Does getting any APR work...?

[astro]

does it void ur new car warranty?

[elisiX]

Yup.. but its ... i n v i s i b l e

[astro]

what does i n v i s i b l e mean? as in they can't find out if u go in for a service they couldn't tell at all?

[Mk6 GTI]

what does i n v i s i b l e mean? as in they can't find out if u go in for a service they couldn't tell at all?

Im very curious about this... last thing id want is to void a 6 yr warranty!!

But id love the xtra powerrrr!

[elisiX]

lol.. sorry I was being a smart ass.

You can 'switch' it on and off via your cruise control I believe. I've had APR before but I never bothered to turn it off when taking my car in.

Also, it doesn't automatically invalidate your warranty if they discover it. Basically if your wipers aren't working, they can hardly blame it on your APR tune.

[bmck]

Basically if your wipers aren't working, they can hardly blame it on your APR tune.

Understood, but if you had drivetrain issues, wouldn't they, as a matter of course, try to turn it on to see if it has been installed?

[elisiX]

I'm pretty sure you can still switch the APR off via the cruise control - so they would be non the wiser. Also, if they happen to reflash your ECU (for whatever reason) at the service centre, APR will install it again for free as they have a record of your purchase. I honestly do not think its something to be worried about in the sense of your warranty. Car insurance is where you might want to think about it further. Just Cars, AAMI will cover you if you inform them but I dont believe NRMA will (something I too need to investigate).

[Corey_R]

You would need to get the APR with security lockout feature to trip VW. Many VW service techs will know that aftermarket ECU's are switched via the cruise control. So the security lockout means that they first have to enter a 4 digit code via the cruise control to access the ECU mode switch.

[bmck]

So the security lockout means that they first have to enter a 4 digit code via the cruise control to access the ECU mode switch.

So, if the technician tries the cruise control switch and is then prompted for a 4-digit code, he would then know that you have installed an aftermarket ECU and would probably blame it for your buggered gearbox (or whatever).

The question is, is it possible to completely hide such an upgrade from prying eyes?

[noone]

never say never.

If VW techs can't discover it today, maybe they will find a way tomorrow.

Some VW dealerships have provided cars pretuned (and warranty covered), but I couldn't tell you where from sorry...

[DarkCloudNebulae]

So, if the technician tries the cruise control switch and is then prompted for a 4-digit code, he would then know that you have installed an aftermarket ECU and would probably blame it for your buggered gearbox (or whatever).

The question is, is it possible to completely hide such an upgrade from prying eyes?

It doesn't do anything to "prompt" you. it simply sits there looking like nothing is happening (and does nothing but cruise control things) until you enter the correct code via a somewhat complex method... the pin is also individual, so you would have to try thousands of combinations before you got it, and it does not do anything if the wrong code is entered... there is demonstration video on the APR website that illustrates how it works... might be worth a watch!

DCN

[Maverick]

So, if the technician tries the cruise control switch and is then prompted for a 4-digit code, he would then know that you have installed an aftermarket ECU and would probably blame it for your buggered gearbox (or whatever).

The question is, is it possible to completely hide such an upgrade from prying eyes?

He wouldn't be prompted for the 4 digit code. You have to enter the 2-6 digit code before it let's you know that it's there. So unless you know for sure APR is there and are willing to try every combination of 2-6 character pin numbers there is no way for them to find out short of removing the ECU (drilling out the rivets) from the car and sending it off to be checked.

[bmck]

It doesn't do anything to "prompt" you.
DCN

I see. Thanks.

[astro]

Hey thanks for all your help, looks like its helped a few other people too. i also watched the video also, nice work from the guys at APR aswell!

[DarkCloudNebulae]

If you are interested in APR, even if your not decided I recommend you ring or email Guy or James at APR (they are in QLD as you two are) and talk to them, I asked them almost identical questions as to you, they were most willing to answer everything I asked, patiently and promptly.

DCN