Everybody’s dream is to have a fast and powerful car that you can ride on empty countryside roads. However, today is also important to find effective ways to increase the mileage and energy use of our cars. While it is great to own a high-performance power, many buyers feel the need for a good balance between speed and efficiency.
But are performance chips really the answer to these questions? They are easily available and they can be mounted by anyone, but today there is a different point of view on whether they work or they only decrease the stability and future value of your car.
Let’s have a look at what performance chips are, how they work, and if they are really worth mounting in your brand new car!
What Is a Performance Chip?
Modern cars are controlled by a ‘chip’ installed by the manufacturer to increase gas mileage and car efficiency. They ensure that the CO2 emissions created by the model meet the government standards. This makes the car safe to drive and valuable.
However, the chips installed by a manufacturer limit the speed and horsepower of the car. This is the way the chips are able to maintain the car’s constant efficiency. By cutting some of the power that goes through the engine, your car will be stable, but slower.
Performance chips are also called tuning chips or Super-chips. They can be found in stores or online and mounted within the bonnet of your car. Their main use is to alternate speed and power parameters in order for your car to be more responsive and fast. They work by increasing the power and fuel to the engine and ultimately increase the car’s horsepower. However, this limits the miles you will be able to drive with the same amount of fuel.
The chip is inserted under the bonnet of the car, replacing the standard car company model.
They override the company program to give you more power, torque or engine power.
Do Performance Chips Really Work?
Depending on the quality of the chip you have decided to buy, you will have different performance. Some chips are created to increase horsepower, while others to increase mileage.
While there is an increasing variety on the market, there is also a debate on whether they actually work and what is the damage that your car will suffer if you decide to install one. Having a basic understanding of the pros and cons of these mechanisms can help you decide whether this is the right choice for you.
Here we will have a look at the main factors that can influence the decision of installing one into your car.
Why Do You Want to Use a Performance Chip?
Historically, Super-chips was used to tune up cars and increase their power and speed. They can also increase the accelerator reaction, allowing you to reach faster speeds in less time. These computers also have the power to control the fuel-to-air ratio and turbo boost. Some manufacturers claim that their chips can help you increase your engine’s power by 35 horsepower and more. This should also happen in both gas and diesel motors.
However, today these chips are also used to increase the stability of cars and lower the power that goes to the engine. This is often preferred as it allows drivers to increase the mileage and the efficiency of their vehicles. Products such as Innovative Performance Chip are computer-controlled chips that claim to increase +5 MPG in fuel mileage, as well as horsepower and safety of your car.
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Installation and Cost
If you are an expert, these chips can be installed in less than 15 minutes and require almost no tools. If you need guidance, YouTube tutorials can help you fix your car with a Superchip in minutes. They can be installed easily by removing a cover under your bonnet and replacing the existing chip with a new one.
You will then be able to adjust the parameters through an easy-to-use computer. Some chips can cost up to $600 while, for the drivers on a budget, some can be found for $300. Online it is possible to buy chips for $20 or $15, but they are often known to lower the efficiency and safety of your car. In this case, it is recommended to buy a chip that is made for your specific car model and can be removed easily.
The Pros of Using a Performance Chip
The pros of using performance chips are many, and any driver is installing one for different reasons. Here are the most common benefits of swapping your car’s chips with a Super-chip.
Increased Speed and Power
The Superchips reprograms your engine to eliminate all the limitations to its performance. You will notice your motor to be boosted and it is recommended to perform a test drive before and after swapping the chips. In specific car models, it is recommended to change the chip as they are more prone to these changes.
Increased Acceleration
Superchips are designed to increase your maximum speed limit, but not only that. By installing a super-chip you will notice a change in the acceleration process of your car. You will be able to achieve faster speed in less time. This sudden responsiveness can be overwhelming at first, but once you are used to it, you will be able to notice improvements in your driving experience. This happens as the chips also control ignition, transmission, and stabilisation systems of the car.
The Cons of Using a Performance Chip
Chips Will Void Your Warranty and Increase Insurance
Since you have modified your car’s systems, the warranty that was provided with the vehicle will no longer apply. This is one of the main downsides of applying a performance chip as, if your car is new or represented a major investment for you, you might be in danger of losing your capital.
Moreover, a car that can now go faster, that has more power and acceleration will require a higher insurance premium. This is something that any driver should be taken into consideration, especially in regard to a new car. Insurance can already be representing a high cost, which can be increased by the new chip and add up to the cost of the car and the chip itself.
Increased Fuel Consumption
Due to eliminating fuel restrictions, installing a performance chip will increase your car’s fuel consumption. This can represent a high investment for anybody that is using his car continuously or to commute. While some of the most modern chips claim to be able to increase fuel performance, this will show limitations on the power.
While some users have found that it does, in fact, lowers mileage, the car is reported to feel unstable and unbalanced. This can damage your driving experience.
See also: Does the Muffler Affect the Fuel Consumption of Your Car?
Increased Fuel Emissions
Decreasing fuel emissions should be in any driver’s ultimate aim. The damage created by cars over the past years has been carrying on, and it has developed today into a global emergency. By applying a performance chip to your car, you will not be able to control the CO2 emissions created by your vehicle.
While this is potentially the most dangerous downside of applying a performance chip, you could also be denied access in a number of areas. An increasing number of city centres and restricted areas only allow low- emission vehicles to enter. If you are away from such areas and not planning to enter any main city in your car, it should not be a problem. However, this is something that any driver willing to modify their car should keep in mind.
Performance Chips Could Have an Effect on Your Car
Aside from creating a completely different driving experience that you were used to, chips might be damaging your car if not inserted properly. While if installed correctly, they could yield incredible performances, this is something to keep in mind when applying a Superchip.
In fact, if you have decided to swap your manufacturer’s chip for a new one on a brand new car, this could decrease the lifespan of your engine. Moreover, the car could feel highly unbalanced with time, as the new chip might not be calibrated specifically for that model.
Oppositely, if you are just tuning your old car, this could be a fun way to see it going faster than ever! In this case, you should not worry about the vehicle’s lifespan but bear in mind that it could be even more difficult to drive.
The Verdict
Applying a tuning chip to your car is an important decision, and any driver should research in depth the benefits and damages of applying one.
While it could be anybody’s dream to have a fast and booming car, such a vehicle might not be convenient to be driven within city centres of long trips. Moreover, while the chip itself can be fairly cheap, there are a number of associated costs that you should be aware of before committing.
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- By CarRoar