Well I have gone thru a few tanks of gas and it has come alive more than it was when I first installed the tuner. I have only used the "perf" setting and like Mike and others (Rockpick) has stated it actually gets better over a few cycles. I like others was slightly impressed but not blown away at first. But now I am glad that I ordered one. The shifts have become crisper and you can feel the pull over stock. I also got 1 mpg better on my second and third tanks and that is with playing around involved. Everyone will have their own impressions for sure because of their truck type and or expectations but I have a heavy Screw 4X4 with the heavy duty tow package and I am a happy camper. Hope this helps anyone out there who is questioning purchasing one.

Chicago

 

Hi Chicago,

Nice post, good details about it getting stronger as you accumulated more miles & drive cycles, etc.

Your experience as you described it is pretty typical, in that at first you feel it, but not as much as you do later on after you get about 500 miles & a couple of tanks of premium run thru it.

The PCM has to adapt to it's new programming a bit, and it takes some time to work all the 87 octane out, etc. So your experience is very normal, & thanks for your comments on that.

Glad you're enjoying the Micro Tuner more now that you've got some miles on it - good luck & have fun!

 

So... I guess this means that it's not a good idea to keep switching being programs and fuel...?

Tom

 

Hi Tom,

This is very simple - the Micro Tuner is not a toy, neither is the vehicle's PCM - so don't treat them like toys playing games frequently changing programs & octane.

Nobody needs to do that - nobody.

If you have a *real* need to change tuning, then fine, do so - but don't change it 3 times every month, or 6 times a month, etc., that's just silly and there are no reasonable circumstances that require anyone to do that.

It will take a minimum of 350-500 miles after each program change to get the full power change, as the new octane level gets worked in and the PCM "adapts" to it's new programming. So just running 1 tank (or even 2) of premium is not going to give the best results.

Treat the PCM like the bios in your PC - if it *needs* changing, fine, go ahead - but there are no reasonable circumstances under which anyone needs to switch back and forth between 87 & premium, or even back and forth between the tow-perf & max performance tunes numerous times every month.

 

Mike...
Thanks for your help... You've answered a lot of questions that the Micro Tuner instructions do not address. I was under the impression that once I got high test in the sysytem, I could switch back and forth between High Perf and Towing Perf without a problem. I can see how the MT loads a basic program and then the truck's computer makes changes based on sensor feedback. I'm really surprised that it takes hundereds of miles for that to happen! At any, rate, I wasn't real impressed with the constant shifting in and out of overdrive in the High Perf program (with Super Chip's defaults for shift points and pressures). I guess I'm just use to my ole '85 (you knew when that puppy shifted!) I'm setting up the Tow Perf and leaving it there. (Even ifI don't tow but once a month.)
Thanks again,
Tom

 

Hi Tom,

You can switch back and forth between the 2 different premium gas tunes, and in *that* scenario, you aren't having to wait 350-500 miles to get to peak power - that happens when stepping up from 87 to premium.

Now it will still take a few hundred miles for the PCM to fully adapt to the changes, but you'll get the basic raw power gain increase pretty quickly, as you already have premium in the tank in *that* scenario.

The only time it's going to want to cycle between 4th gear & 3rd is when you shouldn't have Overdrive enabled - you're putting it in a load point that puts it right on the threshold, and that is a simple driving technique adjustment.

There is one trick you can try that you may find helps this - try manually raising the 2-3 upshift point by 2-3 notches over stock - this tends to help some of the "borderline" load point situations. This may or may not help in your situation, but it is something you can try, as it will alter the load scenario in some situations and affect the 3-4 characteristics with that adjustment to the 2-3 upshift.

Feel free to give me a call to go over this in some more detail, as I can usually help you find a way to not have cycling 3-4 4-3 like that.

Good luck!