Many car owners want an engine with a few more horsepower. However, the options for increasing engine power often seem complicated and expensive. In this case, increasing performance with chip tuning can be a solution. Find out now what chip tuning is and how it can noticeably increase engine power and torque. You can also find out all about the advantages and disadvantages of chip tuning on your car.

What is chip tuning?

Chip tuning is a form of performance enhancement for combustion engines. This primarily involves optimizing the parameters of the engine control unit. Unlike classic engine tuning, the car’s engine does not have to be modified. The increase in performance is achieved solely by changing the software in the engine control unit or by using intermediate modules.

Origin of chip tuning

The term chip tuning dates back to the early days of electronic engine management. At that time, it was sometimes necessary to replace a chip on the engine control unit in order to increase performance. Today, depending on the vehicle type, engine performance can be increased without interfering with the control unit. Instead, the extra power is often activated purely by software.

More power through chip tuning

A standard engine often offers potential for increasing performance, as manufacturers rarely exploit the full power reserves. With chip tuning, the engine control unit and fuel injection are adjusted. As a result, for example, more fuel is injected into the combustion chamber or the boost pressure is increased. The ignition timing is also optimized.

Less fuel consumption thanks to eco tuning

Eco tuning is a special variant of chip tuning. This is not primarily about increasing horsepower and torque. Rather, eco-tuning is intended to reduce the vehicle’s fuel consumption. To this end, the software in the control unit is optimized. Depending on the operating status, eco-tuning can ensure more effective combustion.

Chip tuning is a professional matter

Today, increased performance through chip tuning is offered for almost all models from different manufacturers. However, the quality of software and modules can differ significantly in some cases. Every development and adjustment to the control unit requires a great deal of specialist knowledge in the field of electronics. Reputable suppliers optimize performance and torque on the test bench.

Is chip tuning good or bad?

Whether chip tuning is good or bad depends on the individual point of view. If drivers want more power with less effort, increasing performance using software appears to be advantageous. Testing organizations such as the German TÜV, on the other hand, point out that fuel consumption and pollutant emissions can increase. In addition, the engine components and parts of the drivetrain could be subjected to greater stress as a result of more power.

Is chip tuning harmful to the car?

An increase in engine power can increase wear on the engine and drive components. Reputable chip tuners or manufacturers of chip tuning boxes never fully utilize the engine’s power reserves. However, poor quality chip tuning products can lead to the premature failure of turbochargers, injection nozzles, the catalytic converter or soot filters.

Is chip tuning good for the engine?

Increased performance can cause the car’s engine to wear out more quickly. The high stress on the engine components, for example, can cause them to wear out more quickly. However, chip tuning by a professional does not usually overtax the components. However, if the engine offers more power, the vehicle is often driven more sportily, which in turn increases engine wear.

Is chip tuning worthwhile?

Whether chip tuning is worthwhile for a particular vehicle depends on various factors. In principle, tuning measures can be carried out on all modern cars with electronic engine control. However, not all engines develop a significant increase in performance. Turbocharged diesel or petrol engines are particularly suitable for chip tuning.

Advantages and disadvantages of chip tuning

Optimization via chip tuning offers both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, optimizing the engine control unit provides more horsepower without having to make complicated changes to the engine. On the other hand, the extra power can result in lower fuel consumption or invalidate the manufacturer’s engine warranty.

What are the advantages of chip tuning?

• Increasing performance is uncomplicated: Chip tuning gives the engine more power in a simple way. Complicated conversions or the installation of new parts are not necessary.
• Costs are lower: The costs for chip tuning are often lower than for other types of performance optimization. Compared to classic tuning, you get more horsepower for relatively little money.
• Engine remains standard: The engine of the car itself remains untouched during chip tuning. Among other things, this makes it possible to return the vehicle to standard condition at any time.
• Customization possible: Some chip tuning modules allow individual settings to be made by the driver of the car. For example, different driving modes can be called up as required.

What are the disadvantages of chip tuning?

