Porsche 991.2 / 718 4-Cyl M-Tuner Install Procedure
This is a step by step guide on how to use your new M-Tuner software flashing suite for your Porsche 991.2 Carrera or Turbo. Video and text are provided below to assist you. If at any time you need assistance, please call our office (949.444.2150) or email us at info@m-engineering.us
Knowing Your Way Around M-Tuner v3
If you currently have M-Tuner v2 installed on your computer, please UNINSTALL it first before beginning the upgraded install of M-Tuner v3.
M-Tuner v3 is devised of 11 different parts, see below for detailed information, all will activate a routine or display certain information:
Flash ECU - This button is how you activate the flash routine to change files on your ECU over OBDII.
Console - This is where important flashing information is displayed in real time. Map Notes, completion percentage, etc, will be displayed here during the flash process.
Profile - Profile affords multiple different logging profiles which can be customized to cater to specific systems we are focusing on trying to improve. Every M-Tuner will come with a “General” logging profile.
Datalogging - This will activate live data as well as datalogging. All data displayed is subsequently recorded. Each datalog consists of .csv and .ldat files. When emailing datalogs to M-Engineering for review, please email the .ldat files.
Actuators - Dyno Mode - This is where you will find actuators to turn on and off certain functions. Examples include turning on and off the fuel pump to pump out fuel, or turning radiator fans on to help cool the car down in the pits after a long track session. You can also enable and disable dyno mode. This is required for the vehicle to run properly on any dyno.
Logging Rate & License - Your current logging rate is displayed in this panel. When logging your sample rate is displayed in Hz. The License portion displays who this particular version of M-Tuner is licensed to. The license allows your vehicle to communicate with M-Tuner.
Read/Clear Faults - Here you can read specific faults and clear faults in all modules.
License - Here you can add additional M-Tuner licenses or pick the proper license for the vehicle you are working on. This is particularly useful for shops who have many customers who are running M-Tuner.
Diagnostics - Additional module fault reading (McLaren only).
Map Notes - With this button you can open your M-Tuner files to view the map notes. This is useful if you forget your map slots.
Device - Here you can select a wired dongle (v2) or connect to the wireless dongle (v3)
Connection to wireless dongle.
When connected to the wireless dongle via WiFi you will lose connection to the internet. When flashing is complete, you can disconnect the dongle and reconnect to the internet. Alternatively, if you need internet and M-Tuner v3 dongle connection at the same time, a separate USB wifi dongle can be bought from places like Amazon.
Step 1. Downloading M-Tuner. First you will get the M-Engineering dongle and box. You will need to download the latest version of M-Tuner from https://www.m-engineering.us/pages/downloads and install it onto your laptop. This is only compatible with PC based computers (Windows) or Mac’s running on boot camp or something similar. We do not provide any support for Apple users at this time.
Step 2. Send your calibration information to M-Engineering. Next after installing M-Tuner onto your laptop, you will need to connect the M-Engineering dongle into your OBD port.
The port can be located here:
Next you will need to use M-Tuners “Read Info” button to get very important details that we will need to send you the correct calibration files for your car.
Once you click that button it will then save the info that we need on your clipboard in order to send you the correct files. It will have a dialogue that looks similar to this:
Please open your email and send an email to calibration@m-engineering.us and in the Subject Line tell us what type of car and customer name such as “ 991 Turbo S, Tom Smith”. Once you have done that, in the body of the email if you hit “Ctrl+V” it will paste this info in. Please also include any vehicle modifications that will be run in the car. You can then send the email to us! Once we receive it, you should get a set of files (91,93,100) within 24 hours but can expect the files much faster if during business hours.
Step 3. Flashing Your ECU/PDK and Auto-Licensing your M-Tuner Software
*During the flash process, the vehicle must be in the on position but the engine off and not running*
A battery tender is highly recommended during flashing. Do not attempt to flash your vehicle if your battery life seem low or you battery power errors on the dash. An insufficient charge can lead to a failed flash!
File Types in M-Tuner
M-Tuner(C) - These are calibration files and are the more common file type you will be encountering. When doing calibration revisions for remote tuning these will be the type of files you will be flashing.
M-Tuner(F) - These files are used first when flashing the car from a stock condition. These are full binary files that are used for large feature updates! M-Tuner(F) is also needed to recover an ECU in the unlikely event a flash fails for any unforeseen reason.
