DTUK TCU+ gearbox flash review

[NevMan]

@ABYSS - Have had my tuning box off following a service, and made a 400+ mile round trip yesterday most of which was motorway driving. Whole trip avg. speed was 58mph, and best I got was 33.8 mpg.

With the tuning box on I regularly would get 37-42 mpg without really trying.........Time to get it back on

 

[Deleted member 133011]

Just thought I’d let everyone know what’s happening with my car.

So I’ve had the rear diff making little noises at low speeds so got it booked in at Audi for a check. The diff has been taken apart and in short I need a new rear diff. Diagnostics of the car have been sent to Audi uk to look at and to sign off so it can be sorted under warranty.
Audi uk have got back to the dealer and said it’s had a gearbox mapping change and they believe that has coursed the rear diff to be run in a way it has not been designed too.

However, they are also checking to see if something else is the problem too as normally the rear diffs are pretty much indestructible (in Audi’s words).
I’m thinking they will probably blame it on me for having the gearbox map done.

But I need to talk to the master technician (makes them sound superior to other technicians!) to find out what is actually wrong with the diff from an engineering point of view.

Just thought I’d warn others on my experience. I’ll give an update when I know what’s going on.

 

[Evil Derboy]

But the gearbox map just changes shift points etc. What impact could it have on the rear diff’s behaviour?

 

[syed123]

Just thought I’d let everyone know what’s happening with my car.

So I’ve had the rear diff making little noises at low speeds so got it booked in at Audi for a check. The diff has been taken apart and in short I need a new rear diff. Diagnostics of the car have been sent to Audi uk to look at and to sign off so it can be sorted under warranty.
Audi uk have got back to the dealer and said it’s had a gearbox mapping change and they believe that has coursed the rear diff to be run in a way it has not been designed too.

However, they are also checking to see if something else is the problem too as normally the rear diffs are pretty much indestructible (in Audi’s words).
I’m thinking they will probably blame it on me for having the gearbox map done.

But I need to talk to the master technician (makes them sound superior to other technicians!) to find out what is actually wrong with the diff from an engineering point of view.

Just thought I’d warn others on my experience. I’ll give an update when I know what’s going on.

Blimey!

I thought the gearbox map it's supposed to be untraceable?

And what's the difference between a normal diff and a sports one? I don't recall there being an option on the a4 to get a sports diff.

Have Audi indicated to you yet that they won't be honouring the warranty?

I just had a carbon clean done, it's shocking how much difference it makes.

Lets just say it does what it says on the tin, it feels much smoother and even faster I'd say. I've done 49k miles so thought it would be appropriate to do so.

Unfortunately the diagnostics threw up a few fault codes which said the injectors aren't firing up correctly in the v6 ( something a long those lines) and an issue with the fueling.

So a trip to tdi tuning next week!

 

[Evil Derboy]

Sports Diff only available on RS models. Changes the handling characteristics of the car and reduces understeer. The car corners better at speed.

 

[syed123]

Sports Diff only available on RS models. Changes the handling characteristics of the car and reduces understeer. The car corners better at speed.

Oh right I see, I thought it was available on the s cars also

 

[Evil Derboy]

Oh right I see, I thought it was available on the s cars also

Standard on B9 RS. Optional extra on the B8 S4/S5. Not sure about the B9 S models.

 

[Riko0073]

Standard on B9 RS. Optional extra on the B8 S4/S5. Not sure about the B9 S models.

Optional on B9 S4’s, I have it on mine.

 

[Deleted member 133011]

Have Audi indicated to you yet that they won't be honouring the warranty?

No not yet, they are getting back to me tomorrow.
They have given me a car to drive about in whilst they have mine. Although I’ve asked to change it as a 1.4tfsi A4 isn’t quite up to scratch on my motorway trips to work.

 

[Deleted member 133011]

But the gearbox map just changes shift points etc. What impact could it have on the rear diff’s behaviour?

That’s what I thought. I’ve not confirmed to them I done the map in my ownership. They just said a gearbox has had one done. I’ll just play stupid and say i didn’t know that was possible!

 

[syed123]

That’s what I thought. I’ve not confirmed to them I done the map in my ownership. They just said a gearbox has had one done. I’ll just play stupid and say i didn’t know that was possible!

