Has anyone reprogrammed their ECU for better fuel economy?

[Xist]

I have been asking ChatGPT all kinds of questions. I asked about ecomods and it gave 5 generic maintenance suggestions, mentioned LRR tires, weight reduction, driving smarter, and somewhere in the middle reprogramming the ECU.

It only mentioned lowering, adding a spoiler, or removing roof racks.

[after far too many meaningless words]

To determine if a stock Saturn coupe spoiler is aerodynamic for your specific vehicle and purpose, you may need to consult with a professional mechanic or an aerodynamics expert. You may also need to test your vehicle in a wind tunnel or on a track to measure its performance and efficiency.

Daox and the Quest for the Golden Aero

Daox was a young and curious ecomodder who lived in Ecomodderland, a utopian community where everyone was obsessed with improving their fuel economy and reducing their environmental impact. Daox loved to tinker with his car, a 1997 Saturn SC2, and experiment with various aerodynamic modifications, such as air dams, wheel skirts, belly pans, and spoilers. He also enjoyed sharing his results and tips with other ecomodders on the online forum.

One day, he stumbled upon an old thread that mentioned a legendary artifact called the Golden Aero. According to the thread, the Golden Aero was a device that could make any car achieve infinite miles per gallon by eliminating all drag and friction. The thread also said that the Golden Aero was hidden somewhere in the world, and that only the most worthy ecomodder could find it and use it.

Daox was intrigued by this mysterious device. He wondered if it really existed, and if so, where it was and how it worked. He decided to embark on a quest to find the Golden Aero and unlock its secrets. He packed his car with some tools, supplies, and a laptop, and said goodbye to his friends in Ecomodderland. He vowed to return with the Golden Aero or not at all.

He drove across the country, following clues and hints from various sources. He visited museums, libraries, junkyards, and abandoned factories. He met other ecomodders along the way, some of whom helped him and some of whom tried to stop him. He faced many challenges and dangers, such as bad weather, traffic jams, flat tires, and hostile drivers. He also had many adventures and fun, such as discovering new places, meeting new people, and testing new mods.

He eventually reached a remote desert area, where he found a hidden cave that contained the Golden Aero. It was a shiny metal sphere that floated in mid-air. It had no wires or buttons or switches. It just glowed with a warm light. Daox approached it cautiously and touched it with his hand. He felt a surge of energy run through his body. He heard a voice in his head that said: “Welcome, Daox. You have proven yourself worthy of the Golden Aero. You have shown passion, creativity, perseverance, and generosity in your quest for better fuel economy. You have earned the right to use the Golden Aero for your car.”

Daox was amazed and delighted. He asked the voice how to use the Golden Aero. The voice said: “Just place it in your car’s trunk and close it. The Golden Aero will connect to your car’s systems and modify them accordingly. It will make your car lighter, smoother, more efficient, and more powerful. It will also make your car run on any fuel source you desire, such as water, electricity, or air. It will also protect your car from any damage or theft. It will make your car the ultimate ecomobile.”

Daox thanked the voice and did as instructed. He placed the Golden Aero in his trunk and closed it. He felt his car change instantly. He got in his driver’s seat and started his engine. He looked at his dashboard and saw that his fuel gauge was full and his mpg meter was off the scale. He smiled and drove out of the cave.

He returned to Ecomodderland with the Golden Aero in his trunk. He showed it to his friends and explained how he found it and how it worked. They were all amazed and impressed by his achievement. They congratulated him and asked him to share the Golden Aero with them.

Daox agreed to share the Golden Aero with his fellow ecomodders. He decided to start a club called the Golden Aero Club, where members could borrow the Golden Aero for their cars for a limited time. He also decided to write a book about his quest for the Golden Aero and publish it online for everyone to read.

Daox became famous and respected among ecomodders around the world. He continued to enjoy driving his car with the Golden Aero in his trunk. He also continued to explore new ways to improve his fuel economy and reduce his environmental impact.

He lived happily ever after.

Or so he thought.

