Performance chip voiding warantee

[NSYRS4]

I know the dealer will void the warantee if they claim that the performance chip resulted in the malfunction, but has anyone had that experience?

[blackbox619]

if you have the apr, you can switch it back to stock mode and the dealer wont even know its in there.

[RAudi Driver]

APR's the one that the dealer will actually know that it's in there since you toggle through the programs with the steering column stalk. GIAC has a flashloader and so does REVO.

If you got a B6 or a B7 S4, make the very last mod you do. Not really worth the money for the little to no performance that you will gain.

[Justincredible]

APR's the one that the dealer will actually know that it's in there since you toggle through the programs with the steering column stalk. GIAC has a flashloader and so does REVO.

If you got a B6 or a B7 S4, make the very last mod you do. Not really worth the money for the little to no performance that you will gain.

Definitely agree don't get a chip till you have a full exhaust. As for the chips the dealer won't be able to tell if you have ANY of them if you switch back to stock APR or other wise.

The dealerships do like to void warranties for the littlest thing tho. In reality it depends on the dealer ship. I took my car to a dealer in chicgao they wouldn't warranty ANY thing due to the exhaust. I took the Audi to a dealership just out side of Detroit they didn't care about the chip,rotors or the exhaust. The only time they didn't warranty some thing was when they couldn't figgure it out (LONG story). So it really all depends on the Dealership

[b spot]

APR's the one that the dealer will actually know that it's in there since you toggle through the programs with the steering column stalk. GIAC has a flashloader and so does REVO.

If you got a B6 or a B7 S4, make the very last mod you do. Not really worth the money for the little to no performance that you will gain.

You can lock your ecu with APR. They'll never know unless they know your code and the method to enter it.

[40valve]

It does depend on the dealer but there is no way to hide it from them. If they really want to know they will find it.

[RAudi Driver]

It does depend on the dealer but there is no way to hide it from them. If they really want to know they will find it.

Yea, because the sotck file that GIAC and probably others use is not the same stock file that originally came with your car. I think you're right on this one.

Also, didn't know that about APR.

[Longfist86]

it all depends on the problem. I'm pretty sure they wont void your warranty they will probably just not cover the affected part. whats your situation? or are you just asking for preventive measures?

[hot2trots4]

Yeah, technically a dealer can void your warranty for just about anything modded. I have seen them try to do it for a cat back.

You need to basically interview your service managers at ALL your local Audi dealers about this. Some are "mod friendly". Just go in and casually ask them if putting a cat back or chip or shifter will void your warranty if installed properly? You would be surprised some are cool.

The thing is though if they start having a hard to diagnose problem, they may change their minds and all of the sudden blame your exhaust for even a starter problem. Funny huh? it has happened.

But many are cool.

[iconoclast]

If you got a B6 or a B7 S4, make the very last mod you do. Not really worth the money for the little to no performance that you will gain.

2nd.

[gear_head81]

the dealer has to prove that your mod caused the problem. For example if they say that your cat-back exhaust caused your engine to explode and want you to pay for a new one the you might want to hire a lawyer. This coming from my sales man (who has a heavily modded A4) and his manager.

[b spot]

It does depend on the dealer but there is no way to hide it from them. If they really want to know they will find it.

Nope, it is absolutely impossible. (I'll only speak to APR because I'm not certain about the others).

Your stock ECU stays in the same memory location, and the new programs are added to unused memory in the ECU. A dealer has no way of reading the memory of your ECU directly to find your performance programming. Their diagnostic tools only interact with the stock portion of the ECU.

[Longfist86]

I was a service advisor for Audi for 6 years and in south Florida there are tons of moded Audi's down here. In my experience if you cant prove that the failed part is consequential damage of the aftermarket part then my friend your in the clear.
Now any advisor or manager can be an ass about the situation.

[iconoclast]

the dealer has to prove that your mod caused the problem. For example if they say that your cat-back exhaust caused your engine to explode and want you to pay for a new one the you might want to hire a lawyer. This coming from my sales man (who has a heavily modded A4) and his manager.

in an ideal world... however it seems to be the other way around... the customer has to prove it didnt cause the failure.

[b00st]

as i recall....they actually can find proof of a flashed car. there is something timestamp and stored in the ECU that gives it away.

i know in the days of old it was true that it was undetectable....but if they want to...they can find it. i can't remember were i say the article or thread.

it is true the burden of proof lies with the dealer but i have seen plenty give major grief over it. i remember my brothers b6 a4 1.8T. he brought it over....we went for a drive...he had the classic dentist drill sound. loss of power....i thought he had blown his turbo...but he also sounded like a diesel. which was the odd ingredient and i found a randdom loose bolt on the turbo mani....we took it to the dealer...they said yup....your turbo is blown.....because of the intercooler you put on.....well the intercooler is after the fact....its not before the turbo....its after...so it has nothing to do with anything....but they would hear no more. we took it to a different dealership...same deal. same answer. i told him to take it to rennart....they found a leak and some more loose bolts...tighten it up and he was good to go. dealer wanted 2700....and it cost him 150 bucks to inspect the car, find the problem and tight some bolts causing a boost leak.

their clear lack of understanding of the motor let me know that they know nothing. and usually won't find your flashed ECU....then there are other dealers who will look at everything even your ECS snub mount and try to void your warranty. i think i've seen it all. just thought i'd share.

[szinkuti]

as a tech at a dealer...we can tell if an ecu is chipped or modified...but its not a super big deal......but if you have an a4 running 20lbs of boost and throw a rod out the side of your block...then yes...there will be no warranty....on ecm updates that audi provides there is a sheet to sign if you have a chipped ecu...cause it will erase it when we do updates....

[gear_head81]

what do you mean updates?

[Captain Insano]

OEM updates to the ECU I think is what he meant. That would erase your aftermarket chip tune potentially...

[NSYRS4]

Preventative ,but am interested in your opinion re: exhaust and brand of chip. Thanks