EngineLab Service Terms & Disclaimer
Effective Date: June 2026
1. Application of These Terms
These Service Terms & Disclaimer apply to all services provided by EngineLab ("EngineLab", "we", "our", or "us"), including fuel system and carbon cleaning, diagnostics, ECU tuning and related engine performance and optimisation services.
By requesting a quotation, making a booking or authorising EngineLab to perform a service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accepted these terms.
2. Our Services
EngineLab provides services for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, agricultural machinery, earthmoving equipment, generators and other compatible internal combustion engines.
Services may include:
- Fuel system and engine carbon cleaning
- Intake and related system cleaning
- Vehicle and engine diagnostics
- ECU tuning and calibration
- Performance and efficiency optimisation
- Related engine services
The exact service performed will depend on the vehicle or equipment, its condition and the service requested.
3. Cleaning Services
EngineLab's cleaning services are intended to remove or reduce deposits and contamination within applicable engine, intake and fuel system components.
Cleaning is a maintenance and optimisation service and is not a mechanical repair.
Cleaning cannot repair worn, damaged or defective components, including but not limited to:
- Engine internals or low compression
- Turbochargers
- Injectors or fuel pumps
- Ignition components
- Sensors or electronic components
- Cooling systems
- DPF systems
- EGR systems
- Catalytic converters
- Existing mechanical or electrical faults
Where significant faults are identified before or during a service, EngineLab may recommend further diagnosis or repair and reserves the right to stop or decline the service where continuing may be unsafe or inappropriate.
4. Diagnostic Services
Diagnostic testing provides information about the condition and operation of a vehicle or engine at the time of testing.
Fault codes, live data, measurements and other diagnostic information may indicate possible causes of a problem but do not necessarily identify the underlying mechanical, electrical or software fault.
A diagnostic scan or inspection cannot identify every existing, intermittent or developing fault, and further investigation, testing or mechanical inspection may be required.
Unless specifically agreed otherwise, diagnostic services do not include mechanical repairs.
5. ECU Tuning
ECU tuning modifies the manufacturer's original engine calibration and may alter characteristics including:
- Engine power
- Torque delivery
- Throttle response
- Fuel consumption
- Engine operating parameters
- Transmission behaviour where applicable
ECU tuning is a vehicle modification performed at the customer's request.
Increasing or altering engine performance may increase mechanical and thermal loads and may accelerate wear or contribute to failure of vehicle components.
This may include the:
- Engine and internal components
- Turbocharger or supercharger
- Clutch and flywheel
- Gearbox or automatic transmission
- Transfer case, differential and driveshafts
- Cooling system
- Fuel system and injectors
- Exhaust system
- DPF and EGR systems
- Catalytic converter and other emissions-control equipment
EngineLab cannot determine or guarantee the remaining lifespan or condition of any component before or after tuning.
6. No Guaranteed Results
The purpose of EngineLab's services is to improve or restore engine performance and efficiency where the condition of the vehicle or equipment allows.
No specific improvement or minimum level of improvement is guaranteed.
Results depend on numerous factors outside EngineLab's control, including:
- Vehicle age and mileage
- Existing mechanical condition
- Maintenance history
- Carbon or contamination levels
- Fuel quality
- Driving style
- Vehicle load and operating conditions
- Previous repairs, modifications or tuning
EngineLab therefore does not guarantee any specific:
- Fuel saving or reduction in fuel consumption
- Increase in horsepower or torque
- Reduction in emissions
- Improvement in throttle response or smoothness
- Increase in reliability or engine lifespan
- Reduction in future maintenance costs
- Other performance or efficiency improvement
Improvements are commonly experienced where the condition of the vehicle and nature of the service allow, but results vary between vehicles and applications.
Any figures, percentages, estimates, examples, testimonials or expected improvements communicated or published by EngineLab are indicative only and do not constitute a guaranteed result.
7. Existing and Hidden Faults
EngineLab services cannot correct existing mechanical, electrical or software defects unless specifically agreed as part of the service.
Vehicles and equipment may contain worn, weakened, damaged or defective components that are not apparent before work begins.
A visual inspection, diagnostic scan or pre-service assessment cannot identify every existing, intermittent or developing fault.
EngineLab is not responsible for failures arising from pre-existing defects, normal wear, component fatigue or hidden faults that were present before the service, whether known or unknown at the time.
In some circumstances, cleaning, diagnostic testing or changes in engine operation may reveal an existing fault that was previously masked or not apparent. The appearance of such a fault following a service does not necessarily mean that the service caused the fault.
8. Parts, Fasteners, Seals & Additional Work
Certain EngineLab services may require the removal or disturbance of existing components, fasteners, hoses, connectors, seals or gaskets.
Due to age, corrosion, heat cycling, previous repairs, wear or deterioration, components may be seized, brittle, damaged or weakened before work begins. In some cases, a bolt, stud, clip, connector, hose, gasket, seal or other component may break, fail or become unsuitable for reuse during reasonable removal or reassembly.
Where this occurs as a result of a pre-existing condition or normal deterioration, EngineLab will not be responsible for the cost of the affected component or additional repair work, except where the damage was directly caused by EngineLab's failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.
EngineLab will advise the customer as soon as reasonably possible where additional parts, labour or specialist work are required.
No additional chargeable repair or replacement work will be undertaken without the customer's approval, except where immediate action is reasonably necessary to prevent further damage or address an immediate safety risk and is permitted by applicable law.
Any additional parts, labour or specialist services will be quoted or estimated separately where reasonably possible.
Where unexpected complications arise, including seized or damaged fasteners, broken components, inaccessible parts or the need for additional repairs, the originally estimated completion time may change. EngineLab will communicate any material delay as soon as reasonably possible.
