All of our ECU/Engine and TCU/Transmission tunes are downloaded via the vehicle's OBD2 Port with our proprietary tuning cable. The requirements to download our tunes are:

1. Oakes Performance Solutions proprietary tuning cable.
Our tuning cable is proprietary to our firmware with the Custom Code Flashing Application so no other companies' tuning cable works with the flashing application. We are asked regularly if a VCDS from Ross-Tech, an Alienware cable, or any other company's tuner box can be used and unfortunately they are not compatible. Due to the fact that we have an entire drawer of different tuning cables from other companies that James has personally used to download tunes for different vehicles over the years, we decided to offer the option to buy the cable or rent it. Most customers decide to buy the tuning cable since it can be used to download tunes on multiple vehicles and for Data Logging values at an insanely high resolution rate of up to 200 data points per second. A low percentage of customers will rent the tuning cable so that the tunes can be downloaded and then they ship the tuning cable back since they are not going to be using it again.

2. Windows based computer with a USB port and ideally Windows 10.
Other versions of Windows such as Vista, 7, and 11 have been successfully used. However Apple computers like MacBooks and certain Chromebooks are not compatible with the Custom Code Flashing Application. All third-party spam, spyware, and/or firewalls will need to be disabled while downloading the Custom Code flashing application, installing the flashing application along with all the respective drivers to the computer, and while downloading the tunes.

3. Stable internet connection via an ethernet cable connection or over WiFi.
Hardwired ethernet connection is ideal, but most customers use WiFi to download their tunes. A WiFi Mobile Hotspot from a phone is never recommended due to the inconsistent internet signal and slow data transfer rates for the large files, especially the ECU files.

4. Hood open with a battery charger or jumper cables to another running vehicle connected to the battery jump points to keep the battery voltage high enough while downloading the tunes.
Most customers use a stand-up style battery charger. Another effective solution is to hook up jumper cables to another running vehicle the entire time while downloading the tunes. We do not recommend using a battery jump box because it does not provide a consistent, stable supply of voltage to the battery.

5. The hazard lights need to be flashing while downloading the tunes.
The hazard lights keep the computers awake while downloading the tunes. This step is even required by the OEMs.

Below is a private YouTube video that is only available from our website and is also emailed with extremely detailed typed instructions to our customers after purchasing tunes as a visual guide for the process of downloading our tunes.