Does my ECU auto learn without reset?
 

I'm about to install a higher flow air intake in my car today after work. I've heard some people say that you don't have to reset your ECU because it will auto learn the new part put on. I've heard other people say that you need to reset your ECU after any aftermarket performance part you put on your car.

Could someone that legitimately knows clear this up?

:iono:

I apologize if this is the wrong section for this post.

I figured you guys know the most about the cars ECU's

You're in the right spot, but give it a little bit for answers to come back to you.


For myself, I think it does, but I'm not an expert.

If it's a drop in filter, you don't have to reset the ECU. If it's a complete CAI then it's best to rescale the MAF. You have to do this with the OFT (or Tactrix). Read Steve99's topics for more info about rescaling the MAF.
Resetting the ECU doesn't hurt, but the car needs to relearn everything. For the first 20 miles or so it's in learning mode. Best not to go WOT cause it learns everything in Closed Loop mode (cruising).

So you're saying it would be harmful to install an airaid intake system in my car without buying a $500 tuning tablet to reset my MAF? :(

I wish I would have known this

No need to reset and no need for a tune. Some intakes can have some undesirable side effects but not all.

Need is too strong a word, you need a tuning solution to /optimize/ gains. You don't need one to have any at all however.
I think most will agree that the tuning will improve the results of things like intake/exhaust swaps.

Thank you!

I thought the ECU learned on the fly.

after I purchase my nameless exhaust and light weight wheels I plan on buying a tune to get the most of all my bolt ons. Until then I hope I'll be alright without resetting anything.

The ECU will learn within the stock capabilities. What the guys are saying is to take full advantage of the intake you should tune as well. If the intake made some big promises (Get 20hp from bolting this thing on) then you would need a tune to actually get those improvements not just slap a part on the car. If the claims were modest (2 or 4hp or something) then that may be within the car's ECU abilities to adjust to.
Just remember the ECU was designed for stock parts so it really can't "adjust" completely to get the full gains out of aftermarket ones.

It takes all of 5 minutes to disconnect the battery negative, wait and reconnect it to reset the ECU.

I would do it, why not? Let the ECU re-learn the fuel trims after the install. If you don't disconnect it it will eventually learn, but slower.

Also like others have said, you don't NEED a tune. You want a tune to optimize it, and it can wait until you have all your bolt-ons.

Awesome! Thanks guys. I plan on eventually getting a tune to squeeze all the performance I can out of my bolt ons :)

Bringing this back. Im putting a cat back exhaust on my frs this weekend. Is the ecu reset really necessary? The answers ive seen have been all over the place. Will the ecu eventually learn by itself over time? I just dont feel like redoing all my settings on the radio lol

No need to reset ecu will do whatever learning its capable of without reset its a continuous proccess

read Flashing Reset Learning link below and Basic Bolt on Mods link shoulsexplain it all