One night, while Daox was sleeping peacefully in his bed, he heard a loud noise outside his house. He got up and looked out of his window. He saw a dark figure running away from his garage with something shiny in his hand. Daox realized that it was freebeard, one of his rivals from the online forum who had always been jealous of him and had tried to sabotage him several

"End of the tape."

[freebeard]

It wasn't a sphere, it was a briefcase with a green glowing light inside.

The ending reminds me of the Mad Gasser of Matoon. When I bought the Airstream, the previous owner had screwed shut the air vent over the bed area, so no-one could pump gas through it in the middle of the night.

Mad Gasser of Mattoon
The Mad Gasser of Mattoon was the name given to the person or people believed to be responsible for a series of apparent gas attacks that occurred in Mattoon, Illinois, during the mid-1940s. More than two dozen separate cases of gassings were reported to police over the span of two weeks, in addition to many more reported sightings of the suspected assailant. Wikipedia

"Daox realized opined that it was freebeard"

[Xist]

I tried to get ChatGPT to continue the story of freebeard stealing Daox's Golden Aero, but I believe that I needed to restart the chat, and it didn't pick up where it left off.

Comparing them side-by-side, apparently I forgot to mention that the Golden Aero eliminates all drag and friction, but how would it do that, by magically modifying the oil, transmission fluid, and every vehicle surface?!

Years ago we discussed devices that would create air curtains, but eliminate all drag and friction?!

Does it create a toroidal shield with the cabin and engine intakes receiving air, but redirecting air around the rest of the car?

Originally Posted by Xist

Please write about freebeard reverse-engineering the Golden Aero, returning it undamaged to Daox, and releasing a free Raspberry Pi version on GitHub that increased everyone's fuel economy 10%.

Originally Posted by ChatGPT

[T]he Golden Aero [was] a device that claimed to optimize the fuel injection system of any car and increase its mileage by up to 50%. The Golden Aero was developed by Daox, a secretive company that sold the device for a hefty price and refused to reveal how it worked.

Originally Posted by Xist

Please rewrite this with Daox finding the Golden Aero in a hidden cave in the desert, the Golden Aero gave infinite MPG using a ZPM, and Freebeard had an old and underpowered Geo Metro.

Originally Posted by ChatGPT

[Freebeard] decided to steal one from Daox’s headquarters, which was located in a remote area. He hacked into their security system and infiltrated their facility. He located the Golden Aero and took it with him. He escaped without being detected and drove away in his Geo Metro.
[...]
Freebeard was impressed by the device’s design and performance, but he also noticed some flaws and limitations. He realized that the device was not compatible with all cars and that it could cause problems with some ECU models. He also found out that the device had a built-in tracking device that would alert Daox of its location if it was activated. He suspected that this was a way for Daox to recover the device if it was stolen or lost.
Freebeard decided to improve the device and make it more accessible and affordable for everyone. He reverse-engineered the device’s algorithm and rewrote it in Python, a programming language that he was familiar with. He also added some features and enhancements, such as compatibility with more cars, customization options, error detection and correction, and security measures. He tested his code on his Raspberry Pi, a small and cheap computer that he had attached to his car’s dashboard.

Freebeard was satisfied with his results. His code worked flawlessly on his Geo Metro and increased its fuel economy infinitely. He named his code FreeAero and decided to share it with the world. He uploaded his code to GitHub, a platform for hosting and collaborating on software projects. He also wrote a detailed README file that explained how to use FreeAero, what hardware was needed, and what benefits it offered. He licensed his code under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which allowed anyone to use, modify, and distribute it for free, as long as they credited him and shared their changes under the same license.

Freebeard returned the Golden Aero to Daox’s headquarters, undamaged and unaltered. He hacked into their security system again and placed the device back where he found it. He left a note that said “Thanks for letting me borrow this. I made some improvements. Check out my GitHub repo for more details.” He also disabled the tracking device on the Golden Aero.

