Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[nma]

The tune can be removed easily according to my installer . Warranty is definetly affected on everything make no bones about it I spoke to VW they have red flagged it already . But as my installer said to me call in before you go to dealer I'll remove the tune for a small fee. ie $50 go do your thing come back and I will put it back on. It's not a ecu tune therefore it won't be detected. Hope this helps. By the way it's Awesome !

[donweather]

It's not a ecu tune therefore it won't be detected.

So the APR tune isn't an ECU tune? Are you sure about that?

And if that' the case and it's not detectable then ummmmmm,why did you tell VW that you have it?

[nma]

According to my installer that's correct. I made a anonymous enquiry at VW by phone and that's what I was told

[samps]

The APR tune is definitely an ECU tune. However they can replace with a "base" tune which approximates the behaviour of a factory tune.

If the VW mechanics are looking for it they will be able to see the number of times your ECU has been flashed, as the value is stored in a counter and not wiped. At least that was the situation when I got my MK6 APR tune, and I don't believe things have changed that much.

[MIRSAD]

... It's not a ecu tune therefore it won't be detected. ...

From APR page:
"APR is pleased to present the ultimate engine control unit (ECU) upgrade for the Generation 3, 2.0 TSI engine as found in the MQB platform vehicles. APR’s ECU upgrade is available in octane-specific variations and is conveniently flashed to the vehicle’s factory ECU through the OBD-II port without any physical modification to the factory ECU."
Brain washed but nothing physical – like platonic love... still detectable

[nma]

That's what I was told by the tech who put it on

[AdamD]

Loads of misunderstandings going on here. The APR tune is an ECU tune.

Specifically, it replaces the VW-authored software content stored on the ECU, with the tuner's own data.

(Think of an ECU as a computer hard drive; it stores data, and provides that data - in the form of instructions - to the engine and other subsystems.)

When the dealer scans the ECU at service, the VW systems will analyse the checksum (think fingerprint) of the software on the ECU, and if the software is not as per VW, the car will be flagged "TD1" (meaning: modified).

What nma's dealer has offered to do is restore the original software onto his ECU prior to a service - ie restore it to the condition it was in prior to tuning. The dealer's systems will then not detect the past presence of a tune. The APR code can then be placed back onto the ECU at a later date (just as it was originally done).

If the VW mechanics are looking for it they will be able to see the number of times your ECU has been flashed, as the value is stored in a counter and not wiped. At least that was the situation when I got my MK6 APR tune, and I don't believe things have changed that much.

The flash counter indicating how many times the ECU has been flashed is defeatable (ie can be manipulated) by many tuners, including APR; this has been the case for some time now, and was the case on the Mk6. APR will ensure the flash counter records the same value it did prior to applying a tune.

[donweather]

Is it really the case APR can reset the check sum and hence its not detectable? If so they must be one of a very very select few who can do this?

[2browndogs]

The tune can be removed easily according to my installer . Warranty is definetly affected on everything make no bones about it I spoke to VW they have red flagged it already . But as my installer said to me call in before you go to dealer I'll remove the tune for a small fee. ie $50 go do your thing come back and I will put it back on. It's not a ecu tune therefore it won't be detected. Hope this helps. By the way it's Awesome !

Hi nma - how has the tune affected your fuel consumption ? And does the car have quite a different character ?
Thx

[AdamD]

Is it really the case APR can reset the check sum and hence its not detectable? If so they must be one of a very very select few who can do this?

APR (and several other tuners) can modify the flash counter. However, they can not "reset" the checksum, which is calculated by applying a mathematical algorithm over a file or sequence of data (and is therefore not spoofable or defeatable by regular means at this time).

Therefore, all tunes at the present time are detectable by VW.