By Eden 
If you are a truck driver or manage a fleet of trucks, chances are that you have looked at your heavy-duty trucks and wondered how you could possibly get even more power and performance out of that beast of a machine.
The good news is that it is not impossible to realise this objective. Welcome to the world of truck tuning, where your truck is given the extra oomph it needs to work smarter and not harder.
Let’s have a closer look at what truck tuning is and what it does for your truck and along the line bust a couple of myths as well.
What is Truck Tuning?
Truck tuning is the process of optimising a truck’s engine and electronics for improved performance. It is an upgrade to your truck’s brain so that it gets stronger, quicker, and more effective. ECU remapping, a software update, reprograms the engine control unit (ECU), your truck’s command center. Remapping your ECU gets your truck performing at its optimum, tailored to your driving needs.
What Does Truck Tuning Do for Your Truck?
You do not need to be Alan Jones or Mark Weber, the car racers, to benefit from tuning. Here are some significant advantages that a tuned truck brings to the table:
Increased Torque
More torque equates to more pulling power. Wherever you need more power, increased torque can make a huge difference in your truck’s performance. It’s like sending your truck through a gym regimen, it gets more muscle to handle the heavy workload more efficiently.
Better Fuel Economy
This might sound counterintuitive but increased power can lead to reduced fuel consumption. When a truck is tuned well to operate efficiently, it burns fuel more efficiently which means fewer stops at the bowser and more dollars saved in the long run. For fleets, this benefit accumulates rapidly.
Customised Tuning for Terrain and Workload
Every truck has its own unique environment that they work in, the ones grinding through mountain passes will not require the same amount of power as those towing down the highways. Tuning allows for custom calibration based on your truck’s typical workload and driving conditions, giving you a setup custom-tailored to your terrain.
ECU Remapping
New vehicles come pre-programmed with factory settings to accommodate a wide range of global regulations. This is great for mass production but not so great for performance. ECU remapping takes factory settings and re-engineers them to unlock hidden power and efficiency.
Remapping transforms your vehicle into a more responsive, fuel-efficient machine with an engine that is well within safe limits so reliability and longevity are assured.
Why a Good Truck Mechanic Matters
To get the best results from your tuning job, you will want a skilled truck mechanic who knows the ins and outs of diesel engines, ECU systems and performance software. A qualified pro ensures your tuning is safe and reliable because raw power is great but reliability is greater.
A reputable truck mechanic can also diagnose performance bottlenecks you were not even aware you had and recommend upgrades beyond ECU remapping; like high-flow air filters etc. These suggestions can translate to a smoother, more powerful drive.
Common Myths About Truck Tuning
Here are a few widespread myths related to vehicle tuning, which you shouldn’t believe while considering getting your truck tuned:
Myth 1: Tuning always voids your warranty
Not necessarily.There are reversible tuning processes and quality tuners offer packages that won’t void your warranty, all you need to do is ask.
Myth 2: Tunic your vehicle is only great for racing
Nope!Tuning is used by anyone who wishes to get more out of their vehicle in terms of enhanced performance and truck capability.
Myth 3: It will damage the engine
Poor tuning might, but quality tuning is designed to enhance your engine and not harm it, especially when left in the hands of an expert who understands the ins and outs of engine mechanics and optimisation.
Is Truck Tuning Suitable for You?
Tuning your truck could be a complete game changer no matter the upgrade you are looking for. Consider the following:
- Would you like extra pulling power to increase your towing capacity?
- Do you do plenty of long-distance driving and want ways to improve your fuel economy?
- Do you need your truck to haul more in specific terrain or load conditions?
If your answer was yes to any of the above, then you need to consider truck tuning.
Conclusion
As is clear, truck tuning is a smart move for drivers who want to maximise performance, efficiency and reliability. With the use of professional ECU remapping coupled with other performance enhancements, your truck becomes a vehicle that is dramatically more responsive and far better suited to cope with the unique demands of the task at hand. So get in touch with a reliable truck mechanic and give your truck the upgrade it deserves!