Yeah, good idea! I'm really surprised though still that they detected it.

Are you still considering remapping?

 

[Deleted member 133011]

Yeah, good idea! I'm really surprised though still that they detected it.

Are you still considering remapping?

Yes I am, my warranty ends in July so I’m waiting till then.
Apparently the ecu’s have been able to get broken into for at least a year but no tuning company was willing to pay the price to by the hack. So whoever hacks the ecu then sells it off to tuners who want to pay for it. The tuner will decide if it’s worth the price compared to demand. As time goes on the price goes down and more tuners get there hands on it. It was £12000 for the hack when it come out! The bloke wouldn’t tell me what it is now though.

 

[syed123]

Yes I am, my warranty ends in July so I’m waiting till then.
Apparently the ecu’s have been able to get broken into for at least a year but no tuning company was willing to pay the price to by the hack. So whoever hacks the ecu then sells it off to tuners who want to pay for it. The tuner will decide if it’s worth the price compared to demand. As time goes on the price goes down and more tuners get there hands on it. It was £12000 for the hack when it come out! The bloke wouldn’t tell me what it is now though.

Which company?

I know amd and JFA automotive are doing a full remap for the 272 but I'm really happy with the results from the tdi tuning box.

I know the remap is supposed to be better but I am happy with what I have.

I wonder how much difference a remap would be. I guess I'll wait for reviews from asn members, acceleration times etc to see if it's any different to the tune I have

 

[Deleted member 133011]

Which company?

I know amd and JFA automotive are doing a full remap for the 272 but I'm really happy with the results from the tdi tuning box.

I know the remap is supposed to be better but I am happy with what I have.

I wonder how much difference a remap would be. I guess I'll wait for reviews from asn members, acceleration times etc to see if it's any different to the tune I have

Darkside developments will do a full custom map on the rolling road for £720. They would have the car most the day.

Another place local to me who does a lot in the area called rapid remaps will do it for £275. This wouldn’t be as in-depth as the one from darkside and won’t be on the rolling road.

If you’re happy with what you have then stick with that. I’ve taken my DTUK box off and I’ll probably sell it at some point. Just couldn’t get on with it.
DTUK were great, I spoke to Andrew on the phone and he changed the map on my box but it just didn’t run as smooth as what it did without it on. Not slagging the box off as every car is different, and most people get what they want from them. A few companies told me to take the box off instantly so it might have persuaded me slightly. Darkside developments, DMS tuning, ergen motorsport, west tuning at thruxton.
Big debates and different opinions, but I decided to remove it in the end.

 

[syed123]

Darkside developments will do a full custom map on the rolling road for £720. They would have the car most the day.

Another place local to me who does a lot in the area called rapid remaps will do it for £275. This wouldn’t be as in-depth as the one from darkside and won’t be on the rolling road.

If you’re happy with what you have then stick with that. I’ve taken my DTUK box off and I’ll probably sell it at some point. Just couldn’t get on with it.
DTUK were great, I spoke to Andrew on the phone and he changed the map on my box but it just didn’t run as smooth as what it did without it on. Not slagging the box off as every car is different, and most people get what they want from them. A few companies told me to take the box off instantly so it might have persuaded me slightly. Darkside developments, DMS tuning, ergen motorsport, west tuning at thruxton.
Big debates and different opinions, but I decided to remove it in the end.

I see what you mean.

I updated my tdi tuning map with them a number of times to get it at the level it is now.

Good thing with tdi is they make their own maps where as dtuk use dte from what I know. But not slagging dtuk off either as I use their pedal box.

I was quoted 395 Inc dyno time on the rolling road with Amd tuning and 495 with jfa.

I need to go back to tdi to find out why I have an injector and fueling issue as the only reason that could be is cause of the tuning box plugging in to various sensors, can't think of anything else.

I wouldn't say I feel there's an issue with the car but I don't want to just leave it with the fault code which could result in something more serious in the near future.

So if it does turn out the box is causing the issues and can't run without flagging error codes I would switch to a remap.

How's your car running with the gearbox flash compared to stock?

A mate likes my car so much that he's also getting a 272 a4

When it comes I can drive it back to back with mine to see the real differences as I've had my tuning box on for almost 3 years now!