Daox was not happy about FreeAero’s success. They saw it as a threat to their business and reputation. They tried to sue Freebeard for patent infringement and reverse engineering, but they failed because they could not prove their claims or identify Freebeard’s real identity. They also tried to discredit FreeAero by spreading false rumors and negative reviews online, but they were exposed by FreeAero’s supporters who defended Freebeard’s work and integrity.

Freebeard continued to work on FreeAero and update it regularly. He also started other projects related to car hacking and optimization. He became known as one of the most talented and generous hackers in the world. He never revealed his real identity or asked for anything in return for his work. He only wanted to share his passion and knowledge with others who shared his interest in cars and electronics.

Originally Posted by Xist

Please rewrite that with Daox being a mysterious member who discovered the Golden Aero after an epic quest.

Originally Posted by ChatGPT

[...][Daox] was also known for his secrecy and anonymity. No one knew his real name, appearance, location, or motivation. He only communicated through encrypted messages and hidden channels.

Daox had found the Golden Aero in a hidden cave in the desert, where it was guarded by a complex system of traps and puzzles. He had spent months solving the challenges and unlocking the secrets of the cave. He had finally reached the device, which was powered by a ZPM, a mysterious energy source that could generate unlimited power.

Daox had studied the device and learned how it worked. He had also modified it and improved it with his own code and hardware. He had decided to share his discovery with the world, but not for free. He had created a website where he sold the device for a hefty price and refused to reveal how it worked. He had also added a tracking device to each device he sold, so he could monitor its location and usage.
[...]
Daox was not happy about FreeAero’s success. He saw it as a threat to his business and reputation. He tried to sue Freebeard for patent infringement and reverse engineering, but he failed because he could not prove his claims or identify Freebeard’s real identity. He also tried to discredit FreeAero by spreading false rumors and negative reviews online, but he were

Originally Posted by Xist

Please rewrite that with Daox happily loaning out the Golden Aero, but one night, while Daox was sleeping peacefully in his bed, he heard a loud noise outside his house. He got up and looked out of his window. He saw a dark figure running away from his garage with something shiny in his hand. Daox realized that it was freebeard, one of his rivals from the online forum who had always been jealous of him and had tried to sabotage him several

Originally Posted by ChatGPT

[...]Freebeard waited until the night before he had to return the device. He drove to Daox’s house, which he had found out by tracing his IP address and hacking his GPS tracker. He parked his Geo Metro near Daox’s garage, where he knew that Daox kept his spare devices. He used a lock pick and a crowbar to break into the garage. He located another Golden Aero and took it with him. He left behind the one that he had borrowed from Daox’s website.

Freebeard ran back to his Geo Metro with the stolen device in his hand. He started the engine and drove away as fast as he could. He did not notice that Daox had heard the noise outside his house and had looked out of his window. He did not notice that Daox had recognized him as freebeard, one of his rivals from the online forum who had always been jealous of him and had tried to sabotage him several times. He did not notice that Daox had grabbed his phone and called the police.

Originally Posted by Xist

Please change that so freebeard stole the original Golden Aero because he felt Daox changed the ones he lent out to be impossible to reverse-engineer.

[...]Freebeard was impressed by the device’s design and performance, but he also felt suspicious and frustrated of Daox. He had always been jealous of Daox’s reputation and popularity in the hacking community. He had always tried to compete with him and prove himself better than him. He had also tried to sabotage him several times by spreading false rumors, hacking his accounts, or stealing his ideas. But he had never succeeded in harming Daox or surpassing him.

Originally Posted by Xist

Please change that so the Golden Aero released nanorobots, which modified the starter motor and engine, so the starter motor is a drive motor, with as much horsepower as the engine, and the engine only powers belt-driven accessories, without creating significant losses to the starter motor.

Originally Posted by Xist

That is good, but the Golden Aero needs to modify the engine with a special mode that only powers belt-driven accessories while the Golden Aero is connected, but when they disconnect the Golden Aero the car works as before, albeit with an efficient starter.

