Welcome to the world of professional engine tuning. If you’re asking yourself how to tune with Alientech KESS3, this guide is the perfect starting point. We will walk you through the ten essential things you need to know to get started with this impressive piece of hardware.
1. KESS3 vs KESSv2
The KESS3 is a huge leap forward, replacing both the older Alientech KESSv2 and the K-TAG tools. It is an all-in-one device, combining the functions of its predecessors into a single, more powerful unit. This means you no longer need separate tools for different types of ECU programming, which tidies up your workflow and investment. The KESS3 is designed for performance, flexibility and ease of use, making it a great choice for both beginner car tuners and seasoned professionals.
View our KESS3 vs Kess V2 technical guide.
Workflow Comparison: KESS3 vs Autotuner
A key practical difference comes down to the subscription model and support structure. The KESS3 operates on a yearly subscription which ensures it receives constant updates and gives you access to what is widely considered one of the fastest and most helpful support services in the industry. This is a crucial factor when a job doesn’t go to plan. In contrast, Autotuner does not require a yearly license, which can lower annual running costs, but its support structure may differ.
2. The Three Tuning Modes
A key part of learning how to tune with Alientech KESS3 is understanding its three core connection modes. This versatility allows you to interface with a massive range of engine control units (ECU) and automatic gearbox control units (TCU).
OBD Tuning
This is the most direct method. You connect the KESS3 to the vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, usually found under the dashboard. This allows you to easily access the ECU data to read and write files without physically removing the unit from the vehicle.
Bench Tuning
For more complex jobs, Bench mode is a simple and effective interface. It allows you to connect directly to the ECU’s connector pins without needing to open the ECU itself. This provides complete access to the data needed for a successful remap.
Boot Tuning
This is the most advanced method, giving you access to all of the ECU’s system data areas. It involves a direct connection to the circuit board inside the ECU. This lets you read, write and even clone the unit, a vital function for repair or replacement.
A Real-World Example from the Workshop
Not all Engine Control Units (ECUs) can be tuned via the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port. Many modern ECUs are equipped with advanced tuning protection, or a stable OBD tuning protocol is not yet available.
A key example is BMW models manufactured from 2017 onwards. For these vehicles, we strongly recommend a ‘bench tune’ method. Attempting to tune them via the OBD port poses a significant risk of activating the vehicle’s ‘transport mode,’ a locked state that can only be reversed with specialist BMW diagnostic tools. By using the bench method, we ensure a safe and reliable tuning process.
Workshop Data on Tuning Modes
A growing number of vehicles manufactured since 2020 are currently untunable due to increasingly sophisticated ECU security. This is particularly prevalent in models from major automotive groups like BMW, VAG (Volkswagen-Audi Group), and PSA (Peugeot-Citroën) from 2021 onwards, whose ECUs are securely locked by the factory.
3. Master vs Slave Systems
When learning how to tune with Alientech KESS3, you’ll find it’s available in two distinct configurations. Choosing the right one is key for your business model.
The KESS3 Master System
The KESS3 Master version gives you complete freedom. It reads and writes unencrypted files, meaning you can use tuning software like ECM Titanium 3.0 to edit the files yourself or get them from a provider of your choice. This is the ideal solution for experienced tuners who want full control over their work and file management.
The KESS3 Slave System
The KESS 3 Slave version is perfect for those starting out or workshops that prefer to rely on a trusted tuning partner. The tool reads and writes encrypted files that can only be modified by your linked Master file provider. You send the original file you have read from the vehicle and your Master provider sends back the modified file for you to write. It’s a safe and supported way into the remapping industry.
4. The Alientech Suite Software
The KESS3 is powered by the Alientech Suite, a completely redesigned and easy-to-use software interface. It is your command centre for every operation. The dashboard gives you quick access to the vehicle list, a history of vehicles you have worked on and the ability to create a list of your favourites. The software is regularly updated to ensure it is functional, usable and easy to navigate, providing you with up-to-date protocols and support.
The Safety Net: Understanding Checksum Correction
Before writing a modified file to a vehicle, it’s important to understand the concept of a checksum. Think of it as the ECU’s internal accountant. The ECU has a specific calculated value based on the data in its map. If any part of that map data is changed, the original checksum value no longer matches, and the ECU will register an error, often preventing the engine from starting as a safety measure.
The Alientech Suite software handles this critical step for you automatically. When you write a modified file to an ECU, the software intelligently recalculates the new, correct checksum to match the changes you have made. This automated process is a vital safety feature that prevents you from writing a corrupt or mismatched file, ensuring the integrity of the ECU data and allowing the engine to run correctly with its new parameters. It’s one of the most important background processes that makes knowing how to tune with Alientech KESS3 safe and reliable.
5. Unboxing and First-Time Setup
Getting started with KESS3 is a straightforward process. Your new tool will come with the necessary cables to begin tuning. Alientech Tuning provides free UK-based helpline support and installation assistance to all customers. This ensures that from the moment you unbox your device, you have the backing of a dedicated technical support team to help with setup, upgrades and any questions you might have.
A Professional Tip for New Users
Read the manuals before attending a vehicle. This will cover 90% of the details they need to be aware of before tuning any vehicle.
Secondly, always check the vehicle, physically and with diag before doing anything else with it.
