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GDE old non-compliant tune / going to compliant and back
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FYI, I did exactly this in early 2021, after updating with the latest firmware on my AutoCal. The sequence of events went like this:
1) Emissions testing was coming due, so I finally went to the GMC dealer after getting probably 10 recall mailer cards and finally let them complete the recall. The dealer flashed the updated OEM tune on it. Drove truck home on the OEM tune with GDE's trans tune, it felt like a laggy farm tractor compared to GDE's engine tune, but at least it still shifted good
2) Updated the AutoCal, bought GDE's "compliant" settings for an additional $50 fee. Even though it was only used for a week or so, It was worth it to me, I hated the stock settings that much plus I wanted to be on record has having purchased the "legal" settings. Saved the latest GM settings, then flashed it with the GDE compliant settings to pass emissions, as the shop does have to plug in to the OBD port to check emissions readiness monitors.
Drove the truck for awhile with the compliant settings to reset the monitors. The truck drove the same with the compliant settings (as far as I could casually tell) as it did with the older non compliant settings, and far better than stock. I was impressed by this, well done GDE!
3) Passed emissions on the compliant settings, flashed it back to the older non compliant settings. I plan to do this little dance until the end of time. VW was kind enough to automate the process and look what that got them
All kidding aside, it sucks about the EPA crackdown, but GDE still offers a compliant product that greatly improves the 2.8 driving experience. I do prefer the older settings as they turn off EGR.
Not too shabby. Driving is mostly on mountain 2 lane highways between 40 and 60 miles per hour. However, I make a regular trip from 8200 feet, down to about 6500, back up to 9000, and then all the way down to about 4500 feet. Then, I make the return trip. All told it is about 60 miles round trip.
On the trip from 9000 feet to 4500, it is a fairly steep grade. I use the engine brake on the trip down. With the tune it is a much better experience. The engine does not rev way up like it did before. The engine braking is much more controlled. It also slows it down more, sometimes more than I want.
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On the trip from 9000 feet to 4500, it is a fairly steep grade. I use the engine brake on the trip down. With the tune it is a much better experience. The engine does not rev way up like it did before. The engine braking is much more controlled. It also slows it down more, sometimes more than I want.
About 425 miles since tuned, I have set a new personal fuel economy record. My previous best for 450 was 31.7 and that included almost all interstate driving. This new record was with no interstate driving. There were a lot of hills and typical speeds ranged from 40 to 60 mph. However, while not interstate, there is not much stop and go driving on my regular route. My previous last 450 under the same driving conditions as the 33.3 was 26.5, which is an “apples to apples” comparison. I am planning a long interstate trip next month. I am looking forward to seeing how well it does then.
This (33.3 mpg) is almost as good as my wife’s Subaru crosstrek but she drives with a heavy foot. On the same routes she is usually at 35 mpg. I’m a more conservative driver than her. I’m sure it would be a little higher if I was driving her car. (She doesn’t like me driving her car or how I drive. I wish there was a way she could be a passenger of herself...)
It is still less costly to drive her car but not enough to park the Canyon again unless the disparity between diesel and gas widens again.
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This (33.3 mpg) is almost as good as my wife’s Subaru crosstrek but she drives with a heavy foot. On the same routes she is usually at 35 mpg. I’m a more conservative driver than her. I’m sure it would be a little higher if I was driving her car. (She doesn’t like me driving her car or how I drive. I wish there was a way she could be a passenger of herself...)
It is still less costly to drive her car but not enough to park the Canyon again unless the disparity between diesel and gas widens again.
Interesting. It has been awhile, but I hand calculated about 10 tanks of fuel and the DIC figure was a little optimistic, but not that big of a difference, about 1 to 1.5 MPG or so. This is with the older non compliant settings.
I also get "fuel points" as the station is connected with our grocery store. As a result, fill it to the brim every time because I am a cheap SOB, which should make the mileage calcs consistent. There is about 2.8 gallons from first click to filling it to the brim, which involves rocking the truck to burp out the last bit of air from the tank. Ya, I am insane, but 75 cents to a dollar off a gallon adds up
I am about 900 miles since tuned and am seeing a little over 5mpg improvement. Next tank I will hand calculate and report back.
“There is about 2.8 gallons from first click to filling it to the brim, which involves rocking the truck to burp out the last bit of air from the tank. Ya, I am insane, but 75 cents to a dollar off a gallon adds up”
I do this as well but don’t rock it. I just fill really slow after the first click and get about 2 gallons more.
“There is about 2.8 gallons from first click to filling it to the brim, which involves rocking the truck to burp out the last bit of air from the tank. Ya, I am insane, but 75 cents to a dollar off a gallon adds up
”I do this as well but don’t rock it. I just fill really slow after the first click and get about 2 gallons more.
Haha, I do the same thing, I consider it the challenge of the day
The usual is 2.5 gallons filling slow, rock it, get another .3. I don't always rock it though, depends on the amount of fuel point savings and if anyone is watching, as it kind of embarrasses meI am about 900 miles since tuned and am seeing a little over 5mpg improvement. Next tank I will hand calculate and report back.
“There is about 2.8 gallons from first click to filling it to the brim, which involves rocking the truck to burp out the last bit of air from the tank. Ya, I am insane, but 75 cents to a dollar off a gallon adds up
I do this as well but don’t rock it. I just fill really slow after the first click and get about 2 gallons more.
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