Seems that if these reflashes and the like are actually remotely safe, the dealer would offer them as an option covered (or uncovered) by warranty.

This falls into the category of being a HUGE margin product for the dealer, & only takes minutes to install.

Further, the car company could probably make some changes to the engine design that would allow high-margin ECU upgrades to be even more desirable in terms of reliability or power output.

So why don't we see this as an option? Since when do carmakers & their dealers leave good money on the table?

EDIT: It's also a great way to avoid gas-guzzler taxes... make the engine run one way, sell it, then upgrade it.

 

Cars are designed and sold with a certain warranty cost factored in. Any increase in power is going to hit that, however slight the increase may be. Some companies do an analysis and figure out what performance parts can be safely installed, including income from dealer-installation (if you want your warranty without grief).

Also, many programmings take out lean spots in air-fuel mapping that were put in to pass emissions regulations or improve gas mileage. Messing with emissions is a big risk for a big company that the government could come after.

 

The amount of people interested in this would be very, very low and doubtfully recoupe the cost to implement the program. We are a niche market after all.

 

Well this has always been the problem. Quite a few in here talk as if we're the only customers Honda sells to by saying "Honda should make this, or change this to that..." blah blah.

 

My guess is the big problem is going to be on the emissions front. If they did anything to increase exhaust emissions the fed might start looking at them.

 

Our MB dealer installed a chip in my father's S430, full warranty still intact.