Technical Service Bulletin
01 Automatic detection of unauthorized chip tuning (TD1 warranty key)
01 14 91 2028842/2 September 10, 2014. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 01 number 12-41 dated
March 2, 2012 for reasons listed below.

Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

All

2009 - 2016

All

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

2

-

Revised header (Added model year)

1

3/2/2012

Initial publication

Customer vehicle is fitted with unauthorized ECM tuning.

Technical Background
All systems on Audi vehicles are engineered to work together using the factory calibrations, which have been
extensively tested and validated before the vehicle is released for sale. The Audi warranty coverage is based on
the results of developing the vehicle under the factory calibration. If a vehicle is equipped with unauthorized
hardware or software tuning, it can cause stress on vehicle components outside of intended design limits, and can
cause damage and additional wear. Subsequently, factory powertrain warranty coverage is reduced or voided.
Engine tuning (“chipping”, “flashing”, or “piggy back” devices) can modify air/fuel ratios, spark settings and timing
advance, knock detection, manifold boost pressure (when applicable), maximum permissible engine speed,
maximum permissible vehicle speed, and other performance parameters. These changes degrade factoryprogrammed safeguards that protect the powertrain against low quality/low octane fuel, high load operation under
high temperatures, high elevation operation, engine torque management, and more. These changes can also
have a negative impact on vehicle emissions which may be in violation of state and/or federal law. The alteration
of these powertrain component protection parameters increases the likelihood of powertrain wear and/or
damage. Unauthorized powertrain modification can also cause drivability issues and DTCs that cannot be repaired
without returning the vehicle to OEM factory stock configuration.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 1 of 3

All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Audi’s current dealership level diagnostic equipment
allows for automatic detection of unauthorized ECM tuning
on many current vehicle models. This detection runs
automatically in the background during the normal
diagnostic process. If unauthorized engine tuning is
detected, a “TD1” code is automatically populated within
the Warranty Key section of Elsa (Figure 1). This warranty
code cannot be manually added or removed. Not every
tuned vehicle will be detected automatically; however,
selected vehicles can be checked for unauthorized ECM
software if an ECM software specified vs. actual
comparison is performed.
Tip: For additional information on the TD1 key,
contact AoA Warranty. See Audi Warranty Online
(Warranty Companion or Resource Center) or contact
Audi Warranty for process details.

Figure 1. Warranty Key Code (TD1 - unauthorized
ECM tuning).

Note:
No powertrain tuning is supported, authorized, or warrantied by Audi of America.
Examples of powertrain tuning:
• ECM programming modification (“chipping”, “flashing”, or “piggy back” devices)
• Intake system modifications (“cold air” intake, charge air cooler modifications)
• Aftermarket turbocharger or supercharger components (turbo, supercharger, or supercharger drive pulley)
• Aftermarket clutch/flywheel components
• Shifter modifications (“short shifter”)
When powertrain tuning is suspected:
A warranty key must be entered manually when a vehicle is fitted with aftermarket equipment. See Audi Warranty
Online (Warranty Companion or Resource Center) or contact Audi Warranty for process details.
Technicians must also disclose vehicle tuning when opening a TAC ticket on a vehicle and should be prepared to
explain exactly what type of tuning is found.
An ECM software specified vs. actual comparison can be used to test for chip tuning on some modern Audi
engines via the TD1 warranty key flag.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

Service
Not applicable.
© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 2 of 3

All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Warranty
This TSB is informational only and not applicable to any Audi warranty.

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2028842) are subject to change and/or removal. Always
check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 3 of 3

All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.