JB4 Interface Changes for USA customers
 

As we work to get the JB4 50 state legal in the USA we've had to modify the user interface and remove and/or limit certain user adjustments that could cause noncompliance if set improperly. The windows interface and JB4 Mobile will detect your country and block out these settings. Those operating outside the USA will not have these limitations on the interface settings but care should be taken when making any setting changes to ensure they have the desired effect.

As part of this change we've removed the undocumented option to delete passive fault codes. This was sort of a misunderstood setting all along because all fault codes remained stored within the DME and nothing prevented fault codes from registering. You could delete them but they'd come right back up and were always stored in the shadow fault area. But to prevent any possible misunderstanding or misuse the setting has been blocked out of all USA interfaces. We believe this is the only interface change we'll need to make. Older non-compliant firmware is blocked in the USA along with any non-compliant settings. Older interface versions have been set to expire/automatically update.

The photos below are the windows interface but similar changes have been made to JB4 Mobile. Note that country detection has been designed so that it can't be spoofed or fooled and any discussion about spoofing or fooling it or trying to bypass or work around these changes will be deleted.

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Glad I'm in Canada! Lol. Thanks for the quick response terry!

Does. This mean it will only work while you are running the mobile app or will it allow us to set it through the app and work even when we don't have anything plugged into the jb4?

Country is only checked/used when attempting to change settings. It's all a bit of work but if BMS is going to grow we need to get more products 50-state legal and this comes with that territory.

This is extremely disappointing to hear.

We simply want to take reasonable steps to ensure people are using our products appropriately and as stated above the future of tuning in the USA is 50-state legal products. That is where we need to be. Everyone else will disappear sooner or later.

The interface will detect your country so that those outside the USA are not effected by the limitations.

It's pretty simple guys. If you want BMS to be around in the future to support your existing products, and also come out with new products/features year and year, they have to abide by certain laws in California AND the United States. There's no benefit to any of us if they get shut down or have to pay huge fines that immensely hurt their business and hamper growth.

Remember the saying everyone throws around? "You gotta pay to play"? Well, this is what we all have to deal with if we want things to continue.

Then of course, you could always write to our elected officials or become one yourself. Have any of you been watching this?

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2016/...-our-race-cars

https://www.votervoice.net/SEMA/campaigns/45394/respond

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-...house-bill/350

Exactly... As the laws are written there is no "formal" exemption for competition race use only within the USA, only an interpretation, which is subject to change on a whim. Since the JB4 system already meets 1A standards out of the box it's just a matter of limiting adjustment ranges for USA customers to ensure we're fully compliant with all Federal standards. But ultimately the goal is to get 50-state status with CARB certification.

I know other tuning companies are taking a similar approach and expect at some point soon all will or go out of business.

So what other 'race' settings besides auto clear will be blocked?

A few other race only features need to be further evaluated like the 2STEP. But, since this requires a separate hardware purchase AND a separate race use only flash map AND would only be useful on a race track anyway, I don't think we need to limit it at the interface level. It's not something you can just turn on or off easily.

Hi guys
Im outside USA but the interface is showing that Im there. How can this be fixed?
Thanks
Hermes

If you need technical support with the changes just email in.

Hi Terry,

My interface is showing United States although I am in South Africa.
I know why..., could be an issue for many people.

Email me and we can discuss.

When loading a race use only flash people should realize they are providing their VIN and personal information to an entity, who under subpoena, will be forced to turn that information over to the government, to BMW, or whoever requests it. People who think that somehow these regulations only effect BMS but don't effect every other tuning company are completely naive. The minor changes being made now will protect BMS and our customer base down the road.

I just want to clarify: The settings/features that will be blocked in my region will still be available via flash (assuming I get a custom BEF)?

We have no affiliation with MHD. Direct any questions on their software to them directly. If they are smart expect them to make similar changes to their interface.

If understood that correct (JB4 will be limiting us? no more anti lag 2step etc ??? Sorry but what exactly does it mean how does it effect us?

If you are inside the USA clearing fault codes will be limited. Nothing more, nothing less, at this time.

No, read.

This is absolutely a Federal issue, more so than a State issue, IMHO.

If you have a flash tune loaded you don't use this setting in the first place, and a race use only flash map is required for any N54 single turbo use.

Sounds like an EPA issue

Fortunately the JB4 is a piggyback and what it can change is limited by the sensors it connects too which makes the testing process easier as there are less variables. It's not like a flash map where one can go in and disable emissions controls or directly change fuel timing or ignition. Everything runs through the factory DME and its built in range checks and fault detection system. We have our JB4 1A emissions testing reports on file for the most aggressive pump fuel settings. And with some minor changes around the edges like this interface change to block any setting that could cause noncompliance we're good to go moving forward.

The reality is in the future piggyback tuning systems like the JB4, with limits on what they can alter, will be the only tunes widely available. Unless laws are changed it's easy for the EPA to shut down any flash tune that allows users to modify something that might result in noncompliance of the 1A standards. When I see people talk about MHD flash tuning, Cobb flash tuning, BM3, and other flash tunes that do not have these limitations believe me they soon will.