Bench tuning is one of the ways we get at your vehicle’s software. Instead of connecting through the diagnostic port, we remove the ECU from the car and connect to its circuit board directly. Once the file is written, the ECU goes back in and everything is refitted as we found it.
Why it is sometimes necessary
Manufacturers increasingly lock the software so it cannot be read or written through the OBD port. On those vehicles the bench route is the only way to do the job properly. It is common on newer models and on certain ECU families.
What it means for you
- It takes longer. Allow most of the day rather than an hour or two.
- It is all done in house. Your ECU does not get posted anywhere.
- The end result is the same custom written file, held on record for your lifetime software support.
We will tell you at the enquiry stage which method your vehicle needs, so there are no surprises when you drop the car off.