Loren,

Might not make a difference in the long run.  Here's a direct quote from a
service manual:

"When vehicle battery is disconnected, this memory is lost. The computer
will use default data until new data from each key start is stored. As
computer memorizes vehicle operation for each new key start, driveability is
restored. Vehicle computers may memorize vehicles operation patterns for 40
of more key starts."

Cheers,

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Loren A. Busch
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 9:09 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Question About ECU Programing

Let me pose a hypothetical to the list:
I'm familiar with the instructions for 'reprogramming' the ECU after the
power has been disconnected.  These instructions imply that the ECU will set
itself up for the type of driving that is being done.  That further implies
that there is a possibility of getting 'best performance for conditions' if
you were to 'program' the ECU based on anticipated 'most of the time'
driving conditions.  EG:  I'm planning on a long trip at highway speeds and
conditions, so just before I pull onto the freeway I stop, disconnect the
battery for a couple of minutes, reconnect it, start up, pull onto the
freeway, and proceed with my trip.  When I get home and know that I'll be
doing all my driving around town for the next few weeks I repeat the process
but go about my normal 'in town' driving patterns.
Now, for those of you that better understand to way the ECU works, would
what I just described make any difference, good or bad?