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Lake Wenatchee, WA

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Gixxerkid3

Lake Wenatchee, WA
« on: October 01, 2022, 08:34:42 pm »
Hi all, the camping year is starting to slow down out here in Washington so we are making the most of it.  We took this weekend at Lake Wenatchee State Park which is one of our favorite places to go as it offers lots of hiking, jeeping and kicking back at the lake.  We sure do love the PC as it is the perfect size for my wife, me and our Boxer dog.  Just a note, I added the 5 Star tune a few trips ago and WOW, what a difference in shifting patterns from stock.  We have to come over Stevens Pass on US HWY-2 to get here and prior to the tune, the RV  constantly shifted back and forth into a ridiculously high RPM’s coming over the pass.  Was very annoying.  The new tune works well and keeps the converter locked allowing better use of gears.
Anyway, thought I would share. 

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #1 on: October 02, 2022, 08:41:07 am »
Thanks for your report on the 5-Star Tune.  Could you provide detail on where you bought it, how much it cost you, how you installed it or uploaded it?  It seems our 2007 PC2350 E350 would benefit from it because of the annoying down-shifting at every over-pass.  I believe your 2012 and our 2007 have the same 5-speed Torque-Shift transmission and 6.8L-V10 engine.
« Last Edit: October 02, 2022, 08:43:43 am by Ron Dittmer »
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

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Gixxerkid3

Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2022, 08:40:30 pm »
Hello Ron,
 I purchased it at 5startuning.com. I believe I paid $508 shipped to my door. There was a sale, I believe, on the website at the time for about $45 off. Updating is easy; however, the directions that came with the tuner differed from the website directions as I’m sure they updated their website; however, once you make it to the updating page on the website, updating the tuner is a piece of cake. Once you update the tuner using your personal computer (MS windows, Not sure if they support Apple products.) to the latest software,  just connect the tuner to your RVs OBD port and follow the directions. It’s a piece of cake. One thing I noted once the tune was complete was that my gas gauge was completely wrong. I had a full tank and it said I only had a half so I disconnected the battery, reconnected and everything was fine. No issues since.
Keep in mind once you tune your vehicle you can’t tune any other vehicles and if you ever want to return your vehicle back to the stock configuration and remove the tune, you have to use your specific tuner and then the tuner will become “unlocked” as they say. Once you tune it to your VIN number they consider it “married” or locked to your VIN.
For me, it was a great purchase.
It might just be me but previous to the tuner I really struggled to get on the freeway at 60 miles an hour and now even towing my jeep I don’t even worry about it. It shifts quicker, firmer and just overall better performance in my situation.
Hope this Helps, and all as always feel free to reach out for further info
« Last Edit: October 02, 2022, 09:08:44 pm by Gixxerkid3 »

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2022, 11:06:33 pm »
 2o2
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donc13

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Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2022, 06:28:24 pm »
I agree with Steve's remarks about the 5 Star Tune.  Very easy to "install", the first thing the "tuner" is download your factory settings and save them.

His price is about the same as I paid and living in Colorado it's heavensent!  Before the 5 Star, going over 10 and 11 thousand foot passes on the Continental Divide I could barely keep it at 40mph and now, I can keep it at 50 to 55mph.

It actually has almost zero effect on gas mileage, just MUCH better shift points both up and down.

I installed it in 2019 and am extremely happy.

BTW, on the "locked" to your vehicle thing, that's true, but you can restore the factory tune (say for Ford warranty warranty work) and then rerun the tune procedure.  I seem to recall you can do that 6 times.  But it might not be limited.

It's one of my few "best upgrades and money spent items"

Don
---
Don and Patti

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Gixxerkid3

Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2022, 11:10:10 pm »
Exactly. Every tuner I have had…once you install a tune the tuner is locked to your VIN until you restore the factory tune. Then is is able to be installed on another compatible vehicle or sold.  The first thing the tuner does when you install, like Don said, is make a copy of your factory image (tune). $508 we’ll spent.

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Ron Dittmer

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    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2022, 12:28:47 am »
So the 5 Star Tune is software alone that does not involve installing physical hardware....right?
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

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Gixxerkid3

Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2022, 01:22:35 am »
Correct, once you purchase the tuner, update the software from their website, plug it in your OBD port and follow the directions to upload a new software tune.  Once done, you unplug the tuner from the OBD port and enjoy the new shifting patterns.  The tuner is also able to read / clear check engine codes on any vehicle too with an OBD port.  It has a few gauges like tranny temp but I don’t find those useful. 
OH, ALSO, the throttle is more responsive in the drive by wire.  Check this link for benefits.
https://5startuning.com/got-a-v10-rv/
« Last Edit: October 04, 2022, 01:25:58 am by Gixxerkid3 »

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Tarnold

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Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2022, 08:36:32 am »
Does the device stay in the obd port?  If so can’t use scan gauge?

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TheLuvShack

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Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2022, 09:17:15 am »
Does the device stay in the obd port?  If so can’t use scan gauge?

No. Plug it in. Install the software then remove. I've had FiveStar for 5 years. Money well spent!

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Ron Dittmer

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  • Ron and Irene
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    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #10 on: October 04, 2022, 12:17:54 pm »
Does the device stay in the obd port?  If so can’t use scan gauge?

No. Plug it in. Install the software then remove. I've had FiveStar for 5 years. Money well spent!
What exactly are you plugging in?  A 5-Star Tune Module?  Or your home compter with a special cable?  How do you save your original tune?  Is it saved in a module or in your computer?
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

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Gixxerkid3

Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #11 on: October 04, 2022, 01:08:51 pm »
Your plugging in the tuner.  It copies an image of your factory tune and saves it in the tuner.  Then the tuner loads the new tune and once that is done, you remove the tuner from the vehicle and put in your tool box.  If you want to return to the factory image you connect the tuner to your RV and follow the directions to restore the original factory image. check this link below and fast forward to: about 5:30 seconds and it will give you an idea of how a tune is installed.
https://youtu.be/vjMTPVfD5nU

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Ron Dittmer

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  • Ron and Irene
    • View Profile
    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2022, 08:57:11 pm »
Thank You Steve!
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

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Gixxerkid3

Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #13 on: October 04, 2022, 09:39:44 pm »
You’re most welcome.  Too bad I can not post videos here,  I would do a short tutorial for you.

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stanclem

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Re: Lake Wenatchee, WA
« Reply #14 on: October 06, 2022, 09:25:03 pm »
I had the 5Star Tune on our 2004 PC 2350 and then transferred the tune to our 2015 PC 2552. All the above remarks on the tune performance and management are spot on.
Worth every penny for the improved driving experience.