Disappointed! Can't tune my RENTAL CAR!!!

[Chuck CoW]

BUMMER! This past year, I've been traveling and tuning all around the country. I've made it a habit (he he) of TUNING ALL MY RENTALS!

This past week I got to the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green Kentucky and rented a nice white 08 Chevy HHR.

I whipped out the laptop and was hoping to download the engine and trans cal to give the little bugger some needed Git-up-n-GO!

To my surprise, I couldn't even connect to the (I think it was E37?) engine controller and when I downloaded the T42 file, it came up as unrecognized!!!

OK PAUL AND ROSS! You've got some explaining to do!!!:rippedhand:


I drove around SLOW all week!:mad:

Chuck CoW

[dfe1]

BUMMER! This past year, I've been traveling and tuning all around the country. I've made it a habit (he he) of TUNING ALL MY RENTALS!

This past week I got to the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green Kentucky and rented a nice white 08 Chevy HHR.

I whipped out the laptop and was hoping to download the engine and trans cal to give the little bugger some needed Git-up-n-GO!

To my surprise, I couldn't even connect to the (I think it was E37?) engine controller and when I downloaded the T42 file, it came up as unrecognized!!!

OK PAUL AND ROSS! You've got some explaining to do!!!:rippedhand:


I drove around SLOW all week!:mad:

Chuck CoW
Obviously, you didn't purchase the Rental Car Tuning Option.

[GMPX]

This past week I got to the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green Kentucky and rented a nice white 08 Chevy HHR.

I drove around SLOW all week!:mad:

Chuck CoW

Not sure a tune would have fixed it Chuck unless it was the turbo one!

You do need to choose your rentals more carefully, when booking them I suggest asking what ECM type they have, I'm sure the booking staff have access to CalID.

It probably was an E37, which to most people looks like an E38, but it's made by Hitachi!, bizarre.

Cheers,
Ross

[TAQuickness]

Obviously, you didn't purchase the Rental Car Tuning Option.

RCTO - somebody ought to copywrite that now

[SSpdDmon]

LOL @ this thread.

[joecar]

lol+1

[ScarabEpic22]

RCTO - somebody ought to copywrite that now

Hahaha, I like the abbreviation man!:laugh:

I was contemplating tuning my last rental car in FL last summer, but I kinda left EFILive at home so it was a short-lived dream.:bawl:

[white01ss]

I guess that's a lot safer than tuning on your own vehicles! :devil_2:

Chuck -
Have you ever found rental car tuned different from stock? They could back off spark, lower the top speed, alter shift points, and so much other stuff. There probably even a secret forum where professional rental car detuners go to figure out how to make cars slower!

[WHYTRYZ06]

this thread is messed up LOL

[scdyne]

The E37 is found in a number of '08 model GM vehicles. I think the real question is when will EFILive support it?

[Chuck CoW]

Not sure a tune would have fixed it Chuck unless it was the turbo one!

You do need to choose your rentals more carefully, when booking them I suggest asking what ECM type they have, I'm sure the booking staff have access to CalID.

It probably was an E37, which to most people looks like an E38, but it's made by Hitachi!, bizarre.

Cheers,
Ross

Ross.... Yes, it was lookng like a wimpy version on E38.... I pulled it and it said E37.

This sucks! I couldn't even connect to it! Then I figure "YAY - I got a T42 to mess with!" and after downloading the T42 it comes up....


UNRECOGNIZED!!!!

So, I drove it STOCK all weekend! What's the deal? Do I have to rent VETTES to TUNE MY RENTALS!!!?!?!?!:bash:

:rippedhand::rippedhand::rippedhand:
Chuck CoW

[emarkay]

Tuning a rental car...

I wonder what the liability on this is?

Somehow I think this is just asking for unnecessary attention/trouble and other poopoo that we really don't want to invite upon ourselves.

Paul, any comments?
MRK

[macca_779]

They have to prove it first.

[white01ss]

Tuning the car is better than putting a nitrous kit on the rental vette like I saw on the scandalous racing video. :laugh:

[Chuck CoW]

Not only did my EFI Live cable fail to read my last rental.....

But, I tried to rent a Chevy today in TEXAS and the girl on the phone said "yes, we rent chevys"

So, I made a reservation! When I got to the airport, All they had was a KIA!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Ross and Paul... HOW BOUT SOME EFFIN' KIA SUPPORT!!!?!?!?!?!

I just can't keep renting CARS THAT I CAN'T TUNE!!!:bad:

Chuck CoW

[dfe1]

I just can't keep renting CARS THAT I CAN'T TUNE!!!:bad:

Chuck CoW
Well, it's about time you stepped up and purchased RCTO.

[1998ws6]

a rental car will be a normal certified calibration.

