Shimano Motor Programming & Settings Guide: How to Customize Your E-Bike Power Delivery

Shimano e‑bike motors—from the STEPS lineup (E8000, E7000, EP8) to newer EP6/EP5 models—can be customized, but not every setting is open to the rider. You can adjust assist character, max torque, and Auto Shift behavior yourself using the Shimano E‑Tube Project app, while other parameters like regional speed limits or battery firmware require a dealer’s tool. This guide walks you through what you can change, how to do it, and what to watch for.

User vs. Dealer: What You Can Change Yourself

Shimano splits motor settings into two tiers: rider‑adjustable and dealer‑only. Understanding the line up front saves you time hunting for options that aren’t available in the E‑Tube app.

Rider-Adjustable Settings

Setting	What it does	Where to find it in E‑Tube
Assist Character	Adjusts how much power the motor delivers in each mode (Eco, Normal, High)	Motor Settings → Assist Character
Max Torque per Mode	Limits the maximum torque the motor can provide in each assist level	Motor Settings → Maximum Torque
Auto Shift (Di2 only)	Configures automatic shifting points and shift timing	Gear Unit Settings → Auto Shift
Firmware Updates	Updates motor, display, battery, and Di2 firmware	System Update → Check for Updates

Dealer-Only Settings

• Speed limit – In the US, Shimano motors are limited to 20 mph (Class 1/2). Raising the limit typically requires a dealer‑level tool and may violate local laws.
• Wheel size / tire circumference – Needed for accurate speed and odometer readings; the dealer sets this during initial setup.
• Battery firmware – Some STEPS batteries have separate firmware that only a dealer can flash.
• Region or legality locks – Changing from EU (15.5 mph) to US (20 mph) or vice‑versa is a dealer action and may not be reversible.

First‑time tip: Download the Shimano E‑Tube Project app on your smartphone (iOS/Android) or the Windows version. The mobile variant works for basic settings; the PC version gives you deeper diagnostic data.

How to Customize Shimano Assist Levels with the E‑Tube App

Follow these steps to change how your motor responds in each power mode. The process is the same for EP8, E8000, E7000, and EP6 motors.

1. Turn on the bike and connect your device. Ensure the bike battery is charged (≥20%). Open the E‑Tube app and tap “Connect”. If using Bluetooth, pair your smartphone with the motor (display will show a pairing code). For USB, use a Shimano SM‑PCE1 or SC‑E7000 cable to a Windows PC.
2. Select your motor. The app lists all connected components. Tap the motor icon (e.g., “DU‑EP800”) to open its settings.
3. Enter Assist Character. Navigate to Motor Settings → Assist Character. You’ll see three or four columns (Eco, Normal, High—and sometimes Trail or Boost depending on the motor). Each column has a vertical slider from 0 to 10 (or a graph with adjustable points).
   Branch: If you don’t see any Assist Character sliders (the option is greyed out or missing), your motor may be an early‑generation STEPS unit (e.g., E6000) that lacks this customization. In that case, you can only change the simple boost offset via the display menu. Stop using the app for that setting and check your owner’s manual for display‑based adjustability.
4. Adjust the curve. For the slider approach on older STEPS, drag the Eco slider lower (e.g., 2) to soften start‑up assist, or raise it (e.g., 6) for more immediate power. For the graph approach on EP8 and newer, tap on the graph line to add or remove points. Drag a point up for more support at that speed/torque ratio. A steeper curve gives punchier acceleration; a flatter curve feels more natural.
5. Tap “Write” or “Save” to flash the motor. The app uploads the new profile. Wait until the progress bar completes—never turn off the bike or quit the app during writing.
   Stop / escalate: If the write fails twice in a row (either an error message like “Communication error” or the progress bar freezes for more than 30 seconds), do not keep retrying. Turn off the bike, restart the app, and try one more time. If it still fails, the motor firmware may be corrupt or the Bluetooth connection unstable. At that point, stop DIY attempts and take the bike to a Shimano dealer for a diagnostic flash.
6. Test ride and verify. Pedal through all assist modes on a flat stretch of road or a gentle climb. Confirm the change: if you lowered Eco, you should feel noticeably less motor pull‑in from a standstill. If you raised High, you should feel stronger acceleration. If the motor feels identical to before the change, repeat steps 1–5 and make a larger slider adjustment (e.g., move from 4 to 7) before writing again. A successful flash means the app showed a green “Completed” message; if you didn’t see that message, the change may not have saved.

Common mistake: The Assist Character setting is separate from the simple “Power” or “Boost” level found in the display menu. Changes made on the bike’s display only affect the currently selected mode’s boost offset (0%–200%), not the full torque curve. For real customization, you must use the app.

