Am I Tuned?

[Defnsman]

That won't update the tune. I think you have to do it on a computer and load it, hence service techs when they're reloading have been known to update the tune by accident. I assume they got the tuner out of the glovebox or something, so maybe that's not an issue for you if you don't have it. But if they do remove it for service, it would need to be reloaded as-is (however that works, I'm not a tech). I usually just make sure there's a note on the service ticket NOT to update it and that it remains/returns as-is.

Since you have the MT, if it ever does get lost, consider just leaving it without it. Without the rev matching and ASS eliminator, and updated shift schedules (on auto), there's not much to recommend for that money.

Ok good to know for sure. Thanks man!

I'm happy to have the Procal tune and not having had to pay for it (aside from the cost of the vehicle) but it certainly wasn't my first choice so, as you said, if I lose it I won't be going to back to it.

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[Brian_B]

I have not come across any OTA updates that have disables/overridden the tune, but I suppose it's possible.

Biggest danger comes in if you take your Bronco into the dealer, and they decide to run updates with the laptop - several of those can override and disable the tune, requireing it to be reloaded.

They should know better, but this forum is littered with stories of folks who went in for a oil change or recall notice at the dealer and came out thinking it wasn't driving right, to find out their dealer decided to update their software for no charge. Not a difficult fix, you just reload the Tune from the box... but if you don't have the box, you are screwed.

As long as you never connect the ProCal box to a laptop and update the Tune file on the box, you can unload/reload as many times as you like and be ok.

If you don't have the box you may want to contact the dealer and see if they can get in contact with the original owner. The box won't do them any good, it's locked to the Bronco. (And, technically, locked to the original owner's Ford account, but you don't need that at all unless you want to update the Tune file on the box with a laptop, which you probably do not)

 

[Brian_B]

Ok good to know for sure. Thanks man!

I'm happy to have the Procal tune and not having had to pay for it (aside from the cost of the vehicle) but it certainly wasn't my first choice so, as you said, if I lose it I won't be going to back to it.

haha, I totally hear you. But you may change your mind after a few miles without it. It makes a noticeable difference in the 2.3, and seems to eliminate the "Bronco Bucking" that a lot of folks have occasionally in first or second gear.

 

[Ducati1098]

I have not come across any OTA updates that have disables/overridden the tune, but I suppose it's possible.

Yeah PCM OTAs are very rare. I had one on my Bronco a few years ago, but have not seen one since.

 

[Defnsman]

haha, I totally hear you. But you may change your mind after a few miles without it. It makes a noticeable difference in the 2.3, and seems to eliminate the "Bronco Bucking" that a lot of folks have occasionally in first or second gear.

I'll reach out to the dealer and see if they can get the box from the previous owner.

If I lose the Procal tune, I'll turnaround and get the Pulsar XT more than likely or JB4 (at least that's what I was about to pull the trigger on before realizing I possibly already had the Procal! LOL). That should correct the "Bronco Bucking" right?

 

[Brian_B]

If I lose the Procal tune, I'll turnaround and get the Pulsar XT more than likely or JB4 (at least that's what I was about to pull the trigger on before realizing I possibly already had the Procal! LOL). That should correct the "Bronco Bucking" right?

Maybe? No one (at least that I know of) is really sure what causes it. It almost feels like you dumped the clutch at too low of an RPM - but I don't think that's what is happening, it's more like the engine just drops in power while you are trying to shift, and then coughs a few times and catches up.

I only ever noticed it (and then it was rare) before I had the tune. It's not something that happens consistently.

That said - no argument from me that all those that you list are much better tunes than ProCal, especially now that they nuked ASS memory and rev matching.

 

[Defnsman]

Maybe? No one (at least that I know of) is really sure what causes it. It almost feels like you dumped the clutch at too low of an RPM - but I don't think that's what is happening, it's more like the engine just drops in power while you are trying to shift, and then coughs a few times and catches up.

I only ever noticed it (and then it was rare) before I had the tune. It's not something that happens consistently.

That said - no argument from me that all those that you list are much better tunes than ProCal, especially now that they nuked ASS memory and rev matching.

Well fingers crossed I don't lose the tune! I'll gladly spend the money elsewhere and, if I do lose it, then it is what it is!

 

[5POINT56]

the Ford pro cal will also turn off the auto-stop, so if that is off, then it's a poor mans way to tell

I had the ProCal installed a couple weeks ago at a Ford dealership and I don’t believe the auto-stop remains in the off position. I’ll double check.

 

[5POINT56]

Kind of annoying to have dropped the $$$ on the tune and have the possibility of a service visit to Ford resetting whatever, and erasing the tune.

The ASS feature remaining off seems to be a hit or miss way to identify that you even have the tune. Outside of the boost PSI numbers, there’s no way to really tell as far as I can see.

 

[Brian_B]

I had the ProCal installed a couple weeks ago at a Ford dealership and I don’t believe the auto-stop remains in the off position. I’ll double check.

Ford pulled it out around June/July 2024, and back dated the change so that it applies to MY23 and newer vehicles

As far as it getting uninstalled by updates — there are going to be some updates where that’s unavoidable really. While it would be nice to get a heads up before some 18 yr old obliterates your tuning with a FDRS update, they don’t usually think of things like that, and in Fords defense - apart from ProCal, other tunes and such they don’t really know what could affect them, or have any real responsibility to do so. They really just assume you are driving factory equipped and tuned.

