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From our research and review, it is our opinion that the NitroOBD / EcoOBD OBD module performance chip is a scam. It may also cause ECU damage, as reported by some users on the net, so we suggest avoiding it at all costs. It is a nice light show at best, damaging at worst. You want to pass on this one!
The manufacturer is a company called ‘Nicolay’, according to the packaging. However, we were unable to find a website or real company under this name. Perhaps it is a generic brand name?
The OBD tuner modules come in four different colors, and they claim each is for a different type of engine:
YELLOW Case – Performance Boost For Benzine (Gasoline) Engines
RED Case – Performance Boost For Diesel Engines
GREEN Case – Fuel Saving for Benzine (Gasoline) Engines
BLUE Case – Fuel Saving for Diesel Engines
We will examine the most common Yellow module first:
The product instructions state the following:
The instructions claim to have vehicle maps onboard to allow the device to optimize the vehicle performance when connected to the OBD port.
We purchased a few of these modules from different sources, and ended up with a few different circuit boards inside:
Aliexpress even shows three different versions of circuit boards:
They show a checkmark beside the first one, while the others have an ‘X’ beside them. While they say the first is best, the middle board is actually the original version, and was seen in the earliest NitroOBD modules. Why make the first one appear to be the best? Answer: Simple – it is the one they are tying to sell you!
The first circuit board is built around a PIC16F59 IC:
Right away we see a problem here, because if one pulls the datasheet for the PIC16F59 IC, we can see from the manufacturer, Microchip, that this chip has a maximum program memory size of 3KB:
From several searches, we verified that ECU maps for a vehicle will be at least 20KB or larger PER MAP! This is way too large for the PIC16F59 IC to contain. So, if this is the case, there are no genuine vehicle maps onboard the module. What can be stored in such a small 3KB sized space then? We have our own suspicion.
The second circuit board is built around a hidden IC on the back of the PCB:
After deeper inspection, we see that this chip is a STM8S003F3, a value line IC manufactured by ST. The datasheet shows this IC has only 8KB of program memory, also too small for genuine vehicle maps
We connected the Nitro OBD module to our 2012 BMW 530i 3.0L L6 as shown in the instruction sheet and lights began to blink:
Another feature that confirms our suspicions was the fact that the lights blinked in an all too familiar pattern – exactly the same as the Nitro OBD scam chip did. It looks like our suspicions were correct.
We followed the instructions and drove at least 200+ miles to give it the benefit of the doubt, and…… nothing. No power increase, no mileage increase. We did, however, see a neat light show!
The manufacturer has not provided a response to our inquiries regarding this product. If we receive any updates, we will post them here.
From our research and review, it is our opinion that the NitroOBD / EcoOBD module performance chip is a scam. It may also cause ECU damage, as reported by some users on the net, so we suggest avoiding it at all costs. It is a nice light show at best, damaging at worst. You want to pass on this one!
Performance chips are among one of the most popular upgrades on cars and trucks. Car Performance Chip Reviews is dedicated to reviewing the most popular chips and tuning products on the market. We provide honest non-biased feedback on tuning products for your engine.
11 Responses
Having read your article regarding nitro, i bought one a few months ago just as a gadget, however your article made a lot of sense, I suppose a lot of folk want to save money where their pride and joy is concerned but not at the cost of damaging the ecu, the one I bought has been binned, I was sceptical when I bought it and having read your article confirmed it.
I put one in my silverado 5.3 and i thought i would have worked well and today i took it out and my trucks maping is all screwed up then i came up apon your article so i wonder is there a way to bring back my original maping of my truck? Thanks
I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this information for my mission.
So to remove the device do you just unplug it or is there a reverse uninstall method to not damage the ECU? I did not sense an increase in power just a lose in gas mileage.
I want to know once you hook it up do you have to drive 150 miles at one time
I put one in my Ford explorer i did get better throttle response i don’t know yet about my gas mileage i will know in a week or so i am happy with the chip
How did the chip do? Did you get better milage? Or did it mess up your truck?
I have a ford f150 king ranch with keyless start, where is this reset button ?
Hello, The installation steps for keyless start is just plug the chip into the OBD2 port, then turn the key to the auxiliary lights or the step before the engine is turned on, for 10 seconds, then turn on the engine for 10 seconds and that’s it.
I bought the NITRO OBD2 but after reading the mostly negative reviews I am afraid to even plug it into my 2018 Transit Connect van with 2.5L engine !!!!
If you’re concerned about installing it, give them a call, email them ask them for more information. Or simply send it back.