Idea for covering up a tune...sorta..

[WildHorse]

Have 2 pcms.

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[nastang87xx]

They can literally read the tune file name. Won't work.

 

[David Schmidt]

Just use the Ford tune or don't tune if you need warranty.

This is the bottom line. F* around and find out. If you can afford it, go right ahead. If you need insurance because you can't, then don't get a tune.

 

[MAGS1]

I mean sure, but anything that gets extra eyes on your claim isn't a good thing. Especially since the FP tune has included parts that are required. So now you have to slap all this shiny unused stuff on and power wash your engine bay to try to hide the fact. Just a ton of effort and expense. I've swapped my kit on and off quite a few times for testing purposes and I can't imagine trying to do that after a breakdown, lmao.

On top of that, most eligible cars are nearing the end of powertrain warranty anyway. From what I hear ESP is far more picky about that kind of stuff, especially if theres any doubt in the timeline of events. They don't have to follow the same rules for approval, so I'm pretty sure if they see a recent flash you're SOL.

Just use the Ford tune or don't tune if you need warranty.

Yeah assuming it’s a 3 year FP warranty, time is just about up considering 2021 MY was the last year of the FP power packs/tunes, at least for the GT.

 

[SnowFox]

Have 2 pcms.

Had this thought at one point. 2 PCMS in general might have benefits. In case you brick your car with a tune

 

[SnowFox]

I mean sure, but anything that gets extra eyes on your claim isn't a good thing. Especially since the FP tune has included parts that are required. So now you have to slap all this shiny unused stuff on and power wash your engine bay to try to hide the fact. Just a ton of effort and expense. I've swapped my kit on and off quite a few times for testing purposes and I can't imagine trying to do that after a breakdown, lmao.

On top of that, most eligible cars are nearing the end of powertrain warranty anyway. From what I hear ESP is far more picky about that kind of stuff, especially if theres any doubt in the timeline of events. They don't have to follow the same rules for approval, so I'm pretty sure if they see a recent flash you're SOL.

Just use the Ford tune or don't tune if you need warranty.

My Brand new 24 Ford Bronco FP offers a Tune ect.

I hear what your saying. Keeping in mind this is largely a hypothetical I think it might be plausible for a few reasons

Sure can the Ford techs play detective? Of course. But plenty of people have gone to get warranty work ect with a tune and the Techs haven't bothered to even look or care if there was a tune.


What people "could" do is not nessiarily what they will do. Adding a convincing layer of "provenance" would certainly increase your odds.

sometimes they don't even fix the car after they said they did. Much less play Colombo.

I'll call it Tune laundering!

Note: this is all hypothetical and for fun. No opinion here is dumb. The whole thing is dumb

 

[junits15]

This is the bottom line. F* around and find out. If you can afford it, go right ahead. If you need insurance because you can't, then don't get a tune.

Agree, if you're relying on the warranty to keep repairs affordable for you then don't mess with anything. Its not like its a slow car out of the box anyway.

the payoff for a tune on a mostly stock GT is very small, not worth sacrificing your warranty for.

 

[5doorsoffury]

well i guess if its low milage you can literally spend a few days starting the car over and over again. say you drive 100 miles per start you would need to cycle the car 10 times for every 1000 miles on it. so its possable for the garage weekend driven cars where time kills the warenteey before miles does. as long as say idk the vmp emblem dosent imprint itself in the hood liner and blame any fasteners that are marred with the private mechanic only touches my car ect.

 

[Johnny Rockit]

So had a brain fart idea. I'm not actually needing it. But allot of people often wonder how Ford will react to warranty work if the car is or was turned.

People usually tell them to "put it back to stock BUT Ford can see they have tuned it at some point"...that being said..

So Ford knows a tune had been applied even if it's back to stock. But they don't know the specifics of the previous tune. Only that you had applied one at some point.

Couldn't you conceivablely buy a Ford tune at some point have them install ect. Then later apply whatever tune you want? My thinking is...

If the day comes and you need work done under warranty, and they say "you had a tune" you could reply "yeah but it was a Ford performance tune" Assuming you had it done by Ford and have evidence to back it up.

I'm stuck in my squad car watching a protest for 3 more hours. I'm bored...

So you, as a sworn officer, are recommending fraudulent tampering with electronic data? I'm shocked, shocked I say.

 

[K4fxd]

I didn't read everything so if already posted.....

Just go to a dealer and request a PCM update flash. Ford then has a record of it being flashed by them. Head to your preferred warranty dealer and get the work done,, go home and re-flash your tune.

 

[Buldawg76]

There is some false information in this thread with regards to the warranty of the FP tunes and being sold by VIN of vehicle and ability to go from FP to stock tune at will.

1. The FP tunes are not registered to the vehicle VIN at time of sale by FP or any dealer. It is tied to the VIN when you download the program to a laptop/dealer PC and actually register the tune when flashing it into the vehicles PCM by entering the verification key code supplied with the FP tune package.

2. The FP tunes come with a 3/36 warranty that runs concurrently with the factory 3/36 warranty and begins when vehicle is put into service not the date of tune install. So, if vehicle is 1 year old and 12K miles when tune is installed there is only 2/24 worth of coverage left. See link below on FP warranty disclaimers. The warranty is valid as long as it is installed by a Ford/Lincoln dealer, Shelby American dealer, ASE certified tech or red seal endorsed tech. see link.

fpp-warranty.pdf (ford.com)

3. All FP tunes except the M-9603-M4CA 18-23 EcoBoost FP tune do allow for the owner to flash from FP tune to stock at will, the 18-23 Ecoboost FP tune does not allow the owner to return to stock from FP tune, it has to be reflashed by dealer back to stock at a charge to the owner. I know since that is my issue with my 2020 eco.

Just wanted to clear up some incorrect statements.

BD

 

[Buldawg76]

I don't believe any reputable dealer would be willing to do a PCM update flash if there is not an actual PCM update available for said vehicle, they don't like to flash PCM in perfectly fine running vehicle at least not in my area. My local dealers are hesitant to return my eco back to stock tune from the FP tune I have in it now. I will have to pay 1 hour labor and there is no warranty if it bricks the PCM.

BD

 

[K4fxd]

I don't believe any reputable dealer would be willing to do a PCM update flash if there is not an actual PCM update available for said vehicle, they don't like to flash PCM in perfectly fine running vehicle at least not in my area. My local dealers are hesitant to return my eco back to stock tune from the FP tune I have in it now. I will have to pay 1 hour labor and there is no warranty if it bricks the PCM.

Try a different dealer. I had mine done I just told them it had some weird ticks that were not easily repeatable, like a stumble at idle, slight hesitation on freeway and I wanted to try a fresh flash. $150 later and I had a fresh factory flash to copy.

 

[K4fxd]

BS skills and a dozen doughnuts gets results.

 

[Buldawg76]

Try a different dealer. I had mine done I just told them it had some weird ticks that were not easily repeatable, like a stumble at idle, slight hesitation on freeway and I wanted to try a fresh flash. $150 later and I had a fresh factory flash to copy.

I have 3 dealers local to me and 2 of the 3 will do it but give no warranty of it goes wrong and the 1 I just don't trust at all since they have no techs that I trust to touch my car. I am a retired ASE master tech so do all my own work and am very very picky if not anal about who I let touch my car.

Absolutely nobody but me touches my bikes.

BD

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