SCT's X4 Handheld Tuner: How to find your PCM/ECU Strategy Code

Being able to find a given vehicle's PCM or ECU strategy code has become increasingly important in the last couple years. With software being an even more critical factor in engine operation, manufacturer Technical Service Bulletins and dealership reflashes wreak havoc with your vehicle's engine management computer. That's why knowing your vehicle's hard embedded strategy code is extremely important when it comes time to tune your vehicle and why our friends over at SCT made it easier than even to find your vehicle's strategy on their new X4 Handheld Tuner. Here's how:

First and foremost, it's so easy to find your strategy code that this guide is a bit superfluous and even a bit silly. Still, we got our very own X4 to play around with, so why not? We were out experimenting with the X4 on our 2012 F150 3.7L Project Truck. To get our strategy, we started by hooking the X4 into the OBD-II port of our truck and turning the key to "On." This fired up the X4's home screen.

We scrolled down and selected "Vehicle Info" which prompted us to turn the key to the "On" position. Since the key was already there, we hit continue.

And there's the strategy, right there on the main "Vehicle Info" page. We didn't even need to scroll. Like I said in the very beginning, it's extremely simple.