Q&A: Questions About "Tunes"? Read This!

[JackandJanet]

Q: What's a tune? A: It's just a program that is stored in your truck's Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which is a computer that controls nearly everything of importance while the engine is running. Things like fuel input, spark timing, transmission shifting and many other factors are controlled by this computer, that has more computing power than the computers on the Apollo space mission that got us to the moon! The tune is a set of instructions that tell the computer how to react to the various inputs from all the sensors in the truck. Q: OK, some people talk about a "stock" tune, what's that? A: The stock tune is the one that Ford engineers stored in the PCM when your truck left the factory. Since our trucks are driven by different people with different needs, ranging from little old Grandmothers driving to the store for groceries, to wild young guys driving off road races, the tune is a compromise. It's been set up to "work" in all these situations, but it is not "specialized". Q: So, has somebody figured out a way to "rewrite" the tune so it makes the truck perform the way I drive? A: You bet! Engineers at companies like Edge and Superchips have analyzed the stock tune and have redesigned portions of it to perform better according to specific needs. For instance, if you tow a lot, there is a redesigned tune that helps with low end "pull", to get you moving with a heavy load. If you want to use high octane fuel, there is a tune with redesigned timing and fueling that helps you get more power from the higher priced gas you're using. If you want better fuel economy, there's a tune for that too. Tunes can make the transmission shift more "crisply", suffer less wear, and they can reduce the "delay" that you feel when you drop the hammer in a passing maneuver. Q: All right, are these tunes the "custom" tunes I've been reading about? A: Not quite. They can be called "canned", or "generic" tunes. They're better than "stock", but they still target a fairly wide audience. For instance, the F150 is rated to tow trailers ranging from a little homemade "brush hauler" up to something approaching 10,000 pounds. A single tow tune can not possibly work equally well for all towing needs, even though it does better than "stock". Similarly, if you've added aftermarket modifications like long tube headers and a cold air intake, the canned "performance" tune won't be right for you, since it was written for a "stock" vehicle. Even things like where you live have an influence. Vehicle operation at 8,000 ft requires a different strategy than what is needed at sea level and someone operating a truck in Canada is going to appreciate a different tune than someone living in the Arizona desert. Even if you don't have mods and don't tow, your needs are different if you are an in-town driver compared to a highway driver. To get the best out of your truck, you need tunes customized for the way you drive and your specific driving needs. Q: I'm still not sure I understand, can you explain the differences between these tunes again? A: This is a comparison that many people have used. It may help. Pretend you need a new suit to impress your girlfriend. 1. Stock tune: You go to a department store and buy a suit of clothes (ready to wear). Your girlfriend yawns. 2. Canned tunes: You have the suit you bought tailored at one of the combination cleaner/tailoring places, so that it fits you like a glove. Your girlfriend tells you she likes the way you look and seems really happy to be with you. 3. Custom tunes: You pay to have a big name designer create a suit of clothes for you out of fabrics fit for a king. You ditch your girlfriend and accompany a Hollywood starlet to the Academy Awards. Q: What is the difference between "Programmer" and "Tuner"? A: This is a source of confusion, because these names are often used interchangeably. From now on, I am going to use "Tuner" to refer to the person (the software engineer), who understands operation of our trucks and knows how to translate that knowledge into a safe, effective, and reliable program (the tune) that you will load into your PCM. The "Programmer" is going to refer to the electronic device (the tool), that is used to actually load the program into the PCM. These devices are known by various names: X3 (XCal), SF3, Evolution, Cortex, Gryphon, and Flashpaq are well known names. There are some differences in each that we can discuss later. Q: All right, I've heard of a "chip", is this the same as your "programmer"? A: No. A chip plugs into the PCM itself (up in the engine compartment or in the cab behind the glove box - wherever your PCM is located) and it stays there. If the chip has several programs (tunes), you will have to route a wire, possibly through