VF Tuner ECU/TCU Tuning for the GX550
- Thread starter VF Tuner
- Start date
Yeah I mean i've done this and it certainly helps but was hoping for maybe something a little more permanent then having to disconnect my battery every couple weeks/months.
Some erroneous information from recent posts on this thread. Warranties aren't blank-check voided just because you have a tune. The tune has to be directly responsible for the warranty issue. I agree that you may be flirting with danger and inviting an initial warranty repair denial by tuning but some of us are OK with that possibility. These engines also simply aren't the same engines that were part of the Tundra issues. Not sure how much simpler that concept can be stated but some people just don't get it.
- Thread starter
- #284
Please do not spread misinformation.
1. Tuning a vehicle does not outright void any warranty. No different than any other mod. Lexus COULD void your warranty for larger heavier wheels "if" they deemed it was responsible for something.
2. Techstream GTS, does not do checksum checks on this ECU, so the ECU reports just like stock and they are not dumpable without custom code. Therefore, there is NO easy way to detect it has been tuned
3. Our tuning system bypasses the BCM which does register events and register flash events with toyotas servers. So there is no trail that flashing has ever happened.
The notion that "tuning voids your warranty" is based on complete BS. It is no different than ANY modification done to a vehicle, and that modification MUST BE directly responsible for the failure.
If you tune your GX550 and your brake lights fail, your brake light warranty is NOT void. Nothing is.
You are more likely to have your warranty void from lifting it, putting on bigger wheels, and other overland-type stuff than a tune, because the tune cannot be easily detected. Detection with standard toyota lexus tools actually isn't even possible.
1. Tuning a vehicle does not outright void any warranty. No different than any other mod. Lexus COULD void your warranty for larger heavier wheels "if" they deemed it was responsible for something.
2. Techstream GTS, does not do checksum checks on this ECU, so the ECU reports just like stock and they are not dumpable without custom code. Therefore, there is NO easy way to detect it has been tuned
3. Our tuning system bypasses the BCM which does register events and register flash events with toyotas servers. So there is no trail that flashing has ever happened.
The notion that "tuning voids your warranty" is based on complete BS. It is no different than ANY modification done to a vehicle, and that modification MUST BE directly responsible for the failure.
If you tune your GX550 and your brake lights fail, your brake light warranty is NOT void. Nothing is.
You are more likely to have your warranty void from lifting it, putting on bigger wheels, and other overland-type stuff than a tune, because the tune cannot be easily detected. Detection with standard toyota lexus tools actually isn't even possible.
it can be detected if they dig hard enough. Stop telling people it isn't. Yeah joe shmoe technition at the lexus dealer wont find it. But if lexus decides to send people out to investigate an issue, they have the ability to find it easily.
Youre right, it doesn't void your warranty the second you flash the car. But it does give them a reason to void your warranty the minute you bring it in for problems and they find the tune.
You think a big manufacturer cannot find a vehicle has been tuned if they don't want to? Even if you clone a stock ECU, tune one, and swap the old one back in they can still discover the vehicle has been tuned at one point because things are logged. This data is logged in microchips. Data is snapshotted and logged and no one but the manufacturer has access to it.
If lexus did enough digging and your engine or powertrain component has a catastrophic failure, they will find the tune and bam... they have a reason to tell you to piss off and the warranty work will not be honored.
Youre right, it doesn't void your warranty the second you flash the car. But it does give them a reason to void your warranty the minute you bring it in for problems and they find the tune.
You think a big manufacturer cannot find a vehicle has been tuned if they don't want to? Even if you clone a stock ECU, tune one, and swap the old one back in they can still discover the vehicle has been tuned at one point because things are logged. This data is logged in microchips. Data is snapshotted and logged and no one but the manufacturer has access to it.
If lexus did enough digging and your engine or powertrain component has a catastrophic failure, they will find the tune and bam... they have a reason to tell you to piss off and the warranty work will not be honored.
Ok...maybe they can...but you are still inferring (or being purposely vague) that a tune will void my warranty if my window is not working? Or they won't replace my brakes due to the TSB?
