[Ourfarm09]

My philosophy has always been that the Honda engineers know a helluva lot more about Honda engineering than I do, so all changes that I do are purely cosmetic. That's my two cents worth.

That's the best I have seen it put here on the ROC.

 

[Ourfarm09]

As I understand it, the chip is automatically updated with the latest program changes (sort of like Windows Update) every time the vehicle is brought into the dealership for any reason. If this is so, then whatever custom programming you may have purchased is overwritten with Honda programming automatically, and therefore would be a waste of money. Don't know first hand if this is true, but it seems plausible enough that I have avoided getting a custom chip.

I have also heard of this but don't know first hand. I do know on International and Cat diesel motors, when we take one to the dealer it's ECU is automatically updated with any new programming.

 

[Ourfarm09]

If you do all your own regular maintenance, when is the dealer ever going to get around to re-programming it?
Another way to handle it is a piggy-back programmer, that's removed when you go to the dealer.

Warranty work and recalls.

 

[Ourfarm09]

True enough..I still have reservations that they do any reprograms at all unless it is really necessary or a TSB/recall, etc. Seems to go against the dealership rules: "don't do more than absolutely necessary". There are normally backups for 3rd party software.
I would think it's a very different service routine with commercial and farm machinery.

You are probably right when talking about auto dealers such as Honda. I'm sure none of them will go above and beyond without getting payed. I'm not sure why it is done on our school buses, maybe contracting, laws, ect.