the firewall to a switch you can get to in the cab, so you can change from one tune to another. A chip needs no "reloading" of tunes and different tunes can be selected "on the fly" with a chip. You have to carefully clean the coating off the connector if you use a chip, so installation is a bit "touchy". Chips are not available for some of the newer vehicles. A programmer is much more simple to use. In fact, no mechanical or electrical skill is needed at all. And, programmers let you make custom changes to parameters such as Tire Size or Gear Ratio, a feature that chips don't offer. (Thanks, Norm!) Q: So, how do you program the PCM? Is it difficult? A: No. It's so simple a child could do it. You merely plug the programmer's cable into the OBDII port (the port right below the steering column in front of you). There's only one way it will fit, so you can't get it wrong. At this point the programmer's screen will light up and you just need to follow the directions that were supplied with the programmer. There are several precautions however: 1. Some programmers are plugged into the OBDII port with the ignition key in the ON position. Others need to be plugged in with the ignition OFF. Follow the instructions in your Owner's Manual. 2. Don't try to do this with a weak battery! Minimize the load on your battery by making sure the A/C, radio and lights are all OFF! Battery voltage should be at least 12.5 v. 3. Don't do this if the vehicle is really cold or really hot. Basically, you don't want to do this in below zero or 110 degrees above zero temperatures. 4. DO NOT turn the ignition key to OFF, or start your truck until the programmer tells you programming is complete! 5. DO NOT unplug the programmer until it tells you that programming is complete! Once you've loaded the program, you can remove the programmer and store it in a safe place. It is not needed for vehicle operation. Some programmers DO have "gauges" though, and they can optionally be left connected if desired. Q: OK, is this "programming" absolutely safe? A: No. Nothing is 100% safe. Things CAN go wrong, but the reputable manufacturers of programmers and the reputable tuners will fix things if this happens. Don't try to program the PCM in the middle of the night on a weekend in a deserted lot far from home. It may take a few hours for the manufacturer or tuner to get back to you, and, YOU MAY NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLUG THE PROGRAMMER INTO A PC for the "fix"! Just use common sense. Q: What if I don't like the new "tune"? Am I "Up the Creek?" A: Nope. When the programmer writes the new tune into your PCM, it saves the "stock" tune that came from the factory. All programmers have a simple procedure to restore this stock tune to the PCM if you decide to do so. Q: I like the new tune, but is there any time I SHOULD return the tune to stock? A: Yes. Return the PCM's tune to stock anytime you: 1. Take the truck to the dealer for service. They sometimes "flash" the PCM to correct problems with the "stock" tune and the stock tune needs to be there to avoid problems. 2. Need to update the firmware or other information on the programmer via a PC. Return your truck to stock before you do this. 3. Return the programmer to the manufacturer or tuner to correct device problems. 4. Sell the programmer to someone else or want to use it on another vehicle. Once you've programmed YOUR truck with the programmer, it is married to your truck and will not work on any other vehicle! Q: What about emissions inspections? Should I return it to stock then? A: Absolutely not! In fact, if you DO change tunes (including returning the tune to stock), it sets the "P1000" Drive Cycle code that will cause you to fail an emissions test. This code can also be set by disconnecting the battery or even by trying to "clear" other codes if they exist. The P1000 code will usually disappear in about 50 miles of "ordinary" driving, so if the tune has been in place for a while, just leave it there. Q: What if I lose the programmer, or it breaks or gets stolen while my truck is tuned beyond the "stock" level. Have I lost my factory tune? A: Yes, but you can replace the programmer and for a slight additional fee the company selling you the programmer should be able to return your truck to stock. And, a dealership can also reflash your PCM to stock, again, for a fee. Q: If I disconnect my battery, or it goes dead, have I lost my tune? A: No! Once you have loaded a tune into the PCM, it is "locked" in there until you replace it with a different tune, using your programmer. As previously mentioned though, disconnecting the battery will set the "P1000" Drive Cycle Code and it WILL force the PCM to "relearn" the fuel trim strategy for your vehicle. Q: Can a programmer damage my vehicle? A: It's possible, but