Where the saving actually comes from
An economy map doesn't magically make the engine sip fuel. What it does is give you more torque low in the rev range, which changes how much work you have to ask for to get the same result.
In practice: you use less throttle to hold a speed, you change gear less often, you can sit in a higher gear at lower revs, and you stop kicking down every time the road rises. Each of those is a small saving. Over 20,000 miles a year they add up to a number you notice.
That's also the honest catch. The map gives you the opportunity to use less fuel. If you enjoy the extra pull and use it, you'll go quicker and save nothing. Same map, different result, entirely down to the driver.
Who this suits
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Diesels doing high mileage, particularly motorway and A-road miles
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Company car and rep mileage, where fuel is a real monthly line
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Vans, pickups and anything that spends its life loaded
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Tow cars, caravans and horseboxes
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Anything heavy that's working hard: a fully loaded estate or a seven seater
Who it doesn't suit
We'd rather say this here than take a booking and disappoint you.
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Low annual mileage. If you do 4,000 miles a year of short local trips, the fuel saving won't repay the cost in any sensible timeframe. Have a performance map instead because you'll enjoy it, but don't buy it as an investment.
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Small petrol engines. There's very little for software to work with, economy or otherwise.
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Mostly stop-start town driving. The saving comes from steadier running at lower revs, and town traffic doesn't give you the chance.
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A car that already has a fault. Sort the fault first. A remap won't outrun a sticking EGR or a knackered turbo, and we'd only be papering over it.
Working out whether it's worth it
Tell us your annual mileage, what you drive and roughly what you're getting to the gallon now. That's enough for us to give you a realistic view on payback rather than a percentage off a brochure. If the numbers don't stack up for your mileage, we'll tell you.
Get a straight answer on your car
Send us the reg and your mileage. We'll tell you what's realistic.