VF Tuner ECU/TCU Tuning for the GX550

[VF Tuner]

Yes that is the best way to think of it. Our tune = the new "tune from Lexus". The car acts just like it normally would, but with more power everywhere.

The problem with making map switching by the dials / in cabin options is that lets say someone wants "eco" to be 87 octane tune and "sport" to be their 93.
What happens if they swap to sport and still have 87 in the tank because they forgot?
not good.

 

[rocksallday]

So here's where I think things get messy -
I understand octane / performance tunes that modify potential engine output.
But the Lexus modes affect more than just engine and shift points-
they affect gas pedal response, steering response, suspension damping, AC eco mode and trailer break controller (and rear sensors).
Which means, when I want Eco I want the car to be in Eco mode, not just the MPG engine tune, and when I want Tow or Sport, I also want the car to be in those modes, not just the engine tune. This makes sure the suspension, steering, AC and trailer breaking are also behaving properly.
I mean I don't expect to see faults or anything, but if I'm in the Tow tune in Comfort mode, I think there's no output to the trailer break controller, so I really need to be in Tow mode while in Tow tune.
And I want the stiffer suspension in Sport mode and the Eco AC in Eco mode, so I really do expect the Lexus mode to be aligned with the 'tune' mode.
So now I'm wondering if the VF tune shift points are calibrated assuming the Lexus mode is also adjusted accordingly, or not.

I totally agree with what VF said that changing octane shouldn't be tied to a Lexus mode. The Lexus mode always resets to Normal/Eco what starting. It can get really messy if the mode also changes the Octane.

 

[Ctprelude]

So here's where I think things get messy -
I understand octane / performance tunes that modify potential engine output.
But the Lexus modes affect more than just engine and shift points-
they affect gas pedal response, steering response, suspension damping, AC eco mode and trailer break controller (and rear sensors).
Which means, when I want Eco I want the car to be in Eco mode, not just the MPG engine tune, and when I want Tow or Sport, I also want the car to be in those modes, not just the engine tune. This makes sure the suspension, steering, AC and trailer breaking are also behaving properly.
I mean I don't expect to see faults or anything, but if I'm in the Tow tune in Comfort mode, I think there's no output to the trailer break controller, so I really need to be in Tow mode while in Tow tune.
And I want the stiffer suspension in Sport mode and the Eco AC in Eco mode, so I really do expect the Lexus mode to be aligned with the 'tune' mode.
So now I'm wondering if the VF tune shift points are calibrated assuming the Lexus mode is also adjusted accordingly, or not.

I totally agree with what VF said that changing octane shouldn't be tied to a Lexus mode. The Lexus mode always resets to Normal/Eco what starting. It can get really messy if the mode also changes the Octane.

I think that's why he was saying they are leaning away from using the drive mode selector as any sort of switch between tunes/maps. As you said, the purpose of those is more changing response/shift points/steering/suspension, so I don't think anyone would want to ultimately mess with that if it's possible to just designate some other button to do the same thing and then still be able to adjust the other ride parameters however you like.

 

[Ctprelude]

Also I finally received my CAN connector and flashed yesterday with no issues after I had a couple clarifying questions answered. I did the 91 with trans tune since we don't have 93 locally and initial impression is I feel it's difficult to notice a huge difference in performance. I do think it feels like there is now a quick surge of power that wasn't there before higher up in the RPM range, but not sure I can really tell down lower. I'll need to do a lot more driving though to really tell for sure.

I have also been using a Banks Pedal Monster for multiple months at this point prior to the tune and have left it at the same setting and seems to still be about perfect for me. I'd highly recommend it for anyone that really likes their vehicle to respond quickly to throttle input.

 

[rocksallday]

I think that's why he was saying they are leaning away from using the drive mode selector as any sort of switch between tunes/maps. As you said, the purpose of those is more changing response/shift points/steering/suspension, so I don't think anyone would want to ultimately mess with that if it's possible to just designate some other button to do the same thing and then still be able to adjust the other ride parameters however you like.

so to (hopefully) close the issue - I assume the Tow tune would have the correct shift points such that it works best when the car is in Tow mode and the MPG tune would have the correct shift points such that it works best when the car is in Eco mode, which brings us to the Performance tune - should it be calibrated to have the best shift points when in Normal or when in Sport mode?

 

[munkeeboi]

Still not quite there. Here's a Volume knob and Equalizer analogy since the TOW/MPG modes are leading to confusion. (I think those were VF tuner nomenclature for an Octane tune, i.e. 87 octane = MPG tune). To date, VF tuner has only released 3 different tunes based on Octane and available with/without a separate transmission tune.

