APR Stage 2 , APR Mobile , and tune Switch-ability.

[Faudihere]

Hey guys, I need to pass emissions with my A4 with an APR stage 2 tune on it. (I asked specifically if this would pass emissions and I was told it would by the shop that sold me the tune, only to find out here that no it will not) I understand that it's on me, and I should have taken more steps to do my due diligence.

From what I gather searching around here I should be able to switch the ECU into a stock tune, and drive around long enough for the ecu to check readiness, and hopefully get it inspected before it throws a check engine light.

I see that APR offers a cruise stalk controlled program switch-ability upgrade, and they also offer the APR mobile dongle. The listings for the APR mobile app are ambiguously worded in every description I can find, so I asked ECS's chat box if I would be able to only purchase the dongle and be able to switch between tunes and octane levels without purchasing any additional upgrades, and they told me that yes I would be able to do so, it offers program switch-ability. I went ahead and ordered the dongle, as it would be a lot more convenient for me to be able to hook up a dongle and switch tunes without having to go to the shop.

I'm coming here to make sure that the person in the chat bot wasn't mistaken, and I want to be able to cancel the order before it ships out to me if that's the case.

Can anyone with the APR mobile dongle reaffirm that it will enable tune switch-ability? Will I at least be able to switch between stock and stage 2? It would be nice to have the option of stage 1, but as long as I can switch between those 2 it would serve it's purpose. If it can't I have absolutely no need for it. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

I would call APR directly but it's Sunday.

[flashburn]

I don't have the dongle: but I did pass emissions with the tune as-is. Have you tried? Did it fail or are you trying to just get ahead of it?

[Faudihere]

I had a not ready rejection fail. I've put over 150 miles on it since I last cleared codes, and the readiness codes have not yet set. I have no other codes according to the VCDS.

[twixinthemix]

I had to get the extra tunes loaded when I got program switching through the stalk. I'd imagine you would need the same thing for the dongle. You can't mix and match stages only octanes. Stock and stage 1 or stock and stage 2.

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[Faudihere]

I was afraid of that as well. Would I be better off having them throw the stage 1 software into it with the down pipe or am I just asking for CEL's?

[twixinthemix]

I run stage 2 and stock. No point in running a non factory cat on stage 1 (you will get a CEL). I haven't passed inspection with mine yet since NH changed the inspection sticker and they all look the same. Closing in on a year overdue. I was getting a CEL every 20-80 miles after a reset using some angled catless o2 spacer someone recommended.

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[Faudihere]

Do you have a VCDS to see if you ever made it to all readiness codes set before you threw the CEL? Also which code did it throw?

[twixinthemix]

I never looked into the failed ones but I was good a few times. I lost interest in trying to schedule an inspection alongside no CEL. I have VCDS but checked for readiness on my phone with the torque app.

Threw a cat inefficiency code.

[Shane Horning]

Hey guys, I need to pass emissions with my A4 with an APR stage 2 tune on it. (I asked specifically if this would pass emissions and I was told it would by the shop that sold me the tune, only to find out here that no it will not) I understand that it's on me, and I should have taken more steps to do my due diligence.

From what I gather searching around here I should be able to switch the ECU into a stock tune, and drive around long enough for the ecu to check readiness, and hopefully get it inspected before it throws a check engine light.

I see that APR offers a cruise stalk controlled program switch-ability upgrade, and they also offer the APR mobile dongle. The listings for the APR mobile app are ambiguously worded in every description I can find, so I asked ECS's chat box if I would be able to only purchase the dongle and be able to switch between tunes and octane levels without purchasing any additional upgrades, and they told me that yes I would be able to do so, it offers program switch-ability. I went ahead and ordered the dongle, as it would be a lot more convenient for me to be able to hook up a dongle and switch tunes without having to go to the shop.

I'm coming here to make sure that the person in the chat bot wasn't mistaken, and I want to be able to cancel the order before it ships out to me if that's the case.

Can anyone with the APR mobile dongle reaffirm that it will enable tune switch-ability? Will I at least be able to switch between stock and stage 2? It would be nice to have the option of stage 1, but as long as I can switch between those 2 it would serve it's purpose. If it can't I have absolutely no need for it. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

I would call APR directly but it's Sunday.