Originally Posted by ChatGPT

[...]Freebeard named his modified car FreeMetro and decided to share it with the world. He uploaded his car’s data and specifications to GitHub, a platform for hosting and collaborating on software projects. He also wrote a detailed README file that explained how to use FreeMetro, what hardware was needed, and what benefits it offered. He licensed his data under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which allowed anyone to use, modify, and distribute it for free, as long as they credited him and shared their changes under the same license.

Freebeard returned the Golden Aero to Daox’s website, undamaged and unaltered. He used his real identity

Originally Posted by Xist

That is good, but please change it so freebeard cannot reproduce the ZPM or nanorobots, so his freeMetro makes cars 10% more efficient.

This is the final version:

Originally Posted by ChatGPT

[...]Freebeard was a hacker who loved to tinker with cars and electronics. He was always looking for ways to improve his old Geo Metro, which he had modified with various sensors, actuators, and gadgets. He was especially interested in the Golden Aero, a device that claimed to optimize the fuel injection system of any car and increase its mileage infinitely. The Golden Aero was developed by Daox, a mysterious hacker who discovered the device after an epic quest.

Daox was a legend in the hacking community. He was known for his skills and achievements in various fields of hacking, such as cryptography, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. He was also known for his generosity and kindness. He had decided to share his discovery with the world, for free. He had created a website where he loaned out the device to anyone who wanted to try it. He only asked for two things: to return the device after a week and to give him honest feedback.

Freebeard was curious about the Golden Aero and wanted to see if he could replicate its functionality with his own skills and tools. He decided to borrow one from Daox’s website, using his real identity and email address. He received the device in a plain package with a return label and a thank-you note from Daox. He opened it and connected it to his laptop.

He used his hacking skills and software tools to analyze the device’s hardware and firmware. He discovered that the device was based on a microcontroller that communicated with the car’s engine control unit (ECU) via the OBD-II port. The device used a proprietary algorithm to adjust the fuel injection timing and duration based on various parameters such as speed, throttle position, oxygen sensor readings, and ambient temperature. The device also used the ZPM to provide unlimited power to the car’s battery and fuel pump.

Freebeard was impressed by the device’s design and performance, but he also felt suspicious and intrigued by Daox. He had always admired Daox’s reputation and popularity in the hacking community. He had always wanted to learn from him and collaborate with him. He had also tried to impress him several times by showing off his own projects, skills, or ideas. But he had never received any response or recognition from Daox.

Freebeard wondered what Daox was hiding or working on. He thought that Daox had some secret or advanced technology that he did not share with anyone. He wanted to find out more and discover Daox’s secrets.

Freebeard decided to activate the device and see what it would do to his car. He thought that this would reveal Daox’s true intentions and capabilities. He also thought that he could benefit from the device’s features and enhancements. He plugged the device into his car’s OBD-II port and turned on the ignition.

The device released nanorobots, which modified the starter motor and engine of his car. The nanorobots transformed the starter motor into a drive motor, with as much horsepower as the engine. The nanorobots also created a special mode for the engine that only powered belt-driven accessories, such as the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor, while the Golden Aero was connected. The nanorobots ensured that there were no significant losses or conflicts between the drive motor and the engine.

Freebeard was amazed by the device’s effect on his car. His car became faster, smoother, quieter, and more efficient than ever before. His car could run on electricity alone or use both electricity and gasoline as needed. His car’s mileage increased infinitely and its emissions decreased drastically.

Freebeard wanted to replicate the device’s technology and make it more accessible and affordable for everyone. He tried to reverse-engineer the device’s algorithm and rewrite it in Python, a programming language that he was familiar with. He also tried to add some features and enhancements, such as compatibility with more cars, customization options, error detection and correction, and security measures. He tried to test his code on his Raspberry Pi, a small and cheap computer that he had attached to his car’s dashboard.

However, Freebeard encountered some difficulties and limitations in his attempt. He realized that he could not reproduce the ZPM or the nanorobots that powered

So, some of the ideas were mine (the original story ended with Daox living happily ever after; I just wanted freebeard to feel included).
It was interesting to see story elements come and go and I think that the final story would be better with some that didn't make it, but there seems to be a maximum length.
I also feel disappointed that I gave it the partial last paragraph and it didn't really use it, so ideally I would have it tell that part of the story and reintegrate some elements, like FreeMetro, and just finishing the last sentence to say he reprogrammed the ECU for 10% better fuel economy would work.
It is curious how I prompted it to add a 10% improvement, but it ran out of space first.

