We've just purchased a facelift 2017 SE L 4x4 Octy with the Rear park assist fitted. Our dealer, while lovely, is a bit useless when it comes to answering questions on 'can this be done to it' - Towbar and Front parking sensors specifically. They said that neither could be fitted which 30 seconds on Google suggests they could be. We were considering a Scout prior to the SE L and other dealers were quoting between £250-600 to fit the colour coded sensors and use VCDS to recode the park assist. 

 

I'm trying to understand - 1) Can they be retrofitted and the VCDS coded. 2) If so is it only in reverse i.e. when the Park assist is activated for the rears or can they be left 'on' so active if we are parking, issue would be in traffic I guess they would be on as well. Anyway, any thoughts most welcome.

 

Ah yes, Towbar, can these be retrofitted ?

Yes & yes.

 

Front sensors can be fitted and coded using VCDS - Whether a dealer would want to do this is a different matter.  Sure it has been covered on here somewhere.  sensors & loom essentially and drill the bumper.

Rear sensors come on when in reverse and stay active until .... Im not 100% sure but I think until you move forward at a certain speed (as above about 5mph thats when my mirrors move back to normal position as they dip in reverse - or car is put into 1st or neutral for set amount of time.  They are not on all the time though.  I have it on mine so can check later (or someone else will confirm.

 

Towbar can be fitted easily - I fitted a detachable swan neck to my old scout and it just needs coding.  I seem to remember it was quite important  (the coding) with 4WD  

 

I retrofitted a Westphalia 13 pin detachable towbar using one of the guides on here. Relatively easy to do if you are DIY orientated and don't mind pulling the trim out. The electrics for the primary light functions will work straight away without coding but for full functionality, VCDS recoding is required.

 

From memory, coding adds in...

Alarm extension through trailer electrics

Trailer stability control program

Failed bulb warning function

Disable rear parking sensors when reversing