My Flasher: change your engine map from your smartphone

Until now, engine remapping at Shiftech followed a simple process: the vehicle is put on the dynamometer, the engineer develops a bespoke map, writes it into the ECU, and the customer drives away with a single configuration. To change the map (for example, switching from Stage 1 unleaded to an E85 conversion), you had to return to the centre.

My Flasher changes this approach. The system consists of a compact OBD dongle (developed by our technology partner Autotuner) and the My Flasher mobile app, available on smartphones. The process involves three steps:

1. Development at the centre. Your vehicle is put through its paces on the dynamometer at a Shiftech centre. The engineer develops several maps to suit your needs:

• stock,
• E85 conversion,
• Stage 1 SP98,
• Stage 1 E85,
• or any other combination.

Each map is individually validated on the test bench.

2. Storage on the dongle. The developed maps are transferred to the My Flasher dongle. The dongle is linked to your vehicle’s VIN: it only works on your car, which prevents it from being reused on another vehicle as a security measure.

3. Changing the map at home. Using the My Flasher app on your smartphone, you select the desired map and start the write process. The process takes a few minutes. You can change the map as often as you like, with no limits and at no extra cost.

This is not a ‘multimap’ in the traditional sense. A multimap utilises unused memory areas of the ECU to store partial variants (turbo pressure, load). My Flasher actually writes the complete map to the ECU every time you change it. It’s a complete rewrite, not a switch between secondary tables.

The process for changing the map is designed to be accessible to any user, even those without technical knowledge. Here are the practical steps:

Plug in the dongle. The My Flasher dongle connects to your vehicle’s OBD-II socket (usually under the steering wheel). A green LED confirms the connection.

Open the app. The My Flasher app detects the dongle via Bluetooth and automatically connects to the vehicle. The dashboard displays the vehicle’s details: model, power output, VIN.

Select the map. The flashing screen displays the available maps and shows the one currently installed in the ECU. Select the target map and confirm.

Ensure the flashing conditions are met. During the flash, the vehicle must be stationary, with the handbrake on and the ignition switched on. Trending (with a battery charger connected) is strongly recommended to ensure a stable voltage during the flashing process. The phone must remain charged: we recommend plugging it into the car during the operation.

Wait until the writing process is complete. The flash process takes a few minutes. The app displays the progress in real time.

In the event of an interruption (Bluetooth disconnection, phone switching off), the system has built-in safeguards: simply reconnect the phone and restart the flashing process. The ECU will not be damaged by an interruption.

The My Flasher dongle can store several map files simultaneously. The number and type of map files depend on your vehicle and your requirements. Here are the most common configurations:

Original map (Stage 0). The manufacturer’s map, as supplied ex-factory. Essential for restoring the vehicle to 100 per cent factory condition at any time: for a service at the dealership, an MOT test or resale.

Simple E85 conversion. A map adapted for bioethanol, without any increase in power. The vehicle runs on E85 with the original engine settings adjusted for the new fuel.

Stage 1 for 98-octane unleaded. Optimisation of the mapping to increase power and torque on standard petrol.

Stage 1 E85 (or E85+). A combination of the ethanol conversion and Stage 1 optimisation. This mapping extracts the maximum performance from E85 fuel thanks to its properties (high octane rating, improved combustion chamber cooling).

Optional maps. Depending on your vehicle and your requirements, we can add maps with specific options: pop and bang, removal of the speed limiter (Vmax), track map, gearbox map. For businesses, a restriction map (limiting revs per minute or speed) is also available.

Anti-theft mapping. A mapping that prevents the vehicle from starting. Whilst the anti-theft mapping is active, the engine will not start. This provides an additional level of protection, provided the dongle is kept in a safe place.

Each additional mapping service beyond the initial package is charged at €200 including VAT.

To demonstrate how the My Flasher works in real-world conditions, a 265 ch Golf 7 GTI Club Sport Phase 1 was used as the demonstration vehicle. This model is fitted with the 2.0 TSI engine from the EA888 family, an engine that Shiftech has been tuning for years across all its variants (Golf GTI, Golf R, Audi S3, Seat Leon Cupra, Skoda Octavia RS).

The Club Sport is a particularly interesting choice for this demonstration: it is a non-particulate-filter-equipped vehicle (no particulate filter), has the same engine as the other sports variants from the VAG group, and offers significant performance gains from Stage 1 onwards.