[TAQuickness]

There's a white Solstice on the Avis lot in Phoenix that needs some help Chuck. I have a hard time believing these cars come off the lot driving like this :bad:

[scdyne]

There's a white Solstice on the Avis lot in Phoenix that needs some help Chuck. I have a hard time believing these cars come off the lot driving like this :bad:

I have a hard time believing that. Was it an automatic and you left it in D the whole time? Put that thing into I and then drop the Hammer.

If it's the GXP then not much you can do since EFILive doesn't support it. You'd have to have the 'other tuner' products to mess with any settings - though not much is really supported by them. Same ECU as Turbo HHRs seen above

I have squeaked a few extra HP out of my sky, but nothing to go bragging about. Not having tuning control over the automatic transmission really limits the ability to get that power to the ground.

[TAQuickness]

It was an auto and I couldn't tell the difference between D & I - they both sucked. That car needed some serious help!

[SSpdDmon]

It was an auto and I couldn't tell the difference between D & I - they both sucked. That car needed some serious help!
Sounds like it was NA to me...

[TAQuickness]

NA it was. Good looking car, but I've had to cross it off my list of potentials. Just thought I'd pass along the tuning opportunity to Chuck

[Chuck CoW]

Ok, while I've likely skipped one or two....Here's the latest RENTAL TUNE!

While in Arkansas recently, we rented a nice white 08 Trailblazer....

Kinda was a dog, so we jumped in the rental at 11:pm at the airport and we quickly had the engine and trans cals downloaded....

The best part was...I wasn't me.

My girlfriend Corina had watched me tune millions of cars and trucks...but the poor girl had never tried it before.....

SO, I handed here the laptop...had her do everything from cycle the key, read the files, save the files,.....and modify the files.....

I coached her a wee bit and she did GREAT. I let it be her choice for the shift firmness and feel...and with a little bit of input.....

It was off to Eureka Springs Corvette Weekend in the Ozark Mountains with a sporty white Trailblazer! I hour of pure fun in the windy mountain roads....

I think I'm gonna let her do more of this......:hihi:

Chuck CoW

[ScarabEpic22]

Very nice man, I havent dealt with the E67s and T42s in the TBs yet but I know how much a good I6 tune makes driving one that much better. Actually having it shift on time vs whenever it wants makes a big difference.

[Aloicious]

Ok, while I've likely skipped one or two....Here's the latest RENTAL TUNE!

While in Arkansas recently, we rented a nice white 08 Trailblazer....

Kinda was a dog, so we jumped in the rental at 11:pm at the airport and we quickly had the engine and trans cals downloaded....

The best part was...I wasn't me.

My girlfriend Corina had watched me tune millions of cars and trucks...but the poor girl had never tried it before.....

SO, I handed here the laptop...had her do everything from cycle the key, read the files, save the files,.....and modify the files.....

I coached her a wee bit and she did GREAT. I let it be her choice for the shift firmness and feel...and with a little bit of input.....

It was off to Eureka Springs Corvette Weekend in the Ozark Mountains with a sporty white Trailblazer! I hour of pure fun in the windy mountain roads....

I think I'm gonna let her do more of this......:hihi:

Chuck CoW

this thread makes me laugh, I'd totally do the same thing if I had the workshop version, but as it is, the licenses would end up costing me more than the rental sometimes... :grin:

[Chuck CoW]

AHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Just got back from Vegas/Phoenix/SEMA....

Not only did they lose my bags both directions at the airport, BUT...I HAD TO RENT A DODGE CHARGER!

That piece of crap misfired and broke up the whole way through the desert from Vegas to Phoenix!

Oh, Paul...I can't wait for EFI LIVE DODGE TUNING SUPPORT!!!:pokey:

Chuck CoW

[ScarabEpic22]

Sorry to hear that Chuck, not cool at all. Maybe use a different airline next time. :(

Im down for Dodge suupport, maybe SRT-4 support?

[Chuck CoW]

Ok, here's the latest....I ALWAYS ask for a GM PRODUCT when I rent cars...


This weekend I went on a tuning trip to Chicago....And I rented a......


PONTIAC VIBE

BUMMER! It had a controller that looked like an ALLISON TCM for the engine controller....and Live connected to it, but couldn't read it....even though it connected to the pcm....I got the BOOTLOADER REJECTED message.

BUMMER!

The thing was a slug and DEFINITELY needed some TQ management and shift point correction!@!@:bangin:

Come on ROSS, these rentals are expensive....I've only been able to tune a small fraction of the rentals I come across!:grin:

Chuck CoW

[ls1vt209]

Chuck, you are a unique individual.

Love your work.

Thanks for a good laugh.

[N0DIH]

I have a 09 Impala 3500 this week for a rental, the heavy TM is awful, shift pattern is a nucance, I can't wait to get my L67 Park Ave Ultra back (got broke into, thankfully my EFILive cable was not taken, nor anything else!)..... There are a LOT of V6 Impala's that need tuning out there....

