By the DigiTune team · Updated June 2026
If you’ve just finished the DigiTune tuning process, congratulations! We hope you’ve enjoyed the process and continue to enjoy your car.
We do everything we can while tuning to make sure that your car runs well not only today but for years to come. However, there are some things that simply can’t be protected against through tuning alone, and more power inevitably makes an engine easier to damage. This page is dedicated to helping you care for your tuned car and protect it against engine failure throughout its lifespan.
Be Cautious When Making Changes
Any changes that could affect engine performance or the fuel system are likely to have an impact on the tuning. Even if you are fixing or improving something (e.g. replacing a worn-out fuel pump or changing part of the exhaust), this is likely to need some tuning adjustment in order to ensure the engine remains safe and reliable. If in doubt, please ask us first about whether a change will affect your tune or engine before you go ahead. If an adjustment is needed, we can update your existing tune to suit.
Engine Monitoring / Protection
Engine failures are often avoidable with the right information available. Whether it’s overheating, loss of oil pressure, or a blocked fuel filter, the right sensors can detect and warn of issues before it’s too late. We are sometimes asked about implementing active engine protection (such as a reduced RPM limit in the event that an issue is detected), but this is not something that we recommend. Your life is worth far more than your engine and we do not want you to lose power halfway through an overtake with oncoming traffic. Instead, we recommend the use of an engine monitoring and warning system such as our Sentinel Shift and Warning Light. The clear warning LEDs provide instant feedback without the need to constantly glance at gauges or risk a hazardous situation on the road or track. The simplest way to cover the essentials is our DigiTune MX-5 Engine Protection Package, which bundles the key sensors together with the Sentinel warning light. If you’d rather build things up gradually, you can also fit any of the following individually, à la carte:
- DigiTune Sentinel Shift and Warning Light
- Bosch Combined Oil Pressure and Temperature Sensor Kit
- DigiTune In-Line Fuel Pressure Sensor
- Bosch MX-5 Knock Sensor Kit
Engine Oil
The exact engine oil to use will vary by engine, power level, cooling and use (road/track). Trying to cover all that would be a page in itself or possibly even a book! One thing that is often overlooked is how quickly engine oil can become contaminated if an engine is running rich. In a lot of cases, the base map used before tuning begins will have the car running rich enough to cause contamination. If you’re aware that the engine has been running rich prior to or during the tuning process, we recommend changing the engine oil to minimise wear and maximise protection. We also recommend that you continue to change the oil more frequently than the standard service intervals. Increased power output and the richer mixtures needed at full throttle will speed up oil degradation.
Cooling
Heat is one of the biggest threats to any tuned engine. More power means more heat, and a cooling system that coped perfectly well with the standard output can start to struggle once the car is making more. Keep an eye on your coolant temperature, particularly on track or in stop-start traffic on a hot day, and treat any steady climb as something to investigate rather than ignore. It’s also worth making sure the cooling system itself is in good health, as a tired radiator, an ageing thermostat, a weak water pump or coolant that’s overdue a change all eat into your safety margin. If you regularly drive the car hard, uprated cooling (a larger radiator, an oil cooler, or improved airflow) is one of the best investments you can make in engine longevity. This is also why we recommend monitoring oil temperature, as oil that gets too hot stops protecting your engine just when it needs it most.
Fuel
Your tune is built around a specific fuel. If we’ve tuned your car on a particular octane (for example 99 RON super unleaded), running a lower grade can cause knock and put the engine at risk, so please stick to the fuel we tuned on. It’s also worth filling up at busy, reputable forecourts, as fuel that has sat in a quiet station’s tank for a long time can be below par. If you ever want to switch fuel, or to run something like an ethanol blend, talk to us first so we can adjust the tune to suit.
Keep Up With Servicing
A tuned engine works harder than a standard one, so routine maintenance matters more, not less. Keep on top of your service schedule (bringing some items forward where it makes sense, as noted with oil above), use good quality filters, and check wear items like spark plugs regularly, as many tuned cars benefit from fresh or slightly colder plugs to resist knock. Whenever the car is serviced by someone else, let them know it has been tuned so they don’t unintentionally undo any of the work or fit parts that aren’t suited to the setup.
Any Questions?
This page covers the essentials, but every car and every build is a little different. If you’re ever unsure whether something will affect your tune or your engine, please get in touch before you act, as a quick question now is far cheaper than a repair later. We’re always happy to help, whether that’s a bit of advice, a sensor recommendation from our shop, or an adjustment to your existing tune.