When it comes to running diagnostic tests, we commonly hear people ask, “What type of OBD is in my car?” Thankfully, two easy ways exist to determine what type of OBD, or on-board diagnostics, is in your car. To learn more, BenchForce, a go-to provider of ECU programming kits and harnesses, highlights these two methods of finding what OBD your vehicle has and answers a variety of frequently asked questions. 1. Look at What Year Your Car Was Manufactured The easiest way to determine if your car has an OBD-I or OBD-II is to figure out what year the manufacturer made your car. Here’s why: All gas ..read more

Technology continues to advance year after year and is only getting better. Soon enough, we will exceed the need for petroleum-based fuels. But what technology will take over? Electric vehicles (EVs) are making huge strides in battery technology. Hydrogen fuel cells are slowly becoming more efficient. But in 2050, which will be the top technology? While I have my bias, let's consider the history of electric and hydrogen vehicles and see if we can figure it out. The History of The Electric Car The 1800s The development of electric cars started around 1828. During this time, horses and buggies w ..read more

If you’re new to reprogramming, you may have heard the term “bricked ECU.” It was probably followed by a horror story that involved parsing through forums for answers, deciphering cryptic error messages, or sending the ECU back to the original manufacturer. To learn what a bricked ECU is and how to minimize your chances of dealing with the issue, BenchForce decided to jot down a few definitions and discuss some reprogramming best practices. What is an ECU? The engine control unit/engine control module is the engine's computer that controls engine performance. It uses information from sensors t ..read more

Written By: D.S.C. Royer BenchForce is a company that makes a modular line of products. These products allow a technician to program parameters or edit aspects of modules that make up a vehicle's communication network. This is applicable in most cases, whether or not the module is installed in the vehicle. Working in conjunction with PowerBlock, a device that gives battery and switchable ignition (key on) power to a module when uninstalled from the vehicle, BenchForce functions as a bridge. This bridge allows you to edit nearly every module that exists in a vehicle, whether that’s a Powertrai ..read more

The automotive industry has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to integrating new technologies. Henry Ford couldn’t have ever imagined what the modern assembly line would look like today. The innovation hasn’t stopped since the 1800s. But in the late 1960s, the industry went into overdrive. Now, from hood to trunk, automakers are loading cars with computers, and these computers are processing millions of lines of code. Once upon a time, these computers controlled a small variety of systems, such as the ignition and the fuel injection. But now, whether it’s your cruising speed or yo ..read more

Feature Image Photo Credit: Ford.com Whether you’re currently in the market for a truck or already have one, you may be curious about Ford’s renowned Power Stroke diesel engine. After all, Ford’s F-Series surpassed 640,000 trucks in 2022, making it America’s best-selling truck for 46 consecutive years and America’s best-selling vehicle for 41 years. To give you some idea of an optional engine under the hood in some of Ford’s most famous vehicles, BenchForce, a leading provider of engine harnesses and engine programming hardware, looks at the brief history of Power Stroke engines and then dig ..read more

Feature Image Photo Credit: Dmaxengines.com Until 1998, General Motors (GM) was seriously lacking in the diesel department. Their 1980s attempt at competing with Ford and Dodge with their 6.2 and 6.5 liter (L) engines, albeit mechanically impressive, only solidified their lower-tier placement in the world of power and torque. But in 1998, GM collaborated with Isuzu to break ground on their 60:40 joint venture, DMAX Ltd. Two years later, the pair would release a diesel powerhouse, the Duramax engine. With more power, torque, and reliability, GM (or, more accurately, DMAX) is now lauded for it ..read more

With the proper updates, reprogramming your engine control unit/engine control module (ECU/ECM) can improve your vehicle's all-around performance, resolve engine issues, and optimize the vehicle for your specific needs. Whether you're trying to push out more power, increase fuel efficiency, or simply get your check engine light turned off, reprogramming your car's computer may be the answer. If you’re curious about how reprogramming can improve your vehicle’s performance, this article will help. In it, BenchForce, an ECU Bench Programming resource for OBD-II Vehicles, discusses the five benef ..read more

Maybe you're already a Cummins fan or exploring what kind of powerhouse you want in your next truck. Either way, these diesel engines have an excellent reputation for a reason. They're robust, reliable, and durable. At BenchForce, we're passionate about all types of vehicles, but there is something special about a truck with a Cummins engine. Whether it's the confidence and freedom of knowing you can handle the heaviest of trailers or the satisfaction and assuredness that you can take on almost any job, these impressive pieces of machinery deserve praise. If you’re interested in learning mor ..read more

From Corvettes and Camaros to Pontiac GTOs and Cadillac CTS-Vs, auto enthusiasts love an LS-powered set of wheels. To this day, gearheads around the world see General Motors’ line of LS Engines as one of the finest pieces of machinery a car manufacturer has ever created. At BenchForce, we tend to agree. If you’re interested in learning more about the legendary LS engine, we think you’ll enjoy this piece. In it, we’re digging into its history, performance, and recent renaissance. The Early Years of the LS Engine In 1997, GM introduced the LS V8 engine—as we know it today—to the world. It becam ..read more