joshuakline

i have a tune just for tire size, and sure enough they plugged into it during the oil change. they just did an update, but after that my check engine light came on and the tuner couldn't read it anymore. i called superchips and they had to reset my programmer. it was inconvenient, but didn't hurt anything.

BadAV

This is the reason it is prudent to always reset a tune only vehicle back to stock before going to the dealership for anything. You never know if they are going to check the ecm/pcm for some reason, and if they reflash your tuner is now a brick until you pay to have it reset.

johnday in BFE

iTrader: (1)

I remove the tunes, and the tuner before I leave home anytime my truck is going in. The Service manager and writers know I have a tune, but no sense in advertising, and if they do an update or whatever, I just don't need the trouble with my tunes being reset, locked up, or whatever might happen by an update.
It's said they can always see if you're tuned, maybe, maybe not, not gonna argue about it.
How long does it take to flip it back to stock? If any think that it's too much time to waste, maybe you shouldn't have tuned in the first place.

tuflehundon

This is the reason I always go back to stock tune anytime I am taking my truck into the dealership. If there is an update in your tuning strategy, which is more possible with a newer truck than a 12 year old one like mine, they may hook it up and update it. Updated tune with the new strategy from MPT, $25. Fee to unlock a tuner because it's bricked due to the new tune, $50-100 depending on your tuner company. .

FordGate

I believe the tune manufacturer recommends returning to stock before taking it to a dealer for any reason.

SixShooter14

I don't return to stock before a service, but I do retune afterwards. A couple times the dealer has plugged in and done updates. (it should be noted that they did tell me before doing so) So to be safe, I just re-install my tune once I get home. It's never given me an error as long as my device is up to date.

I've been tuned since about 20k miles and have made several Forscan changes. My dealer has never mentioned it being a problem.

FordGate

The problem is the tuner. With my Superchips if they do an update, the tuner could be bricked.

sddesigns

I would return to stock tune also, then just unplug my nGauge from the OBDII tuck it up into the dash and be done. I'll reflash the tune in the parking lot before leaving the dealer.

acdii

As others mentioned, the only reason to remove the tune is to prevent the tuner from getting locked. If it can't read the tune as loaded that is in the truck it then assumes that it is not the correct truck because checksums do not match. Not only that, but if bricked, and unlocked, then the master OEM file will be lost and the tune that was changed that is currently in the truck becomes the master and only the dealer can return it to stock.

My dealer will do updates if there are any in the system as a courtesy, so I always returned the stock tune before service. As far as them knowing it was tuned, that is simple, the key cycles are recorded in ROM since last update, so if no records of updates are in the system, and they suspect a tune, they look at the key cycles and and last update. If the update was a year ago and only 12 key cycles exist, then they can determine that a tune was installed.

BCMIF150

Mine still uses the quick change lanes. They rotate the tires first to give the oil time to drain, then start the oil change.