| Many of today’s pickup owners are opting for programmable tuners to monitor and control basic engine performance without having to modify engine hardware. Using a gauge/tuner, it is possible to increase the typical diesel or gas engine’s horsepower up to 25 percent, or to boost fuel economy significantly.
Do you pull a trailer? Do you haul a heavy load? Would you like to use less fuel? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are a candidate for a tuner. A simple box in your pickup can do all this.
Engine performance tuners, known more generally as programmable gauge/tuners, are electronic devices used to manage engine performance. Consisting of a compact, dash- or windshield-mounted control panel with wire leads, gauge/tuners are connected to the engine's control module to regulate and monitor performance parameters, according to vehicle load requirements and the operator's desires.
Using a gauge/tuner, it is possible to increase typical diesel or gasoline engine horsepower as much as 25 percent, or to boost fuel economy. Generally speaking, a variety of horsepower settings (stock, tow, and performance) are available to accommodate various driving conditions. The selected setting is controlled and monitored by the gauge/tuner, offering the vehicle operator not only more power or economies, but also improved vehicle control via heads-up display of critical engine performance factors (water temp, oil temp, boost pressure). With some of the more sophisticated gauge/tuners, both horsepower and fuel mileage can be optimized simultaneously.
"I have always liked horsepower, so I have used Bully Dog gauge/tuners on my last two pickups: an '11 Ford Raptor 6.2L and an '06 Duramax 6.6L turbodiesel," said Kevin Johns of Hymark Farms in Aberdeen, Idaho. "Both are used for hauling and trailing a fifth-wheel RV and a big snowmobile trailer. I love the enhanced performance and the added torque and horsepower. Both vehicles tow better, shift better, and run a little cooler under load. What is surprising is that no matter how high the horsepower setting, using the gauge/tuner I have always gotten a little better fuel mileage, too—as much as 8 to 8½ percent more—even climbing grades with heavy loads."
More Advanced Systems
For example, Bully Dog's Triple Dog GT offers advanced programming and monitoring capabilities, including the ability to easily change settings, even on-the-fly while driving diesel vehicles. This system is the equivalent of four products in one: a vehicle engine tuner, function monitor, performance gauge, and diagnostic device, all in a single unit. In addition to significant horsepower and fuel economy gains, the GT provides a set of monitoring features and diagnostic functions for enhanced driving and safety.
For example, if someone is running in high-horsepower mode and engine coolant or lube oil temperatures begin to overheat, the GT will automatically recognize the condition and begin to lower the horsepower until the situation is corrected. The gauge/tuner will also alert the driver with a message on the panel display that notifies the driver what is happening and why (engine overheating, horsepower lowering).
Chris Russmann, president of performance parts distributor Cyclone Diesel Performance in Farmersville, Texas, says that advanced, programmable gauge/tuners such as the GT monitor four different engine operating levels simultaneously. "This protects the truck and driver," Russmann says. "For example, let's say you forgot to put it in "tow" mode and hooked onto your travel trailer. The gauge/tuner will automatically monitor engine operating conditions, such as overheating or excessive boost (in the case of a turbocharged engine), and automatically shift to the "tow" performance level. This not only protects the engine but also ensures the vehicle will operate efficiently and provide a more enjoyable trip."
What To Look For
When selecting a gauge/tuner, there are several criteria to consider. These include ease of installation, availability of a model that matches your vehicle's engine, automated monitoring, and control features (which provide maximum vehicle control and the capability to dial-in performance adjustments such as horsepower output on-the-fly).
To ensure performance and fuel economy are maximized, Bully Dog has a tool called Driving Coach available on some gauge/tuner models. Driving Coach is an on-screen feedback system that gives drivers specific tips about how to improve their driving habits in conjunction with their gauge/tuner capabilities to enhance fuel conservation while getting more efficient performance. This feature may prove highly valuable to commercial drivers with changing loads as well as those who use their pickups to tow an RV on weekends.
