The Alientech Powergate 4 connect to the vehicle’s ECU or ‘brain’ with a laptop PC via the OBD (Onboard Diagnostic) socket, to take a read of the engine management file. This is then uploaded to our files team, who optimise the code and send it back to the dealer technician to reprogramme the ECU. On some vehicles it is necessary to physically remove the ECU so that it can be programmed on the bench. Tuning via OBD normally takes around an hour, on the bench slightly longer. The work can be carried out at one of Quantum’s offices, dealer premises, or at your home or place of work depending on location.

Quantum Files on Demand – or QFoD – is the first and only automated file processing system that automatically processes your original ECU read, matching it to modified files with options for DPF, EGR, NSL, etc. You will receive a custom and professionally tested tuned file in minutes.

Having already been given the affectionate handle “Mr QFoD”, our quite brilliant file autoresponder is a sophisticated system that provides proven modified files twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Quantum remapping enhances and optimises the power of the engine within safe limits. We are taking up the slack of the high tolerance level that vehicle manufacturers always build in – often to ensure that warranty claims are kept to an acceptable minimum. A good remap from a file writer who understands the strategy within the ECU will not allow the engine to get close to component failure.

Note that quality tuning companies offer very similar gains – so be wary of some with a lesser reputation, who appear to offer enormous power increases. The reality is that these claims are either simply untrue, or they are programming the ECU well outside of safe operating parameters. Every vehicle has a mechanical limit to the amount of power it can produce, so if it sounds too good to be true it generally is.

The technical team have decades of real experience behind them, and can guide you through all aspects of doing the remap, help with any difficulties and support when working with unfamiliar vehicles and processes.

When contacting support, please include all relevant vehicle details such as registration number, make, model, engine type and size, year of manufacture, etc. We are always here to help, but there is an equal level of expectation that you will investigate problems yourself to begin with by using the QVRM and tools available to you – which has the added benefit of building your own knowledge and experience.

FILES SUPPORT

The files team are on hand to answer any files queries you have, whether it’s information before doing the file, or helping resolve issues, or changes you require.

SUPPORT TICKETS

We have a ticketing support system, combined with an online chat for direct contact with any of the support team. You can raise a ticket by logging into www.qfiles.co.uk or sending an email to support@quantumtuning.co.uk

We have a team of file writers who are the absolute core of our business, and it is our intention to provide quality and service standards that are second to none. Unlike most of our competitors, we have invested in our files team, so that we have plenty of staff and you are not relying on one highly-stressed individual.

Once your file has been uploaded to qfod.co.uk, you can track its progress – which includes seeing who is carrying out the work. File turnaround is dependent on the current workload and how complex it is, and queries and requests inevitably lead to a longer return time. A file taken from a common vehicle will be returned to you within a few minutes, whilst those that require further customisation will take up to fifteen minutes. We will let you know if there is likely to be an unusually long delay.

We understand that some files will require a redo for legitimate tuning purposes. However, trying to repair a vehicle suffering from multiple problems through file tuning often ends up with endless attempts to try and fix it, with more and more codes being produced.

Redos are limited to two; after that, it will be flagged for detailed assessment by senior files writer, who may decide to close the job if it’s proving pointless.

There is great confusion about custom and generic files. Some of our more minor competitors use the word “custom” to describe what they offer without actually knowing what it means… so here are the definitions:

A generic file is one that has a tried and tested calibration created by a file writer who understands the ECU strategy. There is no need to change it, and it will have been successfully applied to thousands of vehicles with the same ECU. Should we receive a new original from an ECU of the same type, running the same strategy, the modification we apply is still deemed as a generic file.

A custom file is NOT created by changing the modifications of a generic file; rather, it is a conversion carried out with the car on a dyno, being mapped precisely to the customer’s instructions and based on hardware changes that require a different level of tune. Anyone who offers “custom tuning files” without a dyno is misrepresenting the term and should be avoided.

In the very rare instances of something going wrong, the priority is for the dealer to satisfy the customer, manage the situation, and see it through to a satisfactory conclusion. If the problem has been caused by a faulty tuning tool the responsibility rests with the manufacturer of that tool – but be aware that they are very unlikely to cover any costs.

In the even rarer instances of it being our fault we will aim to sort out the issue fairly, but this does not include consequential expenses, such as car hire. Our team will do whatever they can to resolve problems, but it should be noted that we do not underwrite dealer errors or tool failure.

Issues arising from programming via OBD are rare, with permanent errors few and far between. If something does go wrong, it is normally as a result of one of the following causes:

• Low battery voltage
• Accidental removal of the OBD lead
• PC problems such as laptop battery running to empty, virus scans, entering sleep mode, or a screen saver activating
• Voltage spike from opening or closing the vehicle door
• Tool protocol error, a faulty tool, or using a cloned tool
• File error – though this is very rare and normally causes poor running rather than the vehicle not being able to crank

We really appreciate it if payments are made by debit card, as charges levied on us for credit card or PayPal transactions are substantial.

Despite new rules that we can no longer pass on the cost of charge-back credit card fees, please note that some commercial cards have retained the right to automatically charge a certain percentage, which is outside of our control.