Like any modification, I understand a tune can potentially void any engine or drivetrain related warranty, just like i know a spacer kit and larger rims can void some suspension work, but that is only IF the manufacture can prove that the modification was the cause of the failure.
I think you are the one spreading misinformation here . If you are positive about tune detection or lack there of put it in your warranty disclaimer and assume liability .
Yes it is true that lifting or bigger tires void your suspension warranty but repairing such items is a few thousand dollars as opposed to 20-30k power terrain .
even if the flash count or crc couldn’t be detected ( although I highly doubt that is the case ) the boost timing maps are easily decoded in the logs )
And while you can technically fight the warranty denail claims you’d have to do it on your own dime against corporate lawyers
So again the goal here is to raise awareness and provide the full picture to the audience instead of talking around the issue or worse yet claiming the chance of complications with warranty repairs would be remote .
The gx 550 buyers are the affluent type and I’m sure they didn’t get to where they are by making uneducated decisions so I’m sure everyone here will do their due diligence and will proceed based on risk adversity and risk assessment
- Thread starter
- #288
Show me the microchips that log this data.
This is literally my day job to reverse engineer microchips in ECUs, so please provide proof of your statements.
Otherwise you're blowing smoke.
FYI if you install a new ECU and security key pair it it's 100% EXACTLY like brand new on the Toyota platform.
So stop spreading misinformation.
- Thread starter
- #289
Literally all you're doing is trying to spread fear.
Not a single GX550 owner or tundra owner has had a single issue with any of our tunes at all.
You're raising awareness by creating a scenario that hasn't happened and has a winning lottery's chance of happening...
And you're spreading BS about the chips. Please if you're going to talk like your an expert make sure actual experts aren't in the room.
No misinformation is being spread. You are just being butthurt now because you a selling a product and trying to defend the valid concern of warranty being voided because of a tune.
The fact of the matter is if you tune ANY vehicle you have to come to terms with losing your powertrain warranty. Its just that simple.
If you blow your 30k engine/transmission and take it in for warranty, you can bet your ass lexus will send out engineers to investigate. They will find that the vehicle has a tune or was tuned at one point. No matter what the guy says who is selling the tune, lol. This isn't anything new guys. Manufacturers can always detect a tune if they really want to. Do your own due diligence if you don't believe me. Data is logged/snapshotted and is there forever.
Its your truck/money risk it if you like.
The fact of the matter is if you tune ANY vehicle you have to come to terms with losing your powertrain warranty. Its just that simple.
If you blow your 30k engine/transmission and take it in for warranty, you can bet your ass lexus will send out engineers to investigate. They will find that the vehicle has a tune or was tuned at one point. No matter what the guy says who is selling the tune, lol. This isn't anything new guys. Manufacturers can always detect a tune if they really want to. Do your own due diligence if you don't believe me. Data is logged/snapshotted and is there forever.
Its your truck/money risk it if you like.
- Thread starter
- #291
Well thank you for your unsolicited advice that nobody asked for.
Our product has already proven to be safe, and many tundras have even had recall engine replacements with our tunes without a single issue from the dealer
So while I appreciate you spreading your knowledge, we have already gone over this topic several times.
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Though not surprising, that is good to hear. In the Supra community, guys with tunes seemed to face little trouble from dealerships as well.
I don’t think deedz is going to be a VF customer.
so back on topic...what's the news on the new goodies for the GX?
It's a giant decal that you put on your engine cover that says:
"This truck has a tune and I have come to terms with losing my powertrain warranty"
"This truck has a tune and I have come to terms with losing my powertrain warranty"
“NOWRNTY” would make a great license plate
No offense but it would help your argument if you actually came with a literal example of a denied warranty from Lexus due to a tune. Otherwise, it just sounds like you’re wanting to be right. If you have a real example, that would be very welcome and super helpful to us
This is what I was going to ask also. Are there any documented experiences with tunes and warranty denial?
I had a 911 that had a tune when I bought it used. I won’t elaborate but it was out of warranty, so it didn’t matter to me. The dealer spent hours trying to remove the tune, but they never succeeded.
That makes me question their true knowledge and abilities.
@VF Tuner Do you have a schematic of the GX that you could share?
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