Whether you’re a home car owner or an auto mechanic — you can save thousands of dollars on car maintenance, save time and effort on repairs, and dramatically improve your cars lifespan/performance — by getting yourself a professional car diagnostics scanner.

They’re called . And will give you an instant overview of your vehicles condition by tapping into it’s computer chip.

But more importantly, you can also obtain software that will allow you to edit the cars performance data. Like adjusting RPM, fuel injection, etc. This is what car performance shops charge thousands of dollar for — to allow the car to operate more fuel efficiently, faster or with stronger torque/BHP.

The good news is, you can do the same at fraction of a cost, with a USB connection interface to your laptop, and car ECU tuning software.

On vehicles, a list of flash updates that are available can be found on Vehicle PCM Calibration Information website at

The actual reprogramming procedure for a typical GM vehicle goes as follows:

1.Check the calibration history of the vehicle — Go to the web page at www.autonumen.com and see what latest program is for the vehicle using the vehicle’s VIN number. If the programming has been updated to correct a problem, it will be listed on the website

2.Connect your PC to the Tech 2 scan tool with a RS232 cable pass-through device.

3.Start the GM recalibration software program on your PC and enter the vehicle application information (year, make, model, etc.).

4.Connect the Tech 2 scan tool to the diagnostic connector on the vehicle (located under the dash near the steering column).

5.Switch the Tech 2 scan tool on and wait for the Start Screen.

6.Validate the vehicle VIN number.

7.Choose the operating system, engine, fuel system, speedometer or transmission.

8.Select “normal reprogramming” or “VCI” (special modifications).

9.Choose the update bulletin/recalibration number from the menu.

10.Start the transfer of data. The reprogramming procedure takes about three minutes, and can be done with the computer in or out of the vehicle. The PC screen will display a blue progress bar as the software is uploading to the vehicle.

NOTE: The GM setup won’t allow the same calibration to be reinstalled over itself. Only an updated calibration can be loaded into the vehicle computer.

11.When the software has finished loading, the message “PROGRAMMING COMPLETE” will appear.

12.The scan tool can now be disconnected from the vehicle (turn ignition off first), and any subsequent relearning procedures that may be needed such as the crankshaft position variation relearn procedure can now be performed to finish the update.