New to CARB FlashPro - basic questions re: octane, ECON mode

[robardin]

Sorry to post this question here, but I don't see a sub-forum (yet) for the 2022+ Civic 1.5T

I had a 2007 Acura TSX for 6 years that came to me with a Hondata FlashPro installed for it already, along with a custom tune from a tuner; I didn't dare tweak the settings myself very much, except for throttle sensitivity.

I now have a 2022 Civic Sport Touring with the 1.5T and decided to get the CARB FlashPro that was just released for the 11th gen 1.5T, as I don't intend to do much or any equipment modification (maybe at some point a CARB legal air intake, if Mishimoto makes one as for the 10th gen). Nor to futz with throttle sensitivity, as I find the stock response just fine to live with for daily driving (and would prefer to be street legal).

The TSX always required (recommended) 91 Octane, the ST only 87. I know using the CARB base map tune would need 91 Octane for best effect, but if (for some reason) I had to fill with regular, like if the gas station I pulled into while near empty only had that left, would the ECU detect it and "fall back" to the stock parameters?

If not, could I reset the ECON button to map to the original stock (non-ECON) tune with the FlashPro?

I've heard of people doing such things, but my TSX didn't have such a button, so I don't know if this is something only the full FlashPro can do, or not even that one?

[robardin]

Oh, I did a forum search and found this nearly identical query wrt to the 2016-21 Civic 1.5T:

viewtopic.php?t=21035

Hondata: "...the Race and CARB FlashPro will give you the same throttle response, passing power, turbo spool up etc. The only real difference is that with the Race FlashPro you can tune the calibration to get the most out of your vehicle. If you don't intend to tune it then there is no practical difference."

Good, that's me this time around!

Spunkster: "How would the +6 tune run on 89 octane? Would 91 be much better for both power and knock control?" -- "You will get the most our of running 91 you will probably lose 3-4 hp on 89."

That suggests the ECU will still detect and "de-tune" for lower octane operation even without reverting to the stock tune, which apparently is what the ECON button will do:

Spunkster: "So with Hondata mode enabled, Econ on is stock and Econ off is the +6 tune? And if I don't use Hondata mode, Econ on is the +6 tune but with the factory programmed Econ settings. Correct?" -- "Yes, that is all correct."

I would assume this 11th gen CARB FlashPro would behave the same as the prior one; why wouldn't it?

[robardin]

Maybe this was meant to be really obvious, so sorry if this was a total newb question to begin with...

But comparing more closely between the CARB FlashPro for the 20216-21 Civic 1.5T and 2022+ Civic 1.5T, I see they're the exact same product!

Only the CARB certifications are different (referring to the supplied tunings, I suppose, which are tailored to the different models listed in the specifications).

[Spunkster]

You can use lower octane but may get some knocking and will have reduced performance. I would only do this in an emergency and not full time. You may even want to return to stock if you intend to use lower octane than 91.

[robardin]

Thanks Spunkster, I was referring to the "Hondata mode" setting from the other post such that using ECON mode would revert to a stock tuning or equivalent, without me having to have a laptop handy to flash the ECU again

BTW, I just got my CARB FlashPro, haven't taken it out to the car yet but all the menus refer to the 2016+ Civic FC1 whereas I have the 2022 "FL1"?

Where do I find the right set of "base" calibrations (that are all I can use with the CARB FlashPro) for the FL1?

[Spunkster]

Click on the New Calibration button and choose the correct vehicle there.

[robardin]

Right, it came up with the right calibration after I actually plugged it into the vehicle and locked it to the VIN

Now I'm wondering what "secondary tuning" means, and how I can select "Hondata Mode" so the ECON button effectively results in the stock tune (I don't see the mode option in the Manager), or if I even need to (maybe it just works that way by default?)

It seems to be running pretty rich on idle after flashing, but (a) it's almost freezing temps right now where I am and (b) I see elsewhere that it takes 3-4 start cycles for the ECU to learn the right idle after a flash, so it's probably a combination of those two

I haven't had the time to do much test driving - or rather, since I did the flash at 6pm all the highways were mostly jammed - I got one clear stretch from an on-ramp where I ran it to redline through third gear, and found to my surprise I still needed to shift to third to hit 60 MPH, I kind of assumed the added power would mean hitting it at around redline in second gear... I'll try again tomorrow and after the engine warms up a bit more

[Spunkster]

You can upload 2 calibrations to the FlashPro, please see the help file:
https://www.hondata.com/help/flashpro/u ... sub=upload

The Hondata mode can be found in the torque section of the calibration window.
https://www.hondata.com/help/flashpro/h ... ub=hondata

The speed is linked to the gearing of the vehicle and will not change with added power. You will be able to accelerate faster with added power.

[robardin]

The Hondata mode can be found in the torque section of the calibration window.
https://www.hondata.com/help/flashpro/h ... ub=hondata

Is that only something with the "full" FlashPro? I have the CARB certified version, and for me, the calibration window in FlashPro Manager (with ignition on, and engine both running and not running) is empty/blank.

[Hondata]

You need to open a calibration.

[robardin]

Ha, I see, I figured by default it would show the current calibration, but I guess that's not how it works!

It looks like Hondata Mode is on by default, with a set of Econ torque boost settings that are lower, I guess stock equivalent?

It also looks like Traction Control is disabled by default?

[Spunkster]

You can enable and disable what you like in the calibration and then upload it to the ECU.