Took 2013 S4 in for service: dealer wanted to update my steering software

[Seis-Speed]

I declined as they also told me it would flag my ECU as being flashed. I may have made a mistake, I thought it was for low speed steering, it was not....when I picked up the car I talked with another Tech and it was for "DEAD" steering at highway speeds.
I think there is no way of having any software updates w/o also notifying Audi that you have a modified ECU, at least that is the info I received today.

Should I just get the update, leaning that way and telling Audi :dealwithit:

Or...

Is this update a waste, I have zero steering issues outside of it not being ideal due to the new system being way too easy..

TIA: if anyone has some advice.

[QuattroLife]

Flash back to stock and get that update. You never know.

[PaperishPlastic]

it doesnt matter at this point, if your car was in the dealer at the dealers pocession you more than likely already have a TD1. Pretty soon im going to be the only member on these boards without a TD1.

[moose_head]

If you do ever need to make a warranty claim, depending on what it is they will likely need to hook it up to the computer at that time. I haven't read a 100% guarantee here that flashing back to stock clears all the traces that Audi's scan looks for.

My point is just think about what your endgame is here. Does it matter if you get TD1 now, or at warranty claim time? TD1 is meaningless if you never need to make a warranty claim.

[Seis-Speed]

At this point I am clear. If I have steering issues I am TD1. I can't imagine this car w/o a tune.... I will not clear it unless necessary. FWIW I went Stasis, with authorized Stasis dealer so they are doing what they can to make sure I am good. I can hit this update at my next oil change, or later. I went Audi Care, kind of regret it.

[brittney]

If they are doing just an update for the steering, it shouldn't flag your car as TD1. THe update is just for the steering, and nothing else. THe update pays the tech .40 hours, and they just want to get it done and move on to the next car. In theory the only way to get flagged as TD1 is if you have a MIL light come on. At this point the scan tool asks you if the vehicle is flashed, and then the tech has to respond yes or no.

[rs4dreams]

I just called my dealer and they confirmed that they would have to scan for a tune if they performed this update.

This is pretty disappointing given that this is such a big issue with the steering of the car (obviously has nothing to do with a tune). I might hold off and see if others find that this fix improves steering feel for people with the old rack that had DSR disabled.

[speed racer]

If they are doing just an update for the steering, it shouldn't flag your car as TD1. THe update is just for the steering, and nothing else. THe update pays the tech .40 hours, and they just want to get it done and move on to the next car. In theory the only way to get flagged as TD1 is if you have a MIL light come on. At this point the scan tool asks you if the vehicle is flashed, and then the tech has to respond yes or no.

completely wrong - don't listen to her .
when doing an update the vehicle performs an svm flash - basically reads all modules and transfers data to audi servers the flash is then loaded and performed . then then another reading / erasing of faults is performed when the flash finishes. the svm is what flags the TD1. all flash updates are done this way and when scanning a car for guided fault finding an svm can be performed to make sure all coding is correct and parameters

[Ryan_qttro]

completely wrong - don't listen to her .
when doing an update the vehicle performs an svm flash - basically reads all modules and transfers data to audi servers the flash is then loaded and performed . then then another reading / erasing of faults is performed when the flash finishes. the svm is what flags the TD1. all flash updates are done this way and when scanning a car for guided fault finding an svm can be performed to make sure all coding is correct and parameters

100% dead on
Plus this is a flash for the power steering module
Not the ECM, will not affect tune
I've done updates on my buddies R8 for other modules, he has an APR flash
Does not affect ECM tune

[rs4dreams]

100% dead on
Plus this is a flash for the power steering module
Not the ECM, will not affect tune
I've done updates on my buddies R8 for other modules, he has an APR flash
Does not affect ECM tune

To clarify: are you saying that the SVM flash can be applied to different modules individually and therefore a flash of the steering module won't be able to scan the ECM?

[tins5]

I feel like you're going to get hit with TD1 sooner or later anyway. Not even sure if it matters, because if you were to ever need your warranty, they would scan it at that time anyway. Then again, if it is something completely unrelated, then it shouldn't matter what if you're TD1 or not.