Initiating a flash and Auto-Licensing (ECU/PDK)
If this is the first flash you are completing on M-Tuner, licensing of the software will be automatic.
Flashing is a straight forward process that can take between 90 seconds to 6 minutes depending on the file type. Simple on screen prompts guide you through the process.
Open M-Tuner and connect the M-Engineering OBD dongle to your PC via the included USB cable or wirelessly (v3 only). The other end connects to your vehicle via the OBDII port. If you have a stable connection the “Flash ECU” button will now be in bold and no longer grayed out.
Turn the vehicle to the on position but do not start the engine. A simple way to know you’re at the right point is if the tach is showing but the engine is not running. This state can be reached simply by pressing the start/stop button with your foot off of the brake pedal.
Click “Flash ECU”, a directory will appear. Select the file you’d like to flash and open it. Using a battery tender is highly recommend, particularly if flashing a M-Tuner(F) file.
After you select your (F) file to flash on the car, you will be prompted to enter in your Customer Name for the license. You can simply put whatever you like in the box such as your full name and the year/make/model of the car. Once this step is complete this allows you to gain full control of reading and clearing faults as well as all other M-Tuner features and you won’t need to license again.
A confirmation window with map notes will now appear. Click “yes” to proceed or “no” to abort.
Flashing Process
The console will now display information as the flash process progresses. As the vehicle enters the proper flash state all CAN BUS traffic will stop and modules will shut down.
You may see some communication errors regarding certain modules displayed while gaining security access, this is normal.
Once access is granted the flashing procedure will commence and a completion percentage will update in real time.
As the flash is wrapping up you may again see some communication issues with certain modules, again this is normal.
When the flash routine is finalizing, modules will come back online and alarms may once again sound. This is normal.
When prompted, cycle the key off and wait approximately 10 seconds, then cycle the key back on and click ok.
The flash is now successfully completed and you’re all set! See special precautions at the end of this section for other important data.
FUEL GAUGE ERROR: It’s possible that the fuel gauge may display an error after flashing, particularly cars that are low on fuel. Normally, this will go away after a drive cycle. Some cars may require you to refill your fuel if the error doesn’t go away. Make sure to fill it up all the way and not partially!
It’s possible for the WPA, PAS, ACC, Drive lights, TPMS, Steering Wheel, or other systems to show errors after the flash process. There is nothing to be alarmed about. You can start by performing a “Clear Faults” action via M-Tuner. Driving around the car for a few miles and insuring full lock to lock with the steering wheel can help clear these faults as well. They just need some time to reset and relearn.
You can also turn off your vehicle, lock it, and let it “sleep” for about 30 minutes.
ECU Recovery
In the very rare instance a flash were to fail due to low battery voltage, turning the car off during a flash, etc. We have built a recovery mode that can flash your ECU even if the flash was inhibited while in progress.
If for any reason discussed above the flash fails, you can now simply flash your M-Tuner(F) file to the vehicle and it will recover and you’ll be on your way.
If for any reason the recovery mode fails to recovery your ECU please send us an email at Info@m-engineering.us with the subject heading “M-Tuner Flash Failure” and we will assist you as soon as possible! We have yet to encounter an ECU that has not been recoverable in the field.
Precautions During and After Flashing
It is ideal to keep a battery tender on the vehicle while flashing. Insufficient supply voltage to the ECU may result in a failed flash.
Take special care to not walk away from your vehicle with the key while it is flashing. This may cause the flash to fail.
Ensure your laptop has a sufficient charge or is connected to outlet power before initiating a flash. If the laptop dies during the flash it may result in a failed flash.
Since all CAN traffic is silenced, it is wise to also disconnect or power down any ancillary CAN devices which may be hooked up e.g. radar detectors, logger dashes, etc.
Going Back To Stock / Uninstalling Your Tune
Going back to stock is just as easy as applying the tune to your car. Once you are returned to stock, you can visit the dealership without any worry. Your uninstall file will verify and apply your original CALID and CVN.
Select “Flash ECU” on M-Tuner
Instead of using your tune file, choose your “Uninstall” file
Follow the prompts on the screen, the flash process will take about 5 minutes.
Flashing Process
The console will now display information as the flash process progresses. As the vehicle enters the proper flash state all CAN BUS traffic will stop and modules will shut down.
