How to get ranger tuned?

[Ranger3]

Wondering who got the engine tuned? And how much did it run ya? What difference did u notice?

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[OFC Ranger]

Wondering who got the engine tuned? And how much did it run ya? What difference did u notice?

I bought a BDX tuner from 5-star. Plugs into ODB, uploads new parameters, and that is it. The tuner has been in my glove box since.

I run a 93 performance tune which is advertised as 70+ HP and 100+ TQ.

They also included a towing tune (dont recall which) and what they call the "Lone Ranger" tune, which is suppose to adjust the tune on the fly depending on the gas octane you run. They gave that to me in the event I am traveling and 93 is not available at local stations. Not sure how that works, but I guess as a backup its good to have.

I believe with the Ranger5G.com discount it cost me $449.99 + tax.

Really the tuner shines because it adjusts the electronic throttle body controller to mimic how they use to work with a physical wire connecting your gas peddle to the throttle. Now there is no delay in pedal push to when the truck moves. Some people pay $150-300 alone for products that only do this one feature. (ie; Pedal Commander, iDrive, etc etc)

It also came with a tire size re-calibrator for the speedometer. Again, some people pay $100-$150 for a product that only does this one feature.

Cleans up the transmission shifting. Some here will debate what to call it, but I refer to it as "gear hunting" - specifically when you enter large hills or grades at cruising speed and the truck would feel like it was having trouble deciding what gear to go into.

My gas mileage actually increased by 2 MPG initially. (other modifications lowered it after the fact)

I do not live in an area that requires emissions testings or any of that silly stuff.

 

[StezenW]

Wondering who got the engine tuned? And how much did it run ya? What difference did u notice?

There's literally hundred of posts on this already... try the search feature please and thank you....

 

[Tom_C]

 

[Ranger3]

I bought a BDX tuner from 5-star. Plugs into ODB, uploads new parameters, and that is it. The tuner has been in my glove box since.

I run a 93 performance tune which is advertised as 70+ HP and 100+ TQ.

They also included a towing tune (dont recall which) and what they call the "Lone Ranger" tune, which is suppose to adjust the tune on the fly depending on the gas octane you run. They gave that to me in the event I am traveling and 93 is not available at local stations. Not sure how that works, but I guess as a backup its good to have.

I believe with the Ranger5G.com discount it cost me $449.99 + tax.

Really the tuner shines because it adjusts the electronic throttle body controller to mimic how they use to work with a physical wire connecting your gas peddle to the throttle. Now there is no delay in pedal push to when the truck moves. Some people pay $150-300 alone for products that only do this one feature. (ie; Pedal Commander, iDrive, etc etc)

It also came with a tire size re-calibrator for the speedometer. Again, some people pay $100-$150 for a product that only does this one feature.

Cleans up the transmission shifting. Some here will debate what to call it, but I refer to it as "gear hunting" - specifically when you enter large hills or grades at cruising speed and the truck would feel like it was having trouble deciding what gear to go into.

My gas mileage actually increased by 2 MPG initially. (other modifications lowered it after the fact)

I do not live in an area that requires emissions testings or any of that silly stuff.

Does it void warranty?

 

[Tom_C]

Does it void warranty?

I cant speak to that tune, but the ford tune provides 3 year warranty from date of truck purchase. I *think* other tunes void the manufacturer warranty but you can buy a warranty from some of the tune makers. I think you can also revert back to factory settings too, assuming you can still get into the system before taking back to the dealer, if you want to play that game.

I decided not to buy the ford tune since it cut 2 years off the 5 year drive train warranty.

 

[StezenW]

Does it void warranty?

It absolutely voids the warranty and if you have an issue Ford will be able to tell it was tuned by the flash count that lives forever on the ECU.

Pay to play.

 

[Tom_C]

It absolutely voids the warranty and if you have an issue Ford will be able to tell it was tuned by the flash count that lives forever on the ECU.

Pay to play.

I assume using forscan does not change any ecu settings, or are the folks who use forscan now screwed?

 

[OFC Ranger]

Does it void warranty?

You'll not find an agreement among the masses on this subject.

This delves into the what broke and is it associated with something the tuner modified argument.

ie; Ford denying warranty coverage on a caliper failure "because you have a tuner" isn't going to fly.

Good news though, engines taking a dirtnap due to a tuner don't seem very common. Ford retards the engine capabilities by quite a bit to (what I assume) is boost EPA related items / requirements. However as the other poster indicated, there is always some risk involved.

Edit: Goes without saying if you buy a tuner off ebay for $60 from China you're going to have a bad day....

I say that because they actually exist and I am assuming they exist because people are buying them.

 

[StezenW]

I assume using forscan does not change any ecu settings, or are the folks who use forscan now screwed?

No forescan does not mess with the ECU it changes setting in the trucks other computer.

