Are you passionate about cars and want to turn that passion into a career? Becoming a car tuner may be the right path for you.
In this guide, we’ll explore the training, qualifications, and skills you need to enter the world of car tuning. We will cover the different types of tuning, the tools required, and how VIEZU can support you in starting your journey.
Introduction to Car Tuning
Car tuning involves tweaking a vehicle’s engine control unit (ECU) to improve its performance, efficiency or driveability. Tuners will adjust the settings of a vehicle’s ECU to improve its power, torque or fuel economy. To do this, car tuners need to understand automotive systems and vehicle software. They must also know how changes to an engine’s performance map affect a car’s behaviour on the road.
A car tuner’s role is to to customise these settings for clients and meet their specific needs. This could be anything from achieving faster lap times, gaining more fuel consumption or gaining a smoother drive. Car tuning is a technical skill, but can be extremely rewarding for those with an interest in automotive engineering.
Training and Qualifications for Car Tuning
Training
No strict entry requirements exist to become a car tuner, but relevant training is important. A Car tuner should have an understanding of the complexities of modern vehicles and their electronic systems. The path to becoming a tuner can vary, but there are a few common routes:
- Technical courses and workshops: Many tuners begin with courses that teach vehicle electronics, engine management systems, and basic tuning. Having a good understanding of mechanics is important. However, these specialised courses will provide the core knowledge you’ll need.
- Professional training programmes: Institutes like the VIEZU Technical Academy offer tailored training. They cover topics from ECU remapping to more advanced tuning methods. These programmes focus on practical skills and real-world uses. These skills are crucial when dealing with modern cars’ intricate electronic systems.
You don’t need a college degree, but you should consider attending focused tuning courses. Some tuners also complete apprenticeships to gain hands-on experience in garages or tuning shops. This lets you work with experts who can guide you through engine management and vehicle software details.
Certifications
Certifications aren’t strictly necessary to become a car tuner, but they can enhance your credibility. This is particularly important because clients expect assurance of quality.
IMI-approved centres like VIEZU offer courses that provide formal qualifications recognised across the industry. These certifications show potential customers that you meet professional standards, increasing your business’s trustworthiness.
Training progresses through several stages:
- Beginner: Learn the basics of engine mechanics and ECU operation.
- Intermediate: Focus on tools like Alientech KESS3 and Autotuner, learning how to read and write ECU files.
Advanced: Delve into highly specialised skills like creating custom tuning maps for specific customer needs.
What Are the Different Types of Car Tuning?
Performance Tuning
Performance tuning aims to increase the power output of a vehicle. This can include optimising air and fuel flow into the engine, improving exhaust systems, or adjusting turbo settings. Many performance tuners work on high-performance cars or motorsport vehicles. In this instance, drivers are looking to gain more horsepower and torque for racing or off-road use.
ECU Remapping
ECU remapping involves modifying the software that controls the engine’s performance. This can optimise various aspects like fuel efficiency, power output, and throttle response. ECU tuning and remapping is a common service offered by tuners. Car tuning applies to many types of vehicles, from everyday family cars to high-performance sports cars.
Fuel Economy Tuning
Fuel economy tuning is popular with diesel vehicles and commercial fleets. The focus is normally on reducing fuel consumption without sacrificing too much performance. This type of tuning requires an understanding of how to optimise a vehicle’s ECU for better efficiency. Therefore, gaining knowledge in managing torque delivery and fuel injection timing is important.
Software and Tools to Get Started
To start a car tuning business, you’ll need to be proficient with several key tools, for example:
- Alientech KESS3: A highly recommended tool for both OBD and bench tuning. This tool allows you to read and write ECU data on a wide range of vehicles, making it a staple for any tuner.
- Autotuner: Known for its speed and simplicity, Autotuner is another powerful tool for reading and writing ECU data.
- WinOLS: Known as one of the most advanced tools for ECU remapping. It allows you to create and edit tuning files with extreme precision.
- Dyno equipment: Essential for measuring performance changes and ensuring the accuracy of your tuning modifications.
If you are just starting your career in car tuning, we recommend our online courses or classroom tutorials. Here you will learn the ins and outs of these tools under expert supervision.
How Can VIEZU Help You Become a Car Tuner?
VIEZU has a strong reputation for providing top-tier training and ongoing support for aspiring car tuners. As an IMI-approved training centre, we offer a variety of courses to help you learn the skills needed to become a car tuner.
We host in-person training courses at our Warwickshire HQ in the UK. Here you will gain practical experience working with professional-grade tools. We also offer some of our courses worldwide. We will be delivering our WinOLS Diesel and Gasoline training at the 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Our courses cover everything from basic ECU remapping to advanced performance tuning. With over 15 years of experience, we are committed to helping you build your tuning business. We provide high-quality training, technical support, and giving you access to the latest tuning tools.
To learn more on starting your career as a car tuner, call us at +44 1789 774444 or email info@viezu.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Car Tuner Do?
A car tuner modifies the electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle to alter its performance characteristics. This can involve increasing power, improving fuel efficiency, or modifying how the car handles under different conditions.
Do I Need to Be Certified to Become a Car Tuner?
While certification isn’t mandatory, it can significantly boost your credibility and help attract clients. VIEZU offers certified training programs. These programs help you learn the skills and knowledge needed to tune vehicles. You will be able to do this safely and effectively.
How Can I Get Hands-On Experience?
Working with a professional tuner as an apprentice is an excellent way to gain practical experience. You can attend in-person training courses at VIEZU. You can also participate in live projects where we will help to build your skills and confidence.