Any quoted or estimated completion time is an estimate only and may be affected by parts availability, vehicle condition, hidden defects, additional authorised work or circumstances outside EngineLab's reasonable control.
9. Adaptation Following Service
Following certain cleaning or ECU tuning services, a vehicle's engine or transmission management systems may require a period of normal operation to adapt to changed operating conditions.
Idle quality, throttle response, fuel consumption, transmission behaviour or other operating characteristics may temporarily vary during this adaptation period.
Where the customer has concerns following a service, EngineLab should be contacted so that the issue can be assessed.
10. Customer Responsibilities
By requesting or authorising a service, you confirm that:
- You own the vehicle or equipment, or have authority to authorise the work.
- You have disclosed all known faults, warning lights and relevant mechanical issues.
- You have disclosed previous ECU tuning and relevant modifications.
- Information supplied to EngineLab is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
- The vehicle or equipment is safe to operate unless you have advised us otherwise.
Failure to disclose relevant information may affect the outcome of the service or EngineLab's ability to safely perform the work.
11. Manufacturer Warranty, Insurance & Legal Compliance
Certain EngineLab services, particularly ECU tuning and other modifications, may affect:
- Manufacturer warranties
- Extended warranties
- Maintenance or service plans
- Insurance cover
- Emissions compliance
- Other regulatory requirements
It is the vehicle owner's responsibility to determine whether a requested modification affects any warranty, insurance policy or legal requirement applicable to the vehicle.
EngineLab does not guarantee that a modified vehicle will continue to comply with manufacturer warranty requirements, insurance requirements, emissions requirements or other regulatory requirements.
12. Workmanship
EngineLab will perform its services using reasonable care and skill, appropriate equipment and recognised industry practices.
Where an issue is reasonably believed to be directly attributable to EngineLab's workmanship, EngineLab must be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect the vehicle or equipment and, where appropriate, rectify the workmanship issue.
This does not constitute a warranty against unrelated mechanical, electrical, electronic or component failure.
13. Reporting Problems & Third-Party Work
If you believe that a problem has arisen as a result of an EngineLab service, you must notify EngineLab as soon as reasonably possible after becoming aware of the issue.
EngineLab must be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect and assess the vehicle before repairs, ECU programming, modifications or alterations relating to the reported issue are performed by another service provider, except where immediate action is reasonably necessary for safety or to prevent further damage.
EngineLab cannot accept responsibility for additional damage, costs or diagnostic uncertainty caused by subsequent third-party repairs, modifications, tuning or software changes that prevent EngineLab from reasonably assessing the original issue.
14. Vehicle Operation & Testing
By authorising EngineLab to perform a service, you authorise EngineLab personnel to reasonably operate, start, idle, rev, move or road-test the vehicle or equipment where necessary to:
- Perform the requested service
- Conduct diagnostic testing
- Record operating data
- Verify the results of the service
- Confirm safe or correct operation
Any such operation will be limited to what is reasonably necessary for the service being performed.
15. Mobile Services
Where EngineLab performs services at the customer's premises or another nominated location, the customer must provide:
- Safe and reasonable access to the vehicle or equipment
- Adequate working space
- A safe working environment
- Access to the vehicle at the agreed time
EngineLab may postpone or refuse work where conditions are unsafe or unsuitable.
If EngineLab attends a confirmed booking and cannot perform the service because the vehicle is unavailable, access cannot be provided, material information was incorrectly supplied, or the customer cancels without reasonable notice, EngineLab reserves the right to charge a reasonable call-out or cancellation fee where that fee has been disclosed to the customer beforehand.
16. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by South African law, EngineLab shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential or financial losses arising from services provided.
EngineLab shall not be responsible for damage or failure resulting from:
- Pre-existing or hidden faults
- Normal wear and tear or component fatigue
- Poor or inadequate maintenance
- Incorrect or contaminated fuel
- Abuse or misuse
- Racing or competition use
- Excessive loading or towing
- Third-party repairs, tuning or modifications
- Manufacturer or third-party software updates
- Failure to follow applicable maintenance requirements
Nothing in these terms excludes or limits any consumer right or any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under South African law.
17. Intellectual Property
ECU calibration files, custom tuning files, software, calibration strategies and related intellectual property supplied or developed by EngineLab remain the property of EngineLab or its authorised software providers unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Purchasing a tuning service does not transfer ownership of this intellectual property to the customer.
Customers may not copy, reproduce, distribute, reverse engineer or commercially exploit ECU software, calibration files or other proprietary material supplied by EngineLab without appropriate authorisation.
18. Payment
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due upon completion of the service.
Any additional parts, labour or specialist services approved by the customer are payable in addition to the original service price.
EngineLab may withhold diagnostic reports, ECU files or other service documentation until payment has been received in full, where legally permissible.
19. Changes to These Terms
EngineLab may amend these Service Terms & Disclaimer from time to time.
The version provided or made available to the customer at the time of the applicable booking or service request will apply unless otherwise agreed in writing.
20. Governing Law
These Service Terms & Disclaimer are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Any dispute arising from these terms or services provided by EngineLab will be dealt with in accordance with applicable South African law.
Acceptance of These Terms
By requesting a quotation, making a booking or authorising EngineLab to perform any service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accepted these Service Terms & Disclaimer.
In particular, you acknowledge that EngineLab does not guarantee specific fuel savings, performance gains or other improvements; that cleaning services cannot repair existing mechanical defects; and that ECU tuning may increase mechanical loads, component wear and the risk of component failure.
If you do not agree with these terms, you should not request or authorise EngineLab to perform services.