Yea, there is a mouthful… The answer is yes there is good evidence some of the “Chip Up” units can improve fuel economy on some vehicles and for some Drivers that can keep their foot out of it.. On my F-350 I have the “Platinum” EDGE JUICE and ATTITUDE Module. 5 selections, Economy, Tow/Haul, and three Power Settings. Also reads out EGT (Exhaust Gas Temp) Engine Temp, Transmission Temp, and Boost, all on one LCD Screen in four quadrants digital. The beauty of this module is two fold, one it reads DTCs, (engine codes) and explains them in simple english instead of just codes, but also it has EGT, Eng Temp, Tranny Temp, and Boost, safety parameters built in, as well as a programmable Turbo Timer… So you can add performance and if you exceed any safety parameters it returns you to stock automatically.
Look, I do Research all the time for a Lifestyle, and there is something here for you to consider, and that is an apparent potential for fuel economy increase… I do not think I will use the power settings, unless I have to stomp a Duramax or Cummins.. Ha! Just kidding… But I will use Economy and Tow/Haul modes and have automatic safety settings in place. And it is nice to see engine and tranny temperatures in digital form right there on the readout. The beauty of this system is that it is approved by my Dealer, Warranty, and Extended aftermarket Warranty and was installed by the Dealer, due to the safety parameters built into the system which mean you cannot abuse any of the gear.. I will also enjoy having the DTC reader. Often a fix on one of these engines, is just a clean of a plug terminal on one of the electronic sensors... This will affect such a minor repair in the Bush.. On the 7.3 Litre PSD commonly in Australia for instance, you need to carry a spare CPS, (Cam Position Sensor) $100 item, as it was designed as a renewable part, like hoses and fan belts… Anyway, the Edge will tell you the Codes… And tell you what the fix is, and sometimes on a sensor on these newer style of engines it is just a clean of the plug connection point on the sensor or the sensor itself… Almost all of these performance enhancing modules have this capability now to trouble shoot your engine.
Now the point of all of this, is not the “Edge”, there are many such performance enhancing units out there in the same category… There is another one that I have studied now call “Quadzilla” that is probably better and has higher horsepower. The “Edge” is just the one that my Dealer had and installed so it may be that its lower horsepower and protective features returning to a stock tune outside of preset parameters means that he thought it was safer to use for Warranty and Extended Warranty reasons… Anyway the point is: It appears that I get better fuel economy on level 3, than on stock…??????? How could this be??? The engineering concept of performance enhancement increasing horsepower and also increasing fuel economy??? I am sure you are going to hear someone out there say NO WAY, increase horsepower means worse fuel economy.. Well, once again, you might stop and realize that the lone Ranger has now had 3 Effies in Oz, and does research full time, and does have a clue… Here in the Engineering Performance reasons:
In America, (target market for Toyota as well as all the others with 300 Million people), there are emission controls on ALL vehicles, that relate to air quality in the inner cities. What they have done, to appease the Rabid Greenies, is even jump onto diesels case, and they want NO visible emissions. Forget that it is natural to buck out a little black carbon when you get a diesel going, they do not want to see it… So the Manufacturers have designed in things like EGR Exhaust Gas Recirculators) and other sensors running Variable Pitch Turbos blasting in Boost of high intake manifold pressures on low RPMs, engine timing changes, all sorts of variables to eliminate ALL VISIBLE emissions… Is this right? Well for the inner city, yes for air quality control.. But for the planet in general, there is mounting evidence that it just flat burns more fuel as it chokes up the diesels performance a little with EGRs and all. That is where the performance enhancing products can come into the equation.
Yes their primary goal is MORE HORSEPOWER for the “gear nuts” or really heavy towing jobs. But for general driving around some of these units start removing the emission controls on the lower levels. There is about a kilometer per litre difference in mine. My problem, is I cannot help myself but blow off some Hoon driving badly trying to pass me on the wrong side or something… But if you keep you foot out of it, and drive light footed with light acceleration and keep the speed down (under 2000 rpm on the Fords for instance), if you do all that you can possibly increase your fuel economy in most vehicles. Unloaded and not towing, this is a real possibility, with the right driving habits.
On my “Edge” Number 1 position is “Economy”, 2 for “Towing”, 3 is called “Drive”, 4 is “Race” and 5 is “Extreme” with a 100 hp boost and you can go higher with some modules. On Warranty, you could have a conflict with Ford or Toyota, that is another subject, and you need to be aware of it. But Edge reports some people getting better fuel economy driving light footed from 3 to 5, not just on the Position 1 or 2… It varies with driving habits and load. IF you use the power, driving heavy footed, then NO… That is why some people with Toyota for instance and the P Chip, are reporting better fuel economy, while others are reporting just better performance.
Talk it around the fire with the other Owners of your particular tow vehicle and do your homework, but I am seeing a pattern with all of the new electronically run engines, in that the lower levels of performance enhancing modules remove the emission controls and can increase fuel economy. This is not good for air quality in the inner city, but I am convinced it IS good for the planet if it results in better fuel economy. (As well as your pocketbook).
There are definite limits on towing, only safe at certain Chip Up levels to protect your transmission. But this is something for you to look into. I can run around on level 3 or whatever I get the best fuel economy on, and go down to level 2 for Towing.. It is a simple push of the button… Around the fire, talk it up with your fellow Toyota, Ford, Nissan, or whatever Owners, as I think this is the future… There are good reports of up to 5-10% increased fuel economy.
Regards from the lone Ranger…