But when you purchase ProCal, you get the adapter box that allows you to uninstall and reinstall it at any time, as many times as you like. So, as long as you kept that adapter you can always just flash it back on. And ~most~ third party tunes right now are plug in hardware boxes that bypass the PCM anyway.

But if you don’t have the adapter, yeah, you are up the creek.

 

[5POINT56]

Ford pulled it out around June/July 2024, and back dated the change so that it applies to MY23 and newer vehicles

As far as it getting uninstalled by updates — there are going to be some updates where that’s unavoidable really. While it would be nice to get a heads up before some 18 yr old obliterates your tuning with a FDRS update, they don’t usually think of things like that, and in Fords defense - apart from ProCal, other tunes and such they don’t really know what could affect them, or have any real responsibility to do so. They really just assume you are driving factory equipped and tuned.

But when you purchase ProCal, you get the adapter box that allows you to uninstall and reinstall it at any time, as many times as you like. So, as long as you kept that adapter you can always just flash it back on. And ~most~ third party tunes right now are plug in hardware boxes that bypass the PCM anyway.

But if you don’t have the adapter, yeah, you are up the creek.

I have the ProCal hardware/cords that were used for the tune from the dealership. I assume I don’t need anything more than that to reinstall it myself? Just plug it in to the Bronco, select the Raptor tune and follow prompts to reinstall?

Three more questions.

1) Are FDRS updates ONLY from visits to the dealership for service or can they randomly and automatically occur remotely? That would suck because I’d have no clue that it’s happened and could at any time.

2) In the event it can be inadvertently reset at the dealership during service, couldn’t I simply instruct my advisor that before i pick up my ride, I want to be sure the tune is active and bring the tuner hardware with me?

3) Are FDRS updates the ONLY way the ProCal tune can be inadvertently removed?

Thanks for your help, very much appreciated.

 

[Ducati1098]

I have the ProCal hardware/cords that were used for the tune from the dealership. I assume I don’t need anything more than that to reinstall it myself? Just plug it in to the Bronco, select the Raptor tune and follow prompts to reinstall?

Three more questions.

1) Are FDRS updates ONLY from visits to the dealership for service or can they randomly and automatically occur remotely? That would suck because I’d have no clue that it’s happened and could at any time.

2) In the event it can be inadvertently reset at the dealership during service, couldn’t I simply instruct my advisor that before i pick up my ride, I want to be sure the tune is active and bring the tuner hardware with me?

3) Are FDRS updates the ONLY way the ProCal tune can be inadvertently removed?

Thanks for your help, very much appreciated.

1) No. PCM updates can happen OTA also but they are rare. If one did happen, it would wipe the tune out and you would need to reload it.

2) Yes I would recommend you tell them not to update the PCM anytime you go in for service if you have the Procal, because it will remove it.

3) FDRS or OTA updates, yes. Anything that changes the PCM software.

No matter what if for some reason it gets removed, it's very simple to reload and takes 5 minutes.

 

[Brian_B]

I have the ProCal hardware/cords that were used for the tune from the dealership. I assume I don’t need anything more than that to reinstall it myself? Just plug it in to the Bronco, select the Raptor tune and follow prompts to reinstall?

Ducati answered the other questions better than I can, but to answer this one:

Yes - just plug in the dongle, select "Install Tune" after it boots up (I can't remember the exact wording, something along those lines) - and follow the prompts. Takes about 5 minutes, a lot of pushing the ignition button at various times while the Bronco clicks and does it's thing. Same process to go back to Stock tune file.

I highly recommend having the battery on a tender while you do this.

No laptop or any other hardware required after it's been installed the first time.

The first time you do the tune, it does require a laptop and a ProCal online account and some other steps. But that's only for the first time, or if you want to update the Tune file from the servers to get the latest version.

 

[5POINT56]

Ducati answered the other questions better than I can, but to answer this one:

Yes - just plug in the dongle, select "Install Tune" after it boots up (I can't remember the exact wording, something along those lines) - and follow the prompts. Takes about 5 minutes, a lot of pushing the ignition button at various times while the Bronco clicks and does it's thing. Same process to go back to Stock tune file.

I highly recommend having the battery on a tender while you do this.

No laptop or any other hardware required after it's been installed the first time.

The first time you do the tune, it does require a laptop and a ProCal online account and some other steps. But that's only for the first time, or if you want to update the Tune file from the servers to get the latest version.

Thank you, good stuff.

If the dealership installed it, is there any way for me to find out of there’s been an update to the ProCal tune, released at a later date?

Seems like there’s a bit of guess work regarding tune updates, if a service appointment uninstalled the tune, if there’s been an OTA/PCM/FDRS update that may have as well, without any real notice of that happening.

Do guys with this tune continually have to check to see if it’s still active?

 

[5POINT56]

1) No. PCM updates can happen OTA also but they are rare. If one did happen, it would wipe the tune out and you would need to reload it.

2) Yes I would recommend you tell them not to update the PCM anytime you go in for service if you have the Procal, because it will remove it.

3) FDRS or OTA updates, yes. Anything that changes the PCM software.

No matter what if for some reason it gets removed, it's very simple to reload and takes 5 minutes.

Big help, thank you.

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