What does it mean to "Flash" the system?
Is it a computer update like flashing a hard drive or a some other piece of hardware?

It seams like this is done after an exhaust system upgrade. Not sure.
tx

 

I'm not sure, but apparently it can get you jail time.

http://capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.d...NEWS/806130324

 

"Flashing" refers to updating the software code contained within a car's ECU (engine control unit), which is basically the electronic "brain" of the car's engine. In the past, people often "chipped" their car, physically replacing one or more computer chips in the ECU. Nowadays, physically replacing the chip is no longer necessary. Changes to the ECU can affect operating parameters and performance of the engine. The dealer can provide "updates" and tuners can modify parameters to wring out extra performance.

One might "flash" their ECU after installation of a new exhaust to take advantage of the more favorable attributes of the after-market exhaust.

In some cars, there are additional electronic control units within the car (i.e.: automatic transmissions) that can sometimes be flashed or otherwise modified to improve performance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_control_unit

One of the tuners can explain it all far better than I can.

 

^^nice explanation! i had my car flashed and had a custom mapping done as well, but trying to explain what they did to it to other people was not easy to do. you summed it up very nicely! i would try to tell them that it is a bit more "snappy" and runs as if you were using a higher octane, etc.

 

Great explanation.
thanks

 

Hey BoxsterGirl can I have a flash ?

Gee-Bee