I've just received my HEX-CAN cable from Gendan (thanks guys, excellent service ) and have done full scans on my Octavia & wife's Fabia.

Two faults on mine which I have cleared to see if they come back (they haven't done the next day).. Loads on my wife's, but I'll leave that for a while!

My question really is: Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do next in order to get used to how VCDS works?

Nothing too serious (yet), just some little things that I could try to do on my '07 Octavia II that would help me get started. Maybe checking something, making small changes, etc.

Think of it as setting homework for a beginner.

I'll try as many of the suggestions as I can and feed back via this thread. Maybe it may help other VCDS newbies to get going.

I'll look forward to your suggestions.

There was a guide for the Octavia tweeks somewhere.

All depends what you're after doing. You really can do so much.

2nd fog

ant-hijack

enable hidden columbus/bolero menu

increase soft indicator flashes

change between fixed and variable servicing

Reset service indicator

emergency braking hazards.

The list goes on.

Been playing with it today and have so far managed to switch on dual rear fog lights (is this legal in UK?) which was pretty easy thanks to the long coding helper.

Had a look at anti-hijack, but need to read the descriptions again as they are not obvious at first glance and I wanted to be sure I was getting the right options. I don't think that I want anti-hijack activated on the doors (my personal choice), but do want it in the boot. I'll update again when I have another look. Again the long coding helper makes it pretty easy to find and modify.

Could not find how to increase the number of soft indicator flashes - so any pointers in the right direction will be gratefully received.

I'm staying on variable servicing and have recently had a service, so I did not even look at those.

Emergency braking hazard lights I think are already active, but I couldn't find that one either.

Thank you for the list gadgetman - it certainly gave me a reason to delve a little deeper than I had done last week.

Columbus unit arrives this week (hopefully), so my first 'big' task will be getting that activated and running and enabling the hidden menu.

Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed that the K revision CAN gateway I have fitted is modern enough to prevent battery drain....

Find the Ross Tech wiki for your car and do some reaearch.