How do you know you've been flagged by Audi for tuning?

[jashford]

I just took my car into Audi for its first service. I flashed back to stock (tuned with Unitronic Stage 1+) before going to the dealership. They didn't say anything to me, nor can I see anything out of the ordinary on the service report. For what it's worth, there was no mention of the intake or suspension mods either.

So I'm wondering for those who have had the unfortunate experience of being flagged by Audi for tuning while still under warranty, how did you know? Did they tell you at the time or did you find out later? I'm trying to figure out if I've gotten away with it or not...

[AccordingToAlex]

I just took my car into Audi for its first service. I flashed back to stock (tuned with Unitronic Stage 1+) before going to the dealership. They didn't say anything to me, nor can I see anything out of the ordinary on the service report. For what it's worth, there was no mention of the intake or suspension mods either.

So I'm wondering for those who have had the unfortunate experience of being flagged by Audi for tuning while still under warranty, how did you know? Did they tell you at the time or did you find out later? I'm trying to figure out if I've gotten away with it or not...

You're already SOL. As soon as you flash an aftermarket tune on your ECU, your car will forever be flagged TD1. Even if you flash back to stock. Drive carefully!

EDIT: I should clarify that Audi will be able to detect that tune regardless if flashed back to stock and will flag your car. Sorry if I wasn't clear earlier.

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[jashford]

OK, thanks for the response.

Although, what's the point of flashing back to stock when taking it to the dealer as most people suggest if the ECU is going to be forever flagged TD1?

Just trying to understand the rationale of that recommendation, but I realize that it isn't you making it.

[AccordingToAlex]

OK, thanks for the response.

Although, what's the point of flashing back to stock when taking it to the dealer as most people suggest if the ECU is going to be forever flagged TD1?

Just trying to understand the rationale of that recommendation, but I realize that it isn't you making it.

The idea is to not give them a reason to go fishing. If you're going in for warranty work, rule of thumb is to put everything back to stock as much as possible. Intake, rims, the whole works. If they see a "stock" car roll into the shop, it gives them less reason to scan your ECU for tunes. Remember even having an intake or exhaust can get you you a TD1 flag. Audi technically does not allow ANY modifications, or they may void warranty.

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[sbell008]

The idea is to not give them a reason to go fishing. If you're going in for warranty work, rule of thumb is to put everything back to stock as much as possible. Intake, rims, the whole works. If they see a "stock" car roll into the shop, it gives them less reason to scan your ECU for tunes. Remember even having an intake or exhaust can get you you a TD1 flag. Audi technically does not allow ANY modifications, or they may void warranty.

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To expound on this -- I've had my car tuned for a while now, and they never said anything to me during any of my warranty work, or services, and proceeded on as usual. The one time I did ask them to dive a bit deeper into a potential differential rumble issue, they then let me know that my car had been flagged as TD1, as they had to do some 'fishing' as Alex has mentioned. Basically, think of it as they 'didn't mind' it being tuned, but as soon as something potentially huge goes wrong, they'll likely let you know at that point that it's not being fixed on Audi's dime. I'm just living with the diff rumble though, as it doesnt seem to throw any codes, and is operating normally.

[silver3.8]

I was tuned and my car went into service and i was not flagged. The moment a turbo issue happened, causing them to dig deeper, the scan for any changes and I was flagged TD1.

As sbell said, the moment something potentially big pop up, then they dig and the info goes to mother Audi.

[jashford]

Got it, thanks all for the explanations... I understand now.

So it seems like I might as well go all out with mods if I've already been flagged and there's nothing that I can do about it!

[Daaavid]

Just ask your service advisor (SA), seriously. SAs around my part of town are very transparent about it, even hinting that if you are any way tuned to please let them know and their assigned technician will be mindful to not call back to home when it's plugged into the computer.

So, if you went in for a simple oil change or had basic warranty work that didn't involve days of diagnostic, you should be OK. Build a relationship with your SA and they can tell you if you've been flagged or turn a blind eye to things and give you a heads up.

[AvantNoir]

Maybe if you're wearing one of these?

Found it here: Manufactory27

[DRkNESS]

Got it, thanks all for the explanations... I understand now.

So it seems like I might as well go all out with mods if I've already been flagged and there's nothing that I can do about it!

Shoot upon knowing this, I know that I would.


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[Tiggz911]

Thought I might chime in real quick. Just remember that even though a tune may have a few tricks and be “undetectable” after flashing back to stock, when they pull the data logs, it will show alterations in boost and timing that are out of factory specs. That is an instant flag. Now, one thing to note is that even though a vehicle is flagged, it doesn’t mean there’s an automatic no for fixing an issue on the power train. The dealer must still prove that the tune is what directly caused the failure to begin with. The onus is on them. And if they refuse, then get a written statement of them denying the warranty claim and take it up the ladder.

Now, if that means they are forced to tear your motor apart to diagnose down to the nitty gritty detail of how a failure occurred, and they figure out it was indeed the tune, you are stuck with the bill.

Bottom line. Pay to play. I don’t fuck around with the service advisors. I actually have a tag on my DME cover that says “do not flash to stock” and in the SA notes it says the same thing and advises the tech to speak with me before performing any reflashing of the vehicle. Costs me $450 and two days down to pull it and ship it out for bench flashing each time. So if it’s something minor, I have them hold off. If they have to diagnose an engine issue, they’re free to flash back to stock so they can work on it and I take a monetary hit. Whatever. Pay to play, right? In my experience, transparency is best. Trying to hide something they WILL find regardless is like smoking crack in front of a cop and when he calls you out you’re like, loh this? Oh man, how’d that get there?! That ain’t mine!” Yeah. Don’t be the crack baby. No one like that and they’re less likely to make your life easy if you try to hide shit.

Good luck!