Considering my 1st Tune

KegsBdry · Sep 3, 2022

There are a number of tunes out there for the ST and they have good reviews.

As someone that has never done a tune before, what are the steps to help make it successful? There is always a risk, I get that.

But what should I do if I bought an extended warranty and want that intact? The extended warranty has already saved me money on electrical gremlins.

Should I talk to my Ford service dealer that does oil changes and ask if they'd still cover the extended warranty if I do the tune? Or should I hope I get away without them noticing?

Hasn't there been transmission issues on these STs? I usually get bored and trade out my vehicle at 100K miles. So I'm thinking it'll be a good idea to get the tune.

I know, a bunch of random thoughts. But I'm seriously on the fence on this one.

Plus, we all know Ford Performance will never release a tune (even if they do, it won't be to the level these tunes today can do).

CareerFiremanGuy · Sep 3, 2022

Don't do it! You will regret it forever! jk

I would have done it already were it not for the 1/3 rear bolt issue.

And I'm not going to add a brace and then maybe have the dealer service dept ask me on a routine visit "Heh, what's that thing under the car?"

2020FordRaptor · Sep 3, 2022

KegsBdry said:

Tune voids warranty. That's the plain truth. I will never put a tune on any of my vehicles until it's out of warranty. And no, some smart technician will notice and then there goes your ego . Jk. But don't, extended service plans are amazing and I wouldn't trade it for extra power.

KegsBdry · Sep 4, 2022

2020FordRaptor said:

Thanks for the good advice. I keep hearing everyone loves the extra power and it does better shifting with a tune. But I cannot walk away from all the money I saved having the extended warranty. Better to play it safe! Thx

KegsBdry · Sep 4, 2022

CareerFiremanGuy said:

I've got a 2020, technically made in 2019. So it doesn't have the rear bolt issue.

I think I'm going to play it on the safe side unless a dealer is willing to accept the third party tune.

Do you think if I asked the dealer to put the tune in, they might consider covering it? I doubt it

CareerFiremanGuy · Sep 4, 2022

KegsBdry said:

No dealer can officially accept and/or condone an unapproved 3rd party tune. It's not something that's within their purview.

The only tune a Ford dealer can put in is one that has been authorized by FORD.

xr4tic · Sep 4, 2022

KegsBdry said:

The dealer would never install an aftermarket tune. You could ask them their opinion on it, some dealers are fine with it, but unless you have that agreement in writing, don't be surprised if you ever need warranty work and they try to deny it because you're tuned, even if it has nothing to do with the issue.

If you want a tune, get one, just make sure to flash back to stock before ever taking it to the dealer for anything and NEVER admit to having a tune.

TMac · Sep 4, 2022

If you're the type who is even slightly concerned about something voiding your warranty- then don't do it. People can talk all they want about the Magnuson-Moss warranty act, but if your claim is denied, do you really have the money and time to
A. Let your vehicle sit somewhere unuseable for God knows how much time?
B. Hire an attorney to battle it out for months while you can't drive the vehicle?

If you put an exhaust on your car and your brakes fail, you're probably OK. Same for lowering springs and the A/C goes out. Even your local dealership isn't going to ding you on that. But...if you put a tune on your car and end up with engine or drive-line failures, you're going to be at the mercy of the local dealership. Because those kinds of expensive failures will end up with Ford getting involved and checking everything. And whether such failures are addressed end up in a category of profit for the dealership- in terms of warranty service and opportunity cost IF Ford decides to pay the bill. If you're not prepared to pay the piper for a tune, then don't do it.

StoneColdBlue22 · Sep 4, 2022

KegsBdry said:

if youre looking for more power without leaving a trace on the ecu, you could always go with a jb4 unit or a racechip gts. they arent as good as a custom tune but you will be able to run them and if any warranty work is needed just unplug it.

TMac · Sep 4, 2022

StoneColdBlue22 said:

That is a possibility, but I would not recommend that anyone plays with one of these "piggybacks" in this day and age. Also, I think some people on here (I am not singling anyone out) need to think just a bit about ethics. It sounds like you want the ability to play, but then have Ford pay if something goes wrong. Is that really a lesson you want to teach your kids? Look, if you want to modify your vehicle, I'm all for it. If you want to modify it in a way that could result in damage in which you feel justified in shifting the responsibility to someone else's wallet..I can't agree.

xr4tic · Sep 4, 2022

TMac said:

lol, you bring up ethics when we're talking about Ford and dealerships.

They will deny you a warranty claim on things they KNOW are an issue to try and save or make a buck. The single diff bolt is a perfect example.

As for piggybacks, they've come a long way, but I'm with you on this one, if you're going to do the crime, might as well do it right, a tune (from a reputable tuner) is safer and pretty much the same price.

TMac · Sep 4, 2022

While I understand your sentiment, I don't agree. Not all Ford dealers are crooks. As far as the single bolt diff, there is no way anyone is going to convince me this was done by malice or negligence. If you think they purposely did this so they could deal with possible multi-million dollar settlements over a few bucks in isolators and bolts?

If you've ever worked in an engineering shop, you'd understand that shit happens- especially when you're dealing with subcontractors- especially during the pandemic where it's possible they lost a sub or two. But honestly, they purposely wanted to pay out millions over that cuz "They will deny you a warranty claim on things they KNOW are an issue..."? Give me a break.

It's interesting to me that you leap on Ford for the diff, but are willing to withhold judgement on Mishimoto (on that thread) when their intercooler doesn't fit. So, do you think they are also doing it to save a few bucks?

But thanks for agreeing with me on the piggybacks. Worthless.

StoneColdBlue22 · Sep 4, 2022

TMac said:

I merely provided an option, while certain ppl are okay with fooling dealerships, others are not, to each their own. Personally ,i have no fear when it comes to putting my engine in the hands of ZFG.

xr4tic · Sep 4, 2022

TMac said:

NOWHERE did I say it was malice or negligence. You're putting words in my mouth....er, post. Ford decided to save some money by going to a single bolt.
There was a recall for the single diff bolt not being up to spec. Did they replace the bolt? No, they had the dealers flash the ECU to apply the parking brake.
Will that stop the bolt from breaking? No.
Will it limit the damage done if it does? Not so much to your vehicle, mainly to the other vehicles it would've rolled into.

As for the dealers, warranty claims are a pain. It's at a lower labor rate and they only get paid according to how long Ford thinks it will take to do. They're also understaffed and have no shortage of people needing work done.

If they can save or make money by shifting the blame, or get you to take your car elsewhere, some will happily do that.

"Not all Ford dealers are crooks" That means some are.

StoneColdBlue22 · Sep 4, 2022

Does anyone know if using 93 octane on a dedicated tune will yield the same performance as using 93 on the auto-octane tune? @ZFGracing

CareerFiremanGuy · Sep 5, 2022

xr4tic said:

haha You bring up the notion that FORD is trying to "save a buck" when in reality neither you nor anyone else here knows why they went to one bolt.

They will NOT deny your warranty to save a buck. The single bolt diff is the perfect example.

Regarding non piggyback tunes, to say you "might as well do it right" and get ECU tunes is grossly irresponsible.

StoneColdBlue22 said:

Well said. Can't believe people are mindlessly harassing you because you offered an alternative.

xr4tic said:

Not all forum members are over excitable antagonists. That means some are.

twin001 · Sep 6, 2022

the answer is simple, if you are concerned about your warranty then do not tune it. End of story.

V3nom3nom · Sep 21, 2022

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