not likely. The companies that make the programmers you see talked about in this forum have been in business a long time and they don't stay in business by breaking trucks. Likewise, the reputable programmers like Bill Cohron and Mike Troyer write tunes that are "safe". Some programmers, though, like the X3, SF3, Flashpaq, Cortex, Gryphon and Edge, among others, DO let YOU make changes to potentially dangerous settings, such as the RPM limit, shift points, timing and so on. Make sure you know what you're doing if you start "customizing" things on your own! Q: But, I read a post by XXXXXXX, and he said the programmer "toasted" his transmission, what gives? A: Please read the answer just above this one. No reputable tuner will create a tune that will damage your vehicle - period! Do you know how XXXXXXX modified his custom tune? And, more importantly, do you know how he drove his truck? If he constantly spins the wheels off a standing start, if he constantly tries to break records in the 1/4 mile, he's putting HEAVY stress on the transmission. This truck was not really built for drag racing. If that's what you want to do with it, you're going to have to do some serious mechanical modifications to the driveline. Q: Can a dealership void my warranty for using a tuner? A: Technically not, unless they can show the tuner was the cause of the failure of a warranted part. But, some dealerships will seize any excuse to void your warranty. This is another good reason to return your truck to stock and remove the programmer anytime you take your vehicle to the dealer. Q: You mentioned "customizing" things a short time ago. What is this all about? A: One of the nicest things about a programmer is that you can correct for changes in tire size or gearing so that your speedometer and odometer read correctly and so your truck shifts when it's supposed to. Most let you adjust the "feel" of the shifts too, to make them more "firm" or "smooth", according to your liking. You can change the RPM where shifts occur under Wide Open Throttle (WOT) to keep you in the powerband and you can change the RPM limiter. You can even change the speed limiter on your truck, if you have that need. If you regularly fill your tank with higher octane fuel, you can change the timing to take advantage of the antiknock properties of that fuel, which will gain you additional power. You may even be able to make minor changes to the Air/Fuel Ratio (AFR) to gain more power or improve economy. As I said before, some of these changes are potentially damaging, so they should be attempted with caution and an understanding of what you are doing. Q: Are there any other features of these programmers? A: You bet! Most allow you to retrieve Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) if you should see your "check engine" light illuminate. Once you have the code, you can often figure out what to do to fix the problem (with a little help from Forum members) and you may save yourself a trip to the dealer. These programs also allow you to "clear" the DTCs once the problem has been taken care of so the warning light doesn't continue to bother you. At the very least, knowing what is wrong with your truck BEFORE you visit a dealer (if the repair is beyond your abilities) makes you a more knowledgeable customer! Q: Are all the programmers about the same, feature wise? A: No. There are two significantly different styles: The programmers made by Edge and custom tuned as a Gryphon as well as the SCT Livewire can optionally be left connected to the vehicle and they function as a performance monitor, giving you the option of additional digital gauge displays to monitor engine performance parameters. Some of the more useful displays are Engine RPM, Cylinder Head Temperature, Transmission Fluid Temperature, Battery Charging Voltage, Average MPG, and there are others. Programmers such as the X3, Cortex, SF3, and Flashpaq cost less, and they don't have the "gauge feature". They are connected to program the PCM, retrieve DTCs, or to perform tasks such as "data logging", but then they are removed and stored in a safe place. There are also other, minor differences in features between all different models. Q: OK, so which one is best? A: The one YOU buy! This is designed to be a "living" resource. It will change as technology and devices change. Questions that are seen on the forum may find their way into this document. If you find something in it that is wrong or confusing, please PM JackandJanet. I will work to make it correct and accessible to everyone. I value your input! - Jack

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[Rockpick]

Thanks J&J (and the entire f150online.com moderation team) for bringing this together... J&J put a lot of time and effort in to this and we sincerely appreciate it!!

-RP-