Car tuning can be done in many ways, also via a computer.
At subject "tuning the eyes of some car and motorcycle owners start to light up, because the possibilities, the possibilities offered to you here seem almost inexhaustible. Tuning in itself means "to tune something, to bring into harmony" and is derived from the english "to tune" derived from the english.
In general conversions and modifications to vehicles and motorcycles are meant, the appearance and often performance to the ideas of the owner customize. However, there are also requirements to be observed here. So that the vehicle continues to comply with the regulations of the road traffic regulations (stvo) as well as the road traffic licensing regulations (stvzo) corresponds, not every modification may be made.
What counts as tuning, what types are there, what a tuning shop does and what the penalties are for unauthorized modifications is explained in more detail in the guide below.
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FAQ: tuning
tuning is the individual modification of vehicles. This can involve, among other things, optical modifications or the fine-tuning of individual components.
To ensure that the car still complies with the legal requirements after the modifications, a testing organization – such as the tuV – must approve them.
If the vehicle no longer complies with the legal requirements after the modifications have been carried out, the catalog of fines provides for penalties. what this can be about is shown in this fine table.
Types of tuning – technical or optical changes
Tuning a car has a great importance for many owners. Whether it with tuning accessories now itself to carry out or to undertake for larger projects to special workshops It is up to you to decide how you want to go about it.
Basically there are two types of tuning, which can be carried out on vehicles, motorcycles or even bicycles. On the one hand, tinkerers can an optical tuning on the one hand, and on the other technical changes take place.
The visual changes to a vehicle or motorcycle can be both the paintwork as well as the lighting concern. Basically, this type of tuning is the appearance adapted.
Both optical and technical changes count as tuning.
technical changes, as for example by the engine or also the body tuning, influence the performance of the vehicle. In addition, some of the tuning the acoustics of the engine or the exhaust system very popular. Also the adjustment of aerodynamics and with it the influence of the driving behavior count as tuning.
In general the car or motorcycle tuning as expression of individualization viewed. as early as the 1950s, tuning was used by engineers and companies to test the performance of vehicles.
Originally developed in the USA, the performance and driving safety at higher speeds in the foreground. Thus the first spoilers developed to improve the airflow influence and steer to be able. This tuning served – and still does – above all the stabilization of the vehicle.
The passenger car tuning was initially designed to increase performance and developed in the private sector from the 1970s onwards to become a hobby that many vehicle owners consider to be an expression of their individuality and creativity discovered.
Today, the tuning of a car, a motorcycle or even a bicycle has become a large market develops. Especially the so-called showtuning enjoys at special meetings or measurements great popularity.
End of the 20. century then held with the increasing mechanization of the vehicles also software tuning entry. Today, some extra programs are written that certain performances or for example also the circuit of the lighting can change.
Depending on the modifications carried out, the tuning has an effect on the appearance of the vehicle (interior modifications, paint work, lighting), to the aerodynamics (installation of spoilers and rails) or the performance as well as the driving behavior (chassis-tuning, offroad-tuning or changes at the body) from.
Optical tuning – the appearance is most important
A car styling can take place outside but also in the interior.
in the case of both car tuning and tuning on a motorcycle, depending on the component that has been changed, it can be determined to what kind of tuning it is about. Are the changes only due to the aesthetics designed, it is a so-called optical tuning.
This includes among other things interior tuning or the change to the lighting. Often connoisseurs speak here also of car styling, since many tuners make these changes after a specific or your own style carry out.
Some workshops have an impact on these kind of styling specialized. In such a tuning workshop then stand individual paintwork (also with motifs), changes of the rims and further optical adjustments, like the chrome plating of components inside and outside, focus.
In addition to the painting of the vehicle, the individual adjustments in lighting make. Popular among many tuners is the installation of daytime running lights, position lights, underbody lighting or also from fog lights. However, care should always be taken here to ensure that the traffic safety of the car or motorcycle is not affected prescribed lighting continues to be in working order.
Especially the intensity as well as the color of incandescent lamps and leds are required by law. The paragraphs §§ 49 to 54 the road traffic licensing regulations (stvzo) specify the lighting that is eligible for approval fixed. The specified lighting includes also paints in warning colors (such as neon colors), most of which can only be used under certain conditions, for example by the fire department or rescue services.
The lighting is also often individually adapted during a car tuning.
In addition to the lighting changes in the interior high popularity. you have many possibilities to beautify and individualize your car by interior tuning.