You may see some communication errors regarding certain modules displayed while gaining security access, this is normal.
Once access is granted the flashing procedure will commence and a completion percentage will update in real time.
As the flash is wrapping up you may again see some communication issues with certain modules, again this is normal.
When the flash routine is finalizing modules will come back online and alarms may once again sound. This is normal.
When prompted, cycle the key off and wait approximately 10 seconds, then cycle the key back on and click ok.
The flash is now successfully completed and you’re all set! See special precautions at the end of this section for other important data.
FUEL GAUGE ERROR: It’s possible that the fuel gauge may display an error after flashing, particularly cars that are low on fuel. Normally, this will go away after a drive cycle. Some cars may require you to refill your fuel if the error doesn’t go away. Make sure to fill it up all the way and not partially!
It’s possible for the WPA, PAS, ACC, Drive Lights, TPMS, Steering Wheel, or other systems to show errors after the flash process. There is nothing to be alarmed about. You can start by performing a “Clear Faults” action via M-Tuner. Driving around the car for a few miles and insuring full lock to lock with the steering wheel can help clear these faults as well. They just need some time to reset and relearn.
You can also turn off your vehicle, lock it, and let it “sleep” for about 30 minutes.
Datalogging
Open M-Tuner and connect the OBD dongle to your vehicle and PC via the supplied USB cable.
If you have a profile open and a good connection to the vehicle “Start Datalogging” and “Clear Faults” will be in bold and no longer grayed out.
“Start Datalogging” will now begin displaying live data in the monitor panel and your logging speed will be displayed near the bottom.
Whenever you start to monitor a datalog is created automatically. When you first Datalog, a folder called “Datalogs” will be created in the same folder as M-Tuner. This is where all datalogs are saved. It can also be found by following the “View” button at the top left hand corner of M-Tuner Suite and then clicking on “Explore Datalog Directory”.
Datalogs are saved as both a .csv and a .ldat.
.csv files are files you are welcome (& encouraged) to review. Knowing what to look for in datalogs can be a great tool in early detection of an issue.
.ldat files are encrypted files that contain proprietary calibration data. Please only send us the .ldat files.
We are always available to review datalogs.
If you have a datalog you’d like us to review shoot us an email at Info@M-engineering.us with the subject header “Porsche Log Review” Please be sure to also include your VIN in the email.
Our Datalogging Parameters page can help you make sense of most vital monitors.
If we send you an LCFG2 file for logging please put it in the following folder or select on M-Tuner>View>Explore Logging Profile Directory:
Drop it in there and then when you reopen M-Tuner be sure to select in in the box at the bottom left that has a drop down.
Read & Clear Faults
The “Read & Clear Faults” buttons allows you to read Porsche specific faults in the DME/PDK as well as clear faults in all modules.
Dyno Mode
To activate dyno mode, your car must be in the key-on position with the engine off.
At the top of M-Tuner, select Actuators>Porsche 991>Dyno Mode>Enable.
This will allow you to run your car properly on the dyno without traction control interfering. Once dyno mode is active, you will receive a notification on M-Tuner and on the dash.
Choose the “Persist” option if you would like for dyno mode to remain “ON” after a flash/key cycle.
Select 2WD or 4WD depending on your dyno setup.
Don’t forget to turn it off when you’re done! Dyno mode is NOT intended or safe to use on the street.
Advanced Troubleshooting
In the event you are having issues with the M-Tuner dongle connecting to your computer and have tried basic troubleshooting such as restarting your PC, power cycling the dongle, swapping USB ports and cables, etc. You may need to install a fresh driver for the dongle.
Follow this file path location to open and run the program. C:/program files (x86)/M-Engineering/M-Tuner/openport2_setup.exe
If you previously had a competitor’s tune on your vehicle and went back to stock using their software device, it’s possible the car may not actually be truly back to stock and is missing some data. This seems to be hit or miss and depends on the brand of tune used. Symptoms of this may be the inability to flash on your (F) file right away using M-Tuner. If this happens and M-Tuner won’t move forward flashing your (F) file, flash the UNINSTALL file first, then flashing of your (F) tune file will become possible. If chassis faults persist, you may need to get a sway bar relearn/adaptation completed at a Porsche dealership using a PIWIS.