Glossary of Tuning Terms
- Brandyn Mowat
- Michael Howard
An alphabetical list of technical acronyms and terms with explanations (where terms are not self-explanatory)
The ECU maps that relate pedal opening percentage and throttle butterfly valve angle.
Also written as AIT (Air Intake Temperature) or CAT (Charge Air Temperature).
Diesel particulate filter clearing, which is carried out when required by the engine management system, which raises exhaust temperature by temporarily introducing a particular mode of engine operation.
The degree of ignition timing advance between the ignition base map and the maximum ignition timing, which is limited either by a secondary 'max' map or an additional advance map.
Continuously measures the flow of engine intake air.
The ratio of intake air to injected fuel. 14.7:1 is the ideal 'stoichiometric' ratio, which means the ideal ratio at which all oxygen is consumed and all fuel is burned.
Automatic Transmission
Also sometimes written as CAT (Charge Air Temperature)
Accelerator Pedal Position
Nissan's 'learning' auto-transmission control, which adapts shifting style to the driver's preferences and road conditions.
The management system's brief burst of engine revs to allow the driver to downshift under braking.
Audi Valve lift System
Border line Detonation
Where the airflow sensor voltage does not have a linear relationship to the flow, the ECU uses a scaling map to translate sensor voltage into an airflow rate value.
A vehicle bus standard that allows microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other in applications without a host computer. Originally designed for multiplexing vehicle electrical wiring.
Sometimes also written as ACT (Air Charge Temperature) or AIT (Air Intake Temperature) and not to be confused with Cat - an abbreviation for catalytic converter.
Check Engine Light
Control based on feedback, or input responding to output. A feedback control loop is used in three-way catalytic converter systems and various electronic circuits.
EcuTek software feature that provides an easy, live visual representation of fuel/air mixture changes.
EcuTek software feature that provides an easy, live visual representation of cylinder knock characteristics.
Custom Datalogging
Allows the logging of 50 or more custom parameters not available from the factory ECU
This allows the tuner to display a fixed value or the output of a custom map on the dashboard gauges, the exact functionality depending on the type of gauge cluster fitted to the car. It can be used, for example, to display the required fuel octane for each map switch mode, to display the current AFR or the output of an external ethanol content sensor
Bespoke new maps added by Ecutek for increased functionality
A checksum is a small datum from a block of digital data, whose purpose is to detect errors that may have been introduced during its transmission or storage. Usually applied to an installation file after it is received via a download
The use of electrical or electromechanical systems for performing vehicle functions traditionally achieved by mechanical linkages
Dual Clutch Transmission
An early EcuTek software data logger for Subaru cars, whose functionality is now incorporated in the ProECU product
The favoured petrol engine technology in which fuel is injected into the combustion chamber rather than the inlet port
Diagnostic data Link Connector
A small hardware device (such as the ProECU Licence Key USB dongle) which connects to another device, typically a computer, to provide it with added functionality, copyright protection or product licensing
A carbon-particle (soot) trap in the exhaust system of a diesel
DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code)
A trouble/fault code generated and stored by the engine management when it detects a problem
Direct Shift Gearbox
Diagnostic Trouble Code, also referred to as CEL codes (check engine light)
Transverse Mounted DSG Gearbox
Economy
Engine Coolant Temperature
Engine Control Unit. The computer for the powertrain of the vehicle. Also called PCM, ECM, PCU etc. from various manufacturers
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
Exhaust Gas Temperature
AirFlow divided by engine RPM; effectively how much air enters the engine per revolution. It may be expressed as a percentage of cylinder fill
Stipulated as an angle, in degrees
Also Dynamic Stability Control, is onboard computer technology that improves vehicle stability by detecting loss of traction or steering control and intervening to correct it via the antilock braking system and engine control
The desired closed-loop AFR that the management ECU attempts to meet
Exhaust
A device or function attribute that, in the event of a specific type of failure, responds in a way that minimises or negates harm to other devices or persons
EcuTek's rapid system of ROM programming by block, where all code is built into the ECU
Boosted air charge, as with supercharging and turbocharging
See 'Dongle' previously
An EcuTek ProECU feature that lets you keep your foot flat on the accelerator while changing gear so as to minimise change time and keep up engine speed and torque, maximising acceleration in the next gear up
