HP Tuners licensing, without the fog
HP Tuners credits:
what you need and where to buy them.
PCM Tuners does not sell HP Tuners credits. Buy them directly from HP Tuners after registering your device. This page explains what they do, how many to expect, and how to avoid buying the wrong amount.
First: credits are not the tune
Credits purchase a license that allows an HP Tuners interface to write a calibration to a particular vehicle or controller. The tune file and the license are separate things: PCM Tuners supplies the calibration; HP Tuners supplies the licensing system.
You can read, scan and data-log without licensing the vehicle. Credits are consumed when the vehicle or controller is licensed for writing. That license is normally tied to the VIN, controller serial number and controller operating system. Once assigned, it is not a reusable pile of store credit.
The short version
- Most supported vehicles require between 2 and 6 credits, but some require more.
- ECM and transmission/controller licensing may be listed separately.
- Newer MPVI and RTD-family devices use Universal Credits.
- Exact requirements depend on the vehicle, engine and modules being tuned.
How many credits does my vehicle need?
Use the credit quantity shown on the PCM Tuners vehicle page for your exact application, then confirm it against the official HP Tuners supported-vehicle list. Do not assume two credits covers everything: an ECM, TCM or another supported module can carry its own licensing requirement.
How to buy credits directly from HP Tuners
- Create or sign in to your account at HP Tuners.
- Register your MPVI or RTD-family interface to that account.
- Open My Account, then My Devices.
- Find the correct device and select Add Credit.
- Purchase the quantity required for the vehicle and modules you plan to license.
Watch: add credits to an MPVI or RTD device
This walkthrough shows the complete process: register the interface, find it under My Devices, verify the serial number and purchase the required Universal Credits.
Use the correct account and device. Licenses live with the interface used to license the vehicle. Credits and assigned licenses generally cannot simply be moved between unrelated devices later.
When should I buy them?
Register the device first. Confirm the required quantity for your exact vehicle and modules. Then purchase the credits directly from HP Tuners before the first write. There is no benefit in guessing early, and PCM Tuners does not need to handle the transaction in the middle.
Still unsure?
Send PCM Tuners the year, make, model, engine, transmission and the controllers you want tuned. We will tell you the expected credit requirement before you flash. HP Tuners remains the final authority for current vehicle support and licensing cost.