PCMtec

[bankyf]

Yep the light itself, not a code. I don’t have a check engine light but if I read for dtc the catalytic converter codes pop up.

Honesty I think remote start is the only thing affected.

This is pretty interesting, as I am quite certain that it violates EPA regulations. In VA, the primary determining factor for pass/fail in the emissions machine software is MIL command on.

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[K4fxd]

It's really BS. If there is a DTC the mil light will start flashing KOEO after about 15 to 30 seconds.

The rear o2 sensors really don't do anything for emissions except tell you if the cats are working. I have no idea why the EPA has a target on these.

 

[junits15]

I've always been on team cats, we're just used to a time when cats were the issue. Look at the 600+HP offerings from dodge, all emissions compliant.

You can absolutely 100% pass emissions and have no MIL without cats on any tune, even stock. Being able to turn the code off doesn't help most people anyway.

Even if that DTC is disabled the catalyst monitor is still running, and if you don't have cats that is what causes the failure. I know there are exceptions, some states just look for the code, some just look at the dash, some go further and measure the emissions at the tailpipe, but most states are looking for the monitor to say "ready".

I understand PCMtec's decision to avoid this issue, if they want to be able to sell in the US they have to do this. The EPA/Feds can block them from being able to sell products in the USA. All of the major tuning companies have done similar things, its only a matter of time before this effects every new tuning platform that's out there. Hell, cobb had to stop selling their super popular flex fuel system for the WRX because it defeated a required emissions system.

 

[tdstuart]

This is pretty interesting, as I am quite certain that it violates EPA regulations. In VA, the primary determining factor for pass/fail in the emissions machine software is MIL command on.

From what I understand if they are hooking up to obd2 they are checking the cars emissions checks. They also probably check for dtc codes.

My state (Arizona) checks your cars emissions checks. If more than 2 are bad then you fail.

 

[bankyf]

From what I understand if they are hooking up to obd2 they are checking the cars emissions checks. They also probably check for dtc codes.

My state (Arizona) checks your cars emissions checks. If more than 2 are bad then you fail.

VA verifies monitor readiness and MIL command on. DTCs alone will not fail the car as several manufacturers have an exemption for certain DTCs on certain models. It’s not uncommon for us to see cars pass with an active DTC and no MIL. I would imagine most OBD emissions states use the same or very similar software. The other catch is that the newer software is supposed to be able to detect if anything has been emissions related has been disabled in the tune. The visual inspection involves verifying operation of the the MIL, so it would only seem logical that disabling the MIL for any reason would be a violation.

 

[tdstuart]

VA verifies monitor readiness and MIL command on. DTCs alone will not fail the car as several manufacturers have an exemption for certain DTCs on certain models. It’s not uncommon for us to see cars pass with an active DTC and no MIL. I would imagine most OBD emissions states use the same or very similar software. The other catch is that the newer software is supposed to be able to detect if anything has been emissions related has been disabled in the tune. The visual inspection involves verifying operation of the the MIL, so it would only seem logical that disabling the MIL for any reason would be a violation.

Not exactly. The mil is only disabled for the catalytic converter codes which will also have the internal test for cats fail. So the machine will still see your cats aren’t working.

The only thing I could see is that if a mil makes you instantly fail but one test failed does not mean you fail.

 

[junits15]

Not exactly. The mil is only disabled for the catalytic converter codes which will also have the internal test for cats fail. So the machine will still see your cats aren’t working.

The only thing I could see is that if a mil makes you instantly fail but one test failed does not mean you fail.

Got to be careful with that last bit, different states have different rules.

My state allows you to have one monitor not ready, but if its found to be not ready more than 2 times in a row, it causes a failure.

The only surefire way to pass, is to have no DTCs, and have the cat monitor be showing ready. That requires you to have a compliant catalyst or do something to make the car believe it has one.

 

[bankyf]

Not exactly. The mil is only disabled for the catalytic converter codes which will also have the internal test for cats fail. So the machine will still see your cats aren’t working.

The only thing I could see is that if a mil makes you instantly fail but one test failed does not mean you fail.