 

[Bludrok]

You'll not find an agreement among the masses on this subject.

This delves into the what broke and is it associated with something the tuner modified argument.

ie; Ford denying warranty coverage on a caliper failure "because you have a tuner" isn't going to fly.

Good news though, engines taking a dirtnap due to a tuner don't seem very common. Ford retards the engine capabilities by quite a bit to (what I assume) is boost EPA related items / requirements. However as the other poster indicated, there is always some risk involved.

Edit: Goes without saying if you buy a tuner off ebay for $60 from China you're going to have a bad day....

I say that because they actually exist and I am assuming they exist because people are buying them.

I have real world experience with this and can speak directly to it. It will absolutely void your powertrain warranty, with the following caveats:

1. While ford can tell if the vehicle was tuned, they won't check this just to check. It will only come into play if you have a major failure, such as an engine or transmission failure.

2. They cannot outright void your warranty, but they can choose to deny claims based on you having a tuner, which is effectively a voided warranty.

3. Once a claim is denied, it will be on you to go to arbitration or file a lawsuit and go to court to challenge them.

4. Even though Magnuson-Moss does state that the simple act of installing aftermarket parts (ie a tune) does not void your warranty, they only have to prove that it is possible for the tune to have caused the damage in question to win against you in court. The burden of proof in a civil case is "preponderance of the evidence" which is basically they only have to prove it is more likely than not (51% or greater chance) that the tune caused the issue. They will bring expert witnesses (Most likely at your expense if they win against you) and will not have a hard time winning. You could win, but it would be largely dependent on the jury.


Click here to read my story with this very issue.


With that being said, 5star tuning offers an extended warranty that will cover you if Ford denies your repair due to their tune or any covered mods. At $1000 for 100,000 mile coverage, it is a great deal. Just be sure to read their terms and conditions so you don't accidentally void their coverage.

The warranty from 5star is the reason I went with their tune. Otherwise, I would not have tuned my ranger due to my previous situation.



I will gladly answer any questions on the subject if you have any.

 

[Apples]

Ford's Performance tune is COVERED under warranty, if a Ford dealer did the work. I was lucky, in that a Ford rep did mine. The others out there have some sort of warranty, but what it covers is hard to define.

Things like exhausts systems, and cold air intakes, fall under the Magnuson Act.

 

[Bludrok]

Ford's Performance tune is COVERED under warranty, if a Ford dealer did the work. I was lucky, in that a Ford rep did mine. The others out there have some sort of warranty, but what it covers is hard to define.

Things like exhausts systems, and cold air intakes, fall under the Magnuson Act.

Only for the first 36,000 miles on the truck, and would not cover damage possibly caused by other mods. Of course, if you have a major engine failure, you can always take off the mods prior to taking it in to the dealer and they would never know.

As I said previously, many people will quote Mag-Moss to state that your warranty cannot be denied due to the install of aftermarket components. However, if they are trying to deny it, it will be on you to go to arbitration and/or file a lawsuit for a court trial. I did win my initial arbitration case against Honda (link to story posted above) so it is winnable, but when I had done my initial research prior to installing my CAI, Intercooler and Tuner, everyone stated Mag-moss meant that Honda would have to prove the added parts caused the damage in order for it to affect my warranty, so I tuned away.

After having a transmission failure at 11,000 miles and oil pump/turbo failure at 19,000 miles when I asked my lawyer about Mag-moss specifically, he said it is true, but we would have to go to court and fight them over it, and all they have to "prove" is that it is more likely than not that the parts can cause the failure in question, which is not hard to do.

In case it wasn't made clear: I retained a lawyer and filed a lawsuit against Honda over my failed Turbo/Oil Pump. Everything I am mentioning here is based on our conversations about the subject.

To quote some of the expert witnesses that testified against me during my arbitration, they stated that the added components cause the vehicle to run in a way that is outside of its designed parameters, and there is good reason why the manufacturer (Honda in this case) has those parameters. It was their assertion that the aftermarket parts did cause the damage in question.

Keep in mind, they were trying to state that a cold air intake, Intercooler and tuner caused damage to the transmission......a manual transmission that none of those components directly affect the transmission at all.

Don't get me wrong. You can fight them and win, just as I did with the initial arbitration case for the failed transmission. I just think it is very important that people know what they are getting into.

 

[Apples]

I fought them in a different way, perhaps.

I didn't buy another Honda due to a specific issue around spark plug temperature ratings. I chose not to fight them, but to buy a different brand vehicle. In short, Honda actually listened, and changed their specifications to include upgrading spark plugs in cases where the "driver" is aggressive. If I really wanted to fight them, I would. But for just $203.32 cents? Nada. I hurt them worse buy not buying another Honda!

 

[Ranger3]

I will NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA AGAIN. FORD FOREVER

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