will be identified separately in this list.

For GM and Ford
http://www.hptuners.com/

For GM, Ford, and Chrysler
http://www.sctflash.com/

For GM, Ford, and Chrysler
http://www.diablosport.com/

For GM, Ford, Chrysler and Nissan (Infiniti)
http://www.superchips.com/

For most all makes and models
http://www.jetchip.com/

For GM, Ford, BMW, MINI, and Mazda MX-5
http://www.deltaforcetuning.com/

For GM, Ford, and Nissan
http://www.hypertech.com

For GM, Ford, Dodge trucks, and Honda Insight
http://www.edgeproducts.com/

For Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Nissan (Infiniti)
http://www.cobbtuning.com/

For GM, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Mercedes, and Volkswagen
http://www.bullydog.com/

For Mitsubishi and Subaru
http://www.ecutek.com/

For Audi, GM, Ford, Opel, Saab, Skoda, Volkswagen, and Volvo
http://en.bsr.se/products/ppc/

There is a very mild risk here that these new engine management programs could damage the engine through knock, heat or who knows what. If that turns out to be a problem, these devices can reinstall the car's original stock program. California may have legal objections to engine computer reflashers. If the vehicle pollutes more after a reflash I would love to know about it. Try it and see what happens. Just don't blame the author if it doesn't work out because I'm not responsible for the actions of others. I'm just sharing information. But some might consider that to be the most dangerous of professions.

By the way, 'engine computer' is abbreviated in different ways. This is good to know if you do a google search.
ECU: Electronic Control Unit
ECM: Electronic Control Module
EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection
PCM: Powertrain Control Module

Go to the next step to improve engine efficiency, Improved Maintenance.

Step 3: Improved Maintenance
Engine Oil
Oil Filters
Ceramic Additive
Air Filters
Spark Plugs
Tire Selection
Brakes
Batteries
Wiper Arm Adjustment