Common Questions about the Turbotune DT
Can my engine be fitted with one of your tuning boxes?
The Turbotune DT is suitable for common rail fuel injection systems. These are fitted to the majority of diesel engines from 1999/2000. Usually your car's model designation will tell you if it is common rail. Tdci, Dci, CDT, CDTi, CRDi, CDi, I-CDTi - the C usually means it has common rail engine. If in doubt please ask.
The Turbotune VP is for older engines that have a rotary injection pump (VP37 or similar) often found on older VW & Audi, and more recent Seat & Skodas, as well as many other makes and models. Recent additions are Mitsubishi L200, Ford Ranger, Volvo 2.5tdi e.g. V70, Range Rover TD6
Sorry, we do NOT supply a module for the VP 44 pump used by Vauxhall DTi, Rover/MG 25/45/Zr/Zs and many Fords. Try the Durham company DTUK.
The Turbotune PD is for VW, Skoda, Audi, Seat Tdi-PD & Defender/Discovery TD5 engines that use unit injectors (injectors with integral high pressure pump driven from the camshaft) and are therefore not common rail.
How does the Turbotune DT work, is it digital?
The Turbotune DT digitally remap the fuel pressure sensor signal in real time, increasing the amount of fuel injected to produce more power and torque from as low as 1200rpm (depending upon engine).
The VD & PD modules also use digital technology, but achieve the results by different methods.
What is the difference between analogue and digital tuning boxes?
Older tuning boxes and most cheaper boxes are analogue and usually have a single adjusting screw or knob. The adjustment alters the fuelling across the whole rev range, unlike digital remapping which provides tailored fuel delivery for every engine speed and throttle setting. In and analogue system if you use a setting which gives a very good low down and midrange increase, the engine then cuts out at high rpm (above say 3500rpm). If you turn it down so this doesn't happen, you lose the low down improvements. Analogue technology is just not adequate for modern diesel engine fuel control.
How do the Turbotune modules differ from analogue and other digital tuning boxes?
The Turbotune digital mapping technology gives finer and more precise control and enables the fuelling at both the low/mid and mid/high rev ranges to adjusted separately. Some products are ordered with a single fuel 'map', the turbotune in effect has 9.
What is the difference between a tuning box and a remapped (chipped) ECU?
There are pro and cons for both systems, but we believe that the 'non-invasive' nature of the digital tuning module is a much more acceptable solution for most vehicles.
A remap involves downloading new fuel maps into the engine ECU via the diagnostic port under the dash or in some cases (particularly with very recent diesels), the ECU has to be removed, opened and the ROM chip reprogrammed directly by connecting to pins on the circuit board. On older diesels the chip has to be unsoldered and a socket fitted for the new 'chip'. Hence the origin of the term 'chipped'.
A remapped ECU is not transferable and the data can be lost if the dealer does a routine update during service. Also ECU remapping may be detected by dealers. A remapped ECU is typically more expensive than a tuning module. A plus for remapping is that they may be more effective at higher rpm than some tuning boxes.
Plug-in modules: noninvasive, plug-in fitting, adjustable, removable for warranty and servicing, transferable, better value, often better performance at low to mid rpm with superb torque.
Will my fuel consumption decrease?
Most owners find their vehicles' fuel consumption is reduced by between 5% and 15%. Some do better, some get no reduction, and very few get less mpg. Those getting the same or no reduction tend to fall into one of three categories: a) they drive their diesel like a petrol - too many revs and too much gear changing, b) are very gentle drivers who stick to 50-60mph, or c) use the enhanced performance frequently but still achieve the same mpg as the standard vehicle, thereby having the best of both worlds!
Doesn't the tuning box just dump extra fuel into the engine increasing fuel consumption and emissions?
If excess fuel was just dumped into the engine the excess would easily be detectable as black smoke in the exhaust. This is the classic sign of an over fuelled diesel engine and is not something that happens with the Turbotune provided your engine is in good working order and properly serviced and maintained. (e.g. clean air filter, clean & fully functioning exhaust gas recirculation valve and crank case ventilation system, no leaks in the intercooler hoses).
Finally, if the fuel consumption is reduced, the CO2 emissions will be too since the C in CO2 comes from the fuel!
Does the tuning box affect the turbo boost?
Indirectly it may, on some engines the extra fuel helps the turbo spin up creating a modest but beneficial increase in boost pressure at low rpm. But the maximum boost pressure is still regulated by the ECU and/or wastegate. So the Turbotune doesn't increase maximum boost or alter it directly.
Does the tuning box affect the timing?
Not directly - Because the accelerator pedal will somewhat higher up at a steady speed with the module fitted than without it, the engine ECU interprets this a a lighter load and slightly alters the timing and other parameters such as pre & post injection, exhaust gas recirculation & boost pressure etc. to improve engine efficiency. This is one factor in reducing the fuel consumption.
Will it affect my insurance?
You should inform your insurance company. The vast majority of owners find that only a small premium increase was charged and often none at all. In the rare event of your insurer declining to cover it, Adrian Flux will, and usually will beat your existing premium as well. (adrianflux.co.uk) Tesco seem to charge depending upon the % increase.
Does the Turbotune work with automatic gearboxes?
Yes, this is where the separately adjustable throttle sensitivity is of particular benefit. By choosing the appropriate setting the gearbox will change up a bit earlier and down later, helping the fuel consumption and reducing 'hunting'.
Why do you not quote bhp & torque figures?
We aim to give the best performance that can be achieved but the results will vary from engine to engine and the measured power will also vary from one dyno to another. We are not interested in playing the 'numbers game', we are confident that our tuning approach gives sensible improvements in torque and power.
Why don't you offer engine/transmission insurance?
We spoke to our insurers about this and they told us that they can provide this but it would actually by worthless simply because no insurance company in their right mind will unconditionally cover any parts. They will simply look at the age, mileage and service history and then reduce any repair costs accordingly. They won't pay for service items like clutches, injectors, MAF sensors, HP pump etc in any case. In essence, if your vehicle is out of warranty, you'd be most unlikely to get any significant sum out of them and if the mileage was over about 80k, probably nothing at all. Even companies like Warranty Direct have been known to dismiss a claim for auto gearbox failure after just 80k miles because they said it was past its service life.
Do you have any tips for making the most out of the Turbotune's improved performance?
Yes, read our fuel saving tips page...