I understand that there are other reasons that you will fail, and that the MIL disabled for cats would be the least of your concerns. My point, and the topic that we were discussing, is that disabling the MIL for any reason is almost certainly a violation of federal law even if it doesn’t allow you to pass emissions. Take into consideration that, depending on which day you ask the EPA, any modification to the OEM calibration could be considered a violation.

 

[Grimreaper]

What OSID are you waiting on?

The read says mgmwa but that's strategy so not sure if it will change. Not many boosted os (2 maybe?) In the tricore library besides ecoboost and predator.

 

[engineermike]

Guys, I keep hearing that the parameter grouping/intuitiveness of the pcmtec interface is not as good as hpt. But you can see their dilemma….if you had a windows-like button for each of 50,000 parameters you would need like 1000 tabs, which is impractical.

What would you guys suggest if you had complete control of the interface layout? Would it look like it does just with different groupings? Or maybe a customizable favorites drop-down in the tree? Or what?

 

[junits15]

Guys, I keep hearing that the parameter grouping/intuitiveness of the pcmtec interface is not as good as hpt. But you can see their dilemma….if you had a windows-like button for each of 50,000 parameters you would need like 1000 tabs, which is impractical.

What would you guys suggest if you had complete control of the interface layout? Would it look like it does just with different groupings? Or maybe a customizable favorites drop-down in the tree? Or what?

customizable favorites would be the move honestly, then once you find something you don't have to find it over and over.

Personally I found HPT's layout wonky compared to other software i've seen, PCMtec's solution is more typical

 

[K4fxd]

customizable favorites would be the move honestly, then once you find something you don't have to find it over and over.

This also I'd like a less complicated compare feature. This may be me not understanding the software. I like the way it compares to stock but I am having trouble trying to import changes from one tuned file to another.

 

[mejohn50]

Guys, I keep hearing that the parameter grouping/intuitiveness of the pcmtec interface is not as good as hpt. But you can see their dilemma….if you had a windows-like button for each of 50,000 parameters you would need like 1000 tabs, which is impractical.

What would you guys suggest if you had complete control of the interface layout? Would it look like it does just with different groupings? Or maybe a customizable favorites drop-down in the tree? Or what?

Perhaps allowing us to mark parameters as favorites could do two things:

- Add that parameter to a favorites drop down in the tree. Also allow us to create our own sub-sections in the favorites section and allow us to move favorites around in there how we like.
- Move a favorited parameter to the top of all other parameters within its section in the tree (if desired, let us turn this on and off). Make the order customizable, but keep the favorites at the top of the section they normally reside in.

This way we could create our own individual tree with a layout exactly how we want with our most commonly used parameters.

 

[Rolls]

Perhaps allowing us to mark parameters as favorites could do two things:

- Add that parameter to a favorites drop down in the tree. Also allow us to create our own sub-sections in the favorites section and allow us to move favorites around in there how we like.
- Move a favorited parameter to the top of all other parameters within its section in the tree (if desired, let us turn this on and off). Make the order customizable, but keep the favorites at the top of the section they normally reside in.

This way we could create our own individual tree with a layout exactly how we want with our most commonly used parameters.

Could you guys start a suggestions thread on our forum? We take these ideas seriously. We also track the top tuned parameters and could start hiding things under view levels, eg if Ford rarely ever change something themselves, probably no point seeing it. I highly recommend using search and parameter files, we could potentially make view levels out of parameter files, eg "only show what is in this file" etc.

Also try the right click only show changes different to stock, it hides everything you haven't changed.

Also the 50% introductory discount ends today. So if you are on the fence now is the time to buy

https://www.pcmtec.com/pcmtec-editor-protuner-edition-usvp1

 

[mejohn50]

Could you guys start a suggestions thread on our forum? We take these ideas seriously. We also track the top tuned parameters and could start hiding things under view levels, eg if Ford rarely ever change something themselves, probably no point seeing it. I highly recommend using search and parameter files, we could potentially make view levels out of parameter files, eg "only show what is in this file" etc.

Also try the right click only show changes different to stock, it hides everything you haven't changed.

Also the 50% introductory discount ends today. So if you are on the fence now is the time to buy

https://www.pcmtec.com/pcmtec-editor-protuner-edition-usvp1

Here you go @Rolls.

https://forum.pcmtec.com/topic/1819-pcmtec-editor-suggestions/

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