Hi

Mk1 Octavia RS on variable servicing.

I want to do my own servicing & then reset the dash indicator. Having searched the forum I see that resetting using the stalks changes the car to fixed servicing. I don't want to go to fixed. Other posts state that to reset a 'variable' car & stay on variable you need Vag-com.

Does this literally mean laptop, cable & vag-com software or can I buy a stand-alone code reader that will reset a 'variable' car.

I don't have a PC running XP & I don't really want to buy one unless I have to.

Thanks

Darren

Maybe this is helpful too...

Ross-Tech: VAG-COM: FAQ Page 1

...of course some stand alone tools may do, but we have seen some which do not really do what they are supposed to.

was going to say im sure you can in VCDS but Theresias beat me to it

Thanks for the replies.

I have found a Sealey code reader that states it will reset Longlife but it's over £150. I'm quite happy to spend money on good tools but I could buy a basic EEEPC & Vag-com s/w & cable for not much more. The thing is I already have a laptop (iBook). I was going to buy an Linux EEEPC at some point. I could put the £150 towards that & stick XP on it as well but I'm completely ignorant of Windows & I'm not sure I can be bothered with the hassle of learning it just for checking/resetting my car once in a blue moon.

The other option is one of a couple of different Oil/Service Reset tools from £30 - £90 but these won't read fault codes.

...of course some stand alone tools may do, but we have seen some which do not really do what they are supposed to.

This is what worries me. No point buying a cheapy reader that is going to miss or misinterpret codes.

I am waiting on replies from a couple of other companies as to whether their readers will reset Longlife, then I'll decide what to do.

Thanks

Darren

The problem is not really if it resets longlife, the problem is more if it has vehicle specific data. Depending on the model, just altering the one common channel doesn't always do the job. Just to give you an idea, depending on the model the interval can be 30.000 km to 60.000 km. Most tools neither have a way to specify the model nor tell you what they actually do.

Did you check the link I gave you? What speaks against running Windows on your iBook in a virtual machine?

Bit of a bump...

I decided to take a two pronged approach to this:

Firstly, I have purchased an Autel MaxiScan VAG405 (£80 from AutoTech Direct with a free 2x2 cable). I've used this to reset my service indicator & it seems to have worked. I just used 'LongLife Service' -> 'Reset Service'. If in a years time I find myself on 'fixed', with a 'Service' message popping up, the tool seems to have the capability to set mileage to next service, oil type etc. In the meantime it can sit in the boot for 'just-in-case'. I have also seen & reset a few fault codes which have confused me but I think I'll start another thread on that.

However...

Secondly, a friend in work has an XP laptop that he now uses purely for running the BMW equivalent of VAG-COM & he has said I can borrow it whenever I need. So, the plan is that when the finances recover next month, I'll buy a cable & have a play with VAG-COM.

Finally, I like to keep my shareware morally & legally correct. This is my understanding of the situation with VAG-COM, can someone confirm it please...

1) Buy a non Ross-Tech cable & download shareware of VAG-COM - OK but no assistance with connection or software issues, limited functionality & no funds for developer.

2) Buy a non Ross-Tech cable, download & register shareware of VAG-COM - Developer support for software but not connection issues, full functionality for earlier s/w version.

3) Buy a Ross-Tech cable - Full support & full functionality of latest s/w version.

Thanks

Darren

Edit: iBook is too slow to run this in a virtual machine I think. 300MHz PowerPC. It works with Windows 95 but it's pretty slow.

Confirmed.