The changes in the range here from replacement of the seat covers or seats, over new belt systems up to the complete redesigning the entire interior.
As a rule, changes to the interior are also Not subject to approval, so that there are hardly any limits to the imagination.
The tuning of the armatures by the use of metals, woods, leather or even precious stones is just as possible as the installing individual steering wheels or door handles.
Also the removal of stereo systems by speakers and surround speakers as well as other so-called entertainment elements (screens in the headrests, etc.).) is one of the favorite tuning variants.
Here, tuners should always bear in mind that the interior noise level is not too high. warning signals overhearing due to excessive noise levels in the vehicle can have negative consequences.
Also the cleaning of the body from unnecessary elements, the the so-called cleaning is a means often used by tuners to increase the changing the appearance of the car. There are covers, door handles, trim strips and often also removed lettering.
As long as the changes to the regulations of the road traffic licensing act (stzvo) and the traffic safety of the vehicle do not interfere, there is no limit to the changes in the optical tuning.
Further guide to optical tuning
Technical tuning – what needs to be considered here
The car tuning also includes changes to the engine or the chassis.
As already mentioned technical modifications usually aims to improve the increase the performance of the vehicle. This can be done through engine tuning but also through changes to the aerodynamics, on the chassis, on the bodywork or by means of so-called chip-tuning can be achieved.
The most noticeable tuning variants are those that both the appearance and the performance of the vehicle. In the case of car tuning, these are mainly changes in the vehicle body as well as in the track width.
Popular measures in the body tuning include the following:
- Replacing the doors (z.B. removal of wing doors),
- The installation of spoilers,
- the so called channeling,
- The lowering,
- sectioning as well as
- The chopping.
At tuning of the door systems are special scissor or wing doors can be found, whereby here also the complete suspensions must be rebuilt. Scissor doors open upwards and are attached to the A-pillar. Gullwing doors, on the other hand, are mounted on the roof and swing upwards on a.
The installation of spoilers at the rear is just as much a part of bodywork tuning as the so-called channeling. Here the vehicle is lowered over the frame. For this purpose, tuners weld "channels" – ducts on which the bodywork reattached will.
Another type of lowering in the tuning is the lowering. The body is lowered via a channeling system or by means of a hydraulic chassis.
With sectioning a horizontal strip removed from the bodywork, whereas when chopping parts are sawn out of the column in order to make the reducing the window areas and lowering the roof.
In addition to the changes to the body, the following are also possible adjustments to the chassis possible by tuning. Here in particular shock absorbers and springs as well as the change of the track width in the foreground.
Mostly this is to the lowering and thus also a changes of the driving behavior are achieved. For this reason, lowering springs are often installed or the chassis is converted to a sport or coilover suspension. As mentioned before, a lowering also includes Hydraulic or pneumatic suspensions to the use.
technical modifications should be carried out in a reputable tuning workshop.
However, it should be noted that many lowered vehicles for the operation not allowed on public roads are.
In addition, tuning can also rims and tires be adapted to the owner’s ideas. alloy wheels are often also used for lowered vehicles. Also luminous or chrome-plated rims are popular for tuning.
Wider tires show a larger tread on, so that the driving behavior changes. Among other things, they influence driving characteristics, driving stability and road grip, cornering and braking characteristics.
Wrong tires can lead to the withdrawal of the operating license, so tuners should make sure that they are also use the selected tires for your vehicle may.
Car tuning – even the engine is not left untouched
engine tuning in most cases serves to, increase the performance of the vehicle and thus also the driving performance as well as the driving characteristics to change. The fuel consumption as well as the service life of the engine also often play a role.
For this the engine with additional technical aids equipped or simply software reprogrammed for the engine functions become.
One of the most common variants is the chip-tuning. This type of tuning modifies the factory settings the engine control. These modifications are done via the connection of a computer to the system installed in the car.
Mostly experts do this in a special tuning workshop, so that no modifications to the engine are necessary. About the software are for example injection, the boost pressure or the torque of the engine modifiable.
However, tuners should bear in mind that components in the engine may not affect the performance upgrade designed are and faster wear and tear can have.
Optical or technical tuning: this is also possible for motorcycles.
Excessive heat, gearbox and engine damage are only some of the consequences. Therefore it is always advisable to check for chip-tuning wishes to a reputable workshop and to have this done professionally.