Four map sets were developed on a dynamometer under the following conditions: 30 °C ambient temperature, 1 bar atmospheric pressure.

Results measured on the dynamometer

Some key observations from these results:

The Golf 7 GTI Club Sport already exceeds its original stated power output (295 ch measured versus 265 ch claimed by the manufacturer). This is common with EA888 engines: manufacturers tend to give conservative power figures.

A simple E85 conversion (without optimisation) does not result in any loss of power. On the contrary, a slight gain of 2 ch and 7 Nm has been measured. This is an important point for owners who are hesitant to switch to ethanol for fear of losing performance.

The full Stage 1 E85 conversion achieves 375 ch and 500 Nm, representing a gain of nearly 80 ch and 117 Nm compared with the measured original figures. The Full E85 (map calibrated exclusively for bioethanol, without Flex management for unleaded petrol) allows the properties of ethanol to be fully utilised, notably by advancing the ignition timing further. This is a configuration that Shiftech rarely offers under normal circumstances: we usually favour Flex maps, which automatically adapt to the SP98/E85 mixture in the tank. The My Flasher makes the full E85 setup a viable option, as the customer can switch to an SP98 map before filling up with unleaded petrol, without having to return to the workshop.

Before the dynamometer test, the critical components were checked: spark plugs and ignition coils were in good condition. On EA888 engines, the injectors and spark plugs are the main areas to monitor. A Stage 1 remap requires no additional parts, but the engine must be in good mechanical condition.

As well as map updates, the My Flasher app includes diagnostic features and direct communication with Shiftech’s technical support team.

Reading fault codes (DTCs). From within the app, you can run a full diagnostic scan of all the vehicle’s modules. Any fault codes detected are displayed on the screen and can be sent directly to Shiftech’s mapping support team at the touch of a button. There’s no longer any need to call the centre to describe a warning light: the team receives the exact codes and can analyse the situation immediately.

Data logs. The app allows you to record a data log (real-time capture of engine parameters whilst driving). The recommended procedure: drive in 3rd gear, start at 1,500 rpm, accelerate fully to the rev limiter, on a route suitable for these speeds. The log file is then sent directly to the mapping support team via the app. This is a valuable tool for remote diagnostics: if the engine behaviour appears abnormal, the Shiftech team can analyse the turbo pressure, air-fuel ratio and boost pressure curves and identify the problem without the vehicle having to return to the centre.

Integrated chat. The app features a direct messaging service with Shiftech’s mapping support team. Messages, fault codes and data logs are received via the same support interface, enabling centralised monitoring of each vehicle.

This system transforms the after-sales service relationship. Currently, when a customer calls with a problem (engine warning light, unusual behaviour), the diagnosis is often carried out over the phone, without any visual reference. With My Flasher, the support team receives the vehicle’s actual technical data and can provide the customer with precise guidance: check the spark plugs and ignition coils, check the fuel quality, or return to the service centre if the problem requires physical intervention.

My Flasher Prices

The My Flasher dongle is priced at €399 including VAT. This price is in addition to the cost of the reprogramming carried out at a service centre.

For example, on the Golf 7 GTI Club Sport used in this demonstration:

• Stage 1 E85: €859 including VAT

• My Flasher (dongle): €399 incl. VAT

• Additional map: €200 (incl. VAT) per map

My Flasher does not involve any subscription or recurring fees. Once the dongle has been purchased and the maps developed, map changes are unlimited and free of charge.

My Flasher vehicle compatibility

My Flasher is compatible with a growing number of ECUs. The list is regularly updated thanks to updates developed by Autotuner. At the time of writing, compatibility covers around 40 to 50 ECUs, mainly across:

• VAG Group (Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Porsche): extensive coverage of post-2017 vehicles

• BMW and Mini: recent unlocked Bosch ECUs

• Mercedes: recent models are compatible

• Others: certain Delco (Opel) ECUs and other makes, depending on available protocols

Compatibility is not universal. Not all vehicles are supported yet, and very old models are unlikely to be supported. It is best to contact your Shiftech centre or check the dedicated page on the website to verify your vehicle’s compatibility before ordering.

The My Flasher is linked to your vehicle’s VIN. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle. This is a deliberate security measure: each map is developed specifically for your engine, and the device cannot be misused to carry out unauthorised reprogramming on other vehicles.