I didn't receive any responses on the "other" forum so I'm going to try here.
Not trying to start a confrontational thread here. Just looking for perspectives from other truck owners that loaded performance/custom tunes in their truck.

That said...

I received a SCT X4 7015 programmer as a present and am wondering if any of you have an performance programmer and installed your tunes in your truck with your 5/60,000 Powertrain Warranty still intact?

I'm a little hesitant to install my tune and risk voiding my warranty in case I needed it in the future. I was hoping that I can correct my speedometer after I upsize my tires but that too will change the PCM voiding the warranty.

Mine's a 2013 with 28K on the clock right now.

Those of you taken that risk, what are your thoughts?

 

I have no worry on my new 6.2. I just uploaded a 5star. It is always possible that if your motor was to go bad, Ford could find that a tune was once uploaded and maybe not warranty it. On the gas engines, I am just not that worried about catastrophic failure. I have never had to go to the shop with my newer trucks, but if I did, I would re-load the factory tune a few days before going in. I feel most trips for warranty are not going to be affected by a tuned or not tuned truck. I take care of my trucks, treat them right and don't abuse them, I also don't have problems.

 

Good points. I haven't seen a post that the engine failed due to their hard driving style. I believe Ford motors are built pretty stout with the exception of poor manufacturing on some of the earlier 5.0 (and Eco?) motors in the newer F150s. Also I've never read in any of the forums that Ford denied a warranty claim due to an altered in the PCM.

Thanks for your response!

 

Ecoboost motors and PCM flashing - FORD - FlatRateTech

Posted 07 June 2012 - 12:30 AM

Fullsizeblazin “They most definitely can! Once they pull the Mode 9 file on the IDS all your dirty little secrets will be revealed and your warranty will be promptly voided.”

 

Good read. Thanks for sharing!

Perspective from a Ford technician that has some compassion to the automotive enthusiast. Here's an owner that took the risk and the result was not a good outcome for him. Not sure what contributed to the engine failure (overly aggressive tune or stupid driving). Honesty is very powerful especially if the technician is going to figure it out anyways!

 

This looks like an option for stealth tuning:

2011 - 2015 Ford 6.7L Ag Diesel Solutions Truck Edition Performance Module 22200 - 5 Star Tuning

 

Before I left Ford in 2007 we developed software that could detect modules such as this. If the engine made more power than stock the software would find it and set a code. You CANNOT clear this code. Going back to stock and driving another 100,000 miles will not clear this code. If you add power and have a failure you can count on your warranty being voided.

I'm not going to answer how this is done, or argue if I know what I'm talking about. I posted this to help those that are concerned about keeping their warranty intact. You are more than welcome to believe this or not as you like.

 

After reading this and realising that it can't tune the transmission, I see no point in using one of these modules. A transmission only tune would probably yield a better driving truck.

 

[QUOTE=Mark Kovalsky;15946978]Before I left Ford in 2007 we developed software that could detect modules such as this. If the engine made more power than stock the software would find it and set a code. You CANNOT clear this code. Going back to stock and driving another 100,000 miles will not clear this code. If you add power and have a failure you can count on your warranty being voided.QUOTE]

 

One of the main reasons for returning to stock prior to dealer visits is the possibility of the dealer flashing the PCM for some problem. The SCT tuners compare what they know about the original tune and the current tune and won't work if there is a difference.
I hadn't planned on tuning my 6.7L, but got really annoyed at it bogging down in 6th gear enough to cause a 2-step shift down to 4th. The 5-Star Daily Tow tune fixed that very nicely and has reduced regen frequency from about 350 miles to over 500 miles. That is good for the engine and exhaust system.
But can the warranty be voided as a result? Sure, but some depends on your relationship with your dealer. In any case, I get to drive a truck that is more enjoyable to drive and even with an ESA, I would hope never to use it.

 

I just bought a F350 Lariat that had the balance of the factory warranty, my reader posted this code:

<a href="http://s706.photobucket.com/user/godsend1/media/IMG_3945.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww69/godsend1/IMG_3945.png" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3945.png"/></a>

A Ford dealer cleared the code and stated the only part that lost the warranty was the PCM.

What I think Ford does is when certain parameters are modified it flags a block in the PCM that only they can manipulate.

FWIW, the dealer told me, had the engine/transmission failed with the flag in place= no warranty.

 

SCT & 5 Star are very safe, just return to stock if you have to bring it to dealer. Best bang for your buck MOD you can do.

 

If it raises the engine power it WILL be detected and a code will be stored where you can't find it, nor can you erase it. Did you read this?

 

agree with above very, very strongly

 

Beechkid,
Are you running a tune,I have a 5 Star on my 2018 F-150 2.7 It has never ran or Shifted Better.