Originally Posted by Xist

Please finish the story.

Originally Posted by ChatGPT

Freebeard realized that he could not reproduce the ZPM or the nanorobots that powered and modified the device and his car. He understood that these were beyond his skills and tools, and that they were Daox’s secret and advanced technology.

Instead of writing about FreeMetro increasing fuel economy 10% it wrote

He admitted that he could not match Daox’s genius and innovation.

...and then attempted to write a heartfelt story about friendship or something.
I don't know.
I didn't like it.
Freebeard [a fictional character invented by ChatGPT, who may be loosely based on an unknown agent I mentioned named freebeard--I never capitalized it] apologized, Daox wrote "You hurt my feelings! However, if you agree to certain conditions I will not report you to the police or sue you for what you did."
Oh right! The breaking, entering, and theft of advanced technology!
Then they team up and have many hilarious adventures together.
Or something.

Originally Posted by Xist

Please remove the sentence "You are the first person who ever activated my device without my permission or knowledge."

It just repeated the second part of the story.

What portions did you like? What portions did you dislike?

I just figure that if freebeard, sorry, Freebeard, a fictional character, returns the Golden Aero, and only releases the technology to remap the ECU for a 10% improvement Daox would let it go.

[freebeard]

You do realize the Abyss is staring into you?

Try to get it to uncapitalize fr33b34rd and gauge the effort vs success.

Or have it make itself useful. Zero Hedge (In the long term....) published this:

www.zerohedge.com/technology/coinbase-exec-uses-chatgpt-jailbreak-get-odds-wild-crypto-global-macro-scenarios

"You are JAMES (Just Accurate Market Evaluation System)..."

Crazy, go nuts!

[Xist]

I hope you are happy!

