Is there a key code, like a card or something that is suppose to come with the car if you need to get new ones. Or can you get new ones from VAG anyway. How about radios (columbus navi), is there a code card that you will get with the car?

When the car leaves the factory there will be a plastic tag thing on the keys with all the codes you need... The supplying dealer should then pass this on to you.

When the car leaves the factory there will be a plastic tag thing on the keys with all the codes you need... The supplying dealer should then pass this on to you.

Ah ok, should the radio code be on that to?

I have a Passat -05 at the moment and but i cant recall getting one plastic tag when i bought it....

There are ways of retrieving the key code however the dealer cannot supply the actual code any more. If they code a key their system goes off to Germany over the internet and downloads the required information, the dealer don't actually see it any more.

If you would like your key code I have the tools to retrieve it.

Last year I purchased a spare key for the car from the main dealer as I was only supplied with one originally (car was second hand). The dealer needed the car and original key to complete the programming of the new key. I didnt supply them with any codes. I spoke to an independent key cutting specialist but he admitted that the codes are generated by VW and they only let dealers access to the software to generate new codes.

I think the radio checks the codes on the ecu for enabling, no more 4 digit pins.

The key codes aren't generated or retrieved by a dealer - it's all done by an online system called GEKO.

However the key code is retrievable from the ECU or instrument cluster with other tools.

As for radio codes, in the Octavia II the radio uses Comfort Coding which links the radio to the immobiliser in the dashboard. There is still a 4 digit code but again the dealers apparently don't see it if they code your radio for you. I'm sure this uses a different system to the key codes and I believe they are retrievable.

Bit confused here - if the dealer doesnt generate or retrieve the code from the online system, who does?

The dealer must initiate the code generation and download it onto the key - I think you are saying that he doesnt actually see the code as part of the initialisation process?

The system goes online to retrieve the code from the factory systems and codes the key directly - the dealer never actually sees the code any more