yes, they stopped replying about 730 last night eastern, I think they are mountain, and nothing at all today.
VF Tuner ECU/TCU Tuning for the GX550
- Thread starter VF Tuner
- Start date
Finally, got a chance to work on this. On page 4 of 5 of the CAN connect guide. Any tips on disconnecting the End Plug from the harness? I've tried using a screw driver and trim tool and can't dislodge the end plug from the harness to connect the CAN cable.
- Thread starter
- #204
Tomorrow we are releasing a software update that makes the flash process more robust, less likely to cause any communication interruptions that may require recovery mode.
It is important to note, while flashing you should turn off all major battery drains (head lights, radio on silent)
It is important to note, while flashing you should turn off all major battery drains (head lights, radio on silent)
That plug is hard to remove - hard to even get to it. I tried to use one of my tiny flat-head screwdrivers but it wasn't long enough to get in there, so I used a long screwdriver with the smallest flat-head tip I could find. I used a trim tool to kind of brace the clip because it's so wobbly and I jammed the screwdriver tip into the plastic and it eventually gave up the fight.
I am on my third full tank of gas since I installed the VF Tuner tune. My general observations from watching the instant mpg average gauge is that my mileage seems to have improved after installing the tune.
I just updated my spreadsheet. My mpg average after installing the Westcott lift and 35" tires was 14.50 mpg over a total of 13,172 miles driven. My mpg average after installing the tune is 15.40 mpg, albeit over only 1,072 miles. I'll keep tracking it as the post-tune miles wrack up.
One thing I have definitely noticed is that my higher-speed highway mileage has improved without a doubt. I can now set the cruise control at about 75 and watch the instant mpg average gauge slowly creep UP instead of down. Previous to the tune, any cruise control set above mid-60s resulted in the mpg average ticking down. Also note that 75 mpg indicated for me is a tick over 80 mpg actual due to the bigger tires. This could be the biggest benefit of the tune - I can run with traffic at 75 mph and actually see a mileage increase after adding more power!
I did a 200+ trip Friday - Saturday to and back from Lake Havasu City. I couldn't believe my eyes as I had adaptive cruise set at about 76 (in normal mode) for the 100-mile slog across the desert on the I-10 and the mpg average crept up into the 16s. I've only seen that once before. Temp was 100 in Phoenix and 105 in Havasu so AC is running non-stop with the auto temp set at 69 or 70. Two adult men in the truck and a few hundred pounds of gear.
Friday late afternoon I filled up the tank and I was at 16.56 mpg (an all time high). I reset the mpg average gauge on every fill up and I immediately drove about 10 highway miles to a desert wash, drove an hour or so in deep sandy and gravelly desert washes, camped for the night, and drove out in the morning. My indicated average was a horrible 8.0 mpg Saturday morning when I hit the pavement for the drive home. Then the 200 mile cruise home got me up to almost 14 mpg from 8.0 mpg!
I just updated my spreadsheet. My mpg average after installing the Westcott lift and 35" tires was 14.50 mpg over a total of 13,172 miles driven. My mpg average after installing the tune is 15.40 mpg, albeit over only 1,072 miles. I'll keep tracking it as the post-tune miles wrack up.
One thing I have definitely noticed is that my higher-speed highway mileage has improved without a doubt. I can now set the cruise control at about 75 and watch the instant mpg average gauge slowly creep UP instead of down. Previous to the tune, any cruise control set above mid-60s resulted in the mpg average ticking down. Also note that 75 mpg indicated for me is a tick over 80 mpg actual due to the bigger tires. This could be the biggest benefit of the tune - I can run with traffic at 75 mph and actually see a mileage increase after adding more power!
I did a 200+ trip Friday - Saturday to and back from Lake Havasu City. I couldn't believe my eyes as I had adaptive cruise set at about 76 (in normal mode) for the 100-mile slog across the desert on the I-10 and the mpg average crept up into the 16s. I've only seen that once before. Temp was 100 in Phoenix and 105 in Havasu so AC is running non-stop with the auto temp set at 69 or 70. Two adult men in the truck and a few hundred pounds of gear.
Friday late afternoon I filled up the tank and I was at 16.56 mpg (an all time high). I reset the mpg average gauge on every fill up and I immediately drove about 10 highway miles to a desert wash, drove an hour or so in deep sandy and gravelly desert washes, camped for the night, and drove out in the morning. My indicated average was a horrible 8.0 mpg Saturday morning when I hit the pavement for the drive home. Then the 200 mile cruise home got me up to almost 14 mpg from 8.0 mpg!
