New and eager to go touring

[otherclive]

I once considered mapping a Mondeo diesel 1.8 TDI.. A bit of a rough engine with a propensity to smoke as you accelerated, and it was a new car. The options were fit a black box, or take it to a specialist for mapping the cars own electronics. The latter supposedly not discoverable by MOT testers or insurers. But in the end decided not to go ahead as the car did just fine towing and solo.

But since then modern diesels have become so much more sophisticated with Common Rail high pressure systems allied with multi point piezo injectors, and a raft of emission controls including DPF. If the manufacturer offers models of different power output ostensibly from the same engine that’s fine. But a third party option…….no thanks.

 

[Dustydog]

Not sure how an insurance company will know that an engine has been remapped?

They probably wouldn’t unless it’s a black box as described by Clive.

 

[Hutch]

They probably wouldn’t unless it’s a black box as described by Clive.

All that has to be done is connect a laptop, with the correct software, to the OBD connector and you can get the level of mapping from the ECU.
Depending on the severity off the accident would depend on how intensive the insurance assesors would go.

 

[Hutch]

I got my Previous Santa Fe remapped, by Angel Tunning, and the extra 45 ft / lbs of torque, was great for towing our 1645 kg van.
Gearbox changes ( auto) were smoother.

 

[RogerL]

Not sure how an insurance company will know that an engine has been remapped?

If they have reason to suspect it might me remapped, it would be relatively easy - just plug in a diagnostic computer into the OBD port and check the onboard computers.

 

[Buckman]

If they have reason to suspect it might me remapped, it would be relatively easy - just plug in a diagnostic computer into the OBD port and check the onboard computers.

If the car looks standard I wonder what would make them check to see if it has been remapped? After all it is highly unlikely a remap would cause an accident, but when applying you. are asked if the vehicle has had an modifications and the list is for physical attachments and not software updates.

 

[Dustydog]

Whilst we are playing with semantics 😉 it is worth highlighting this question from my Aviva proposal form:-

Has the vehicle been converted ,adapted or modified in any way?

I imagine most other motor insurers will ask a similar question.

 

[Buckman]

Whilst we are playing with semantics 😉 it is worth highlighting this question from my Aviva proposal form:-

Has the vehicle been converted ,adapted or modified in any way?

I imagine most other motor insurers will ask a similar question.

That question is on all proposals, but in the drop down list there is no reference to software. Our vehicle gets updates from time to time and other vehicles get regular updates so the software is never the original and has been modified. If a second owner how will you know that the vehicle has been remapped?

I think any insurance company who tries to reject a claim due to a vehicle have the software modified / remapped will be on very shaky ground?

 

[RogerL]

That question is on all proposals, but in the drop down list there is no reference to software. Our vehicle gets updates from time to time and other vehicles get regular updates so the software is never the original and has been modified. If a second owner how will you know that the vehicle has been remapped?

I think any insurance company who tries to reject a claim due to a vehicle have the software modified / remapped will be on very shaky ground?

I think that's wishful thinking - good luck with any future claims if that's your plan.

 

[Buckman]

I think that's wishful thinking - good luck with any future claims if that's your plan.

What makes you think I want to modify the or remap the engine in our cars?

 

[otherclive]

If the car looks standard I wonder what would make them check to see if it has been remapped? After all it is highly unlikely a remap would cause an accident, but when applying you. are asked if the vehicle has had a modifications and the list is for physical attachments and not software updates.

Many modern cars, plus all new ones now being sold capture driving and engine data for subsequent analysis if required. See recent EU announcements. Those coming in or built in U.K. do the same but HMG haven’t declared any intent to do anything….. yet.

 

[RogerL]

Many modern cars, plus all new ones now being sold capture driving and engine data for subsequent analysis if required. See recent EU announcements. Those coming in or built in U.K. do the same but HMG haven’t declared any intent to do anything….. yet.

Car makers have been using the historical data stored in a car's electronics for some time, especially when validating warranty claims - it's not difficult to "clock" the displayed mileage on a car but impossible to change ALL the internal places where it's stored as some have found out to their cost.