 

[Deleted member 133011]

How's your car running with the gearbox flash compared to stock?

When the car is cold from start and especially in the winter it is rubbish. I will be sitting at 35mph and it will skip between 5th 6th and 7th gear without me applying anymore pressure to the pedal on a flat road. It will just go from 7th back to 5th then to 6th 7th and so on. Same on the motorway when it’s not warmed up yet, sitting at 70-75 foot in the same place and it will dance between 8th and 7th. Does it in every driving mode apart from when in sport. I’ll have to hook up my go pro and video it.

However, when the car is up to temperature it runs like a dream and how it should do. Nice and smooth, quick changes. Feels really good, not sluggish at all.

But saying that, I’m driving a 1.4 tfsi s tronic whilst mine is being looked at and the gearbox in that is really bad. It doesn’t know what gear to be in. The engine is so noisy I thought it was a diesel until I put fuel in it.

It’s not until I drove another A4 I realised how nice mine is to drive! Normal s line suspension on 18” wheels reminds me of my slammed calibra turbo I had that pretty much had no suspension.

Anyway back to work I’m rambling on....

 

[Gazwould]

@ABYSS - Have had my tuning box off following a service, and made a 400+ mile round trip yesterday most of which was motorway driving. Whole trip avg. speed was 58mph, and best I got was 33.8 mpg.

With the tuning box on I regularly would get 37-42 mpg without really trying.........Time to get it back on

That's because the tuning box is fooling the ecu with the amount of fuel it's using by a fuel temp sensor or rail pressure sensor .

 

[NevMan]

That's because the tuning box is fooling the ecu with the amount of fuel it's using by a fuel temp sensor or rail pressure sensor .

Ok, must be fooling to odo too, as get more miles out of a tank

 

[Evil Derboy]

That’s what I thought. I’ve not confirmed to them I done the map in my ownership. They just said a gearbox has had one done. I’ll just play stupid and say i didn’t know that was possible!

Most likely they've flagged it and mentioned it because they've found it but I'll be really surprised if they can correlate the issues with your differntial to the new gearbox map.

Incidentally the behaviour you describe is non-existant on mine, whether cold or not.

 

[syed123]

When the car is cold from start and especially in the winter it is rubbish. I will be sitting at 35mph and it will skip between 5th 6th and 7th gear without me applying anymore pressure to the pedal on a flat road. It will just go from 7th back to 5th then to 6th 7th and so on. Same on the motorway when it’s not warmed up yet, sitting at 70-75 foot in the same place and it will dance between 8th and 7th. Does it in every driving mode apart from when in sport. I’ll have to hook up my go pro and video it.

However, when the car is up to temperature it runs like a dream and how it should do. Nice and smooth, quick changes. Feels really good, not sluggish at all.

But saying that, I’m driving a 1.4 tfsi s tronic whilst mine is being looked at and the gearbox in that is really bad. It doesn’t know what gear to be in. The engine is so noisy I thought it was a diesel until I put fuel in it.

It’s not until I drove another A4 I realised how nice mine is to drive! Normal s line suspension on 18” wheels reminds me of my slammed calibra turbo I had that pretty much had no suspension.

Anyway back to work I’m rambling on....

I completely agree with your comments on early morning cold starts, it definently skips a few gears although I never use sport or dynamic unless I purposely want to drive fast.

Theres so much torque to be used smoothly even in lazy comfort mode.

Do you have the adaptive suspension setup like me? I recently had an a5 s line with 18s and I know the a5 is set up to be more sporty etc but I found the ride on that almost unbearable. The seats themselves were obv very comfortable like the a4 but the ride was too firm for my liking.

I had a 1.4 in the q3 and overall it was very refined just not when needing to make quick overtakes. Sounded quite strained.

On the plus side the a5 was very sporty and engaging and I could use all the power in the 2litre 190tdi on most roads.

The 272 can only properly be opened up on a motorway due to all that torque.

 

[Evil Derboy]

The 272 can only properly be opened up on a motorway due to all that torque.

I see that you and I have very different attitudes towards driving, Syed!

 

[syed123]

I see that you and I have very different attitudes towards driving, Syed!

Haha, obv the back roads are super fun, it's just that with so much grunt on offer you just end up feathering the throttle most the time and even then your doing silly speeds.

