VF Tuner ECU/TCU Tuning for the GX550

[VF Tuner]

I'm interested, but what's the impact to the factory or extended warranty? I've experienced other tuners (different make) that can be seen by the manufacturer that would immediately void the factory warranty for any powertrain issues.

Direct by OBD = Toyota can see
With CAN connect cable = nothing can be seen.

 

[Cajun Heat]

I'm interested, but what's the impact to the factory or extended warranty? I've experienced other tuners (different make) that can be seen by the manufacturer that would immediately void the factory warranty for any powertrain issues.

If they are flashing a new tune, it will void the warranty. Now this is all based upon the dealership your bring your GX if something breaks. You can always flash back to the stock tune but they will be able to see that.

I personally tuned my Explorer ST when it had just 1000 miles on it knowing that if something catastrophic happens to the drive train, I'd be on the hook. If you can live with that, tune away and have fun. Some research into the company doing the tune is pertinent. You want to wake your turbo motor up but don't want to kill it with a tune that is too aggressive.

I promised my wife that I would not do any performance mods to the GX when we get it as I totally took over her ST. The GX will be hers.

 

[VF Tuner]

If they are flashing a new tune, it will void the warranty. Now this is all based upon the dealership your bring your GX if something breaks. You can always flash back to the stock tune but they will be able to see that.

I personally tuned my Explorer ST when it had just 1000 miles on it knowing that if something catastrophic happens to the drive train, I'd be on the hook. If you can live with that, tune away and have fun. Some research into the company doing the tune is pertinent. You want to wake your turbo motor up but don't want to kill it with a tune that is too aggressive.

I promised my wife that I would not do any performance mods to the GX when we get it as I totally took over her ST. The GX will be hers.

Ford ECUs are very different than Toyotas/Lexus.
Flashing a tune on a toyota ECU does not record anything, from what we have seen. These ECUs do not even have checksums and toyotas OEM tool doesn't have checksum checking ability (we know this, we use it daily). It doesn't record "flash counters" or such in the ECU either.


Very different than ford ECUs which have built in anti tuning and flash detection.


This is just my opinion but I believe toyota never implemented these things because they always had the crown of having the most secure ECUs in the world, untunable. (this use to be true), and is still true for the Gen4 ECUs (like this GX550). They have many layers of security which generally would be "uncrackable" if it weren't for voltage injection attacks, NBD exploits, etc, (hardware level attacking of the processor). but no modification detection.


Regarding flashing a new tune and voiding warranty, this is untrue. We have several dealerships that use our tool and flash tunes on new/used vehicles all the time. Unless the tune directly caused the failure, and can be proven, your warranty is just fine.


Finally, we are still working on obtaining our in-house GX550. They are nearly impossible to get in colorado.

 

[VF Tuner]

Since there is a delay, we are extending a larger discount @ 25% off please email us regarding this (so you understand the wait time on the CAN connects, and that previous orders take priority)
The GX550 community is way more mod ready than we expected!
Thank you for your support.

 

[munkeeboi]

this is loooking better and better.

very interested in the future developments of

• Flex fuel
• drive mode based map switching / boost control

 

[vraa]

Since there is a delay, we are extending a larger discount @ 25% off please email us regarding this (so you understand the wait time on the CAN connects, and that previous orders take priority)

Can you share an email address? Is the tune reverseable just in case I need to get a replacement engine under warranty?

 

[vraa]

Exactly the reason I won't do it. Stock is plenty peppy for me. And all I have to do is drive my wife's 460 to REALLY appreciate the power of the 550.

I find the GX to be very underpowered, I would like the effortless feeling from the rolls royce, and I think the power to weight ratio needs to be improved to match that of a rolls royce phantom. A tune would help, but still falls short.

 

[VF Tuner]

Can you share an email address? Is the tune reverseable just in case I need to get a replacement engine under warranty?

support@ovtune.zendesk.com

 

[Cajun Heat]

Ford ECUs are very different than Toyotas/Lexus.
Flashing a tune on a toyota ECU does not record anything, from what we have seen. These ECUs do not even have checksums and toyotas OEM tool doesn't have checksum checking ability (we know this, we use it daily). It doesn't record "flash counters" or such in the ECU either.


Very different than ford ECUs which have built in anti tuning and flash detection.


This is just my opinion but I believe toyota never implemented these things because they always had the crown of having the most secure ECUs in the world, untunable. (this use to be true), and is still true for the Gen4 ECUs (like this GX550). They have many layers of security which generally would be "uncrackable" if it weren't for voltage injection attacks, NBD exploits, etc, (hardware level attacking of the processor). but no modification detection.


Regarding flashing a new tune and voiding warranty, this is untrue. We have several dealerships that use our tool and flash tunes on new/used vehicles all the time. Unless the tune directly caused the failure, and can be proven, your warranty is just fine.


Finally, we are still working on obtaining our in-house GX550. They are nearly impossible to get in colorado.

Excuse my ignorance on Toyota/Lexus ECU's. Apparently they do not have the same protocols implemented to check for ECU changes during regular service calls. I sure it would be a different story if you towed in your GX with a blown motor or destroyed transmission. I'm sure there is some crumbs left behind somewhere during the reflashing. The bigger the issue the deeper they will dig.

Are you willing to put that in writing? VF Tuner guarantees that Lexus will not void your warranty by using our products? Don't think so. If you are, I'll buy one strictly on that.

Look, I'm not trying to discourage anyone from using your products or tuning their vehicle in general. I do it. Just be upfront and honest when someone ask a question and let them make a decision on that basis.

