Chiptuning, or ECU tuning, is becoming an increasingly popular way to optimise the power and fuel consumption of a car. Car owners have a so-called remap done by a software specialist. This gives the car more power and reduces fuel consumption. But what exactly is chiptuning? How do you choose the right tuner and what should you pay attention to? You can read all about it on this page.
What is the ECU?
The Engine Control Unit regulates the operation of the entire engine and its components, including electronic systems (ABS, ESP, TCS) and other equipment, such as air conditioning. The ECU is therefore the 'brain' of the whole computer that determines the technical possibilities. The engine control unit is usually a microprocessor (the chip) that receives and processes data. The data comes in from various sensors, such as the air mass meter.
During production, manufacturers save universal settings of the operation in the computer memory of the car, but they are not optimised for the conditions in which the car is driven. These settings partially determine the car's performance, such as the engine speed, fuel dose, injection angle, turbo pressure (if present) and fuel injection pressure. Based on this data, the ECU selects the optimal parameters for the car's performance.
What is chiptuning?
Auto remapping, also known as chiptuning or ECU tuning, is an extremely effective and safe method for tuning engines. Engine tuning (new software) is designed to increase the engine torque and power. This can be done in two ways: by mechanical interference in the engine or by optimising the software. The first method is very expensive and often requires customisation.
Chiptuning is a simple and, most importantly, safe way to change engine operating parameters and increase efficiency. When reprogramming a car, new software is uploaded that enables more efficient engine operation.
Why does chiptuning work?
Standard software installed during the production phase does not extract the maximum potential from the engine. By using better software, it is possible to safely increase engine capacity and achieve significant power gains without damaging the engine. Moreover, changing these values can translate into better fuel economy. In some cases, this can save up to one litre per 100 kilometres. If you drive a lot, then the investment in chiptuning is quickly recouped.
For successful reprogramming, it is important that the software is adapted to the vehicle model and the capabilities of the engine and its components. Chiptuning with unsuitable software can lead to the vehicle becoming defective or even permanently damaged.
Choose an experienced chiptuner
The advantages of chiptuning are tempting and more and more people are choosing to do so. This is partly due to the low costs compared to mechanical tuning. But it is necessary to choose an experienced chiptuner who has a lot of experience in tuning your brand and model. A company that does not know much about chiptuning may overestimate the car's capabilities and this can lead to damage and malfunctions.
As a car owner, it is helpful if you know how to test a battery. There are many batteries today that no longer require periodic maintenance. This does not mean that they have an infinite life. Therefore, everyone still needs to know how to check the condition of a battery in their car. You can do this by using a multimeter.
Testing the battery with a Multimeter
Some of the world's best battery testers are digital multimeters. They work best on so-called maintenance-free batteries. This type of battery has no caps that can be opened to gain access to the different chambers or 'cells' of the battery. They are sealed units, which prevent electrolytes from leaking onto the surface of the battery.
Multimeters measure voltage, resistance and electric current in an electrical device. Because batteries have an electrical charge, a digital multimeter can measure the current charge status of the battery. This will give you an idea of whether your car's battery is charged enough to work properly. If you have a maintenance-free battery, then a multimeter is suitable for your situation.
How does a multimeter work?
A multimeter works simply. However, before you start testing the battery, it is best to become familiar with the functions of the digital multimeter. There are small differences per manufacturer, but they all contain a mechanism to measure voltage and maximum voltage. Always read the manual first, so you know how to operate it.
The multimeter is supplied with two electrical connectors with metal probes. The wires come in two colours: black and red. The black coloured wire is negative, while the red coloured wire is positive. It is very important not to put them on the wrong pole. You don't want to connect metal probes to the wrong battery terminal. If you are going to test the battery with a digital multimeter, set the device to DC or Direct Current. Make sure you set it to 20 volts. A healthy battery should have a charge of about 12.6 volts. It is sufficient to set the multimeter to 20 DC volts. Take the black metal probe and touch the tip to the negative terminal. Take the red metal probe and touch the tip to the positive battery terminal. The resting voltage of a healthy battery is about 12.6 volts. If someone can assist you, ask them to turn on the car's headlights, then you will see a drop in the voltage reading in the multimeter. It may be 12.5 volts, for example.
Low voltage in the battery
If the resting voltage of the battery is 12.3 volts, you can say that it contains about 75 per cent electrical charge. It is also important to remember that there is such a thing as 'parasitic loss'. There will always be some car components that use electricity, even when the engine is already switched off. The computer, digital clock, security system and other components can still use power from the battery. This can lead to a reduction in battery charge over time.
If you test the car battery with a digital multimeter and the voltage is too low, you can take the battery out of the car and charge it overnight with a battery charger. Then test it again the next morning. If it can hold the ideal charge, it is possible that a component in the car is causing the battery to run down. If the voltage remains too low, it is probably time for a new battery.
