What people ask.

Chip tuning is a performance-boosting process done by recalibrating the software on your car's engine and transmission control units (ECU and TCU). By changing the software, the engine's operating parameters are optimized to gain more power and torque. "Remap" is another name for the same process.

Every make and model has ECU files in different formats. To modify them, they must be converted into so-called "base maps" — a task that requires advanced engineering. After the base map, the calibration–test–data-analysis loop is run many times. RSA carries out this entire process in-house; because it demands serious effort, it can't be repeated for every brand. That is why we stay limited to the VAG Group, BMW and Mercedes.

The ECUs of these cars are locked with a different security protocol. To become writable, they must first go through the FEMTOEVO UNLOCK process. See the "BMW Unlock" section for details.

RSA software has passed long-term testing and been proven on hundreds of cars. However, for any issue — related to the software or not — you should consider the risk that, depending on the dealer's attitude and the type of problem, the car could be excluded from warranty. To date, customers who have their maintenance done on time at authorized service have had no negative warranty outcomes.

Our software is developed safely, staying within calibration limits without bypassing factory protective limiters. However, proper maintenance, healthy use and avoiding damage are the user's responsibility and beyond our control. Therefore we cannot provide a formal warranty.

Yes, we work by appointment. The tune usually takes 2–3 hours. First a road test is done and engine data is recorded and analyzed via data-logging. If there is no mechanical issue preventing tuning, your original software is read and backed up, then the car-specific RSA software is loaded and a road test is done again.

We have no specific mileage or age limit. However, additional checks may be done for high-mileage or older cars; after the checks, the application decision is made together with the user.

No, we do not tune naturally aspirated engines.

Due to environmental responsibility and legal requirements, we do not recommend removing DPF, EGR, AdBlue or the catalytic converter. We do not tune cars with DPF or EGR removed. These modifications can raise emissions and risk failing inspection.

We do not offer fuel-saving software. In normal use your car shows the same consumption as stock; in performance use consumption will rise by 15–20%.

We do not do mechanical work; we only provide software support. Some of our applications require no mechanical work; for versions needing extra hardware, users can have the car prepared at the relevant service and then get software support at our application points.

Thanks to some things we do in the background, it is quite hard to detect through normal service procedures. However, in unusual cases the dealer may inspect other units in detail, perform a test drive and detect that the engine control unit has been modified.

Yes. Your original file is stored indefinitely by RSA Motorsports. Free of charge within the first year, you can have your original file reloaded whenever you wish.

If any intervention is made to the engine and transmission software applied by RSA outside our branches, you lose all technical support, privileges and discounts we provide to our own customers. Such users are charged from scratch if they want service again. This applies to reverting to stock at another company, having down pipe / OPF / burble calibration done at exhaust shops, or having transmission software flashed elsewhere.