Refers to an engine that runs on more than one fuel (eg petrol and ethanol) and both fuels share the same fuel tank
Front Mounted Intercooler
Utilizing a supercharger or turbocharger to force air into the intake tract of a vehicle. See NA / Naturally Aspirated
The duration of opening of each injector in milliseconds (ms)
A system-integrated ability to automatically make small adjustments to fuel metering to compensate for certain factors affecting engine operation
Fuelling compensation applied on long-term basis
Fuelling compensation applied on short-term basis
The temporary reassignment of certain dashboard instruments via EcuTek software in order to display other functions such as AFR, Boost, Fuel Trims or Map Switch modes
A programmable function that allows switching between MAP and MAF airflow sensing for the Engine Load calculation depending on operating conditions
A slight margin for variation, or 'cushion zone', particularly with reference to a predetermined rev limit
A program feature that balances idling parameters - particularly on a dual-intake system such as that of the Nissan GT-R
Or Intake Manifold Swirl Control (IMSC), a vacuum and solenoid-actuated system that partially closes an intake duct to generate intake air turbulence under low-power running
Or Intake Manifold Runner Control (IMRC), a vacuum and solenoid-actuated system that partially closes an intake duct to generate intake air turbulence under low-power running
Intake
The recalibration of fuel injector characteristics (parameters such as flow rate, pulse width etc) to suit engine modifications
A coolant-spraying mechanism that maximises intercooler efficiency and is used on a few high-performance turbocharged cars
A Nissan-specific multiplier for the manufacturer's base fuel schedule - a figure best left unchanged
A pre-CANbus communications data-transmission line and protocol still occasionally used in conjunction with a CANbus
The amount of ignition timing correction (positive or negative) set by the ECU in response to cylinder knock, or its absence
The amount of ignition timing retardation set by the ECU in response to detected cylinder knock
A sensor in a petrol-engine exhaust system that continuously measures the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gases
An electronic aid - effected via a number of management functions - that assists drivers of both racing and street cars to accelerate cleanly (ie with minimal wheelspin) from a standing start
Lean Best Torque
A reduced-performance mode of engine operation adopted by the management system when certain engine faults are detected
Data streamed from the management ECU as the engine is running
As in MAF Sensor; the amount of air flowing is stipulated in grammes per second (g/s)
A feature that allows airflow measurement correction after the fitting of an aftermarket intercooler that swaps airflow between cylinder banks
As in MAP sensor, whose output is stipulated in psi or bar
The selection of an alternative engine management map via a 'hijacked' or 're-purposed' control in the car
Master Tuners are the most experienced category of engine tuners (as determined by EcuTek) and have the authority to purchase ProECU Programming Kits and retail them to vehicle owners together with their own ECU calibrations
Can also be understood as 'minimum timing advance for best torque'
Modularer Querbaukasten (Modular Transverse Platform used by VAG in such vehicles as the GTI, Audi A3)
Modularer Langsbaukasten (Modular Longitudinal Platform used by VAG in such vehicles as the Audi A4, A5)
Negative or positive inlet manifold pressure relative to atmospheric pressure
Manifold Port Injection or Multi-Port Injection
Manual Transmission
Unboosted, neither turbocharged nor supercharged
A metric unit of measurement for torque. 1 Nm ≈ 0.73756215 lbft
A general term for a vehicle's self-diagnostic and reporting capabilities; OBD systems give access to the status of the various vehicle sub-systems
The current OBD standard capable of providing real-time data and a standardised series of diagnostic trouble codes.
Most often used by EcuTek in the context of the manufacturer of the car being modified, and specifically its 'OEM' (factory) engine management maps
A control mechanism that does not observe the output of the process it controls, but instead computes its input on the basis of current state and its integral model
As the name suggests, different rev limits can be set for individual gears
Fuel injection into the air inlet port rather than the combustion chamber - as with Direct Injection
An undesirable method of tuning whereby various factory-standard engine-management ECU input and output signals are 'hijacked' or manipulated by a third-party device in order to 'deceive' the ECU
The disabling of individual fuel injectors to help pinpoint cylinder faults
Everything the EcuTek Tuner needs - hardware, software, licence key and documentation - to successfully tune using ProECU
The hardware and software that Master Tuners purchase from EcuTek and sell on to retail customers for their own, non-commercial use, together with the relevant vehicle ROM files.
