Trimming of car engines has been done for very many years. In the last couple of decades, so-called chip tuning has come full circle. Simply put, you change various settings – to get more horsepower and increased torque. This can also affect emissions and consumption.
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the police have today taken action against two chip tuning actors. The aim of the action was to find out if there was illegal workshop operation.
– Over time, we have seen an increase in the number of players that offer trimming of vehicles and disconnection of the engine cleaning systems for the exhaust. This is work subject to approval, and it requires that the companies are approved and meet current requirements. It is important that customers are aware that this type of modification can lead to the vehicle becoming illegal to use, says Jon Molnes in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
Must be approved
Two companies in Vestfold and Telemark county were inspected.
– Now the police will investigate the case against illegal workshop operations. Those who have parked or modified their car at these two companies can be called in for inspection by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. The car owner must then submit documentation that the vehicle is in proper condition, says Molnes.
In order for a trimmed vehicle to be legal, it is a requirement that the vehicle must be approved at one of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s traffic stations after trimming. The new effect must be written in the vehicle card.
It can be fun – and very expensive
– Customers are fooled
There are now quite a few companies across the country that offer so-called chip tuning, which means that you go in and change the electronic motor control. The purpose of this is to get more power out of the engine. The disadvantage is that this can also change the engine exhaust.
– Customers are tricked when players without approval claim that chip tuning is legal, and must take the consequences of it. It is the car owner who is responsible for documenting that the emissions from the engine are within the requirements with which the car was originally approved, says Molnes, in a press release.
Such documentation must be obtained from the car manufacturer or a laboratory with public approval.
How to NOT style and tun your car