Stinger Suspension Settings Can Be Changed Via Scanner

[Larry Denen]

Something interesting I saw on FB.

Stinger's suspension settings can be changed via scanner to the following:

- North America: Firmest
- Europe: Midrange Firm
- S. Korea: Midrange Soft
- Australia: Softest

Kia said manually changing this setting would cancel the warranty.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I don't understand. Are you saying that the dealer can "scan" the suspension setting to change it to one of the other market settings? What is "manually changing"?

 

[xot1]

I don't understand. Are you saying that the dealer can "scan" the suspension setting to change it to one of the other market settings? What is "manually changing"?

via the scanner.

 

[MerlintheMad]

via the scanner.

I guess I need to know/see what the "scanner" is. I'm not visualizing this.

 

[brancky3]

I guess I need to know/see what the "scanner" is. I'm not visualizing this.

The dealership scan tool

 

[MerlintheMad]

The dealership scan tool

I've never watched the service guys "scan" anything, so I still don't know what a "scanner" looks like. Is it handheld? Or on wheels? Does it obtain readouts/statistics and then recommend adjustments?

Vis-à-vis the OP, presumably the scanner we are talking about has the capability to alter the default suspension setting. And, I presume, all the drive modes derive from the default setting.

So, if I have felt that the "American setting" is too firm, would Kia America move my suspension to the Aussie (softest) setting? Visa versa? And would the drive modes, after the adjustment, then be in relation to a different default setting?

Let's say that the American setting as "firmest", in Comfort mode, is actually equivalent to Sport mode in Aus, where Comfort is really comfortable: that would mean that the Aus Sport is like the American Comfort; and American Comfort (heheh) is firm to an Aussie; and American Sport is the firmest ride of all.

Does "manually adjust" mean the owner tinkering with the suspension? Or is the suspension setting a hard setting from the factory, and not even Kia service centers are allowed to monkey with it?

 

[Dochidalgo]

With the mechanical technician of my Nissan Maxima SR, in the Nissan dealer, I had the opportunity to know the features of the Nissan scan tool, called Consult 3. I could witness the infinity of available custom settings. Nissan recommends them in the update courses, use the scanner as DTC reader and follow a diagnosis protocol and reset the ECU to the factory settings. The technician allowed me, at my own risk to make some adjustments in terms of lowering on not the windows (front or rear or both) with the fob key, warning lights when turning on or off the alarm, etc. So the idea that the Kia's scan tool can make adjustments in any electronic area, is not at all unreasonable, just that mechanical technicians do not dare to explore possibilities.

 

[oddball]

I guess I need to know/see what the "scanner" is. I'm not visualizing this.

Every manufacturer has their own customer scan tools that have many more features than you'll ever get. You can look up "Forscan" for an idea. One dude reverse engineered the older Ford stuff and made a free software package that opens many of those features.

The "OBDII" port is actually a general purpose comms port to the car's networks. Back-in-the-day, it was just enough to support OBDII (OBDII is a wire and comms protocol specification) to an ECU/PCM. Now there are many more protocols floating around. Different tools support different protocols, and every protocol can have custom extensions that the manufacturer makes - and doesn't tell anyone about. So then only the manufacturer (or anyone that steals the documents or reverse engineers the stuff) can use those extra features. Generally you can modify any portion of any module's programming (ECU, TCU, airbag controller, rear body controller, front body controller, etc etc etc - modern cards are literally a network of 12+ computers) if you know the full manufacturer specification. Key/fob programming is a good example. Manufacturers experimented with making key programming proprietary such that only dealers could do it back in the early 2000's. This pissed off a lot of people (and locksmiths!), so they backed off. Most manufacturers will license a small amount of their proprietary stuff so third party tools, like locksmith-use, TPMS reset/calibration, more advanced diagnostics, etc can be done. But the real juicy bits, like changing interesting settings? That's kept internal.

Or do like Tork (and the other ECU flashers) and get the CPU hacking tools and get in there and break shit.

The "scan tool" is usually just like the professional ones. Normally a 8" tablet with a dongle that plugs into the OBD port. Some, like Volvo, just use a brick (look up Volvo DICE) that connects to the OBD port on one side and USB to a computer on the other - then you need their special brick and their special software on a computer.

Now, like already said, the dealer techs won't touch any of this with a 10 foot pole. They'll use their tools for the basics - read off codes, reset, load new SW/FW packages - and that's it. Anything else is unsupported and they'd get in deep trouble real quick.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Or do like Tork (and the other ECU flashers) and get the CPU hacking tools and get in there and break shit.

Kia said manually changing this setting would cancel the warranty.

LOL! Exactly what "breaking shit" means.

Now, like already said, the dealer techs won't touch any of this with a 10 foot pole. They'll use their tools for the basics - read off codes, reset, load new SW/FW packages - and that's it. Anything else is unsupported and they'd get in deep trouble real quick.

So, the OP is informational (aggravational) only. In Kia's vast wisdom, Americans like their sporty GTs stiffer than anybody else. And there is no discussion.

 

[Submarines]

I started diving into this already. It's called variant programming in the system.

The kia software only cost $30 for 72 hours but you need a compatible SAE J2534-1/2 Compliant Pass-thru VCI device.

Unfortunately we loaned ours out right now so I can't test it :\

 

[Shrikecorp]

AVTOtools.com has the dealer scanner for USA for only $3960. Practically free.

 

[Dochidalgo]

Well, the Kia's dealer service manager, confirm to me that in the last update course taught in the corporate Kia office, the dampers settings can be configured through the scanner. The mechanical master will put into practice the process to do that in short notice. My Stinger will be the guinea pig probably.
I let you know the results.

 

[Ty Davis]

I started diving into this already. It's called variant programming in the system.

The kia software only cost $30 for 72 hours but you need a compatible SAE J2534-1/2 Compliant Pass-thru VCI device.

Unfortunately we loaned ours out right now so I can't test it :\

Sadly, the necessary menu needed to code the vehicle is grayed out/unselectable through this method @ Kiatech.com The software only lets you do basic OBD2 operations + Kia Specific error codes.

The part of the software that does variant coding is locked out...

 

[YOWStinger]

AVTOtools.com has the dealer scanner for USA for only $3960. Practically free

Oh good, I'll take 2

 

[Ty Davis]

Has anyone tried the KW V3 coilovers?

Checkout my posts, starting @ #35 in this linked thread.
There are indeed customizable settings in the Electronically Controlled Suspension Computer.
The Electronic Power Steering Computer can also be coded.

The thread shows screenshots from my scantool.

Note that at this time, the only scantool that will actually modify the settings, is the Kia Tool at the dealership.
The Stinger has Hyundai’s new “Security Gateway” that is designed to prevent hackers attacks on the vehicle (remember when Chrysler/Jeeps got hacked on the news, Kia wants to prevent this).
A byproduct of this is non factory scan tools can only do basic OBD2 commands. At this point none on the market can access the Security Gateway. Some are due out soon.

This means, any changes will have to be done by your local Kia dealership.
Many will not do it. Some will. You have to keep asking until you find one that will accommodate you.

 

[brancky3]

Oh good, I'll take 2

Group buy?

 

[Waynerm002]

I would want my suspension tuned a better so my Sport mode is more like the Genesis G70's Comfort mode.