Set it to stock till the oxegen sensor resets then switch the tune on and it will keep the cat efficiently from setting but will allow the rest of them to reset so only the cat will not pass. In ny it will pass with 1 monitor not reset

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[Faudihere]

That's an interesting approach. I just looked up the NC rules and it's the same as NY.
- 1996 through 2000 model year vehicles are allowed to complete the OBD II
inspection with up to two monitors set as not ready
- 2001 through current year model vehicles are allowed to complete the OBD II
inspection with one monitor set as not ready

I assumed that switching the tune would result in clearing the DTC's.

[Shane Horning]

That's an interesting approach. I just looked up the NC rules and it's the same as NY.
- 1996 through 2000 model year vehicles are allowed to complete the OBD II
inspection with up to two monitors set as not ready
- 2001 through current year model vehicles are allowed to complete the OBD II
inspection with one monitor set as not ready

I assumed that switching the tune would result in clearing the DTC's.

I have apr program switching so I'm not sure if it clears codes or not

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[Shane Horning]

So I would reset codes and switch to stock and as soon as the oxegen sensor resets switch tune on and that will allow the last couple to reset and keep the cat efficiently from trying to pass so it doesn't throw a code20200107_063005.jpg

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[Faudihere]

I think I'll give that a shot. Do you use the cruise stalk to switch tunes or do you have the mobile app? Also are you using any sort of O2 Spacer?

[Iceman502]

I think this is a good example that highlights the difference between APR and IE in terms of O2 readiness coding.

Last year I passed NC inspection with IE's stage 2 tune, their HFC and DP, and no O2 spacer after a couple of thousand miles of driving.

Last week I passed again with their KO4 tune with the same exhaust hardware. This was following the turbo install, and I had the battery disconnected for about a week due to a fuel pump issue. The ECU readiness log was blank as a result, but after 100 fresh miles, I passed with no reported issues.

I know switching tunes is expensive but I think if you call in, IE will offer a discount since you're dropping their competitor. If you don't go that route (and I don't blame you because it really is a last resort) I hope you can thread the needle with switching tunes/code resetting!

[Faudihere]

I have to say that it's a little ridiculous that the high flow cat has a bung for the second O2 sensor, but can't read it without throwing codes. I think tuning out the second O2 sensor is a real lazy way to fix that issue. I'm going to get program switch-ability, and if I can't get it to pass with the HFC I'll be putting the stock cat back on and I'll pay again to have them upload the stage 1 tune. Which if the shop was upfront and honest with me about my concerns in the first place, that's exactly what I would have done from the jump.

Now hearing about another software / hardware combo that would work I'd more likely go that route. You live and you learn.

[Shane Horning]

I think I'll give that a shot. Do you use the cruise stalk to switch tunes or do you have the mobile app? Also are you using any sort of O2 Spacer?

I'm using the cruise control stalk. And I do have a spacer on the test pipe but you don't need it if you do it the way I mentioned

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[Iceman502]

I have to say that it's a little ridiculous that the high flow cat has a bung for the second O2 sensor, but can't read it without throwing codes. I think tuning out the second O2 sensor is a real lazy way to fix that issue. I'm going to get program switch-ability, and if I can't get it to pass with the HFC I'll be putting the stock cat back on and I'll pay again to have them upload the stage 1 tune. Which if the shop was upfront and honest with me about my concerns in the first place, that's exactly what I would have done from the jump.

Now hearing about another software / hardware combo that would work I'd more likely go that route. You live and you learn.

IE's HFC has a pre- and post-cat O2 bung, and if coding out one sensor allows you to pass inspection without changing tunes or hardware, I'll take it. The high flow cat produces oxygen readings that are higher than federally allowed from a passenger vehicle due to less catalyzation, so if the post sensor is live and functioning properly, chemically it would be impossible to pass.

I could be wrong as I'm not familiar with the various emission laws from state to state, but I think a pre- and post-cat O2 sensor is required on newer vehicles. Functions for emission testing, a visual check if required, and allows the ECU to adjust the equivalence ratio on the fly.