[adamkb26]

If you have a stasis tune then who cares if you get flagged? They match factory warranty.

[Ryan_qttro]

Svm checks software level of all modules before it updates the module you tell it to.
And supposedly APR is undetectable

[rs4dreams]

I feel like you're going to get hit with TD1 sooner or later anyway. Not even sure if it matters, because if you were to ever need your warranty, they would scan it at that time anyway. Then again, if it is something completely unrelated, then it shouldn't matter what if you're TD1 or not.

Not quite. I can flash back to stock by going to my local APR dealer before going in for warranty work which would prevent (most likely) the TD1. I just don't want to have to do this unnecessarily (have to pay for 1/2 hour of labor twice) for a simple software update of the faulty steering system.

[subiesleeper]

it doesnt matter at this point, if your car was in the dealer at the dealers pocession you more than likely already have a TD1. Pretty soon im going to be the only member on these boards without a TD1.

No tune here and I'll get the update at 15000 when they offer it. Have not experienced any issues with steering as of yet.

[Celiot29]

I just called my dealer and they confirmed that they would have to scan for a tune if they performed this update.

This is pretty disappointing given that this is such a big issue with the steering of the car (obviously has nothing to do with a tune). I might hold off and see if others find that this fix improves steering feel for people with the old rack that had DSR disabled.

it mos certainly improves steering feel not only eliminates the on weird center and feel it lso tightens up the steering nd gives it more weight nd resistance which ws my only dislike btw my 2009 and 2013(electric steering) this software certainly takes a step in the right direction.

[rs4dreams]

it mos certainly improves steering feel not only eliminates the on weird center and feel it lso tightens up the steering nd gives it more weight nd resistance which ws my only dislike btw my 2009 and 2013(electric steering) this software certainly takes a step in the right direction.

Did you have DSR disabled before this update? Disabling DSR produced a big improvement to steering feel for me (better on-center, more weight). I'm interested in whether this update provides a further improvement.

[Celiot29]

Did you have DSR disabled before this update? Disabling DSR produced a big improvement to steering feel for me (better on-center, more weight). I'm interested in whether this update provides a further improvement.

I did not. but I mentioned this in another thread and likened this software update to maybe a software delete if you catch my drift

[Seis-Speed]

I feel like you're going to get hit with TD1 sooner or later anyway. Not even sure if it matters, because if you were to ever need your warranty, they would scan it at that time anyway. Then again, if it is something completely unrelated, then it shouldn't matter what if you're TD1 or not.

Yes, I agree the Tech seemed Leary and frankly he might have no clue. When I returned to pick up the car, the guy I usually deal with said let's just call Stasis and make sure no updates flash your software. I think it is a non-issue, I am TD1 at some point like you say. I do however like the dealer to be careful. When I made the appointment I told them I had the Stasis software, when I checked in I mentioned I had Stasis software, when I talked with the Tech I mentioned I had Stasis software. I am really more afraid of loosing the tune than being TD1.

But...

If this steering update is important then I do want it. They said it is an ongoing thing that could be upgraded down the road, but has anyone had the update and felt a better steering quality from your car??

[scrofas5]

For me I'm fine with the steering so far and really how much could the steering be improved by this small update? I know this car is not gonna have steering feel like a BMW, it's not gonna happen. And not worth to flash everything back if I need it done at this point. For me atleast ( giac st.2, dsg software )

What's dsr btw? I will try that through my vagcom if someone can guide me through it?

[rs4dreams]

For me I'm fine with the steering so far and really how much could the steering be improved by this small update? I know this car is not gonna have steering feel like a BMW, it's not gonna happen. And not worth to flash everything back if I need it done at this point. For me atleast ( giac st.2, dsg software )

What's dsr btw? I will try that through my vagcom if someone can guide me through it?

