I've got a quick question.

I'm not massively mechanically minded but I wanted to know a couple of things.

1. How easy it is to use vag-com (Ross-Reach VCDS)?

2. How much mechanical know how do you need to understand the results?

Some times when I see some of the screen shots that have been posted it looks like a different language (which I know it kind of is) and you need to be a mechanic to understand or use it.

I would like to buy it but if I cant use it or understand what its telling me then theres no point

Thanks

It's very easy to use at a basic level, and people online will help you decode the logs.

It all depends on how much you try to do with it.

Check out 'alternative diagnostics' (this forum 16-4-09) --- could be an option that suits your requirements/ abilities.The scanner mentioned also has an internal battery to hold info when removed from car.

Edited 25 May, 200917 yr by DGW
No need to quote OP.

Check out 'alternative diagnostics' (this forum 16-4-09) --- could be an option that suits your requirements/ abilities.The scanner mentioned also has an internal battery to hold info when removed from car.

hold info when removed from car

You can do this with with vag-com !

Radiotwo

It's easy enough to use, but be warned, it's a powerful tool, and can very easily make the car unusable if the wrong codings are put into the controllers, or if you don't know what you're doing.

Moral of the story -- be extremely careful before changing anything with VAGCOM!

Mike

Thata what I susspected.

Thanks for all the replies.

If I may, you can go to the Ross-Tech website and view the interactive Manual. The manual will give you an idea of what to expect when working on a car. The explanations are listed below the screens. When I started at Ross-Tech, I knew nothing of vehicle diagnostics and specifically VAG diagnostics. Now, once in a while, people even thank me for helping them! Go figure.

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for the suggestion. I did have a look on your home page and found the interactive manual helpful. As i've mentioned I dont feel that confident about it but i'm sure thats got a lot to do with the unknown factor and once I have it I will get to grips with it.

Ive took the plunge and ordered one anyway.

Thanks again to eveyone for replying.

Remember, if you start by running an Auto-Scan and save the results, you will always have a fall back copy of your car's coding. The Auto-Scan saves the coding.

Those that tell you it's a powerful tool and you can really mess things up are telling the truth but only if you do not keep a copy of the original settings. VCDS is a powerful tool. It is the equivalent of the factory tool so it has all the capability to code or "miscode" modules. Remember also that there are many here who will help. It never hurts to search the forum or to ask.

Remember, if you start by running an Auto-Scan and save the results, you will always have a fall back copy of your car's coding. The Auto-Scan saves the coding.

Excellent advice, I was thinking about a backup procedure just in case;)

Ive took the plunge and ordered one anyway.

You won't regret it.

Excellent advice, I was thinking about a backup procedure just in case;)

You can't go far wrong if you make a note of the code you are about to change BEFORE you change it, then if it all goes Pete Tong you can revert back to what it was and try again.