6. Protocols and Subscriptions
To use the KESS3, you need to activate specific protocols. These are software licences that allow you to communicate with different types of ECUs. You can choose protocol packages for Cars, Bikes, Agricultural vehicles, Trucks or Marine applications.
These activations are managed through a subscription. Both Master and Slave systems require a subscription to keep the tool updated with the latest vehicle developments and support.
Choosing Your First Protocol Package
1. Broader Client Base, More Revenue Streams
Starting with a wider protocol range instantly increases your potential market. Instead of only serving car owners, you can also work with farmers, plant hire businesses, and contractors who use tractors, harvesters, and industrial engines. These sectors often have less access to local tuners, which means less competition and higher margins.
2. Filling Gaps in Niche Markets
Agricultural and heavy vehicle tuning is a growing niche that’s still relatively untapped in many regions. Offering these services early can position your business as a specialist before others catch on. Once you’ve built that local reputation, you can dominate that niche without needing to undercut prices.
3. Stability Across Seasons
Car tuning tends to be seasonal, with quieter months in winter. Agricultural and off-road work, on the other hand, follows different cycles. Farmers often do performance and fuel economy tuning before planting or harvest seasons, which helps balance your income through the year.
4. Expanding Long-Term Opportunities
A broader protocol setup gives you room to grow without buying new tools every time you want to add a new market. You can start with light vehicles but branch out naturally into light commercial vans, trucks, boats, or farm equipment, all using the same platform and workflow.
5. Building a Specialist Reputation
Rather than being one more car tuner in a crowded market, you can become known as the local expert in specific applications, such as agricultural economy tuning or torque optimisation for heavy-duty vehicles. This kind of specialist reputation is a strong long-term asset and makes it easier to attract trade contracts and partnerships.
7. DynoDrive and Advanced Features
The KESS3 is not just a remapping tool. A special feature available through the Alientech Suite is DynoDrive. This advanced function allows you to calculate and verify a vehicle’s performance during a road test. By using data from the OBD port and the KESS3’s built-in GPS, DynoDrive provides real-world power and torque values that you can export and compare. This offers a practical way to certify your work without needing expensive dyno equipment.
8. Training and Technical Support
How to tune with Alientech KESS3 is a skill, and Alientech Tuning provides the support to help users master it. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, training is available. You can find online vehicle training courses that cover the operation of the tools and software, as well as online demonstrations to guide you. A dedicated technical support team is also available to assist with any queries, ensuring you get the most out of your investment in this ECU remapping tool.
9. Vehicle Compatibility and Coverage
A crucial first step in knowing how to tune with Alientech KESS3, before you start any job is confirming if the vehicle is supported. View the full and constantly updated vehicle list on its official vehicle list page. The Alientech Suite software also features an interactive search function that allows you to quickly find a vehicle or search for a specific microprocessor in your ECU. The list of protocols and vehicles is updated daily and is always available online.
10. Professional Accessories
To expand the capabilities of your KESS3, a range of high-quality accessories is available. These include a positioning frame for stable bench and boot work, an Alientech KESS3 upper illumination deck, a KESS3 positioning frame, programming probes and specific adapter cables for various ECUs like Temic, Continental and Bosch. These accessories are designed to make even the most complex connections safer and more efficient.
Your First Remap: A 5-Step Checklist
To truly understand how to tune with Alientech KESS3 in a practical sense, following a clear process is vital. Here are the critical steps you should follow for your very first remapping job:
Getting Started With Alientech KESS3 FAQs
How do I activate my KESS3 protocols?
You can purchase and activate protocol packages from Alientech Tuning. You can select the specific vehicle types you want to work on, such as car, bike or truck, for either a Master or Slave system.
Can I upgrade my KESS3 from a Slave to a Master?
Yes, one of the key benefits of the KESS3 system is the ability to upgrade. Contact our support team to learn more about the process of upgrading your Slave tool to a Master tool as your business grows.
What happens if my subscription expires?
An active KESS3 subscription is needed to keep your tool updated with the latest protocols and to access online support services. While the tool may still function, you will miss out on new vehicle coverage and software updates.
What is the recovery mode and how does it work?
The KESS3 includes a recovery function that allows you to restore the original file to the ECU if a writing procedure is interrupted. This is a safety feature that protects you from potential ECU failure.
Do I need a constant internet connection to use KESS3?
An active internet connection is required to use the Alientech Suite, download the latest updates and ensure your protocols and subscription are validated.
About the Author
Paul Busby is the CEO of Alientech Tuning and is responsible for overall business growth and operations. He is an experienced vehicle engineer specialising in post-production defect investigation, new vehicle derivative homologation and warranty guarantee development. Paul was the winner of Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 and led VIEZU to a Queen’s Award in 2014. You can usually find him getting his car-fix in the VIEZU Workshop or showing off the F-Type Predator 670 BHP to customers!
Why Choose Alientech Tuning
Choosing the right supplier is as important as choosing the right tool. Alientech Tuning is a one-stop shop for all genuine Alientech tools and software, guaranteeing the best prices available. We provide comprehensive support, including a free UK-based helpline and a dedicated technical team available six days a week to assist with everything from installation to upgrades. For those looking to develop their skills, we offer both online and in-class training courses on map writing with ECM Titanium. With fast worldwide, door-to-door delivery and tax-free sales available, we are set up to support your tuning business wherever you are located.