The Perils of the DIY Mechanic - to VCDS or to not VCDS

[The_Hawk]

I have a MacBook Pro here and use Parallels to run Windows. It works perfectly with VCDS (as well as pretty much everything else I have tried that needs some piece of hardware that is Windows only).

As for cheap scanner vs VCDS. Many will be fine for clearing basic codes, resetting the service interval and probably most stuff the average backyard mechanic is likely to come up against... But if you're going to be tinkering much more than regular oil changes VCDS can be a handy thing to have around.

[RubAVeeDubDub]

I haven't been this confused for quite some time!

So some non official VAGCOM gear, like Actron, can clear codes and relay correct information about the car's 'health' ?
(Can ABS/ESP code be cleared too?)

What sort of stuff can it not do? I'm just wondering because if I can avoid having to pay $300 for the official VAGCOM gear then I will avoid it at all costs. A lot of other things on the car I'd rather spend the money on

[the_clive]

I haven't been this confused for quite some time!

So some non official VAGCOM gear, like Actron, can clear codes and relay correct information about the car's 'health' ?
(Can ABS/ESP code be cleared too?)

What sort of stuff can it not do? I'm just wondering because if I can avoid having to pay $300 for the official VAGCOM gear then I will avoid it at all costs. A lot of other things on the car I'd rather spend the money on

So it reckons. It may however be limited in resetting service messages however i have a service due in 2000 kms so I'll let you know if it works or not...

You need to unlock these options within the app though - i suggest downloading the u-scan app and checking out the functions yourself - its free from the app store

But the product says it works with all 1996 + vehicles with obd2 and has the ability to clear codes - have a look at the review link i posted in an earlier post - it gives a pretty good overview of its capabilities. But once i get mine in a couple of weeks, i'll officially review it (with pictures) and let the VWW members be the judge

[greg32]

I originally bought a microcan cable. This was really good exept it didn't work on the wifes car. I sold it and bought the hexcan cable. The Ross-Tech cable allows many things to be customised so the car is nicer on a daily basis. I have set mine to Euro as it allows me to use the high beam lights and the some other little things which are a bit quirky with the Aus setting. It allows each module to be set the way you want not the way the dealer dictated. Fault codes are saved into a txt file for review as well.

[unrealshots]

I have a MacBook Pro here and use Parallels to run Windows. It works perfectly with VCDS (as well as pretty much everything else I have tried that needs some piece of hardware that is Windows only).

As for cheap scanner vs VCDS. Many will be fine for clearing basic codes, resetting the service interval and probably most stuff the average backyard mechanic is likely to come up against... But if you're going to be tinkering much more than regular oil changes VCDS can be a handy thing to have around.

Another option for Mac users is Virtual Box and the Microsoft XP virtual machine they ship for Windows 7... Both are available for the "right price"

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[LeStig]

My cheap n cheerful reader.... as said bought to clear a fault on a A6 but it checked and cleared any issues re Engine, ABS, Auto Trans and airbags on the Bora....

[the_clive]

Hmmmm will keep that one in mind! Cheers!