Toyota Oil Change at Dealer - Do they check the ECU?
 

I've got a free oil change from the dealer I might use post track day. My ECU is flashed and I'm not sure if the dealer oil change stations check things like the ECU to see if an update is warranted. I don't want to tip my hand over a free oil change.

What have other experienced?

They've never checked mine, but my dealership has two service areas---one for the general express lube, and a full service area. The former doesn't even have the capability to scan the ECU. Regardless, they shouldn't have a reason to check yours. A friend did go in for an update without switching out his tune and they just flashed over it. Not sure if they were cognizant of it being non-OE even.

Short: I wouldn't sweat it.

Last oil change I went in for they flashed my ecu since there was an update out for my car. So it could happen. I am not tuned so no big deal, but it is possible.

It's quite likely the ECU is read routinely at a service. Toyota and Subaru weren't born yesterday.

It was my understanding once flashed the ECU couldn't be overwritten unless you flashed back to the stock flash. Is that not correct? That was my concern, if they couldn't flash the ECU then they would know something is up. I'm not concerned if they simply overwrite it as I can flash it back with no issues.

Then you don't work in the service industry. There's no way they are going to hook up to your ECM. These guys get paid off of time and more than likely they have a entry level lube or apprentice working on your vehicle.

Every Audi that enters a dealership for service gets VAG read for codes. Hooking up a code reader takes minutes and on many cars you don't even have to pop the hood. Of course they read for codes.

Dealerships make nothing on oil changes. They are ALWAYS looking for warranty work, or preferably non warranty work.

Which bankrupt dealership did you get laid off from?

I can't speak for all dealerships but I can for mine. I work in service and I can say with 100% confidence that at my work they won't scan during an oil change. The name of the game is to churn out cars asap oil change to detail for a quick service wash. Also you're absolutely wrong about warranty work. They LOVE and prefer warranty work because who in their right mind would deny warranty work :P.

What are you talking about? If you knew anything the manufacturer frowns upon up selling warranty and add on warranties actually are reviewed by corporate warranty admin/dpsm.

Also, just as I said there's no way when you take your car in they scan for any DTCs if you are just getting a oil change. Go back to your troll cave this is Toyota.

Really it varies on dealership. Some dealers will troll for more work especially in a bad economy. I would personally not bring it to a dealership with the edu flashed. Just put it back to stock and you won't have to worry.

-Mike Paisan

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As a former Toyota tech, we don't plug in the scan tool unless it is needed. The only time they flash is if the VIN run shows a TSB or Campaign then we would perform it, or when running the system for codes due to a Check engine / failure light on.

Now the Audi is different since to reset the maintenance light it's easier to plug in the scan tool, on newer ones you have plug in a VAS / VAG scan tool to reset the light.

It wouldn't surprise me if my dealer thought my car had a carbureted rotary with pistons.

When I was a tech, I never ran a code check unless I was authorized to do so. If the work is not authorized, and I perform the additional work, I don't get paid for it.

Dealership wanted the cars to be moved out for the customers. In and out as fast as possible because the customer is waiting.

However if we spot something, we'll note it down in the report but we won't perform the work right there and then. We'll put it on the recommendation.

If there's a recall out, the service advisor will always inform the customer first because the SA will look up the customers car in the database first.

Also for TSBs, we only perform them if the customer authorizes it. We can't just go "We changed your oil and some TSBs, even though all you came in for was an oil change".