SFD2 and VCDS

[VR28LT]

Hi guys , just recently took delivery of a brand new Allspace Wolfsburg ... Is it still possible to use VCDS or OBDeleven to reset service indicators and release the park brake to swap out rear pads ? Ive heard that these SFD2 equipped cars now do not respond to coding changes which is what it is but does that mean service items can only be done at the dealership now ?

[gerhard]

You can do simple things like that - I have done both these things you mention with OBD11. Not sure about VCDS, but I think it's not there yet.

[DV52]

@VR28LT: Hi.

OK - so you have decided to go the VCDS route instead of OBD11? Ain't nothing wrong with that choice. They are both very good diagnostic devices IMO - albeit I keep reading on the Ross-Tech forum that the competitor tool is called a "toy". I suspect this pejorative descriptor is more about ill-informed blind loyalty to VCDS because IMHO, OBD11 is just as good as VCDS and in some areas it way surpasses the Ross-Tech device!

An obvious example of the better tool is how each diagnostic device treats SFD- despite multiple assurances that VCDS will have an integrated solution for SFD, and regardless that these promises have persisted for almost 5 years, VCDS still isn't compatible!! Alas this means that as things stand today - your new VCDS device is ...........well, "as useful as a fart in a space suit" on any VAG vehicle built after 2020 (forgive my choice of adage)!!

BUT - you have purchased VCDS, so I suggest that you put it to (limited) use - at least as much as is possible!

My advice is to first confirm which form of protection protocol infects your new car (incidentally, congratulations on the purchase!!). I'm not sure about "a brand new Allspace Wolfsburg" - likely it will have SFD2 (I hope that it doesn't), but it's worth confirming your assumption IMO!

Create a SCAN report for the car and review the details of the key modules:

Below are a couple of examples of modules with SFD protection from VCDS scans:

Canada 2022 Golf GTE
Address 17: Instruments (J285)
Part No SW: 5H0 920 340 B HW: 5H0 920 340 B
Component: KOMBI 220 5370
Dataset Number: V03935353UH 0001
Coding: 08BC02427B9CCF050280620B2000000830300000
ASAM Dataset: EV_DashBoardVDDMQB37W 003033
ROD: EV_DashBoardVDDMQB37W_003_VW38.rod
VCID: 211489E2D14B964200D-8074 SFD

NAR 2022 Golf R
Address 17: Instruments (J285)
Part No SW: 5H0 920 340 B HW: 5H0 920 340 B
Component: KOMBI 220 5350
Dataset Number: V03935353UH 0001
Coding: 04AC02407B9C00080180620B2000080810300000
ASAM Dataset: EV_DashBoardVDDMQB37W 003033
ROD: EV_DashBoardVDDMQB37W_003_VW38.rod
VCID: 210A021930D65E9BE4-8074 SFD

Notice the word "SFD" on the VCID field!

And below is an example of a module from VCDS for a vehicle that has SFD2:

EU 2024 Tiguan
Address 2B: Steer. Col. Lock (J764)
Part No SW: 3WA 905 861 HW: 3WA 905 861
Component: ELV-MQB_UNECE H05 0063
Serial number: 24000092736002 Dataset Number: V03935396MA 0001
Coding: 8820000000000000
Shop #: WSC 01357 011 00200
ASAM Dataset: EV_ELVMarqUNECE 003006
ROD: EV_ELVMarqUNECE.rod
VCID: 084D55ABC2B7D10A2FB-805C-R SFD

Notice that whilst VCDS still reports "SFD" in the VCID field, there are references to UNECE in multiple fields. UNECE = United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - this is the umbrella organization under which SFD2 is used by VAG.

So, bottom-line:

1. If the SCAN mentions "SFD" in the VCID field - VCDS can NOT open those modules that have this designation without first getting TOKENs via a separate convoluted process (this process is not applicable to "enthusiast" VCDS users). That said, this car likely also will have modules that do NOT have the designation. These modules can be accessed and coded, and the "normal" 5 x digit security codes apply
2. If the SCAN mentions "UNECE" in any of the module fields - the entire CAN/Ethernet network on this car is locked and very little can be done with VCDS, alas!!

For fairness, I need to end with few words about OBD11 - unlike VCDS, this tool DOES work on cars that have SFD protection and the software is now stable because it has been operating for multiple years across many models and across many VAG brands. However, like VCDS - OBD11 also does NOT yet work properly with the newest SFD2 protocols (and AFAIK, neither does any other third-market diagnostic device).

And finally for absolute balance, OBD11 has its own set of disadvantages - like the appalling and unfathomable format of its structured reports (which I suspect were designed by a code-cutter on the OBD11 mother-ship that was taking hallucinogenic drugs !!! ). VCDS does a much better job of this aspect of a diagnostic device - again, IMO of course

Don