This glossary is maintained by the DaVinci Deluxe team. If you find a term we are missing, tell us and we will add it.
ECU — Engine Control Unit
The vehicle’s main engine computer. ECUs run firmware that DaVinci Deluxe reads, modifies and re-flashes — raising power, removing emission systems, or unlocking factory limits.
DTC — Diagnostic Trouble Code
Standardized error codes (P0299, P2002, etc.) stored in the ECU when a fault is detected. DaVinci Deluxe reads, decodes and erases DTCs across all major ECU families.
DPF — Diesel Particulate Filter
Exhaust filter that traps soot from diesel engines. Often clogs above 200,000 km. DaVinci offers DPF off / virtual DPF software solutions for off-road and motorsport use.
EGR — Exhaust Gas Recirculation
Routes part of the exhaust back to the intake to reduce NOx emissions. EGR valves clog with carbon and reduce engine response. EGR off is one of the most requested DaVinci tunes.
AdBlue / SCR — Selective Catalytic Reduction
Diesel exhaust treatment system that injects urea (AdBlue) to neutralize NOx. AdBlue removal is supported in DaVinci for off-road and export use.
Stage 1 — Stock-hardware tune
A remap that uses the factory turbo, injectors and intake — typically +20% to +35% power and torque, fully reversible.
Stage 2 — Hardware-supported tune
A remap that requires bolt-ons (downpipe, intercooler, intake). Power gains of +40% to +70% over stock.
Stage 3 — Big-turbo / forged tune
Track or race tunes requiring forged internals and a larger turbo. Custom mapping required.
Remap — ECU map modification
Changing the calibration data inside the ECU to alter fuel, boost, timing, lambda, and torque limits.
OBD-II — On-Board Diagnostics 2
The standardized diagnostic port on every car since 2001 (EU) / 1996 (US). Used by DaVinci to read and write many ECUs.
CAN bus — Controller Area Network
The internal vehicle network that connects ECUs. Modern cars have multiple CAN buses (powertrain, body, comfort).
K-Line — ISO 9141 / KWP2000
Older single-wire diagnostic protocol used on cars from roughly 1995-2008.
BDM — Background Debug Mode
A low-level processor access mode used to read protected ECU memory directly. Used for older Bosch EDC15/EDC16.
Bench mode — ECU on the workbench
Reading/writing the ECU off the vehicle, on the bench. Required for some Tricore ECUs and for full read of MED/EDC17 family.
Boot mode — Bootloader access
A processor mode that allows full read of locked ECUs by pulling specific pins. Common on older EDC16/MED9.
Tricore — Infineon TC1xxx CPU family
The processor family used in nearly all Bosch MED17/EDC17 ECUs. DaVinci unlocks Tricore for full read/write.
EDC17 — Bosch diesel ECU
The dominant diesel ECU family from VAG, BMW, Mercedes, PSA, FCA from 2008-2020.
MED17 — Bosch petrol ECU
The dominant petrol ECU family from VAG, BMW, Mercedes from 2008-2020.
MD1 / MG1 — Bosch new generation
The modern (2019+) Bosch ECU family with hardened security. DaVinci supports OBD and Bench unlock.
Checksum — File integrity hash
The mathematical signature the ECU uses to verify firmware integrity. DaVinci automatically corrects checksums after editing maps.
Original / Stock — Factory file
The unmodified firmware as delivered by the manufacturer. Always back up the original before flashing.
Slave file — Locked customer file
A file delivered to a customer that is locked to one ECU/VIN, preventing resale.
Lambda — Air-fuel ratio
The ratio of actual air-fuel mix to the stoichiometric ideal. Tuning lambda affects power and emissions.
MAF — Mass Air Flow sensor
Sensor measuring incoming air mass. MAF limits cause torque cuts at high boost.
MAP — Manifold Absolute Pressure
Sensor measuring intake manifold pressure. Used by ECU to calculate engine load.
Boost — Turbocharger pressure
Pressure produced by the turbocharger. Tuning boost limits is core to Stage 1/2/3 power gains.
Pilot injection — Pre-injection in diesels
A small injection before the main one to reduce noise and emissions.
Timing — Ignition advance
The point before TDC at which the spark fires. Advancing timing increases power up to detonation limit.
HWID — Hardware ID
A unique fingerprint of the workshop PC. DaVinci licenses are bound to HWIDs to prevent piracy.
VIN — Vehicle Identification Number
The unique 17-character vehicle ID. DaVinci can VIN-lock files to prevent map theft.
Immobilizer — Anti-theft module
The module that authorizes the ECU to start the engine. Some immo emulators are integrated into DaVinci.
Gateway / SGW — Security Gateway
A firewall ECU added by FCA/Stellantis from 2018 that blocks OBD writes. DaVinci supports SGW bypass.
Hot start — Engine retuning live
Modifying maps while the engine is running for instant response measurement — a Workshop / Lifetime feature.
Logging — Live data acquisition
Recording sensor values during a road or dyno test to validate the tune.
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