I have an 87 performance tune from PHP that they wrote for me back in 09, and lately my truck was feeling kind of slow (more than usual ). I decided to reset the programmer back to stock then reload the PHP tune. Now it feels like it's not so sluggish.

Do custom tunes get sloppy over extended periods of time due to the computer adapting to driving style/habits or is it just a placebo effect?

 

The tune does not change, the computer just adapts to how it is being driven. Disconnecting the battery for 15 min will reset all the parameters. I prefer that over taking the risk of a battery failure during a tune change.

 

How does the computer adapt? Like does it effect driveability?

 

When the process begins... it adapts to your driving techniques. If you drive more spiritied like say BJ does, then the computer won't have AS much of an effect as it does on mine, were I drive usually under 2k rpms and only wot a few times a week. It just levels off to how you typically drive. The process is reset when you do the battery trick or reload a tune. That speeds up the learning process. That's why they say to do that when you do the gotts mod

 

Apparently mine was in grandma mode then.

Does resetting the tune wipe the adaptations or just the engine and transmission parameters?

 

The computer records your take offs, acceleration, stopping, etc. and adapts it's responsiveness to what it has recorded. So if you drive like a little old lady and John, the computer decides that is what you want and responds accordingly. It would not change the tune, but takes the edge off of it within a range of parameters, as it thinks that is what is wanted.

 

That makes sense. So would reloading the tune every month or so keep everything "crisp" I guess one would say?

 

Yes it can....but unfortunately sometimes the old fuel trims will not be reset....your best bet is to....

Set back to stock
Disconnect/unplug programmer...edge or gryphon
Battery disconnect
Lights on
Wait 10-15 minutes
Then lights off
Reconnect battery
Reconnect programmer
Drive 100 miles on stock tune
Then load up your custom tune

As per Bill@PHP

 

I wouldn't do it every month.....maybe every 6 months....depends how may miles you drive like a grandma...

 

I've been reading up on tunes for our new mustang on some of the mustang forums. I am pretty sure I saw that some of the tunes can turn off the computers adaptive driving changes. I wonder if this can be done to our trucks?

 

Lights on for 10-15 minutes with battery dico'd? also, we talking diconnecting pos and neg?

 

Only the negative is necessary and yes, lights on for 15 min.

 

It is easier to just disconnect the battery for 5 minutes or so.

 

I'm going to edit my post.....but I'll post it again...
If you have an edge or gryphon disconnect the programmer BEFORE disconnecting the battery....

 

good point. Forgot all about that.