Quote:
Originally Posted by Manivxr
Unfortunately the only true way of not having something traceable is the tuning box. Its a compromise but that's the way to go if detection is a concern. I have been looking at the tdi tuning box myself. Still undecided though.
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You might think that, but on these modern engines, they have so many, very accurate sensors that continuously monitor engine parameters. The ECU can determine whether something is normal or not.
For example, those power displays in the idrive, are a function of the ECU seeing airflow into the engine, manifold temperature, exhaust gas temperature, boost pressure, injector duty.....and the list goes on. On modern engines there are even multiple points where this information is gathered. This allows idrive to give a reasonably accurate power display reading.
A clue to how well this sensory data gathering works is how a modern car reacts to a failed sensor. Years ago a single sensor failure would render the car undeliverable, or put it into a severe limp mode where it was barely driveable. Today a sensor can go down, and other than a CEL, you wouldn't even know about it performance wise. Such is the overlap of data.
As a tuning box will only fool a limited number of sensors ( and those are only inputs by the way, outputs are just as telling), the ECU can flag 'suspicious' data.
So don't be so sure that a removed tuning box is undetectable.
But as with a remap as has been mentioned, it would depend on the warranty claim as to how deep they delve. The dealer is often your friend in trying to cover up your warranty condition transgressions, after all, he does benefit financially by being able to carry out the warranty work.