The aftermarket Tune is like the volume knob - Think of the tune as upgrading the car's entire sound system and turning up the master volume. It fundamentally changes what the engine is capable of by safely increasing boost pressure, optimizing ignition timing and adjusting Air-fuel ratios. Every single mode get a power boost.

The factory mode selectors are the Equalizer Presets - Think of the drive modes as your equalizer settings (bass boost, jazz, vocal, acoustic). The factory buttons still change the personality of the car - how sensitive the gas pedal is, how stiff the suspension feels and how quickly the transmission shifts.

The factory logic still works over the aftermarket tune and changes how the vehicle feels rather than what it is capable of.

I have the 91 tune installed but still drive in eco mode to manage mpg's. If I wanted a little more pep, moving to sport mode makes the same noticeable difference as it does when it is stock.

 

[MallCrawlerGX]

@VF Tuner I’m getting Lexus TSB L-SB-0042-25 Rev2 done for the 2-1 downshift. If I flash the current 87 OTS + transmission tune afterward, is that tune based on the updated 8A2106022200 calibration and does it retain the Lexus TSB changes?

 

[VF Tuner]

@VF Tuner I’m getting Lexus TSB L-SB-0042-25 Rev2 done for the 2-1 downshift. If I flash the current 87 OTS + transmission tune afterward, is that tune based on the updated 8A2106022200 calibration and does it retain the Lexus TSB changes?

If you get your ECU updated please DO NOT flash your vehicle again with a tune until after you email us with your new updated calibration ID, post update. You will need new version tunes.

 

[munkeeboi]

Our AGM battery tunes should be ready next week.
We built an entire voltage management tool into the software that references ODYSSEY batteries exact voltage regulation guide to ensure 100% perfect voltage control.

We will need to know which battery you have

How hard would it be to do an AGM battery profile for the Interstate (Costco) AGM battery?

 

[JoeMing]

@VF Tuner any idea on when the app will work on IOS?

 

[VF Tuner]

We now have a dramatically easier GX550 Can Connect harness.
If you have an australian car please email us so we can confirm the connector exists on your vehicle.

All future GX kits can get this CAN Connect.
If you have a current can connect and you want one, we can provide it to you for material cost + shipping.

 

[Mu3rte]

What is the difference, and how exactly do we get one?

 

[PTT]

@VF Tuner I’m getting Lexus TSB L-SB-0042-25 Rev2 done for the 2-1 downshift. If I flash the current 87 OTS + transmission tune afterward, is that tune based on the updated 8A2106022200 calibration and does it retain the Lexus TSB changes?

Is there any reason that you are not getting a newer (I suppose) calibration in the L-SB-0013-26?. Or they are calibration for different things?

 

[PTT]

VF Tuner posted on March 5th that "We are also working on a bootloader that will enable faster flashing, ECU Locking, and eventually custom tuning can be done via OBD, without the CAN connect at all."

And the current listing of the tuning kits for GX550 seems to exclude the CAN connect cable (it says that connection cable is listed separately, listing snip below). Does it mean that we have reached the point that tuning (reading/ flashing) no longer requires a CAN connect cable?

 

[MallCrawlerGX]

Is there any reason that you are not getting a newer (I suppose) calibration in the L-SB-0013-26?. Or they are calibration for different things?

AI may have given me the wrong number. It supposed to be the TSB update for the transmission hard 2-1 shift

 

[pwells89]

@VF Tuner my wife ordered the kit in April as a Father's Day gift in June. IT STILL HAS NOT ARRIVED AND NO NOTICE SENT! WTF? I've sent multiple emails asking the same question with NO REPLY, again WTF?

 

[rocksallday]

Is there any reason that you are not getting a newer (I suppose) calibration in the L-SB-0013-26?. Or they are calibration for different things?

OP was referring to the 2->1 hard downshift TSB, you posted the vibration at idle TSB.

 

[monsieurvo]

We now have a dramatically easier GX550 Can Connect harness.
If you have an australian car please email us so we can confirm the connector exists on your vehicle.

All future GX kits can get this CAN Connect.
If you have a current can connect and you want one, we can provide it to you for material cost + shipping.

Email sent

 

[VF Tuner]

@VF Tuner my wife ordered the kit in April as a Father's Day gift in June. IT STILL HAS NOT ARRIVED AND NO NOTICE SENT! WTF? I've sent multiple emails asking the same question with NO REPLY, again WTF?

?? can you PM me the order number please? in April!? Please PM me the order number right away