Overview

Follow these steps to get started with the VCM Suite:

1. If you don't already have an account on hptuners.com, create one now.
2. Download and install the VCM Suite. See Installing The Software for more information.
3. The VCM Suite connects to vehicles using an interface device from HP Tuners. If you do not already have such a device, follow these steps to obtain one and prepare it for use:
a. Purchase a device. See Obtaining A New Interface Device for more information.
b. When you receive the device, prepare it for use. See Preparing a New Interface Device for Use.
c. Register the device at hptuners.com. See Registering Your Interface Device.

NOTE: Certain vehicles may require modifications to their VCM or special cables to allow reading and writing of tuning files. See Manufacturer Locked Control Modules.

4. Before you get started tuning vehicles, you may want to familiarize yourself with our licensing system. The VCM Suite is licensed on a "pay as you go" basis. You will only need to pay for the vehicles you actually tune and payment is not required until you flash your changes back to the vehicle. See the following topics for more information:
￭ Licensing Vehicles
￭ Credits
5. When you are ready to begin tuning, ALWAYS check the vehicle for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) before you do anything else. If there is a mechanical issue with the vehicle, it may affect performance and any performance data you want to monitor could be impacted. This makes it very difficult to tune the vehicle effectively. See Reading and Clearing DTCs for instructions.

CAUTION: Reading a vehicle will clear all DTCs, resulting in the loss of the troubleshooting information they contain. DO NOT proceed to the next step until you have resolved as many DTCs as possible and made note of those issues that cannot be resolved.

6. Once you have resolved as many DTCs as possible, the next step is usually to read of the vehicle's current sensor output using VCM Scanner. Obtaining this "data log" will often provide valuable information in understanding the vehicle's current behavior.
7. In VCM Editor, read the current tune of the of the vehicle. See Reading a Vehicle for instructions.

CAUTION: Improperly tuning a vehicle can cause serious engine damage. Do not attempt to make any change to a vehicle's tune without thoroughly researching the potential impacts of the change.

8. Tune the vehicle. This process usually has the following steps:
a. Edit the tune file using VCM Editor.
b. Write the modified tune file back to the vehicle.
c. Use VCM Scanner to check the impact of your changes and verify that all performance and emissions characteristics of the vehicle remain within limits acceptable to the vehicle owner and required by law.
d. Repeat steps a through c until your desired tuning goals have been met.