What You Need to Know About Performance Tuning Your Car

When your car arrived at the dealership, it was designed to appeal to as broad an audience of drivers as possible.

In order to attract a larger market, many vehicles are designed to minimize emissions and maximize fuel economy – at the expense of performance.

If your vehicle still has the factory default engine tune, then it is not optimized for performance.

Fortunately, there are ways that you can tune your vehicle to maximize performance with performance upgrades!

If you’re asking, “What is car tuning, and how does it work?” then you’ve come to the right place.

Keep reading to learn more about car tuning and how it can improve your car’s overall performance:

What Is Car Tuning?

Car tuning is another way to describe modifications made to a vehicle to improve its performance and handling.

There are different types of car tuning, including:

Custom Exhaust Stacks and Systems

Custom exhaust stacks and systems can upgrade your vehicle to increase performance and modify the sound your engine makes.

It can also change the appearance of your car if you select a design with a larger exhaust tip or a custom material.

DPF and EGR Deletes

If you have a diesel engine, you can go for a DPF or EGR delete kit that replaces factory components and increase fuel economy and performance.

DPF and EGR deletes are popular car tuning options in Edmonton that involves safely removing components and bypassing your vehicle’s systems to reach maximum power and efficiency.

Suspension and Lift Kits

Custom suspension and lift kits provide better handling of your vehicle and also make room for other car tuning options, such as larger tires and custom exhaust stacks.

Leveling kits will level out a vehicle’s clearance by adding about 3 inches. On the other hand, lift kits allow you to choose the amount of height added up to 10 inches and more.

Chip Tuning

Chip tuning involves changing or modifying a memory chip in your vehicle’s ECU (electronic control unit) to increase performance, provide more power, and improve fuel efficiency.

Performance gains come from adjusting the ignition timing and optimizing the air/fuel ratio. 

Can I Tune My Own Car for Performance?

Is car tuning a DIY project, or should you pay a professional?

This all depends on how you plan on increasing your vehicle’s performance, your level of experience with vehicles, and the tools you have available.

Professional auto tuners specialize in increasing your vehicle’s performance. They have the expertise and tools to get the job done right.

They can modify parameters and change components of your car which is difficult if you don’t have the equipment – and impossible if you don’t have the skills.

If you own a handheld tuner, there are adjustments you can make to your vehicle on your own, but you often can’t make as many changes as an automotive technician can.

Plus, there’s a large learning curve when it comes to tuning your own vehicle, and it’s hard to test changes to see if they have improved performance.

Is It Legal to Adjust the Settings of My Vehicle?

Whether or not tuning your car is legal or illegal depends on the level of customization you have.

For instance, having your catalytic converter removed is illegal because it prevents dangerous particles from entering the vehicle and creating health issues.

Other performance upgrades are iffy, such as loud exhausts, spoilers, and lowered suspensions. Typically, there are bylaws that dictate how far you can take these changes (i.e., decibel limits on exhausts).

Chip tuning, on the other hand, is completely legal.

Speaking with a professional technician is your best bet to determine which performance upgrades are legal and best suited to your vehicle.

Will My Car Perform Better if I Tune It?

Yes! Your car will perform better if you have it tuned.

As long as performance upgrades are done properly, you can enjoy the following benefits of tuning your car:

• Increased horsepower
• Improved fuel efficiency
• Better handling
• Longer lasting parts

Many people worry that tuning their cars is going to damage their engines. As long as you have the work done by a professional, tuning does not ruin your car engine.

If you try to do it yourself, you are risking damage to your vehicle.

Unlock Your Vehicle’s Potential!

Park Muffler offers a large selection of performance chips, tuners, and various upgrades, and we make it our mission to offer the highest quality performance upgrades at the most competitive rates.

If you’re ready to get the most out of your vehicle, stop by the shop or contact our technicians for more information.