You've probably seen those long lists in car groups: "Things you can activate on a Golf 7 through coding." And yes, most of those features really do work. But here's the thing! Just because you can activate something doesn't mean it's right, legal or safe. Let me explain how we approach Audi VW coding at Das Auto Service.
What exactly is coding?
Your car has electronic control modules with settings that determine which functions are enabled and which stay switched off. Many of these modules are the same across different markets and equipment levels, but the factory only enables certain features. Through coding, we can activate some of the others. There's a catch, though. Your car needs to have the right hardware already fitted. If it doesn't, you can change all the coding you like, but the feature still won't work.
Which features can you activate with Audi VW coding?
- Open and close the windows using your remote key.
- Display additional information on the instrument cluster.
- Change the daytime running light settings and the lighting that comes on when you get into the car.
- Make the instrument cluster needles sweep across the dials when you start the car.
- Activate features your car already has the hardware for, but which weren't enabled at the factory.
What won't we do to your car?
- Disable ESP, airbags or seat belt safety systems. They're there to protect your life, and there's a very good reason for that.
- Disable or remove the DPF, EGR valve or AdBlue system. It's illegal, and your car won't pass its roadworthiness test.
- Enable video playback on the infotainment screen while you're driving. It takes your attention away from the road, and that's dangerous.
- Activate a feature your car doesn't have the necessary hardware for. Instead of getting a new feature, you'll end up with fault codes in the control modules.
What's the difference between coding and retrofitting?
If you want a feature your car doesn't have the hardware for, that's where retrofitting comes in. Maybe you want to add a camera, Virtual Cockpit or LED headlights. In that case, we fit the genuine parts, code the relevant control modules and, if necessary, remove Component Protection using the correct procedure. Just remember one thing: coding alone can never replace hardware that isn't there.
Please, don't hand your car over to someone using unverified coding software without first backing up the original settings. One wrong change can lock up an entire control module and trigger faults in other systems. And that's when things get expensive. I'm telling you this because, in the end, you'll be paying for the repair out of your own pocket, not the pocket of the workshop that messed things up.
How do we handle coding at Das Auto Service?
- First, we check your car's factory equipment using its VIN, so we know exactly which hardware is fitted.
- We back up the control module settings before changing anything.
- We only activate safe features that your car has the necessary hardware to support.
- Finally, we scan for fault codes and check that everything works as it should.
Advice from Kris Mladenov: Before you decide to activate a feature, check whether your car has the hardware it needs. If it doesn't, you can keep changing settings all day long. The feature still won't work.
If you've spotted a feature you'd love to have on your Audi or Volkswagen, come and see us at Das Auto Service. We'll check what your car's equipment supports, and I'll tell you straight whether it's possible, whether it's safe and exactly how it will work. We're not going to activate something just because somebody put it on a list in a forum.
Read more
- Retrofitting at Das Auto Service
- Component Protection
- Component Protection: Why Won't a Module from Another Car Work?
- Retrofitting Virtual Cockpit, Cameras and Lighting to Factory Standard
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in Audi: When Can You Add Them?
Frequently asked questions
Can you disable the DPF through coding?
No. Disabling the DPF is illegal, and your car won't pass its roadworthiness test. We don't do this at Das Auto Service.
Will coding void your car's warranty?
It depends on exactly what's been changed. If the feature is safe and your car has the necessary hardware, there's no problem.
What does retrofitting mean?
We fit genuine hardware that your car didn't come with from the factory, then code it so the new feature works just as it would if it had been factory-fitted.