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Car Tuning: A Beginner’s Guide
Car tuning involves modifications that improve the performance, handling, and presentation of an automobile. Tuning is a way to personalize a factory car and is a hobby for many. The areas of modification include audio, interior, engine, suspension, and body. All these areas create an endless number of specific car modifications and can include increasing fuel economy, improving handling, or changing the exterior
If you are looking to eke out every ounce of performance you can with your car, read further.
How Much Should Tuning a Car Cost?
The cost of tuning your car will be affected by a number of factors. These include things such as how old the car is, whether it has a computer or not, whether or not it has a distributor and whether it is carbureted or injected, among other variables. Below you will find average costs for full tune ups. It should be noted you can defray the cost of tuning your car by purchasing a motor manual and doing much of the work yourself.
Dealerships charge more for labor and parts than most other types of service centers. This is because most of the technicians at dealerships have undergone years of expensive training, have multiple certifications and thus command a higher pay rate. Parts costs are higher because they are used as well as large factory original parts. A full tune up will normally cost between $100 and $150 depending which dealership you take it to and what needs to be done. A full tune up will consist of the following: changing and inspecting the spark plugs and plug wires, changing the air and fuel filters, adjusting the timing, possible points and condenser change and fuel mixture tuning.
Independent Service Centers
Independent service centers include your neighborhood mechanic or shops such as Kmart and Sears Auto Centers among others. The work performed will be the same as above. However, labor rates will be much lower. Thus, so will the overall price. Average prices for tune ups at independents will run anywhere between $50 up to $100.
Not satisfied with shelling the money for someone else to do it? Read on.
Tuning It Yourself
The popularity of car tuning is especially popular among young car buyers. Automakers looking to appeal to these buyers have created car platforms that can easily be fitted with aftermarket accessories and personalization. However, there are legal requirements in regard to what car owners can modify.
The process of adjusting the mechanical and electrical systems of your vehicle in order to improve the vehicle’s performance is known widely as car tuning. This method of improving your vehicle is a good one for those who know exactly what they’re doing and have professional guidance or assistance. If you attempt to adjust the EMS chip in your vehicle and accidentally tamper with some of the settings, your electrical systems may go haywire and cease to function properly. Worse, they may even cause damage to the engine and other components of the car as well.
Therefore, it’s important that you take the time to thoroughly research and understand how to go about tuning your particular vehicle before you attempt this project.
Familiarize Yourself With Your Car’s Chip
The chip in your car’s dashboard, also known as the electronic control unit, is the component of your car that oversees all of the electrical systems in the vehicle. Vehicles built after the mid-1970s possess these chips; they control the fuel injection, ignition, vehicle stability, speed governing, valve regulation and other systems as well. Because each manufacturer utilizes a slightly different chip technology, and each one is adjusted differently, it’s important that you research your vehicle and seek professional consultation before you begin.
How to Access the Chip
In order to make adjustments to your vehicle’s chip, you’ll first have to determine how to access it. In most cases, you can make adjustments via the diagnostic port, a small port that allows for data transfer between the chip and a computer. However, it’s not as simply as connecting your computer to your car. You’ll also need to have the proper interface software so that a computer can communicate with the chip in the car. After purchasing and installing this software on the computer, you can connect it to the vehicle’s chip and begin to make adjustments.
Words of Warning
It’s always a good idea to back up any information on the chip before you begin to make adjustments. This will allow you to restore the default settings if anything should happen to go wrong. Know also that tampering with chips can cause a variety of engine and other problems to your car, some of which are irreversible and may permanently damage the performance of the vehicle. Purchase a set of detailed instructions or a tuning manual for your specific vehicle according to make, model, year and trim before you begin.
If you have any doubts or concerns about how to adjust the chip in your car in order to tune the vehicle, speak with a professional tune up specialist or a mechanic today. It’s better to spend some money hiring a professional to help than to permanently damage your car on your