• Increased load: The increased power can put more strain on engine components or the transmission. Chip tuning can therefore lead to increased wear.
• Fuel consumption increases: The increased power is often accompanied by increased fuel consumption. However, chip tuning does not necessarily increase fuel consumption.
• Exhaust gas behavior deteriorates: Depending on the type of chip tuning and the engine, the exhaust gas behavior of the car may deteriorate. This is often noticeable during the emissions test.
• Warranty may be voided: Interventions in the engine control unit often invalidate the engine warranty from the vehicle manufacturer. Reputable tuners offer their own engine warranty for peace of mind.

Is chip tuning allowed?

Chip tuning is not generally prohibited in Germany. However, if the performance of the vehicle has been increased by chip tuning, owners must observe a few points. For example, the increased performance should be entered in the vehicle registration document. If there is no general operating permit ABE, the conversion must be approved by a testing organization such as the TÜV.

Is chip tuning a criminal offense?

Chip tuning on a car can be a criminal offense in Germany if certain rules are not observed. In addition to increased torque and more horsepower, the car can also emit more exhaust fumes and be louder. In Germany, the operating license for the vehicle may expire if the conversion has not been registered. Driving on public roads is then illegal.

What else needs to be considered when chip tuning?

The increased engine power resulting from chip tuning can lead to the car being classified differently in the vehicle insurance. For this reason, the insurance company should be informed immediately of any changes to the vehicle. The extra horsepower may increase the insurance premium. The vehicle tax may also increase with higher pollutant emissions.

How do I carry out chip tuning?

Performance optimization by changing the software in the engine control unit is often offered by professional tuners. Established companies take care of the entire process, from adapting the engine control unit to registration in the vehicle registration document. Professional chip tuning minimizes the risk of damage to the engine, and tuners often even offer an engine warranty.

What does chip tuning cost?

The cost of chip tuning varies depending on the vehicle and method. A simple plug-in module is sometimes available for as little as 30 to 50 euros. Quality chip tuning is generally more expensive. Here the costs range from 300 euros. A measure individually adapted to the vehicle with testing on the dynamometer can cost up to 10,000 euros.

Can I carry out chip tuning myself?

Expert car mechanics sometimes carry out chip tuning themselves. This primarily includes the installation of chip tuning modules. The manufacturers describe the connection and the ideal position in the engine compartment in the enclosed instructions. Chip tuning carried out by the car owner himself is usually at his own risk. The providers generally do not offer a guarantee.

5 options for chip tuning on the vehicle

Car chip tuning can be carried out in different ways. The different variants are each more or less complex to carry out. In addition to the complexity of the procedure, the costs for chip tuning vary depending on the type of performance adjustment.

1. Replacing chips in the control unit: In the classic method of chip tuning, the control unit must be removed and opened. A specialist can then remove and optimize the engine control chip. The existing software is often read out and the chip rewritten. It is also possible to replace the chip with a tuning chip.
2. Optimization via OBD interface: Depending on the vehicle, changes to the engine control unit are also possible via the standardized OBD interface. The engine electronics software can be read out and reloaded using special tools. This type of chip tuning does not require any mechanical intervention in the control unit or removal from the car.
3. Overwriting via BDM port: If it is not possible to change the software via the OBD interface, tuners use the BDM interface. This interface is often located directly in the control unit for the engine. The engine control unit usually has to be removed and opened for this purpose. Engine manufacturers sometimes try to make this more difficult.
4. Tuning with a tuning box: Another variant of chip tuning is the installation of additional electronics. These so-called tuning boxes or power boxes are often intermediate plugs that are connected upstream of the engine control unit. Depending on the design of the box, it is connected to several sensors and changes their signals to the control unit.
5. Adjustment via pedal box: Chip tuning also includes the installation of a so-called pedal box or a power pedal. This is an electronic circuit that is plugged in between the electronic accelerator pedal and the engine electronics. Such a pedal box primarily changes the engine’s response behavior when the pedal is pressed.