On an empty stretch of motorway you really can open it up and it doesn't dissapoint!

 

[Deleted member 133011]

Do you have the adaptive suspension setup like me?

I have adaptive comfort on mine, nice and smooth on the motorway! But still goes quite stiff in dynamic.

 

[Deleted member 133011]

Audi dealer just called me. Audi uk have said to change the prop shaft before changing the diff to see if that changes anything. That’s on back order so I get my car back until they can get one. They didn’t mention the gearbox tune again but they said because I have after market brake pads and discs they might not sign the work off as they are not Audi parts! Oh really. Not quite sure where I stand with that, plus I changed them myself.

 

[syed123]

I have adaptive comfort on mine, nice and smooth on the motorway! But still goes quite stiff in dynamic.

I have the adaptive sport, very comfortable and wafts along. Dynamic isn't even that bad either.

Yours must be even more comfortable!

 

[syed123]

Audi dealer just called me. Audi uk have said to change the prop shaft before changing the diff to see if that changes anything. That’s on back order so I get my car back until they can get one. They didn’t mention the gearbox tune again but they said because I have after market brake pads and discs they might not sign the work off as they are not Audi parts! Oh really. Not quite sure where I stand with that, plus I changed them myself.

They shouldn't try to not sign it off because the brakes are different? I mean how is that even related to the issue..

But saying that Audi do anything to not have to pay out.

My sump plug was causing an oil leak a while back, probably due to the service not being done properly as even the technician admitted there's no other way the sump plug could have been loosened.

Either way they blamed my tuning box which wasn't even on at the time but they knew I'd had it before when it came in for a service.

Had to pay out my self but wasn't too expensive luckily.

 

[motty225]

They shouldn't try to not sign it off because the brakes are different? I mean how is that even related to the issue..

But saying that Audi do anything to not have to pay out.

My sump plug was causing an oil leak a while back, probably due to the service not being done properly as even the technician admitted there's no other way the sump plug could have been loosened.

Either way they blamed my tuning box which wasn't even on at the time but they knew I'd had it before when it came in for a service.

Had to pay out my self but wasn't too expensive luckily.

I know it's in the past so nothing can be done now, but didn't you think to remove it before the service?

 

[syed123]

I know it's in the past so nothing can be done now, but didn't you think to remove it before the service?

My dealer was really accommodating to me having a tuning box, I've had warranty work on it before with it on and managed to get away with it.

Unfortunately when I went in after the dealer had left so was dealt with a new advisor who had a note already on the system.

 

[Evil Derboy]

Audi dealer just called me. Audi uk have said to change the prop shaft before changing the diff to see if that changes anything. That’s on back order so I get my car back until they can get one. They didn’t mention the gearbox tune again but they said because I have after market brake pads and discs they might not sign the work off as they are not Audi parts! Oh really. Not quite sure where I stand with that, plus I changed them myself.

Sounds like you have an alarmist Dealer and nothing else. So many folk in service industries like to through potential problems in instead of just giving you the solution.

Audi aren’t going to block a warranty claim due to aftermarket consumables being used.

 

[SMI77]

Audi aren’t going to block a warranty claim due to aftermarket consumables being used.

If the part/s fitted is/are inferior to the OEM specs, or not designed for that particular function, or not fitted by a person certified to perform that work, one may well have a problem.

 

[Evil Derboy]

If the part/s fitted is/are inferior to the OEM specs, or not designed for that particular function, or not fitted by a person certified to perform that work, one may well have a problem.

Not if they’ve nothing to do with the fault. Brakes have nothing to do with a differential and even if the fault was brake related unless they’re brake pads from some knock-off shop in China, Audi would have a hard time proving that consumables readily available on the UK market from a recognised brand were detrimental to the point of causing a failure.

 

[Filipão]

Sports Diff only available on RS models. Changes the handling characteristics of the car and reduces understeer. The car corners better at speed.

Not quite, Sir.

Also available on S4.

 

[Evil Derboy]

Not quite, Sir.

Also available on S4.

Standard on B9 RS. Optional extra on the B8 S4/S5. Not sure about the B9 S models.

Optional on B9 S4’s, I have it on mine.

