Subaru WRX Forum banner

hi just bought a 2012 wrx will a stage 1 tune void the subaru powertrain warranty?

9K views 29 replies 11 participants last post by  carlilesway 
#1 ·
its an after market warranty but subaru sells it just curiose if anyones delt with this before?
 
#2 ·
Dealer told me that they can and will check for any ECU modifications when doing a warranty claim on the powertrain. They told me they had even recently denied a $10k claim because they found the kid had flashed it before blowing the motor. They said they wanted to be up front with me since I was purchasing extended coverage.
 
#6 ·
Dealer told me that they can and will check for any ECU modifications when doing a warranty claim on the powertrain.
I As others have stated the dealer will know if ECU has been reflashed.
If the car still has the tune then the dealership can read the parameters, but if you have returned to stock before taking it to them then they do not have the toolset to check for reflashes. It can be done, but it would be at Subaru's request as the device would have to be sent away to a specialist to read the flash count. If Subaru suspect abuse then they might choose to send the broken parts and/or ECU to their tech specialists before honouring warranty claims. Sometimes you get away with it, sometimes you don't - even with a tuned car there has to be some link to the tune and the problem itself.

The 2015 might be different as I think it logs driving events and the parameters at that time. If so then they can use those figures to see if a car has been modified or abused without analysing the ECU.
 
#4 ·
It sounds like the dealership already answered the question for you. I would either keep the car stock if you decide you want the extended warranty and intend on going to this dealership for work, or not buy the extended warranty. Regardless, you always take a risk when you modify your car beyond stock. If you don't want to take that risk, then you shouldn't modify. Someone else should not have to pick up the bill for actions that you took to cause damage to a car. If there is a factory defect then Subaru will pick up the bill (their fault). That has always been my stance on things.
 
#5 · (Edited)
I agree 100%
We all knew the risk when we started modding.
I'm fortunate enough to have 3 friends and 3 different shops that I have acess to at anytime.
This is the reason I did not get the warranty, as things wear out I will upgrade them.
I purchased the extended warranty on my Moms Impreza 2.5, it was never used for anything.
So OP if you want the piece of mind, get the warranty. Both myself and a large amount of my friends, have a Cobb AP.
I have used them for years on several different Subarus. The chances of stage1 causing issues is pretty remote.
I have not seen someone with a stage1 tune issue. Run datalogs keep an eye on things.
As others have stated the dealer will know if ECU has been reflashed. The warranty would void if the Stage1 tune caused an issue.
 
#11 ·
No it does not, all that does is reset the adaptive learning in the ecm. The flash counter is a number that is written onto the hard drive of the ecm. Every time there is a request to reflash that counter gets ticked one time and NOT OVERWRITTEN when the flash is done. I have been told by my DSM and service manager that if i can not prove that the mod caused the problem then i should be able to cover it. Now they could decided not to if they wanted to be jerks about it. In my experience subaru warranty is much more forgiving if you honest with them. I cracked the ring lands in my 13wrx running stage 2+. I told my now DSM what all i had done to the car, and asked if subaru could help me with it at all. Warranty coverage was denied but they good willed the repair which means they fixed it and didnt charge me for it, but it wasnt considered warranty. Now when i spun a rod bearing about 1000 miles after that, i go no help but i knew it going in.
 
#13 ·
This is 100% untrue. I can take my subaru lap top and go look at the ecm flash counter number on any suabru. I have to provide that number to subaru tech line when necessary. The second you reflash that car the warranty is TECHNICALLY voided. Most of the time if you are up front with your modifications with your service adviser, and we cant prove that the mod cause the problem and is eligible for warranty coverage we generally try to get it covered. The way warranty works is the dealer decides ( most of the time ) if the repair is covered, makes the repair, and submits it to subaru. Then after subaru evaluates the claim, they may or may not ask for the part in question. At that time you send it back and if they find the problem was caused by outside influence it gets charged back to the DEALER not the customer. On larger items the DSM has to give the ok to make the replacement. I am a subaru trained and certified tech/ parts guy/ service adviser

thank you so much man . What is the little exclamation point with wavy lines? low tire pressure we just got are first snow of the season and it came on could it be the snow?
 
#23 ·
This happens to my Moms Impreza, and on my WRX.
Once or twice a year when there is a big temperature swing the tire pressure light comes on.
Adjust the pressure in all four tires, then the light shuts off.
 
#25 ·
Usually they are patched from the inside.
Plugs from the outside is the old school way.
Best bet have a tire shop patch it.
Put some air in it and get a spray bottle, roll the tire while spraying water on it.
You'll see the hole it will be bubling.
 
#27 ·
Do you have a Sullivan Tire near you?
They seem to do the best flat repair.
It's like $20 . Could you find the leak?
Check the bead around the rim, make sure it's still sealed.
 
#28 ·
You can plug it yourself if it's pluggable. Doing this repair is very simple. Find the leak, prep the plug tool with a plug, remove any objects (nails), throw some lube on the end of the reamer (not needed but helps a lot), ream the whole a bit till it seems easier, push plug in until it's about a quarter of an inch above the tread
If it's still leaking the hole was too big or didn't bite enough. This is when a patch will only work in this case short of a tire replacement
The reason I said "if it's pluggable" is if it's too close to the sidewall usually right where the tread ends...or actually on the sidewall
If the bead is leaking bring it to a shop and have them try re mounting the tire using bead sealer. If that fails you need a wheel replacement

That's just about every possible scenario when there's a tire leak
 
#29 ·
well its thanksgiving today and i doubt anywhere is open. I can find a hold or leak anywhere so idk i believe it is unseated because i could not get air in it . Hopeflly they can take care of this for me me it would suck to have to buy a new tire this one is litterally 90% new
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top