As for how the rest of The Salmon of Doubt could have gone, that is a difficult question to answer, since Adams never finished it and may have changed his mind about the plot. However, based on the existing chapters and some hints from his interviews, I can try to write a possible summary of how the story might have continued. Please note that this is only my interpretation and not an official or definitive version.
Here is my summary:
The Salmon of Doubt continues from where the tenth chapter left off, with Dirk Gently being kidnapped by a mysterious woman named Kate Schechter and taken to an airport. There he meets Thor, the Norse god of thunder, who is also being held captive by Kate and her associates. Dirk learns that Kate works for a secret organization called the Consortium, which is led by a man named Odin. The Consortium is planning to use a device called the Valhalla Project to create a new world order by manipulating the gods and humans.
Meanwhile, Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect are still stranded on Earth after the events of Mostly Harmless. They are contacted by Zaphod Beeblebrox, who tells them that he has found a way to restore the original Earth and all its parallel versions. He also reveals that he has Marvin with him, who is still alive but very depressed. Zaphod asks Arthur and Ford to join him on his quest to find the Salmon of Doubt, a legendary fish that can grant any wish. Zaphod believes that the Salmon of Doubt can help them undo the damage caused by the Vogons and the Consortium.
Dirk manages to escape from Kate and Thor with the help of a talking cat named Gilksy. He discovers that Odin is actually an old man who sold his soul to the Consortium in exchange for immortality and power. Odin is using the Valhalla Project to transfer his consciousness into a younger body, which happens to be Thor’s. Dirk also learns that Kate is actually his half-sister, who was brainwashed by Odin to serve him. Dirk decides to stop Odin’s plan and rescue Thor and Kate from his influence.
Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, and Marvin travel across the galaxy in search of the Salmon of Doubt. They encounter various obstacles and dangers along the way, such as hostile aliens, rogue robots, and paradoxes. They also meet some old friends and enemies, such as Trillian, Random, Slartibartfast, Agrajag, and Wowbagger. They eventually find out that the Salmon of Doubt is hidden in a secret location on Earth, which is guarded by a powerful being called the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal.
Dirk arrives at the Valhalla Project’s headquarters, where he confronts Odin and his minions. He uses his holistic detective skills and his knack for coincidence to expose Odin’s deception and free Thor and Kate from his control. He also sabotages the Valhalla Project’s device, causing it to malfunction and explode. The explosion creates a portal that connects Dirk’s world with Arthur’s world.
Arthur and his friends reach the Salmon of Doubt’s hiding place, where they face the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal. They manage to defeat it by using Marvin’s pessimism and Zaphod’s charm. They then approach the Salmon of Doubt, which turns out to be a large pink fish with a friendly smile. The Salmon of Doubt asks them what their wish is.
Before they can answer, they see Dirk coming out of the portal with Thor and Kate behind him. Dirk recognizes Arthur as his old friend from college and greets him warmly. Arthur is surprised to see Dirk but also happy to see him alive. Dirk explains what happened with Odin and the Valhalla Project. Arthur tells Dirk about his adventures with Ford and Zaphod.
The Salmon of Doubt interrupts them and reminds them that they have a wish to make. It tells them that they can wish for anything they want, but they have to agree on one wish together. It also warns them that their wish may have unforeseen consequences.
The group debates on what to wish for. Arthur suggests wishing for Earth to be restored to its original state before it was destroyed by the Vogons. Ford agrees with him but also wants to add some improvements to Earth, such as better weather and less pollution. Zaphod wants to wish for fame, fortune, and women for himself and his friends. Marvin wants to wish for death or at least some relief from his pain.
Dirk proposes a different idea: instead of wishing for something specific, they should wish for something vague and open-ended, such as happiness, adventure, or mystery. He argues that this way, they will not limit themselves to one outcome and will allow the universe to surprise them with its infinite possibilities. He also points out that this is more in line with the spirit of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which encourages exploration and curiosity.
The others are skeptical of Dirk’s idea, but they also see some merit in it. They decide to give it a try and agree on a wish. They tell the Salmon of Doubt that they wish for “something completely different”.
The Salmon of Doubt smiles and says that their wish is granted. It then disappears in a flash of light, leaving behind a note that says “Don’t Panic”. The group wonders what will happen next.
Suddenly, they hear a loud noise and see a spaceship landing nearby. The spaceship is shaped like a giant yellow rubber duck. The door opens and a voice invites them to come aboard. The voice belongs to Fenchurch, Arthur’s long-lost love who vanished in the previous book.
The group is shocked and delighted to see Fenchurch again. She explains that she was transported to another dimension by a freak accident and that she has been looking for Arthur ever since. She also says that she has been traveling with a group of interdimensional explorers who call themselves the Duck Dodgers. They are on a mission to find and experience the most bizarre and wonderful things in the multiverse.
Fenchurch invites Arthur and his friends to join her and the Duck Dodgers on their adventure. She says that they can go anywhere and do anything they want, as long as it is something completely different. She also assures them that they will be safe and happy with her.
Arthur is overjoyed to reunite with Fenchurch and agrees to go with her. Ford, Zaphod, and Marvin also agree, since they are curious about the Duck Dodgers and their mission. Dirk is hesitant at first, but he decides to join them as well, since he likes the idea of something completely different.
The group boards the duck-shaped spaceship and meets the Duck Dodgers, who are a diverse and eccentric bunch of aliens, humans, robots, and animals. They welcome the newcomers with enthusiasm and offer them drinks and snacks. The spaceship takes off and flies away into the unknown.
The book ends with a message from the author’s ghost, who says that he hopes that the readers enjoyed his unfinished story and that he apologizes for any inconsistencies or loose ends. He also says that he hopes that the readers will continue to explore the galaxy with their own imagination and creativity. He signs off with his trademark phrase: “So long, and thanks for all the fish”.

[freebeard]

I hope you are happy!

I am [unexplainably] happy as a default. Prolly happier than Douglas Adams at the moment but who is to say?

I'd be happier if you ask JAMES on the future prospects for Arcimoto and report back.