Keep up @Filipão

 

[SMI77]

Not if they’ve nothing to do with the fault. Brakes have nothing to do with a differential and even if the fault was brake related unless they’re brake pads from some knock-off shop in China, Audi would have a hard time proving that consumables readily available on the UK market from a recognised brand were detrimental to the point of causing a failure.

Settle petal!!!...There can be a problem with just any consumables used, particularly if the owner installed the item himself, as @Baj257 admits.

...because I have after market brake pads and discs they might not sign the work off as they are not Audi parts! Oh really. Not quite sure where I stand with that, plus I changed them myself.

 

[Evil Derboy]

Settle petal!!!...There can be a problem with just any consumables used, particularly if the owner installed the item himself, as @Baj257 admits.

Settle Petal??

I’m not going to get into a circular debate with you. His self-installed, brake pads/discs will have no bearing on a warranty claim on his differential. If the dealer tries to go down that road they will lose.

Installing them himself makes no difference whatsoever as long as he’s done it properly (and I’m pretty sure that if he’s made an **** of fitting discs or pads he would know about it well before now). The mere presence of third-party parts on a car does not void or detrimentally affect the warranty. Neither does self-installation of such parts which is explicitly protected under EU Block Exemption rules. The only time third party modifications will affect warranty is if such modification has caused the failure being claimed for. Otherwise Audi could deny you a replacement gearbox just for fitting a third party spoiler on your car.

 

[SMI77]

Settle Petal??...

Closing comment - well, now it can't be.

Having extreme difficulty in recalling where I had any reference to the non-OEM brakes having any relevance to his diff problem.

You say - "Neither does self-installation of such parts which is explicitly protected under EU Block Exemption rules."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_Exemption_Regulation
The link has a excerpt: "..in October 2003, when the European Commission (EC) passed a law allowing vehicle owners the freedom of having their servicing and repairs done at their chosen workshop...."
"chosen workshop" - Please enlighten how that includes self-installation?
Perhaps there is another Regulation.

 

[Evil Derboy]

Closing comment - well, now it can't be.

Having extreme difficulty in recalling where I had any reference to the non-OEM brakes having any relevance to his diff problem.

You say - "Neither does self-installation of such parts which is explicitly protected under EU Block Exemption rules."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_Exemption_Regulation
The link has a excerpt: "..in October 2003, when the European Commission (EC) passed a law allowing vehicle owners the freedom of having their servicing and repairs done at their chosen workshop...."
"chosen workshop" - Please enlighten how that includes self-installation?
Perhaps there is another Regulation.

I’ve got better things to do with my time. They’re consumables. You’ll just have to trust me.

 

[SMI77]

I’ve got better things to do with my time. They’re consumables. You’ll just have to trust me.

Nope!!! You made the claim about self-installation of such parts which is explicitly protected under EU Block Exemption rules.
Well then please advise which auto manufacturer will entertain a claim where consumables have been installed by a person, who is not qualified to instal those particular parts, and such parts failing directly, or indirectly, cause the claim? A non-answer will be taken as no.

Is that the real fluid in that bottle, 'cos ..........? Don't drink beer, so care factor = <0

 

[S41NT]

So Oil, Fuel, coolant, washer fluid, adblue and wiper blades are all consumables you telling me I’m not allowed to fit these???

Go and get a beer

 

[Evil Derboy]

Nope!!! You made the claim about self-installation of such parts which is explicitly protected under EU Block Exemption rules.
Well then please advise which auto manufacturer will entertain a claim where consumables have been installed by a person, who is not qualified to instal those particular parts, and such parts failing directly, or indirectly, cause the claim? A non-answer will be taken as no.

Is that the real fluid in that bottle, 'cos ..........? Don't drink beer, so care factor = <0

Arguing with antipodean pedants who like to Google and trawl through legislation for other world territories is not a constructive use of my time. Especially when said forumite seems not to be able to grasp the nuances of the subject at hand in real world terms. I'm tempted to try and explain to you what constitutes a "qualified person" and refer you post #234 to answer your earlier question where you made the correlation of self-installed consumables and his diff.

...but I can't be bothered, so if you feel the need to claim some sort of victory in your latest battle of wits with strangers on the internet, I'm happy to give it you. Live long and prosper my friend.