Lower fuel consumption and a longer service life are the main benefits of eco-tuning eco-tuning or eco-tuning in the center.
With this version of the chip tuning the vehicle, despite unchanged engine performance, should, more efficient and environmentally friendly being on the road.
Another way of boosting engine performance is to use the installation of a so-called intercooler. This cools down the temperatures in the combustion cells, so that more fuel is burned and the engine does not overheat. Engine speed and power increase and the components are less stressed by heat.
Also the water injection should produce such a cooling function and thus increase the engine’s. With this type of tuning water evaporates in the combustion air. Evaporation causes thermal energy to dissipate, which lowers the temperature in the engine, whose performance increases and also reduces the emission of pollutants.
The installation of flow-optimized catalytic converters or rear mufflers counts as well to the engine tuning as the change of the response times of the gas pedal pedal.
Fine tuning of the clutch, the gearbox and the fuel injection are also part of the engine tuning as well as following modification of components:
- replacement of the entire engine block,
- installation of stronger spark plugs as well as an adjustment to an early ignition,
- installation of lighter pistons,
- lightening or milling of the crankshafts to increase the torque.
A significant more drastic intervention the performance of a vehicle is put at risk by an engine tuning due to the use of nitrous oxide injection. In this process, liquefied di-nitrogen monoxide is fed into the engine at high pressure together with the fuel.
However, the use of nitrous oxide injection is not permitted illegal in germany and not approved. The use of such a system is not permitted not take place on public roads.
In general, hobbyists and also professionals should pay attention to the fact that performance increases of the engine over five percent are subject to approval.
driving tuner vehicles with unauthorized conversions or performance enhancements, the operating license expires and sanctions such as a fine are threatened.
After a tuning should motorcycle, car or truck be presented to the TuV or DEKRA. If the modifications are permissible, they are entered in the vehicle registration certificate.
Further guides to technical tuning
Tuning and fuel consumption
tuning accessories are available from specialist workshops or dealers.
Modifications to the aerodynamics and driving characteristics or the engine power leads in most cases to a higher fuel consumption.
Increases, for example the running resistance due to wider tires or due to the pressing of the vehicle due to a rear spoiler, it needs more energy, to work against the resistance.
The higher energy consumption is reflected in the fuel consumption. If the performance of the engine is increased in such a way that this more fuel is needed and also consumes more energy, drivers often notice this at the fuel pump.
Legal requirements – not every tuning is permitted
Technical possibilities for tuning there are, as described above, many. This does not mean, however, that these modifications are also approved for public road traffic are.
The stvzo and the vehicle registration ordinance (FZV) often set narrow limits to the conversion of a vehicle, which must be observed.
Otherwise to expect fines. A vehicle also loses its type approval if it is driven with non-approved modifications or if the general traffic safety endangered its operating license and may then no longer be driven.
The § 19 paragraph 2 stvzo stipulates that a type approval is withdrawn if the vehicle is damaged by the tuning changes the vehicle class, thereof a danger to road traffic or the modification not approved by a test is.
Therefore changes must be made by a certified testing organization must be approved and entered in the vehicle registration document. The type approval or the general operating permit for vehicle parts (ABE) must be carried and must also always be present.
The following sanctions can be imposed in the absence of an operating permit:
- fine in the amount of 10 euro, if the ABE or type approval is not included.
- fine in the amount of 50 euro, if the vehicle is driven without a valid operating permit.
- fine in the amount of 90 euros, if the environment has been adversely affected by driving without an operating permit.
- fine in the amount of 90 euro and one point in flensburg, if driving without an operating permit has impaired road safety.
Other types of tuning in road traffic
it is not permitted to cancel the throttle when tuning a scooter.
car tuning is generally best known, but nevertheless can other vehicles "tuned" in road traffic as well become. optical tuning is possible for almost all dangerous vehicles, so that individualizations are applicable.
Also the performance tuning is not only a priority for passenger cars. Among the areas in which tuning has become established are the following:
- SUV tuning,
- The truck tuning,
- The scooter-tuning (or also called scooter-tuning),
- Moped and quad tuning and also
- The bike tuning.
Every vehicle can be individual collector’s item transform. So does a bicycle or a truck. Whether it is only optical changes or also technical, is up to you.
Often, for example, the tuning aims at a scooter or a motorcycle rather on the performance increase. This is also how bypassing the throttle for scooters or mopeds considered as tuning, which is however illegal.
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