Problem with the battery terminals
There are situations where the battery itself is not the problem. Rather, it is the battery terminals. If these are corroded, loose or dirty, you will still have problems starting the engine. It is also one of the most common reasons why people think their battery is dead. The good news is that you can use your multimeter to check for faulty battery terminals. To do this, you need to switch off your car's ignition system. The easiest way to switch off the ignition system is to remove the relay or fuse for the fuel pump. Another method is to disconnect the ignition coil. Each of these methods prevents the car engine from starting. Only do this if you are technically skilled, otherwise a mechanic is a better option.
Now take the red metal probe from the multimeter and place the tip on the positive battery terminal. Now take the black metal probe and place it on the same battery terminal. Ask someone to switch on the engine of the car. Look at the needle on the display of the multimeter. If you read more than 0.5 volts, there is a chance that the positive battery terminal is dirty or corroded. Perform the same procedure on the negative pole connection. You must first touch it with the black metal probe before using the red metal probe. Let your assistant start the engine. If you see a voltage reading higher than 0.5 volts, there is a problem with your battery terminals. Again, the best solution is a new battery.
FAQ multimeters
Below we have listed the most frequently asked questions about Multimeters. Do you have an additional question? Then ask it in the comment field. We will then add your question and answer to this page.
What is a multimeter? A multimeter is a tool designed to diagnose problems with electrical and electronic circuits. It is used for checking voltages to verify proper operating levels.
What does a multimeter measure? Standard multimeters measure current, resistance and voltage. More expensive models can also measure capacity and induction.
Multimeters combine three functions. An ammeter measures current, an ohmmeter lets you determine resistance and a voltmeter measures the voltage between two points. Multimeters combine all three functions in one instrument.
Measuring amps with a multimeter. The ampere measurement function of a multimeter is used to measure the number of electrons that pass a certain point for a given time. The units in this measurement are known as amps. Your multimeter can check how many amps, e.g. A device uses.
Measuring ohms with a multimeter. The ohmmeter function measures electrical resistance - the opposition to an electric current - and uses units known as ohms. An electrical circuit has a resistance of zero or close to zero ohms when shorted. When a circuit is open, it has an infinite resistance and no current.
Measuring volts with a multimeter The voltmeter function of a multimeter measures the electrical potential between two volt points and is particularly useful for checking whether a battery is low. In addition, a multimeter can measure current and voltage in two different modes: alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). Domestic sockets almost always use alternating current. Please note that different countries have different standards.
Wiper blades may not be the most exciting part of a car, but old, worn or broken wipers can not only be very irritating, they can also be dangerous in a black downpour. For this reason, many manufacturers recommend that they be replaced at least once a year.
But as with all technologies, times change and wiper technology has also moved with the times. Therefore, make sure you buy the right type of wipers for your car. Below are briefly explained. In addition, you can visit our Wiper sizes page check to see what size your car is.
Traditional wipers
The traditionally most used design consists of a metal or plastic frame with four to eight points. These points apply pressure to the rubber sheet. When they are new, this pressure is evenly distributed, but as they age, this can become less. This will reduce your visibility during a rainstorm. In general, these wipers are easy to install.
Flat blade wipers
This design has become almost universal over the past decades. Despite being more expensive than traditional designs, they are easier to install with their hook-type wiper arm.
A tensioned metal strip replaces the several individual pressure points of the traditional wiper to distribute an even force over the entire rubber blade. Their moulded rubber profile also fits the curves of the windscreen more precisely. In addition, they are more aerodynamic than traditional wipers. This results in less wind noise.
Nowadays, most wiper arms are made suitable for flat blades. A disadvantage of these wipers is the fact that they wear down faster. You can notice this when they don't press so well on the windscreen and the water is not removed properly from the windscreen.
Hybrid wiper blade
Hybrid wipers are similar to traditional wipers in terms of their basic construction. They lack the tensioned metal strips. However, their plastic covers offer the appearance and aerodynamic advantages of flat blades and, due to their construction, last longer than this type. They are compatible with traditional 'hook' type wiper arm fittings and are more common on vehicles of Asian origin.
Windshield wiper size search
As mentioned before, we have documented the wiper sizes for many makes and models:
The timing belt of your car is (often) at the front of the engine. It is made of strong rubber with nylon-reinforced cords, which maintains the life span of the timing belt. Usually the life span is 5 years or maximum kilometres.
When a timing belt is in motion, it is under a lot of stress, which wears it out. Car manufacturers that use a timing belt such as VW, Audi, SEAT etc, prescribe an interval according to age and maximum mileage. If you wait to replace a timing belt, this can cause a lot of damage to your engine. You will end up spending much more money on repairing your engine than the initial cost of replacing the timing belt.
