VCDS or Vag-Com Review and Demo

Today we are talking about one of the best investments that you can make if you are working on a Volkswagen or Audi. That is VCDS or Vag Com Diagnostic Software. I refer to it as Vag-Com. I purchased Vag-Com years and years ago. I would say that I use it almost every day. If you are planning to do any DIY on a VW beyond oil changes, you really need this!

Join me today as we look at:

What can Vag-Com do?
How Vag-Com has bailed me out
Graphing features of Vag-Com
Screen capture and walk through of Vag-Com
Where to get Vag-Com
Ross-Tech Wiki page
Buy or not to buy
and more

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GOOD STUFF ON AMAZON

[compu]

Always always always do an auto scan first, before changing any coding. Take the text file it creates and save it in a safe place. More than once I've been happy to have that log to refer to!

[aaronpeople]

I'm a young guy just getting into the shop at my Volkswagen dealer. I've been watching your channel for a little while now and it has helped me a lot.

[remodz]

What is really cool about vag-com also is when your looking at a data value, say your looking at your short term fuel trim, if you hover your cursor over it, it will not only tell you your current trim, but also what the manufacture specs are and what range it's sopposed to be between. Very helpful for diagnosis when you chasing a sensor or something and you are not sure if it's spec value.

[DaytonCarCare]

I did well using a programmer called VagPro ($99 USD) when I needed new key immobilizers programmed for my 02 Audi A4 B6. ;) It also has other tools like OBDII scanner, oil interval reset or change interval miles, and diagnostics to go into other sub systems. It has a feature that allowed me to change the values on how my fuel level sensor reads since it is off.

[bobriley]

Good video It would be much clearer if the back ground music is turned off.
I need all the help i can get working on this stuff at 75 years old and the extra noise don't work for me! Thanks

[KevinMcCarley]

I've been using VCDS since 2002. It's been great to watch it grow over the years. Uwe and the team consistently do a great job of improving the software. I use a 10" touchscreen Windows tablet for VCDS, and everything else, it's my most used tool.

[RossTechVCDS]

And thank you for your enthusiasm!  We enjoy your videos.

[kennypaisley]

I print my short log for warranty and grab my laptop. Guided functions are a good help till you learn how to do it w VCDS. ODIS can be very slow and not so user friendly at times. Great tool and the guys at Ross-Tech are awesome! Big time saver doing a fuel filter on a CR!

[Idtelos]

Used a VCDS to activate the OEM back-up camera and navi system I installed in my Passat. Worked perfectly.

[ryansauto]

Nice product! I can absolutely see how this is a must have for anyone that works on VWs. Also, you're killing me with the King of the Hill references in the credits haha!

[MrTTqUaTtRo]

Dude, your Epic... Awesome videos man. Keep up the good work.

[drwisdom]

My first car was a 1970 Fastback and I have been driving VWs exclusively since 1983. One could divide VWs between air and water cooled, but I divide them into can or can't be VAGCOMed. It changed working on VWs from an art of experience to a science. I got one long ago to debug problems with my Corrado and have used it on many VW/Audis since. It cannot be understated the importance of being told what to fix. Non-professionals can't work on today's VWs without one.

Now the downside. My VAGCOM cable is so old it uses a serial, not a USB connection. I no longer have a portable computer with a serial connection and don't like hauling a computer to be near the vehicle for testing, and then hauling it back. I went to the Ross-Tech site and there are now a million choices. But it basically comes down to you barely get any discount for upgrading (requiring you to send back your old cable) so you might as well buy a new one and have a backup. Plus it used to be you could test as many cars as you want, now you have to pay extra for that! So I ordered a very inexpensive USB to serial converter off Amazon and my old serial VAGCOM cable appears to work fine with my USB only notebook computer.

[GarthGoldberg]

But the VW manual says to hook up the VAG 1551, with attached cables, and. . .and. . .look up Block XYZ and print out on a little sheet. . .

[SteveRobReviews]

Not often you hear anything comes
close to a factory scan tool, interesting stuff Charles. 👍

[RYEL_Official]

Hi i have PROBLEM not work CAN, i don’t no but ENGINE work the led is green, cable is HEX+CAN Ross-Tech, can not get in (Central.Elect.09) but in (Central Conv.46) yes can. I installed the driver, all working the only thing,
I can not get in Central Elect.
Someone has resolved this problem ?
My car is Passat b5 2003...
Can someone help me ? Thank!!!!

[flipinfin]

Very educational video. I wondering what tests can be ran when the key is in the on position if your VW Jetta TDI can't start ?

[sailingkoko]

Can you put together a playlist for TDI videos?

[mrrobertwolfiii]

We got the lite 1.2 version really work's researching way to use it.

[ainstaink]

Great video! VCDS is THE BEST tool I have ever owned!!!

[EXOVCDS]

I bought a professional kit and a single cable (unlimited vins), but just like my computer, laptop, cellphone... I probably only use 10% of their potential. Like you said in one of your earlier videos, when it's slow, I should really take advantage of the time and play with my equipment. Usually though, when that's the case, I don't have a vehicle to practice on / play with! :(