Some questions on tuners

[Dr. Zaius]

Do you actually have to upload another tune every time that you want to tow or do you simply switch to tow mode and use the modified tune that was uploaded earlier?

Load the Tow tune.

It only takes a couple of minutes.

Sponsored

 

[IdahoRanger]

Do you actually have to upload another tune every time that you want to tow or do you simply switch to tow mode and use the modified tune that was uploaded earlier?

Need to switch to the tow tune. The performance tune is not made for towing.

 

[Frenchy]

Do you actually have to upload another tune every time that you want to tow or do you simply switch to tow mode and use the modified tune that was uploaded earlier?

If running a performance tune that is not certified for towing, you need to switch to a tow tune or stock. I myself simply ran the Livernoise Tow Tune whether I was telling or not and simply turned on the Tow Mode when driving in mountains or towing

 

[TerryW]

If running a performance tune that is not certified for towing, you need to switch to a tow tune or stock. I myself simply ran the Livernoise Tow Tune whether I was telling or not and simply turned on the Tow Mode when driving in mountains or towing

That may be how the "tunes" are marketed, but in reality, there is only one tune in the ECM and the entire range of driving conditions and octanes can be included in one file and that is uploaded just once. The ECM only uses one file, which was many different tables that can all be simultaneiously optimized, soup-to-nuts and used in the one file. I'm struggling to understand why this is not common knowledge in the Ecoboost community ...

 

[Frenchy]

That may be how the "tunes" are marketed, but in reality, there is only one tune in the ECM and the entire range of driving conditions and octanes can be included in one file and that is uploaded just once. The ECM only uses one file, which was many different tables that can all be simultaneiously optimized, soup-to-nuts and used in the one file. I'm struggling to understand why this is not common knowledge in the Ecoboost community ...

What you need to understand is how the Ranger is. It's not a F150, Tacoma, Frontier or a Colorado. The way the Ranger is from the Factory is simple. On the Stock Tube it has maps from the Factory to accept fuel as low as 87 Octane while being able to add a bit more power with higher Octane Fuel. Keep in mind that Ford states to use Premium Fuel when Towing.

The Tow Mode does not change the Fuel and Ignition Tables, but instead change the Transmission Shift Strategy and Load Sensing.

For Livernoise they have 3 types of tunes. Low octane performance, high octane performance and tow tune. The Tow Tune is similar to the OEM tune with more available power on the table regardless of what octane you are using(87-93). Low octane performance(87-89) has way more available performance than the Tow Tune and is not meant for Towing. The high octane performance(90-93) is like the low octane performance tune but for higher octane.

Now yes you can throw tow mode on any of those tunes, but it doesn't mean that you can tow safely with any of the tunes. Not hard to understand. Don't like it? Well tough shit.

 

[TerryW]

What you need to understand is how the Ranger is. It's not a F150, Tacoma, Frontier or a Colorado. The way the Ranger is from the Factory is simple. On the Stock Tube it has maps from the Factory to accept fuel as low as 87 Octane while being able to add a bit more power with higher Octane Fuel. Keep in mind that Ford states to use Premium Fuel when Towing.

The Tow Mode does not change the Fuel and Ignition Tables, but instead change the Transmission Shift Strategy and Load Sensing.

For Livernoise they have 3 types of tunes. Low octane performance, high octane performance and tow tune. The Tow Tune is similar to the OEM tune with more available power on the table regardless of what octane you are using(87-93). Low octane performance(87-89) has way more available performance than the Tow Tune and is not meant for Towing. The high octane performance(90-93) is like the low octane performance tune but for higher octane.

Now yes you can throw tow mode on any of those tunes, but it doesn't mean that you can tow safely with any of the tunes. Not hard to understand. Don't like it? Well tough shit.

You were doing so well right up to your last question and statement.

 

[Frenchy]

You were doing so well right up to your last question and statement.

So you think putting Tow Mode on magically makes it safe to Tow regardless of tune? If so go right ahead and blow up your truck. We on the other hand will be sitting by with popcorn

 

[TerryW]

The truck is "tuned" from the factory and has tow mode from the factory. Are you saying that the factory tow mode is going to blow the truck up? Of course not, so what are you really trying to say?

 

[Frenchy]

The truck is "tuned" from the factory and has tow mode from the factory. Are you saying that the factory tow mode is going to blow the truck up? Of course not, so what are you really trying to say?

I'm saying that if you have a Performance Tune on the truck that isn't certified for Towing and you decided to Tow with it installed, then yes you have the high potential to blow the engine. That is where you are misunderstanding. The Tow Button does not change the power in the Engine. It only changes the Transmission Shift Strategy.

 

[got3fords]

I'm saying that if you have a Performance Tune on the truck that isn't certified for Towing and you decided to Tow with it installed, then yes you have the high potential to blow the engine. That is where you are misunderstanding. The Tow Button does not change the power in the Engine. It only changes the Transmission Shift Strategy.

I hardly ever tow, and when I do it's a small utility trailer. But I would like to understand what you are presenting. Are you saying running a performance tune and hitting the tow button is suboptimal for serious towing?

 

[Frenchy]

I hardly ever tow, and when I do it's a small utility trailer. But I would like to understand what you are presenting. Are you saying running a performance tune and hitting the tow button is suboptimal for serious towing?

You can ask any Performance Tuner out there. Unless stated by the tuner that it is ok to Tow with said Tune, the. It is not ok to Tow with a Performance Tune. That is why you see a lot of Tuners like Livernoise offer a Tow Specific Tune instead of having you go back to Factory

 

[got3fords]

That is why you see a lot of Tuners like Livernoise offer a Tow Specific Tune instead of having you go back to Factory

You mean by pressing the tow button when in performance tune mode? Makes sense. i run the high octane Livernois tune and push the tow button quite often as I like the higher rev shifting. But not actually towing.

 

[Frenchy]

You mean by pressing the tow button when in performance tune mode? Makes sense. i run the high octane Livernois tune and push the tow button quite often as I like the higher rev shifting. But not actually towing.

Simply pressing the tow button to change the shift strategy to make driving easier even when not towing is something I did with my Ranger and I also do it with the work van. When you are actually Towing is when you need to make sure you have a Tow Tune like what Livernoise has or the Factory Tune(if you don't have a Tune that is certified for Towing)

 

[db_tanker]

So seeing this I decided to hit up Torrie. He stated that generally he does not suggest using his tune in any kind of towing - however my little trailer and King Quad (about 1800 lbs total - trailer and ATV) shouldn't be an issue.

I don't haul anything heavier than that. And if I did I would shift back to a stock tune since I didn't get a tow tune from him.

D

 

[got3fords]

You can ask any Performance Tuner out there. Unless stated by the tuner that it is ok to Tow with said Tune, the. It is not ok to Tow with a Performance Tune. That is why you see a lot of Tuners like Livernoise offer a Tow Specific Tune instead of having you go back to Factory

I did try the Livernois tow tune at first, without actually towing, and it was way too aggressive for me. The Livernois performance tune with the occasional factory tow mode (push the button) is pretty decent.

Sponsored