 

[VF Tuner]

Excuse my ignorance on Toyota/Lexus ECU's. Apparently they do not have the same protocols implemented to check for ECU changes during regular service calls. I sure it would be a different story if you towed in your GX with a blown motor or destroyed transmission. I'm sure there is some crumbs left behind somewhere during the reflashing. The bigger the issue the deeper they will dig.

Are you willing to put that in writing? VF Tuner guarantees that Lexus will not void your warranty by using our products? Don't think so.

Look, I'm not trying to discourage anyone from using your products or tuning their vehicle in general. I do it. Just be upfront and honest when someone ask a question and let them make a decision on that basis.

We are not being dishonest.

I can't guarantee that, there could be many possible reasons for them voiding a warranty, but that doesn't mean we are being dishonest.

This question comes up so often, and it's always the same thing. No manufacturer is allowed to outright void your warranty without cause. Even ford "automatically" voiding warranties for having tunes installed could be fought in court, most people just won't.

This engine and transmission is not "new." We have been tuning it and testing it before the GX550 was even released.

 

[Cajun Heat]

We are not being dishonest.

I can't guarantee that, there could be many possible reasons for them voiding a warranty, but that doesn't mean we are being dishonest.

This question comes up so often, and it's always the same thing. No manufacturer is allowed to outright void your warranty without cause. Even ford "automatically" voiding warranties for having tunes installed could be fought in court, most people just won't.

This engine and transmission is not "new." We have been tuning it and testing it before the GX550 was even released.

Thanks for the discussion.

Again, not trying to discourage anyone from using your products nor questioning your capability. Shit, one day I may just slip one of your tunes in while my wife is not looking.

 

[munkeeboi]

No dog in this fight, but i think @VF Tuner is simply clarifying your response that the entire warranty will be void with a tune, when in fact, because of the Magnusson Moss Warranty act, only the parts affected by the modification will be invalidated if something goes wrong. For example, with a tune, your suspension or brake warranty will still be intact unless they can prove the tune did something to affect it. Having tuned other vehicles, I'm pretty sure that is not what you had intended, but that is the way it reads to the less informed.

That being said, a tune is a modification to the engine and transmission, the term, you gotta pay to play comes to mind. If you are afraid of ever having to pay for damages caused by a modification, it's probably wise not to do it. No tuner or aftermarkets part dealer will ever put it in writing that their part won't invalidate their warranty. It's always been modify at your own risk. Most of these items are often OFF-ROAD USE ONLY anyways. LOL

If they are flashing a new tune, it will void the warranty. Now this is all based upon the dealership your bring your GX if something breaks. You can always flash back to the stock tune but they will be able to see that.

Regarding flashing a new tune and voiding warranty, this is untrue. We have several dealerships that use our tool and flash tunes on new/used vehicles all the time. Unless the tune directly caused the failure, and can be proven, your warranty is just fine.

 

[Cajun Heat]

No dog in this fight, but i think @VF Tuner is simply clarifying your response that the entire warranty will be void with a tune, when in fact, because of the Magnusson Moss Warranty act, only the parts affected by the modification will be invalidated if something goes wrong. Your suspension or brake warranty will still be in tact unless they can prove the tune did something to affect it.

That being said, a tune is a modification to the engine and transmission, the term, you gotta pay to play comes to mind. If you are afraid of ever having to pay for damages caused by a modification, it's probably wise not to do it.

Maybe I should have been clearer also. Not trying to say a tune will void everything on your vehicle. But the dealer can certainly deny repairs if they think that something non-Lexus installed caused the engine to go. It would be up to the owner to argue that with them at the dealer/corporate level or in court. In the meantime, you are paying for the repairs yourself or looking at a broken car in your garage. Maybe you get lucky and they don't see anything.

Like you said, "gotta pay to play".

 

[vraa]

support@ovtune.zendesk.com

I sent an email, I look forward to trying this out.

 

[Bluegill]

I emailed as well. I'll take the plunge!

 

[VF Tuner]

No dog in this fight, but i think @VF Tuner is simply clarifying your response that the entire warranty will be void with a tune, when in fact, because of the Magnusson Moss Warranty act, only the parts affected by the modification will be invalidated if something goes wrong. For example, with a tune, your suspension or brake warranty will still be intact unless they can prove the tune did something to affect it. Having tuned other vehicles, I'm pretty sure that is not what you had intended, but that is the way it reads to the less informed.

That being said, a tune is a modification to the engine and transmission, the term, you gotta pay to play comes to mind. If you are afraid of ever having to pay for damages caused by a modification, it's probably wise not to do it. No tuner or aftermarkets part dealer will ever put it in writing that their part won't invalidate their warranty. It's always been modify at your own risk. Most of these items are often OFF-ROAD USE ONLY anyways. LOL

This is correct, and what I was trying to explain.

t

Maybe I should have been clearer also. Not trying to say a tune will void everything on your vehicle. But the dealer can certainly deny repairs if they think that something non-Lexus installed caused the engine to go. It would be up to the owner to argue that with them at the dealer/corporate level or in court. In the meantime, you are paying for the repairs yourself or looking at a broken car in your garage. Maybe you get lucky and they don't see anything.

Like you said, "gotta pay to play".

For reference, there are over 50,000 Toyotas tuned with VF Tuner by pro tuners and shops worldwide.
This has been reported to us as happening a total of 0 times. Zero.

Dealers are not allowed to void warranties because of baseless "suspicion."

 

[VF Tuner]

might be easier to post here, the coupon code is GX550.


We sincerely appreciate you guys supporting us.