Does Your Car Feel Sluggish? Maybe It Needs a Dyno Test
Have you noticed problems with your car in recent times? The engine may seem to be down on power, or you may see that you are spending a lot more money at the petrol pump. In the beginning, you may find it challenging to put your finger on the answer, but you may find that your vehicle simply requires some tuning and in this case, you should ask a mechanic to put it on a dynamometer. What is this, and what are the advantages of using it?
Dyno Testing
Dynamometer (dyno, for short) tuning is a specialised technique that can be used to gauge the current output of any engine, including its torque delivery, horsepower and the ratio of the air to fuel.
Drop in Performance
Over time, various issues can arise, and your vehicle may not be performing as it should if specific measuring points do not line up. The engine timing may slip, and even if this is just by a small amount, it can have a considerable bearing on your ultimate performance.
Initial Approach — New Versus Old
Today, many vehicles use electronic ignition and timing, and any adjustments here will typically be made digitally and through the engine management system. The engineer may take the distributor and perform special tests on the bench in older vehicles to see it is working as it should. A specialist can make tiny adjustments here and there to maximise performance and ensure that you are getting good mileage at the pump.
Roller Test
The vehicle will be placed on the dynamometer machine with its driving wheels in between two rollers. When the car is properly secured, the mechanic will run the engine while the wheels turn in between the rollers. This will generate readings as the engine gets faster and goes up and down through the gears. All of these readings will be fed through to a separate computer in the service bay. With this data, the engineer will be able to check against manufacturer-recommended figures before they can make the necessary adjustments. This may involve changes to the ignition timing, fuel delivery and exhaust settings.
Report
Usually, the mechanic will provide the owner with a detailed report showing all the adjustments. They will also give future performance advice.
Your Turn
Schedule a visit to a dyno tuning professional as soon as possible. They'll be able to tell you what is wrong and give advice accordingly.