[Chuck CoW]

I have a 09 Impala 3500 this week for a rental, the heavy TM is awful, shift pattern is a nucance, I can't wait to get my L67 Park Ave Ultra back (got broke into, thankfully my EFILive cable was not taken, nor anything else!)..... There are a LOT of V6 Impala's that need tuning out there....

Let me tell you a little story!

While in Chicago, a kid comes up to me and says...."I got an 08 Impala SS...Can you tune it????"

Well, this is a FWD 5.3 V8 4 door sedan.....

I didn't drive it before tuning it....But, EFI LIVE connected and pulled down some ridiculous TQ management nonsense from the controllers and when I was done....

PHEW did it spin those FWD TRIES!...Not sure how long the trans will last, but....

What a nice ride that was!
Chuck CoW

[GMPX]

PONTIAC VIBE


Listen to yourself man!!, a Pontiac Vibe for tuning, times are tough but really! Stop being a tight ass and rent a V8 Cadillac instead :hihi:

Cheers,
Ross

[Chuck CoW]

Listen to yourself man!!, a Pontiac Vibe for tuning, times are tough but really! Stop being a tight ass and rent a V8 Cadillac instead :hihi:

Cheers,
Ross

It's not by choice..... I usually call up and say..."I would prefer to rent a GM product if you have one available.... or....I might say..."Do you have an Impala, or Trailblazer, whatever....

I DON'T say..."DO YOU HAVE ANY TUNABLE GM vehicles????:bangin::grin:

The Vibe was the closest thing to a GM friendly vehicle.:bad:

Chuck CoW

[GMPX]

II DON'T say..."DO YOU HAVE ANY TUNABLE GM vehicles????:bangin::grin:
I do recall standing in a rental car pickup with Jesse one year discussing which cars had which controller before we signed on the dotted line :grin:
But you are right, sometimes you get what you get and that is it. Like the Dodge thing we had at SEMA this year, at speed the accelerator pedal transformed itself in to a noise pedal, put it on the floor, the engine got louder, not much else happened. It needed more than a tune! It wasn't much fun trying to keep up with the tuned Duramax we were following.

Cheers,
Ross

[Chuck CoW]

I do recall standing in a rental car pickup with Jesse one year discussing which cars had which controller before we signed on the dotted line :grin:
But you are right, sometimes you get what you get and that is it. Like the Dodge thing we had at SEMA this year, at speed the accelerator pedal transformed itself in to a noise pedal, put it on the floor, the engine got louder, not much else happened. It needed more than a tune! It wasn't much fun trying to keep up with the tuned Duramax we were following.

Cheers,
Ross

Tel me about it....So far, the best of the rentals I've had was a 08' Trailblazer that I let my girlfriend (he he) tune a few months ago....and in all honesty....a CHRYSLER 300! No tune, but it sure was nice compared to the Vibe!:hihi:

Renting a Vette for me is silly....I drive 4 different Vettes every day of the week including SUNDAY!

Next time I'm gonna ask for an Impala....With the Extra coverage from the rental company in case the TRANNY FAILS!:angel_innocent:

Chuck CoW

[tokymon]

lol:jump:
:pokey:you should leave them tuned when you are done

[Chuck CoW]

lol:jump:
:pokey:you should leave them tuned when you are done

I usually do!:notacrook:

Chuck CoW

[N0DIH]

Just for fun leave them with some really bizzare settings..... Heck, make a deal for free rentals and tune the performance cars to keep them from being abused.....

Don't get a base Impala, they suck. Had one, hated it compared to my L67 Park Ave Ultra.....


I usually do!:notacrook:

Chuck CoW

[Chuck CoW]

Just for fun leave them with some really bizzare settings..... Heck, make a deal for free rentals and tune the performance cars to keep them from being abused.....

Don't get a base Impala, they suck. Had one, hated it compared to my L67 Park Ave Ultra.....

I forgot about this one.....

Back in May of this year we went tuning in CANADA and I rented this GM product.:doh2:

BUMMER! It was an E37 and no luck. Another WASTED RENTAL!

For some reason I couldn't even do the T42 for this thing.

Here's the pics!

I'm gonna have to PLUG IN next time before I sign the papers!

Chuck CoW

[Chuck CoW]

On our latest trip to PRI in Florida.....We rented this 08 Cobalt.

SURVEY SAYS?!

X X X

That's right....WRONG ANSWER! another E37!:bs:

Come on Ross! I can't afford to rent VETTES....How bout some E37 coverage so these rentals will drive better!?!?

I can't keep blowing money on LAME rentals!

Obviously couldn't do the engine on this one....but, we did manage to tune the T42 after a few drinks one night!:cheers:

Attached is the original T42 cal....

What fun!
Chuck CoW

[joeboston]

Hi Chuck,

I have an 08 Malibu, 4 cyl. I have the same issue not being able to read the E37, ugh. I do have the T42 however and would like to try out the tune you did for the HHR. Is it ok with you to share it?

Thanks
Joe