vag-com?

[mattysupra]

Can you all tell me what vag com is. What is it?, what can you change? Where do you get the software/connecting leed? Is it easy to use? Can you adjust the gearbox map or engine map etc? I take it that this is what vag com is?

[Virdee Autos]

I think all of your Q's will be answered here www.ross-tech.com

This is their official site.

I would call it a dealer level diagnostic tool, allows you to do loads of stuff incl. live data/logs/measured block values. Interogate and erase fault memory, basic settings for control modules, coding control modules, etc, etc

Best to buy the lead direct from ross tech, and then update from their site whenver there is a new update.

AFAIK, you cannot adjust the maps for engine/gearbox.

[skiwi]

absolutely essential for anyone even mildly interested in understanding the car. fwiw, the dealers are only now able to get the same functionality as we have had with vag-com for years (portability, graphical output etc).

you cannot access the eprom maps - the tool is to interrogate all the controllers (rs6 has over a dozen).

buy the cable with the dongle as it saves you having to license your software (and it's faster).

[Virdee Autos]

AFAIK the cable from ross tech have the licence software built into them, or at least mine has. So whenever there's a new update, you just download it, test it, and save.

Best to buy a genuine lead rather than the copies. Too much hassle from what i've heard

[marmite]

I bought my lead for £15 of E-bay and never had an issue with it
A great bit of Kit

[SteveH]

I bought an ebay one, it didnt work. As always, you get what you pay for in life... unless your lucky.

[marmite]

I bought an ebay one, it didnt work. As always, you get what you pay for in life... unless your lucky.

I have had 3 leads now and all worked fine Alphabid from memory, you need to set the USB port up.

[SteveH]

Cheers, may give that a go.

[graybags]

I got mine from here:
http://www.ecufix.com/shop/

[MarkB]

The old version of VAG-COM that works with the cheap leads is SO poor compared to the full current version. The proper ROSS-TECH lead is worth every penny.

I'm also moving this thread to the VAG-COM forum...

[TopBear]

Very worthwhile piece of kit, and absolutely necessary if you're interested in understanding a bit more about how these cars work and how to maintain them in tip-top condition.

B.T.W.
I may have a genuine Ross-Tech KEY-USB cable for sale in a couple of weeks if I can get a genuine HEX-CAN one sorted out to replace it with (I need the HEX cable for my Golf MK5)

[GardinerG]

Just as MarkB says, the cables aren't that expensive (especially when the stealers wont get out of bed/snif your car for less than £40) and worth every penny. Just think of how many beers you'll get for a fault scan!

Just my 2p.

[Dom81]

With the current dollar rate, the Ross-Tech original is an absolute bargain (as well as morally the right thing to do!)

[PetrolDave]

With the current dollar rate, the Ross-Tech original is an absolute bargain (as well as morally the right thing to do!)

Plus ONLY with a genuine Ross Tech lead can you run the 710 beta/711 beta - which is the only version that can program all the modules on the new A5/S5.