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While I'm waiting for the dongle to be licensed, do you guys think there's any harm in getting the CAN connect cable installed in zip tied in place?
no...I don't think so, It would save some time when you are ready to flash.
Plus as stated above, it gives you some time to figure out how to get the original plug out.
Plus as stated above, it gives you some time to figure out how to get the original plug out.
Nice. CAN Connect cable installed. Just waiting for OTS tune files now. Did we ever get a final word on if we're required to Read the ECU @VF Tuner? If not, will support be able to email me a stock calibration?
I don't think you have to read. I could not successfully read. I think they made some kind of update so it may work for you.....
I would like to receive a stock calibration to keep on file.
I would like to receive a stock calibration to keep on file.
If I can just flash and they can send a stock cal, I'd be good with that.
I'm trying to decide if I want to zip tie the WiFlash in place or not. If I go that route, I'm not sure if all functionality would still be present. For example, can I clear codes and log via the CAN connect interface of is that just for reading / flashing the ECU.
It would be nice to just leave the Wi-Flash connected to the CANBUS if everything will work that way. Saves me from having to take the car apart each time I have to do an update, log or clear codes
Well the 93 octane tune is applied.
Compared to the JB4 that I was running before, the power delivery is noticeably smoother. With the JB4, torque came on more "peaky" vs. a consistent "shove". Looking at the onboard boost guage, the engine is definitely running more boost compared to what I was seeing with the JB4. Noticeable improvement in shifting particularly on deceleration.
Like @Bluegill reported, the estimated MPG actually was higher when cruising on the highway (cruise control enabled).
Obviously need to give it more time, but so far initial impressions are very good.
On an interesting note, I answered my own question regarding if DTCs can be read / cleared via the CAN connect cable. You can. I did have to clear DTCs after flashing the ECU.
@VF Tuner it might be worth adding a DTC clear to end of the flashing process along the line of how AccessPort does it. There might be a technical reason why this isn't possible, but if it is, would make for a better user experience for anyone not used to flashing cars.
Compared to the JB4 that I was running before, the power delivery is noticeably smoother. With the JB4, torque came on more "peaky" vs. a consistent "shove". Looking at the onboard boost guage, the engine is definitely running more boost compared to what I was seeing with the JB4. Noticeable improvement in shifting particularly on deceleration.
Like @Bluegill reported, the estimated MPG actually was higher when cruising on the highway (cruise control enabled).
Obviously need to give it more time, but so far initial impressions are very good.
On an interesting note, I answered my own question regarding if DTCs can be read / cleared via the CAN connect cable. You can. I did have to clear DTCs after flashing the ECU.
@VF Tuner it might be worth adding a DTC clear to end of the flashing process along the line of how AccessPort does it. There might be a technical reason why this isn't possible, but if it is, would make for a better user experience for anyone not used to flashing cars.
Yes, they emailed me and were amazing. Went way above and beyond working with me to get it working great. I went with the 93 tune, which after a little research is the most common high test around here. I haven't driven it enough to really see what I am getting for mileage, initially it looked like a couple extra mpg, but I hit the highway tomorrow and will have a much better idea. However, there is a big kick in the butt when you step on it. Brings a smile to my face! I would definitely recommend it.
I had a little pic that I used to lift the tab up with, then bent it over with a flat head screwdriver. I used a bigger flat head to lever the white clip out of the hole it is inserted into. Damn hole is pretty freaking tight for my hands.
Yes. 100% yes.
You can identify the ECU and clear codes with the Wi-Flash connected to the CAN connect port. It's how I did it yesterday when I flashed my 93 tune. Given that it appears you can do everything via the CAN port, I zip tied the Wi-Flash in place and tucked the USB cable away on left side of footwell.
That way I don't have to regularly take the car apart.
It doesn't have to come from your own car. It's tied to the ECU revision number. As long as that matches you're good to go.
200 mile update. Mix of stop and go and highway driving. I can't convey how much smoother the power delivery is with the tune vs. what I was running before (stock cal with JB4 map 2). Initial tip in is sharper and the GX is more eager to go without feeling jumpy. The additional torque really masks the weight of the vehicle.
Shifts (both up and down) are crisper. For this reason alone it was worth it.
It's often overstated but the GX 550 now feels like how it should have come from the dealership. Granted Lexus would never do it because it frankly makes so much power now that it would step on the LX's toes.
Great job @VF Tuner!
Shifts (both up and down) are crisper. For this reason alone it was worth it.
It's often overstated but the GX 550 now feels like how it should have come from the dealership. Granted Lexus would never do it because it frankly makes so much power now that it would step on the LX's toes.
Great job @VF Tuner!
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