Taken from the original thread:
"The box is under 44-electric steering assist module > coding > long coding > byte 0 > bit 4 (uncheck box for "Driver Steering Recommendation")"

[brittney]

An SVM update is different than updating a control module. I had a car today that I know is flashed and it didn't flag the car as TD1. Did the steering update, and the car isn't flagged as TD1. Even if the car has a STASIS flash, through an authorized dealer, they still get flagged as TD1.

[RickFLS4]

If you have a stasis tune then who cares if you get flagged? They match factory warranty.

^^ This ^^ I thought it was the point of using Stasis vs other products.

[stlcity]

Have a noob question for u guys...since we are talking about TD1. When the car is at the dealer for routine maintainance(for ex 5K, 15K service) do the dealers do the SVM flash to detect tunes? Or is the flash run only when the car is in with a warranty claim?

Reason I am asking is I have a CPO 2013. Dont want to loose CPO status. I was thinking of flashing GIAC stage I at the 5k service and reverting it back to stock before the 15K service. Thanks for the replies.

[Wusty]

We've all heard it over and over again. You've got to pay to play. Don't be dishonest about things guys. You knew before you got a tune that if your tune caused direct damage to anything on your car, Audi wasn't going to cover it and what did you do? You tuned your car anyway knowing this. So why try to hide things? Things are going to be much easier if you just tell your dealer, "hey, my cars tuned". Theirs no BS on either side and I would imagine your overall outcomes will be much better. I've got nothing to hide with my car. It is what it is. If my tune jacks my car up, who's to blame? ME!

[rick b]

We've all heard it over and over again. You've got to pay to play. Don't be dishonest about things guys. You knew before you got a tune that if your tune caused direct damage to anything on your car, Audi wasn't going to cover it and what did you do? You tuned your car anyway knowing this. So why try to hide things? Things are going to be much easier if you just tell your dealer, "hey, my cars tuned". Theirs no BS on either side and I would imagine your overall outcomes will be much better. I've got nothing to hide with my car. It is what it is. If my tune jacks my car up, who's to blame? ME!

agree 100%

rick b.

[rs4dreams]

We've all heard it over and over again. You've got to pay to play. Don't be dishonest about things guys. You knew before you got a tune that if your tune caused direct damage to anything on your car, Audi wasn't going to cover it and what did you do? You tuned your car anyway knowing this. So why try to hide things? Things are going to be much easier if you just tell your dealer, "hey, my cars tuned". Theirs no BS on either side and I would imagine your overall outcomes will be much better. I've got nothing to hide with my car. It is what it is. If my tune jacks my car up, who's to blame? ME!

You're right in theory, but Audi has occasionally been denying things like powertrain TSBs for people flagged with TD1. Those are clearly not issues caused by the tune but you can still run into trouble.

Mod-friendly dealers won't plug into SVM for services.

[Audi403]

I'd also like to know if you flash stage 1 on your ECU, but flash back to stock before you go in for a warranty claim, will they know you were tuned at one point?

[helix139]

I'd also like to know if you flash stage 1 on your ECU, but flash back to stock before you go in for a warranty claim, will they know you were tuned at one point?

Evidence so far points to no, but of course that can change.

[brittney]

In theory no. I've had several cars that had an APR flash, flashed back to stock, and no issues with warranty repairs.

[734jeant]

If they are doing just an update for the steering, it shouldn't flag your car as TD1. THe update is just for the steering, and nothing else. THe update pays the tech .40 hours, and they just want to get it done and move on to the next car. In theory the only way to get flagged as TD1 is if you have a MIL light come on. At this point the scan tool asks you if the vehicle is flashed, and then the tech has to respond yes or no.

brittney - pm sent

[Mr. Merk]

Do vag com mods affect TD1?

[dbX79]

I went in Wednesday and got the update and my vagcom mods are still working. Windows still roll down from the keyfob :)

[Ryan_qttro]

^^ This ^^ I thought it was the point of using Stasis vs other products.

Yea, once a car gets the Stasis mods put on it, it's reported and flagged. Stasis has to pick up the warranty from then on.