ECM update not permitted in GERmany TUV restrictions

[the1andonly]

Am I being told porkies.
Which leads to a second question, are there companies offering remaps in Germany or is that not permitted.

 

[Pausim]

I don’t really know but I have read that vehicle software updates in Germany have to be TUV approved. This is to ensure that they are safe and meet the emissions standards of the original certification. Sounds plausible to me.

 

[gus-lopez]

A quick 'google' comes up with this.


In Germany, ECM (Engine Control Module) updates or modifications to a vehicle's ECU (Engine Control Unit) are generally not permitted and may be considered a "tuning modification" requiring registration and approval under the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). If the vehicle doesn't comply with the legal requirements, it won't pass the Hauptuntersuchung (HU) or TÜV (technical inspection). This means the vehicle may not be road-legal.


Probably comes under the 2007 'anti tuning 'directive?

Roby2008 might be able to shed some more light?

 

[the1andonly]

tHE Reson i ask I was told that Fiat in Germany wont update a ducato to versions used elsewhere to prevent reocurrance of a problem. I just thought this was madness.

 

[Pausim]

tHE Reson i ask I was told that Fiat in Germany wont update a ducato to versions used elsewhere to prevent reocurrance of a problem. I just thought this was madness.

Perhaps the update is being delayed pending TUV approval. If true it does sound like madness.

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[funflair]

Yes they do re-maps in Germany, they are more expensive than here I guess due to the approval thing, for example https://tec-power.de/

Just to add from their website FAQ,

Are there any problems with the TÜV or with the ASU?

Serious tuners (of course we also belong to them) program the vehicle in such a way that there should be no problems during the main inspection.

 

[Guigsy]

It would be a good way to sidestep emissions rules. Have your vehicles come off the line with ECU firmware that's approved and that meets the emissions rules, but destroys bits of the engine within 20k miles. Then just flash the firmware to something non compliant at the first service. Hence the practice is banned.

 

[Roby2008]

A quick 'google' comes up with this.


In Germany, ECM (Engine Control Module) updates or modifications to a vehicle's ECU (Engine Control Unit) are generally not permitted and may be considered a "tuning modification" requiring registration and approval under the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). If the vehicle doesn't comply with the legal requirements, it won't pass the Hauptuntersuchung (HU) or TÜV (technical inspection). This means the vehicle may not be road-legal.


Probably comes under the 2007 'anti tuning 'directive?

Roby2008 might be able to shed some more light?

Sounds right, They are very strict on that here, any modifications (Tuning) must be installed and approved under Tüv and listed on the registration documents.
Madame has a hand throttle on the steering wheel that runs through the ECU, this is listed on the reg docs.

You need the opinion of a Fiat Professional in Germany who can advise on the change and Tüv, if the ECU is still European then there should not be an issue; if it is from a different region, then it may not meet emissions regulations for Europe and not legal.