How do you know apart from the interval that the timing belt needs to be replaced?
If you think there are problems with your timing belt, or that it has gone bad or is starting to wear out, here are some clear signs you should look out for.
Broken valves
One of the worst symptoms a car owner can experience is that the timing belt has been cut or has completely broken. In this case, the crankshaft will rotate on its own and not be in synch with the camshaft. If this happens, the piston will hit the valves when opening, which can lead to bent valves or a damaged piston. You can hear this clearly when you open the bonnet and your car is not moving. In this case, it is very unwise to turn on the car, the damage will increase.
Pinging engine
Timing belts have teeth, which are designed to grip gears as they turn different engine parts and components. When these teeth weaken, the timing belt slides over the sprockets (compare it to a worn sprocket on a bicycle, when you turn on the chain it slides over the sprocket). When this happens, it will cause a jolt in the engine. This also causes the engine to ping when idling.
The motor skips
Combustion in the engine can be endangered by a worn timing belt. The timing belt begins to slip away from the gears and falls on the camshaft, one of the cylinders opens and closes too quickly. If this happens, an engine failure will occur and you should have the timing belt replaced immediately.
How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
Replacing a timing belt is something that all car owners dread, the average cost of a timing belt change is between 300 and 700 euros. As always, the price depends on the age, make and model of your car. There is also often a difference in whether or not the water pump is also replaced. It is advisable to replace the water pump, because the parts are not the biggest cost item, but the labour costs. And when the timing belt is replaced, you can easily reach the water pump, which saves on labour hours.
Problems with the brakes are hard to miss because they are accompanied by different sounds and warning lights on the dashboard. Brake problems cause different warning lights. It is good to understand the differences in these lights. This way, you don't drive on if you absolutely cannot. After reading this article, you will know the main causes of these lights.
Brake system warning lights
The type and number of brake warning lights may vary from one car model to another. However, most modern vehicles have three warning lights for the brake system:
Illuminates when the parking brake is engaged and the car is started. Does the warning light stay on? This may be due to insufficient brake fluid or a malfunction in the brake system.
Sometimes it says ABS or ESP in this light. This indicates a malfunction in these systems or that the brake pads are worn.
When this light is on, the electric parking brake is on.
Why does the brake warning light come on?
There are a number of reasons why these lights may come on. Some are easy to fix, while others need to be repaired by a mechanic. Some common causes are:
Handbrake light stays on
Some cars have a separate light for the parking brake. It is a red or yellow circle with a 'P' in the middle surrounded by brackets on either side. The light comes on when the parking brake is on and you forget to take it off and drive off.
When you release the parking brake lever, the light goes out. If not, the lever may be broken or the parking brake itself may not be working properly.
Low or leaking brake fluid
Low brake fluid is the reason for several brake problems indicated by a red circle with an exclamation mark '!'. enclosed in parentheses. The brake fluid reservoir is a transparent tank under the hood. It has labels 'MAX' and 'MIN' inside, so you can easily see if there is enough or too much brake fluid in it. If the level is close to or below the 'MIN' label, refill the tank with a brake fluid listed in the owner's manual. Try to match the fluid type and if you cannot, replace it with a fluid with a higher number. For example, you can refill with DOT 4 fluid if your car uses DOT 3.
On the other hand, if you see a low fluid level in the tank and you have slightly worn brake pads, there may be a fluid leak. In that case, you should check the brake lines, the fluid reservoir and all the associated valves and connections to find the trace of amber fluid. A leak requires urgent attention and you should take the vehicle to a mechanic to fix the problem.
Worn brake pads
Damaged, broken or worn brake pads are other reasons why the brake warning light comes on. Scuffing and squeaking noises are another indicator of worn brake pads.
In this case, you should replace the brake pads for a new set. Without a lining, the pads will have metal-to-metal contact which causes the scraping sound. It is downright dangerous to continue driving with worn brake pads, because some parts of the braking system, such as the discs, may fail or even break.
Replace the brake pads on time, this will prevent expensive repairs. Don't forget to examine the brake discs and the sensors. You can shave the discs in case of minor wear or replace them if they are completely damaged. Sometimes the warning light does not go off after replacement, in which case the system may have bad sensors.
Defective brake lights
The brake light has different bulbs. If one of these burns out, the warning light comes on because the computer detects the resistance change in a circuit. Replacing the bad bulbs solves this problem, but remember to use the right type. If they are ordinary bulbs and you want to replace them with LEDs, hire a mechanic to do the work.
Driving on with the dashboard lights on?
The clear answer is 'No'. A warning light indicates a problem in the braking system that is too dangerous to ignore. Think of a situation where you need to stop the car but can't because the brakes refuse. It is dangerous for yourself and other road users. Go to a garage if a warning light stays on. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse and possibly damage other parts.
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