Well, I'm strongly considering a shark remap once I've gathered the cash together... The only thing that is making me thing twice about taking the plunge is whether there will be any issues with skoda when it goes in for servicing and mot's etc etc.

The car I've brought has skoda warranty and also the two years servicing and mot's included... Here lies the problem... Where do I stand in relation to the shark remap...

Thank you all as much information and experience as possible please

Generally the main dealer will be able to tell when they hook the car up to their diagnostics system, I'm sure that the guys who actually do the maps will be able to tell you for sure, but I suspect you'll invalidate your warranty at the very least.

If you get the STS from Shark can't you change the map back before any trip to the dealer?

But If I get the sts then surely I can just keep taking off and putting back on etc every time. Hmmm. And if I can- are the sts devices exactly the same as the map that they'd do if I went there?

Ok, is the STS a 'piggyback' type chip then? That'll work, just don't do any of the other silly 'shiny' stuff and you'll be good to go.

The STS doesn't stay connected to the car permanently.

It's simply a handheld device that can program the ECU the same as the tools that Shark have on their laptop.

The map that you will load from the STS is exactly the same as the map that you would get if you went to Shark HQ

Basically, the remap invalidates the warranty on the engine and probably the gearbox too.

The ECU has a flash counter which is read every time the car is connected up at a VAG dealer and it's stored on their central database. That was an early attempt to spot people flashing the ECU.

Generally, using a device like the STS resets the flash counter as well, but you'd need to check with the people at Shark to be sure. With the car reset to standard by the STS, you cannot tell the car was remapped as it has been put back to standard and the flash counters reset. Electronically, it's the same as if the car was never remapped.

I generally say that if you can't afford to fix the car when it goes wrong, don't get it remapped. Bear in mind that many of the people posting on these forums had their cars from new and they were mapped from a low mileage. That's not to say that remapping an older, higher mileage car will necessarily trash the clutch or blow the turbo, but there is a possibility of it. The remap will find any weakness in your car and increase the chance of it breaking. If you car was looked after and everything is in good condition before the remap, you'll potentially have years of happy motoring, but if the turbo was going to fail, it'll fail faster with a remap.

So, let's say you remap your car and two thousand miles later the clutch gives up the ghost. The clutch wouldn't be covered by any warranty I know of, so you'll be shelling out for that anyway. If the turbo goes, then you might be able to claim on the warranty, but you would have to lie to the garage about not having had the car remapped and then you need to decide if you're a liar I suppose.

If you are going to do it, Shark is a great place to get a remap though!

The good news for the OP is that there is no flash counter on the ECU used in the Fabia I, and when the STS returns the ECU back to standard it is actually back to 100% standard with no trace

The good news for the OP is that there is no flash counter on the ECU used in the Fabia I, and when the STS returns the ECU back to standard it is actually back to 100% standard with no trace

I understand the risks associated with having it remaped however. If I do it on the STS then take the map off- can the map then be put back on again off the same sts device? Or will I have wasted my money and not be able to put the map back on once its been taken off?

Also how much is the STS is it more expensive?

Thanks very much.

Most dealers today seem to turn a blind eye towards a re-map, some even off this service. I would assume the only Issues you may have if the map causes the problem.

If a wheel bearing or bush needs replacing I wouldn't think they would even bother about the Map

Have a chat with your dealer, I did when I had my old Fabia Vrs mapped. I have a very good relationship with mine as they know I'll return when I'm in the market for a new Motor.

Just my thoughts

As far as the STS system and the maps are concerned, they work very well and would be just the same as if you visited Shark as far as I'm aware. Bear in mind also that you have the ability to use the STS as a code reader as well, and it makes it a very useful piece of kit.

But with the STS can I take the map off and put it back on as and when I please. And as many times as I want to?

This is what in trying to work out.

But with the STS can I take the map off and put it back on as and when I please. And as many times as I want to?

This is what in trying to work out.

I have the STS & the answer to your question is Yes

I bought my car when it was 2yr old with 1yr warrenty remaining and it was remapped, FMIC, exhaust and coilovers and the dealers weren't bothered one bit and did warrenty work on it no problem, I think they liked the fact it had "extras" LOL

Even if a car has a flash counter nothing we have will take and store that information and nor is there a central database where it is stored.

I'm pretty much sold now! best get saving hard

Friends mk5 golf gti just got serviced with it remapped and he even told them it was mapped and they didn't care, he even had a new coil pack cause it was on a recall.

I'll get in contact with shark to confirm a few points then look at getting it done within the next month or two

Even if a car has a flash counter nothing we have will take and store that information and nor is there a central database where it is stored.

Is that just on the Skoda? I've been told by two Audi dealers and MTM in Germany that Audi do check the flashcount when the cars are in for service. I was quite surprised when I saw how much information did come up on the screen when they plugged my car in. (MTM have the same kit as an Audi dealer apparently).

I just dont want skoda to get funny about it in any way, but then I want the engine remap so badly!!

I just dont want skoda to get funny about it in any way, but then I want the engine remap so badly!!

They won't. If Ben Wardle (Shark_90) says there is no trace left, there is no trace left. Likewise Tech1e is one of those people who is credible and speaks the truth. So if he says they don't store the count, they don't store the count. I was wrong, I'm very interested if it's still the case with newer ECUs though.

The only time we would upload a diagnostic report to Skoda would be with a warranty DISS report after a repair. This may include flash counter data on the later models but then we quite often flash ecus so it's not out of the ordinary to see that have a few counted anyhow.

But there is nothing automatically uploaded to Skoda unless there is a problem and a test plan is carried out.

It may be worth me paying slightly more and getting the STS so I can take the map off then put it back on etc. But then an extra £150 is a lot more money! :(

Does anyone have any expeience with the STS and how long does it take to do etc. Ideally I wanted to take it to shark so they can put it on first and so I can get a dyno. Hmmm. What's my best option then people?

Thanks very much and I appreciate all of your time.

It may be worth me paying slightly more and getting the STS so I can take the map off then put it back on etc. But then an extra £150 is a lot more money! :(

Does anyone have any expeience with the STS and how long does it take to do etc. Ideally I wanted to take it to shark so they can put it on first and so I can get a dyno. Hmmm. What's my best option then people?

Thanks very much and I appreciate all of your time.

I have experience with the STS & it really doesn't take that long to do it all yourself. It will probably take you no more than 10mins to download your original map from your car, then you have to upload it to your computer & email it to Shark. Once they email you through your performance & immobiliser map (usually takes a day or so, maybe sooner) all you have to do is upload them to the STS and then upload to the car, which will take about the same time.

If your after an option where you don't have to leave your house to get your car remapped then it's perfect & gives you the option to put it back to standard whenever you like. You can always get it rolling roaded later on...

Anyway, hope that helps

I have experience with the STS & it really doesn't take that long to do it all yourself. It will probably take you no more than 10mins to download your original map from your car, then you have to upload it to your computer & email it to Shark. Once they email you through your performance & immobiliser map (usually takes a day or so, maybe sooner) all you have to do is upload them to the STS and then upload to the car, which will take about the same time.

If your after an option where you don't have to leave your house to get your car remapped then it's perfect & gives you the option to put it back to standard whenever you like. You can always get it rolling roaded later on...

Anyway, hope that helps

It probably won't affect many people, but you should be aware that the STS needs proprietary software to load the maps to/from your computer, so you must have Windows or a Mac. I only use Ubuntu (linux) so I had to go to Ben's workshop to get the map transferred to the STS.