2004 Malibu Maxx Chipped?
 

I am looking for a way to chip my wife's 2004 Malibu Maxx. There are conditions where I am SURE that the car's computer is running leaner - and guess what? It shows instantly on the built-in mileage gauge on the radio. (Half the dash functions are built into the radio.)

Where can I get the car chipped, or buy a replacement computer that will run this thing lean? It's a 2004 Malibu Maxx LT, can top it out at about 38 MPG but it means BABYING the car to trick it into running lean. WAY more power than this car ever needs. You can spin the tires with the pedal about 1/4 of the way down. The SS version has an even bigger engine - I have no idea why. Basically I want a reprogrammed computer that will tell this to lay off the gas and run a whole lot leaner. Pretty sure I can get better than the 24 city and 33.6 hwy that my wife seems to manage.

Thanks in advance.

I own a 2006 Chevy Colorado and the only thing that I can use to adjust the factory computer is called Horsepower Tuners.

All that I know about this program is that you load it on to a computer and connect it up to the computer in your vehicle. You can then adjust ALL settings the factory computer uses. However you have to be careful because it is very easy to really screw something up. Most people with the Colorado/Canyon trucks report 2-3 mpg better after the tune has been done.

This vehicle has a programmable PCM. The vehicles computer system is a CAN setup, which stands for Controller Area Network. The aftermarket performance tuners might be able to help you out with programming on a dynamometer. I personally don't know anyone who can program CAN vehicles but with the system being out for 5 years its been done probably.

Mike