06 Passat Vag-com servicing

[maxgain]

Hi there

having very recently purchased a 2.0 TDI (140) Passat I am enquiring about DIY servicing. The local dealer has told me when the car is serviced by them its plugged into the VW computer/diag tool and this determines what work should be carried out. Having done nearly all the servicing on my last car and motorbikes I would like to continue this once the Passat is out of warranty in a year’s time.

Will VAG-COM indicate what work needs doing at the relevant service interval? I understand it to be a very useful in diagnosing problems, resetting service indicators and setting specific parameters etc.

Regards - Stu

[Frenchman]

It's really just a diagnostic tool and it allows you to make some changes to your car, so better for fault finding and resetting things etc, but won't tell you what to service.

If your doing your own servicing and plan to keep the car a while it's worth while to purchase the cable and software, the amount of times it gets used it's well worth it.

I have a VW Polo and an Audi A4 in the family so it's saved me loads in both time and money, resetting airbag light, service indicator reset, and trouble shooting.

Frenchman

[maxgain]

Many thanks for your reply Frenchman. Any ideas what can be used to determine service requirements.

Stu

[Frenchman]

Best bet is the haynes manual, should give details on what to do and when. I know in the USA they have Bentley manuals for Audi, not sure what they are like but might be worth a google to see if they do one for the Passat.

Frenchman

[martin1810]

Hi Maxgain. You can service your car as often as you like. Long life service is every 20k. Normal service is every 10k (or two years and one year). If you give your car an oil change, filter change, air filter etc once per year you will be fine. You need vag-com or similar to do the rear brakes and to set the service indicator if you want 20k. It defaults to 10k. In UK it's not unusual for taxi cars to be serviced every 5k. Obviously brakes, steering and suspension need a regular check. Antifreeze wants changing every 4 years or so and brake fluid every couple of years. It's mostly common sense if you are used to doing it.

[maxgain]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will purchase the Cable and software, as I don’t want to be at the mercy of the dealer. My previous car was nowhere near as technologically advanced as the VW. So it’s just a case of seeing the VW as something that’s basically a car with all the usual maintenance needs, but is also mainly microprocessor based. I have worked in IT and the electronics field so luckily I am able to relate to it.

One thing though. Do you know if there’s a parameter that can be changed using VAG-COM to allow the handbrake to be realised if you attempt to drive off without the seatbelt engaged. I ask because I ride a motorbike into work everyday and need to move the car a few meters off the drive to allow room for the bike. I know it’s a safety feature, but every time I move the thing off the drive in the early hours of the morning almost always forget the seatbelt and end up going nowhere.

[martin1810]

Don't know a way of turning it off via vag-com but I bet you can think of a way of making the car think you always have your belt on