Remapping FAQs
Are you thinking about remapping your vehicle, but have questions or concerns? You're not alone!
Remapping (also known as ECU tuning or chip tuning) is one of the most cost effective ways to safely unlock extra power, torque, and fuel efficiency from your engine - but there’s a lot of misinformation out there, and we're here to help!
To assist you in making an informed decision, we’ve compiled a FAQ - covering the top 10 need to know topics from safety and performance gains, to fuel economy and legality.
Read on to get the facts, and see why a professional remap from Optimal Automotive can transform your driving experience.
Can't see the answer to your question in our FAQ? Click the button to ask an expert.
Is remapping safe for my car?
Yes - remapping is safe, when done correctly by a professional. A high-quality ECU remap improves engine performance, but within safe operating limits and without disabling safety measures (such as EGT or torque limits). We always conduct a full pre-tuning health check before remapping, to ensure your vehicle is ready to be tuned. Poorly written remaps, cheap plug-in tuning boxes, or generic maps can cause issues - this is why we only provide software written specifically for your car. If you're still in doubt, we have owned a remapped vehicle that has covered around 60k miles in eight years with no problems whatsoever. 👉 Want a safe and reliable performance boost? Read our reviews to see what our customers say about our reliability.
How much BHP and torque will I gain from a remap?
The power and torque gains are specific to your engine, it's condition, the fuel used and any modifications or upgrades you have installed. We provide a Remap Calculator to give you an idea of the typical performance gain from our remaps, but please contact us for specific data. In many cases, we have actual dyno test results. 👉 Want to know the typical performance gain for your vehicle? Try our Remap Calculator on the Vehicle Stats page.
Will a remap affect my fuel economy?
A well written remap will be more fuel efficient than the factory calibration, in certain driving conditions. It is possible to experience average fuel economy improvements of 5-20%, but many factors contribute to what improvement your vehicle may actually produce. Turbo-diesel engines have the most potential for better returns, whilst high performance petrol engines are less so. 👉 Interested in better fuel economy. Send us a message to discuss potential savings at the pump.
Can a remap be reversed?
Yes, in most cases! If you ever need to return your car to its stock software (e.g. selling the car, warranty work), in most cases, we can safely revert your ECU back to its original settings. Where an original file was read from your ECU, we can use this to restore the original calibration. Or we can look at sourcing an "ori" file to accomplish the same task. 👉 Need to go back to stock? Click the Ask A Question button at the top of this page.
Will a remap void my warranty or insurance?
We advise checking with your warranty provider, before making any modifications or upgrades to your vehicle. Most manufacturer warranties will be impacted, and service center tools will automatically identify any ECU software changes. For insurance, it’s essential to declare your remap, or you risk invalidating your cover. Many mainstream insurers allow remapped cars without major cost increases, but you may be better off talking to a dedicated modified car insurance broker. 👉 Want to remap without issues? Talk to us for expert guidance.
How much does a remap cost?
At Optimal Automotive, we operate a completely transparent pricing policy. We're definitely not the cheapest provider, but given our superior quality and exceptional customer service, we believe our remaps to be excellent value for money. Stage 1 remaps start from £299, with various upgrades and add-ons available at affordable prices. All of our remaps include a pre-tuning health check far exceeding industry standards, live data logging, and optional dyno testing, ensuring top-tier results. Flexible payment options are available from PaymentAssist. 👉 Visit the ECU Remapping page of our website for prices, or click the Book A Remap button at the bottom of this FAQ.
What’s the difference between a Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 remap?
Stage names are supposed to help demystify remapping, but can often lead to confusion as they are not standardised across the industry. Here's our take on stage names - but please be aware, that other companies may have different definitions. Stage 1 Remap – A performance remap for vehicles with no engine modifications, giving safe and reliable gains over the factory figures. This can be "off-the-shelf" or a custom tune. A stage 1 remap is our most popular product. Stage 1+ Remap - A slightly tweaked version of the stage 1 remap, we find works especially well with DPF deletes or decat pipes (off-road use only). Stage 2 Remap – A stronger tune designed for lightly modified cars, usually requiring intake, intercooler and exhaust upgrades. This can be "off-the-shelf" or a custom tune. Stage 3 Remap – Intended for vehicles with larger or hybrid turbos, supercharged vehicles with uprated pulleys, aftermarket fuelling or performance camshafts. With modifications such as these, we would only offer custom tuning. 👉 Not sure which type of remap you need? Send us an enquiry.
How long does a remap take?
The industry standard for a remap is 45-60 minutes, but the Optimal Automotive approach is far more comprehensive and is typically 2-3 hours. We do not cram in cars back to back, and focus on quality rather than quantity. Every remap includes a full pre-tuning health check, on-road data logging, and you have the option to add-on dyno testing, We hear stories from our customers about many unscrupulous remappers, but you can be assured that we will not remap an unsuitable vehicle, and we will always provide an honest and authentic service. 👉 Want a same-day remap? Use our quick and simple online booking system to pick your date!
Can I remap my car myself?
Technically, yes - but it’s not recommended. Plug-in tuning boxes and mobile phone app based flashers, typically fall very short of the claimed performance. There are some very good tuning boxes available (and some very good phone solutions for BMW vehicles), but most car owners do not have the diagnostic equipment to perform a pre-tuning or post-tuning health check, which can lead to a bad experience. We use professionally developed, proven remaps designed specifically for your car’s ECU, ensuring safe and optimal performance. If you choose our dyno testing add-on, you will get a record of the performance improvement your car achieved on the day. 👉 Don’t risk DIY tuning - get a professional remap today! Click the Get A Quote button.
Will a remap damage my engine or turbo?
A high-quality remap won’t damage your engine or transmission, provided your vehicle is correctly maintained, fault free and uses the appropriate fuel for the level of tuning chosen. It is also very important that the technician is highly skilled, follows best practice at all times. We always conduct a thorough pre-tuning health check, to try to identify any potential issues, but there is always a small element of inherent risk in tuning an engine for more power. Bad remaps (often from cheap tuners or tuning boxes) can push the engine too hard, and may lead to premature wear and tear or even engine failure. At Optimal Automotive we only offer safe and proven remaps, and always do our best to identify vehicles unsuitable for tuning. 👉 Want a professional remap with? Click the Book A Remap button.