Is it true that using VCDS to for example change xenons for euroland (touring mode) could invalidate Skoda warranty if subsequently this is discovered when unrelated warranty work is done? Therefore should use VCDS only after 3 year warranty expires.

I believe that if there was a problem as a result of changing a setting then yes, they could invalidate the warranty for that part/system. But then if you had a problem with the suspension and you had changed a completely unrelated setting, then perhaps not.

Can't you just use the Maxidot to switch to tourist mode or is that specific to the elegance (using the iPhone so I don't know if your sig lists what model you have)

I believe that if there was a problem as a result of changing a setting then yes, they could invalidate the warranty for that part/system. But then if you had a problem with the suspension and you had changed a completely unrelated setting, then perhaps not.

Can't you just use the Maxidot to switch to tourist mode or is that specific to the elegance (using the iPhone so I don't know if your sig lists what model you have)

Yes I agree should be no problem with a purely mechanical part such as suspension. But what about other parts/system that can be reached thru VCDS, which according to their website are many. Unfortunately I don't have maxidot and cannot get a retrofit for my FL elegance octavia.

Rumors like that have been flying around since VCDS existed, thing is until now I have not come across a case where a regular setting might have caused such troubles. Though there have been cases where totally incorrect and inappropriate settings might have caused problems, similar to lighting related changes which weren't legal and caused trouble with the police.

Yes I agree should be no problem with a purely mechanical part such as suspension. But what about other parts/system that can be reached thru VCDS, which according to their website are many. Unfortunately I don't have maxidot and cannot get a retrofit for my FL elegance octavia.

I think the petrol FLs can be retrofitted with Maxidot. check with Ben@Shark Performance. For diesel FLs its got to be one of willing dealers.

Depends what you do...

Main purpose is to enable xenon lights for euroland. This poses a choice - should I get a maxidot retrofit or get vcds and a small laptop. Shark cannot do retrofit on FL model so need to find friendly dealer (mine wont do it). Or learn to use vcds and hope I dont fraik anything electronic. Either way is going to cost £???? lots if I fraik the electronics.

Or live with inconvenience and when trade in time comes (15 months to go) get another octavia with maxidot or go for a non VAG, possibly Jap.

To be honest, when you change coding ect if the workshop code is set to 00000 usually VCDS re-enters the dealer no. what was used before anything was altered, So it's not obvious that VCDS has been used.

To be honest, when you change coding ect if the workshop code is set to 00000 usually VCDS re-enters the dealer no. what was used before anything was altered, So it's not obvious that VCDS has been used.

Interesting. Thanks for that. I really must make time to read vcds manual.

Thread revival time!

 

There doesn't seem to be a definitive answer here, and it's been a few years since the last post.

 

Has anyone ever had problems with their warranty as a result of using their own VCDS?

 

Can the dealer actually tell if the car has been hooked up to a VCDS lead and altered?

 

Thanks

Danny

If they looked hard enough then they would see the changes

ATEOTD unless you have screwed something up with changing a code there is no reason for them to reject a claim.

To the best of our knowledge, no user has reported that a warranty claim was denied because of a diagnostic tool modification.  Simply put, the tool can only modify options which the VAG engineers designed into the control modules.  If there is a problem, then it is the control module that would be at fault - not the diagnostic tool's change.  For the control module should not present options that would "break" the vehicle. 

 

Have we heard that dealers tried to get out of warranty claims and hassle the owner?  For sure.  But in the end, warranty was always supported to best of our knowledge.