The vehicle-specific software needed to produce tuned ROM files. Tuning Suites are ‘trade only’ tools that allow ECU calibrations to be altered (for a wide range of tuning requirements) then programmed into the factory ECU using the ProECU Programming Kit
Additional and enhanced features for OEM vehicle ECUs tuned with EcuTek tuning tools, which bring increased tuning and driving capabilities such as Map Switching, Flat-Foot Shifting, Valet Mode and more. RaceROM features are included in the cost of the relevant Tuning Suite
The EcuTek code and data applied to an ECU ROM file before it is programmed into a vehicle ECU
A type of computer data storage (usually volatile as it needs constant power) in integrated circuit form that allows data to be read or written in almost the same amount of time regardless of its physical location within the memory
Rich Best Torque
A company appointed by EcuTek to exclusively sell and support EcuTek products in a specific country or defined territory; receives support directly from EcuTek
Receives support from the EcuTek Regional Tuner chosen to be their 'parent' tuner who provides ROM file calibrations and tuning support, plus any EcuTek software required
Operating in the specific country or defined territory of the Regional Distributor, the Regional Tuner purchases software, hardware and Flash Licences from, and is supported by, that distributor
The engine management-controlled shutting-off of one or more cylinders in a predetermined sequence to achieve smoother rev limitation - especially in conjunction with Launch Control
In motor sport a moving (rather than standing) start to a race that reduces shock stresses on vehicle components; also an EcuTek RaceROM feature for the Nissan GTR
A type of non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices in which stored data can be modified only slowly, with difficulty or even not at all
RaceROM Boost Control
see RaceROM Feature File
Supercharger or Supercharging
The pressure differential across two points in a diesel particulate filter that determines pressure drop, and therefore the need for regeneration (clearing) of the filter
The calculation of engine load from manifold absolute pressure rather than mass air flow
Suction Direct Injection
The SD feature changes the way Mass Airflow is calculated: in SD mode the ECU disregards MAF sensor input and calculates Mass Airflow based on Engine Speed, Manifold Pressure and Air Temperature
A system utilizing a single exhaust driven turbocharger for an entire engine system.
The ideal air/fuel mixture ratio (of 14.7:1) to give complete combustion
A member of the EcuTek Tuner network who tunes customer vehicles using ProECU Tools and suitable tuned ROMs provided by a 'parent' EcuTek Tuner. There are two Sub-Dealer types: those who program only and those who create and edit ROMs using full Edit Software acquired from a parent dealer
A Nissan name for programmed double-declutching-style throttle 'blips' on gearbox downshifts – otherwise known as Autoblip in EcuTek-speak
Turbocharger or Turbocharging
Transmission Control Module
Traction Control System
The opening angle of the throttle butterfly valve, in degrees
The maximum allowed throttle valve opening angle in relation to RPM
The current torque produced by the engine, as calculated from MAF; the amount of torque available irrespective of Torque Demand
The torque demanded by the driver using the accelerator pedal; the driver input
The calculation of torque output from predetermined engine management data when there is no direct means of measuring it (ie with a dynamometer)
Pre-programmed data checks and comparisons built into some ECUs to detect and safeguard against errors, particularly those with road-safety implications
A business whose facilities and experience are deemed suitable by EcuTek to recalibrate engines with a ProECU Programming Kit and Tuning Suites, and which receives support directly from EcuTek
EcuTek multi-pack of tuning suites available from the EcuTek web store at a preferential price.
The EcuTek software required to tune a given car
A system utilizing two turbochargers for a single engine system. Twin-turbo setups can fall into the two basic categories or parallel operation and series (sequential) operation
Universal Serial Bus
An easily enabled low-power mode with torque, speed and distance settings that brings peace of mind when entrusting your vehicle to another person
A system based on anti-lock braking that senses a vehicle's loss of grip and impending wayward handling and applies individual brakes and adjusts engine power in order to correct it
The efficiency with which intake air is packed into the cylinders, expressed as a percentage - the higher the better
Adjusts the inlet and/or exhaust camshaft position relative to the current crankshaft position
A Honda system that improves petrol-engine volumetric efficiency by using two camshaft profiles, selecting between them by hydraulic means. Not to be confused with VVT
Nissan's petrol-engine valve-lift control system uses links varied by stepper motor to open intake valves, which allows continuous adjustment and optimisation of valve lift. Not to be confused with VTEC
Advances or retards the inlet or exhaust camshaft position relative to the current crankshaft position without changing either cam profile or valve lift
Toyota's petrol-engine variable-timing technology for inlet valves, featuring two-stage cam phasing under hydraulic control. Variants such as VVTL-i, Dual VVT-i, VVT-iE and Valvematic have since followed
The programmed cycling of a solenoid valve that applies positive pressure to the turbocharger wastegate actuator rod in order to control turbo speed
The boost-limiting valve of a turbocharger installation
The horsepower produced and measured at the driven wheels
Wide Open Pedal (100% accelerator pedal position)
Wide Open Throttle, throttle in the fully open position
The torque produced and measured at the driven wheels