[Faudihere]

So I would reset codes and switch to stock and as soon as the oxegen sensor resets switch tune on and that will allow the last couple to reset and keep the cat efficiently from trying to pass so it doesn't throw a code20200107_063005.jpg

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This worked like a charm for me. I drove the car 55 miles after putting it in stock mode before the O2 readiness monitor set. I immediately put it in stage 2 mode, by 85 miles I had all but the catalyst monitor set, and it passed. No O2 spacer necessary.

So anyone considering stage 2 first make sure your state allows for 1 readiness monitor to not be set for emissions. Be sure to buy it with ECMS program switch-ability, and also have some way to check readiness, preferably a real time reading (I used the Rosstech VCDS).

So as long as I don't clear the codes, or disconnect the battery in the next year I should be good to go for the next inspection as well. If that's not the case I'll come back to this thread to update.

[Shane Horning]

This worked like a charm for me. I drove the car 55 miles after putting it in stock mode before the O2 readiness monitor set. I immediately put it in stage 2 mode, by 85 miles I had all but the catalyst monitor set, and it passed. No O2 spacer necessary.

So anyone considering stage 2 first make sure your state allows for 1 readiness monitor to not be set for emissions. Be sure to buy it with ECMS program switch-ability, and also have some way to check readiness, preferably a real time reading (I used the Rosstech VCDS).

So as long as I don't clear the codes, or disconnect the battery in the next year I should be good to go for the next inspection as well. If that's not the case I'll come back to this thread to update.

Glad it worked for you! I hadn't known about it at first and had to swap the stock cat to pass inspection but definitely a lot easier just doing like you did

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[Faudihere]

Thank you so much for giving me the tip.

[A4fuzz]

I'm not really sure what you're asking for here, but I might have some useful input. I have APR stage II with program switching and the dongle. I live in Ohio and have to pass E Check in my county. From what I understand, all readiness monitors have to be set and ready. I was unable to get the catalytic convertor readiness to set without a check engine light. I ended up just swapping back to the OEM convertor and OEM APR Program to pass E Check. In the event that you have to get all monitors to pass, this car will not be fooled. The APR cat is very efficient but not enough to fool the ECU. Good luck and let me know if you have anymore questions.

[Shane Horning]

I'm not really sure what you're asking for here, but I might have some useful input. I have APR stage II with program switching and the dongle. I live in Ohio and have to pass E Check in my county. From what I understand, all readiness monitors have to be set and ready. I was unable to get the catalytic convertor readiness to set without a check engine light. I ended up just swapping back to the OEM convertor and OEM APR Program to pass E Check. In the event that you have to get all monitors to pass, this car will not be fooled. The APR cat is very efficient but not enough to fool the ECU. Good luck and let me know if you have anymore questions.

It ny they allow up to 1 monitor to not reset and they will pass inspection and doing the method above allows all monitors to reset except the cat so it will pass

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[elscotto80]

I'll m apr stage II with 034 HFC a 32dd spacer. When emissions come around, I switch to stock mode, go in and pass. Switch back when I leave.

I do not use the dongle, switch programs on the cc stalk.

Scan and check readiness with VCDS, it's much better than an app.

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[Shane Horning]

I'll m apr stage II with 034 HFC a 32dd spacer. When emissions come around, I switch to stock mode, go in and pass. Switch back when I leave.

I do not use the dongle, switch programs on the cc stalk.

Scan and check readiness with VCDS, it's much better than an app.

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I have a cts testpipe and tried a dozen different spacers and couldn't get cat to pass readiness

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[elscotto80]

I have a cts testpipe and tried a dozen different spacers and couldn't get cat to pass readiness

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Yup, a lot of folks here get different results with what works and what doesn't. My setup has worked fine for three emissions tests, so obviously YMMV.

[Faudihere]

It ny they allow up to 1 monitor to not reset and they will pass inspection and doing the method above allows all monitors to reset except the cat so it will pass

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The funny thing is on the VCDS it showed that the cat monitor was not set, but the inspection sheet I got showed all of them as "PASSED". I'm not really sure what that was about, but I'm not complaining either.

It seems like a lot of states will allow newer cars to have 1 monitor not ready, but some will dictate which ones are acceptable as not ready. For instance I read that California will only allow the evap monitor to not be ready. The point is do your research on your states laws before making the decision to go APR Stage 2. It might be less trouble to pass emissions with other software/HFC's that are available on the market.