Tracking Systems and Accessories
WHY REMAP Why vehicle owners are increasingly turning to engine remapping to improve power, torque and MPG
Why vehicle owners are increasingly turning to engine remapping to improve power, torque and MPG In the current economic climate everybody with a car, van or truck is looking to cut costs, reduce CO2 emissions and lengthen the life of their vehicles. Remapping the ECU in a vehicle’s engine is one way of achieving these aims and it is becoming increasingly popular. The ECU or Engine Control Unit is effectively a computer that controls fuel, ignition timing, idle speed, valve timing as well as other parameters that affect the performance of the engine. It does this by reading values from sensor devices that monitor the engine and its performance and then compares these readings to performance maps preset by the manufacturer. Manufacturers generally sell the same vehicles to different markets, with the ability to work in a variety of conditions. With different tax and emissions regulations, different climates with extremes of heat, cold, humidity and the capacity to maintain reliability on the
worst fuels means that in many cases the vehicle’s engine is not working to its potential. Furthermore, many manufacturers sell the same engine with a variety of different power outputs, remapping only the ECU to change power and performance.
By remapping, you will immediately see an improvement in power, torque and increased fuel efficiency
Remapping will benefit all vehicles The good news about remapping is that it provides real benefits in all types of vehicles from cars to tractors and motor homes to trucks. As Steve Cherry, director at Phantom explained. “By remapping, you will immediately see an improvement in power, torque and increased fuel efficiency. You will notice more torque, making it easier to pull up steep inclines and more power to tow the heavy loads. But, above all you will use less fuel which depending on your mileage could be a saving of thousands of pounds a year.�
On a typical ten-hour day pulling the forage harvester, I now use 180 litres of diesel rather than the 225 litres I did before Dave Hall Lancashire dairy farmer
So with such a quick return on a low-cost investment how are vehicle owners who have had the remapping carried out finding it. Dave Hall is a Lancashire dairy farmer who had Phantom remap his John Deere 6630 tractor, Land Rover Discovery T5 and BMW 120D.
Improved fuel consumption for agricultural vehicles “On a typical ten-hour day pulling the forage harvester, I now use 180 litres of diesel rather than the 225 litres I did before,” said Dave. “While the Deere also has more power on the road, you have to resist the temptation to run the tractor at full revs. Otherwise you get more speed but no discernible improvement in fuel consumption. “For the Discovery, the main benefit is that it has made fifth gear more usable.” He also tows a caravan on holiday on the same route each year and says fuel consumption now averages 22mpg compared to
the typical 16.5mpg he used to achieve. In a similar vein, contractor Chris Bell, from Congleton in Cheshire, also had his Deere 6630 remapped by Phantom in June. He does a lot of road work, mainly hauling silage and soil, and found the fuel consumption to be high. “The combination of the CVT gearbox and 50kph top speed meant the tractor was always running flat out, said Chris. “This had predictable consequences for fuel consumption. So I got Phantom to change the mapping and fuel consumption has dropped back to where it should be.” In fact, Chris thinks fuel use is now lower than before the unit was put on, despite the extra power on tap.
even an increase of just 1% in MPG will save us thousands of pounds over a year Terry Seville Director Booles Tools
Commercial vehicles remapped Terry Seville is a director of Booles Tools. He owns a Range Rover Vogue and a fleet of 14 trucks that deliver steel tubes and fittings all over the UK. He recently had all his vehicles remapped by Phantom. “I was told that it would improve performance and MPG for all my vehicles,” he said. “I spoke to Land Rover first to check if there would be any warranty issues on my Range Rover and they said it would be fine. Although I have only just had the remap carried out I have already noticed an increase in performance as well as MPG being improved by nearly 10%. “It is too early to calculate the improvements for the trucks yet as we carry out so many different deliveries with regard to the length of the journey and weight of load. But even an increase of just 1% in MPG will save us thousands of pounds over a year.”
You don’t have to own a fleet of trucks to enjoy the benefits. Will Gleave is a self-employed fitter who travels 50,000 miles a year in his job. After having his Mercedes Vito 2.2L remapped his fuel economy increased from 32mpg to between 38-40mpg, an increase of 19-25%. “It will pay for itself very quickly with this alone,” said Will. “But equally important is the improvement in drivability. There is so much power, I can set off in second and climb hill easier. I do not have to rev the engine or change gear as much, especially in town driving, and on the motorway the engine is much quieter. All round a massive improvement and I am really glad I had it done.”
More low down torque available The savings of remapping can also be enjoyed by motorhome owners. Most motorhomes are based on normal commercial vans and once completed can add an extra 500-1000kg to the weight of the vehicle which can make it sluggish and hard work on hills with its original engine. This was certainly the case for David Catterall. He owns a motorhome built on a 4.6T Mercedes chassis and a 2.7L engine. In addition he tows a Smart car on a trailer, adding to the strain on the engine. After a remap from Phantom he noticed
the changes. “It is a world of difference with the remap, there is so much more low down torque available. This means I don’t have to use the throttle as much for overtaking and climbing hills and so use less fuel. “It makes the vehicle more easily drivable with more pulling power and drivability as well as a 10% saving on fuel. The remap will pay for itself very quickly.”
It makes the vehicle more easily drivable with more pulling power and drivability as well as a 10% saving on fuel. The remap will pay for itself very quickly David Catterall Motorhome Owner
Taking the compromise out of your engine
With so many benefits the only suprise is that more owners are not looking to get their vehicle remapped. Part of the concern may be due to the effect that remapping could have on a vehicle’s warranty and insurance premiums, but Steve Cherry of Phantom believes this is unfounded. “Remapping takes the compromise out of the engine. It does not trick it into doing something it was not designed for. Nearly all manufacturers offer a remapping service themselves, but at a greatly inflated price. “We have also spoken to a number of insurers and generally they are happy with remapping. They view it as an enhancement to the vehicle rather than trying to change its character. We have had no problems with all the many remappings we have carried out.”
To find out more about how a remap could benefit your vehicle, contact Phantom today on 0845 130 3301.
Tracking Systems and Accessories
T: 0845 130 3301 F: 0845 130 1378 E: info@phantom.uk.net
149 Broadstone Road Reddish Stockport Cheshire SK5 7GA
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