Adjusting Max Torque and Power Delivery

Shimano’s EP8 motor can deliver up to 85 Nm of torque, but you might want less in certain modes to improve range or reduce wheel spin on loose surfaces. The Maximum Torque setting caps the motor’s peak torque independently for each assist level.

1. In the E‑Tube app, go to Motor Settings → Maximum Torque.
2. You’ll see a list of assist levels (Eco, Normal, High). Tap a level, then use the slider or enter a value (e.g., 40 Nm for Eco, 70 Nm for High).
3. Write the changes.

Tradeoffs:
– Lower torque in Eco (e.g., 20–40 Nm) can extend range by 5–15% on hilly rides, because the motor demands less current.
– Higher torque in High (e.g., 80 Nm) gives you full punch for steep climbs but drains the battery faster.

On E7000 motors (max 60 Nm), the adjustable range is smaller, but you can still fine‑tune for a smoother or snappier feel.

Practical risk: If you set Max Torque to the minimum (e.g., 10 Nm) in Eco, the motor may struggle to get the bike moving from a standstill on a hill. That’s normal—not a fault. If you experience sudden power loss after a torque adjustment, go back to the default values and re‑test before assuming a hardware problem.

Updating Firmware: What You Need to Know

Firmware updates from Shimano often improve motor performance, fix bugs, or add new assist profiles (e.g., a “Trail” mode for the EP8). The update process is straightforward but requires attention.

1. Connect your bike to the E‑Tube app (Bluetooth or USB).
2. Tap System Update → Check for Updates. The app scans the motor, display, battery, and Di2 components.
3. If an update is available, tap Update. You’ll see a list of files to download. Use a stable Wi‑Fi or cellular connection (file sizes range from 5–40 MB).
4. Do not interrupt the process. Keep the bike’s battery on, stay within Bluetooth range (or keep USB cable plugged), and don’t turn off the display. A failure mid‑update can require a dealer to reflash.
5. After completion, the motor may automatically power cycle. Verify the new firmware version in the app under Component Information.

Important: Some firmware updates reset your custom Assist Character settings to factory defaults. Write down your preferred curves before updating so you can quickly re‑enter them.

Verification step: After the update, take a short ride and note whether any assist modes feel different. If the motor behaves erratically (e.g., surging or cutting out), the update may not have installed correctly. In that case, repeat the update process or contact your dealer.

Setting Up Auto Shift (Di2 Only)

If your Shimano e‑bike has a Di2 drivetrain (e.g., XT Di2 or GRX Di2), the Auto Shift feature lets the motor automatically change gears based on cadence, speed, and torque. You can adjust the shift points in the E‑Tube app.

1. Go to Gear Unit Settings → Auto Shift.
2. Enable “Auto Shift” if greyed out.
3. Adjust these parameters:
4. Shift Timing (earlier vs. later): A negative value shifts earlier (keeps cadence high); a positive value shifts later (lets you spin out longer).
5. Cadence Range (e.g., 70–90 rpm): The motor aims to keep your cadence within this window. Narrow it for more aggressive shifting.
6. Torque Threshold: Determines how much pedal force triggers a downshift. Higher values prevent shifting under heavy load.
7. Write the settings.

Test ride on a flat road and a climb. If the system shifts too slowly or skips gears, increase the shift timing or widen the cadence range.

Escalation: If Auto Shift causes the chain to drop or makes loud noise during shifts, immediately stop using Auto Shift and switch to manual mode. This may indicate a Di2 derailleur alignment issue that needs dealer adjustment, not a programming fix.

FAQ

Can I increase the speed limit on my Shimano motor?

Not through the E‑Tube app. The speed limit is set by the dealer‑level software (e‑Tube Project for Workshop) and may void your warranty or make the bike illegal on bike paths. Check local Class 1/2/3 regulations before attempting.

Will reprogramming my motor void the warranty?

Adjusting rider‑accessible settings within the E‑Tube app (assist character, max torque, Auto Shift) generally does not void the warranty, but flashing custom firmware files not provided by Shimano will. If unsure, ask your dealer.

How do I reset to factory settings?

In the E‑Tube app, go to Motor Settings → Factory Reset. This restores all parameters to Shimano defaults and erases any custom curves. Run through the reset only if you’re experiencing unusual behavior or before selling the bike.

My app says “Connection Failed” – what now?

Ensure the bike battery is on and the display is active. Restart the app and the bike. If using Bluetooth, unpair and re‑pair. For USB, try a different port and cable (Shimano SM‑PCE1 or SC‑E7000). Older STEPS motors may require a dealer adapter.

Customizing your Shimano motor gives you control over how your e‑bike accelerates, climbs, and conserves battery. Start with small changes to the Assist Character, test ride, and refine from there—and always keep a record of your favorite settings in case a firmware update wipes them.

Explore This Topic

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• Back to E-Bike Motor Programming

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