UPDATED 4/12/12 – I saw today that Mr. Gilles is now on twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/RalphGilles). Some folks may want to start letting him see the power of social media. If you have a 2011 or newer SRT8 let him know how un-happy you are about the lack of tuning due to the rolling code encryption.
Most anyone that owns a 2011 SRT model car knows this issue. It has been one that is being debated on message boards and forums constantly. For those that do not the basic issue here is as of 2011 Chrysler decided to not only encrypt the PCM on the SRT, (and other vehicles), they will not release those rolling encryption codes to the public or the tuning companies. This is a strange debate as for year’s americans have long since lived to modify their cars. Ford, Chevy, even BMW now openly allow tuning companies like DiabloSport to access their codes. In turn custom tuning shops use these tuners to sell additional parts and service to consumers.
By locking these cars Chrysler has effectively halted economic growth in a sense because aftermarket parts cannot be bought or installed. Well that is for THEIR products. Their competitors have no issues allowing this practice and the consumer knows this will void the warranty. Chrysler has taken the “To protect the Warranty” approach, but let’s be honest. We are all adults, we know making changes voids that. However that is our god given right to do if we so choose. Essentially companies like DiabloSport are now left to “Crack” the encryption costing them more money and in turn driving up the price of their product once it is released. The question is why not just work with the folks working on these aftermarket products.
In the end all I could do myself was write the following letter to Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of the SRT Brand and see what happens. Most likely nothing, but this whole thing is just plain silly if people have money and want to spend it on their cars. Who is Chrysler to say we cannot do that? I guessed at the email address being a technology guy there is only so many combinations E-Mail administrators use. I have yet to get an immediate NDR or other response. I encourage other SRT owners out there to add comments even send you’re own letters. The power of the people can change policies, it has been known to happen.
Actual Letter Sent to Ralph.Gilles@Chrysler.com
Mr Gilles,
There is a lot of upset consumers out here these days that are very angry at the decision to lock the PCM from any modifications. All the warranty reasons a side and being a long time car nut yourself, this just seems crazy. After market vendors are going to be put out of business by this, and your competitors Ford and Chevy freely give there codes out to the tuners. This decision has caused such an uprising that people like me who know own my 2nd SRT and looking at a 3rd are questioning remaining loyal MOPAR fans.
I implore you to re-think this decision by the engineers and open up these codes to folks like DIABLOSPORT so we can do what we want with the cars we own. I’m not sure if you read the message boards but it has gotten ugly for sure. This whole topic is nothing more than a standoff which in the end will hurt Chrysler. I urge you to address this issue head on with we the consumer and work with us not against us. Preventing modifications just stops money going into the economy in other places. People spend thousands with other companies on parts and service to upgrade their cars and all that money has stopped flowing for 2011+ cars. Chrysler is helping destroy the small businesses out there, and hurting the economy when people like me want to spend money on parts but cannot.
This whole topic seems un-american from a company with new ad campaigns “Born from Detroit”. It’s a free country, so let us modify to our heart’s content while we know this will void warranty it always has but that is OUR decision to make not Chrysler’s. Put an end to this whole debate once and for all and open up the codes to the tuners of the world. Stop holding a monopoly on upgrades and parts for the dealers out there. Protecting them is one thing, but this is now far out of hand.
Regards,
Chris Colotti