What is Chip Tuning?

Chip tuning is an innovative way to increase your vehicle’s speed and performance while improving gas mileage at the same time. It works by using one of two methods—either an electronic control module (power box) or OBD tuning—to modify the electronic control unit (ECU) attached to your vehicle’s engine. The ECU is the standard “black box” that provides signals for ignition, injection and exhaust regulation to the engine.

ChipWerke uses the electronic control module (Piggyback) approach to ECU Flash Chip tuning because it eliminates risk and requires no software alterations.

The benefits of the Piggyback control module approach
You or a mechanic can install a compact external control module through an original manufacturer’s plug, without making any modifications to either the engine or the ECU. The external control module simply alters the ECU input’s signals in real-time, while optimizing the engine maps several thousand times per second. The result is immediate and obvious performance improvement and, in many situations, decreased fuel consumption.

The best part of the external control module chip tuning (Piggyback) is that it keeps all motor protection programs intact, eliminating the risk of overloading certain engine components. Your vehicle’s original software doesn’t change, so its maximum speed limit (V-Max) remains valid.

While regular OBD software tuning can be detected by the vehicle manufacturer and logged in through your service record, ChipWerke leaves no traces when removed from the engine compartment.

OBD chip tuning (ECU Flash) and the risks involved
The other form of chip tuning, called on-board diagnostic (OBD) tuning, involves altering the original vehicle software—sometimes even replacing the original chips. While OBD tuning can be canceled at the same time that the V-Max is reached and often results in higher performance and speed, it also allows motor protection functions to be turned off, significantly increasing the risk of engine damage.

Plus, changing the software takes away vehicle diagnostics, which makes for more difficult repairs because auto technicians are unable to read error codes. You also cannot self-adjust OBD tuning, and so every time you want to make a change, you have to go directly to the tuner itself.

For these reasons, ChipWerke uses the external control module approach rather than OBD chip tuning.

Installed in just 15 minutes and requiring no special tools, ChipWerke easily connects to the fuel injection and engine control unit through a safe plug system. Once installed, ChipWerke allows you to increase performance and tailor the module to your vehicle and driving style, choosing between maximum performance and fuel-saving eco-tuning—or a combination of both.