VW Passat (36) Tweaks

Ross-Tech is not responsible for any damage or problems that may result from following these instructions. They are to be used at your own risk.

These instructions apply to the VW Passat (3C/AN) MY 2011 only and VW Passat CC (35/AN) MY 2011 and up. These vehicles use a "BCM" instead of the the older / conventional 09-Central Electronics module. This can be easily identified by looking at the Component Field in VCDS for the BCM identification.

Note: For many 20010 and older vehicles, the previous generation 09-Central Electronics module is installed. Those models are not covered on this page but the common tweaks can be found here instead: Common Modifications & Tweaks

• It is always recommended to perform a complete Auto-Scan and save it prior to coding changes. Please see the Online Manual: Auto Scan Screen
• Never Copy coding from a different vehicle and Paste it to your module(s)!
  

The installed control modules vary by vendor, firmware level and equipment level, some of the noted tweaks may not be supported by all control modules / vehicles.

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[08] - Heating/Air Conditioning

Drivers heated seat memory
The Driver side heated seat level (i.e. 1, 2 or 3) should resume the previous level upon restarting the car.

• Found in Adaptation. From the drop down list, choose Storage of seat heater level driver. Change to On and Save.
  • This may not be supported on all control modules.

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[09] - Central Electronics / Body Control Module (BCM)

Note: Make sure to have all Doors unlocked, otherwise this Control Module may not communicate with the Scan Tool / VCDS.

Lighting

All modifications are found in Found in [Coding - 07] > Long Coding Helper unless otherwise noted. Click on each of the Bytes and Bits for the documented options and check or un-check the appropriate boxes as shown in the example below:

[Select]
[09 - Cent. Elect.] Or the module you intend on tweaking as per the list below
[Coding - 07]
[Long Coding Helper]
Click on each of the Byte numbers in row 3) and you'll see the selectable options below. Check or Un-check the boxes for the desired results. Example: Permanent Running Light (PRL) via Low Beam active

Close the Long Coding Helper by clicking the Windows X box on the top right of the screen or clicking the Exit button on the top left of the screen to send your altered Coding value back to the Coding screen.
[Do It!]
.

Daytime Running Lights - The lamp systems (i.e. DRL or PRL) are different and only ONE option is enabled:

• Factory Xenon or Halogen DRL's that are using the main low/dipped beam – Byte 11 (PRL)
• Factory configurations using a separate bulb or filament for DRL function only – Byte 15 (DRL)
  

Fogs as Daytime Running Lights Xenon or Halogen DRL's that are using the main low/dipped beam (PRL)

• Byte 11 - Un-check "Daytime Running Lights (via Low Beam) active"
• Byte 14 - Check "Daytime Running Lights (DRL) via Fog Lights active"
  

Fogs and Headlights as DRLs (Both) Xenon or Halogen DRL's that are using the main low/dipped beam (PRL)

• Byte 11 - leave this alone (DRL's on)
• Byte 14 - Check "Daytime Running Lights (DRL) via Fog Lights active"
  

Fogs as Daytime Running Lights for alternate configurations Factory configurations using a separate bulb or filament for DRL function only (DRL)

• Disable Factory DRL's in Byte 15 - un-check "Daytime Running Lights (via separate lights) active"
• Byte 14 - Check "Daytime Running Lights (DRL) via Fog Lights active"
  

Note: Depending on the Byte 18 coding, this may result in all of the parking lights illuminating.

Cornering Lights via Front Fog Lights active

Notes: After "Cornering Lights via Front Fog Lights active" is enabled, the lights may work under the following conditions:

• The headlights must be turned on and the steering wheel must be in the turning direction.
• The headlights must be turned on and the turn signal must be on in the turning direction.
• Also see Byte 17, Adaptive Light/Cornering Light Variant. This seems to control the fogs as cornering lights with turn signal.
  

Front and /or Rear Fog Light dimming behavior with High Beams

• Depending on equipment level, two separate coding bits should be available.
  
• Automatic Front and /or Rear Fog Light dimming (shutting OFF) may be required by law, altering these settings is NOT recommended.
  

Comfort Turn signals

• Found in Adaptation. From the drop down list, choose the number of flashes and Save.
  
• Coding may apply to this setting in some cases.
  

Emergency Brake Warning via turn signals and/or via brake lights active
The vehicle must be under panic stopping conditions before the lighting activates as shown here.

Byte 18 - Do Not alter this if you are not retrofitting rear lights !

Coming Home / Leaving Home

Options are primarily found in Coding, Long Coding helper. Some Adaptation Channels may be available after enabling coding options.

Coming Home

• Several Bits may control CH options such as Manual or Automatic.
  • Coming-Home Timer (0 = Start with Term.15 OFF / 1 = Start with Door Opening)
  • Coming-Home Mode (0 = automatic with RLS / 1 = manual with pull of HL stalk)
  • Coming-Home (CH) active
    • Note:If the vehicle is not equipped with an "Auto" headlight switch and a (RLS) light sensor, coming home activation should require you to pull the high beam stalk back briefly after shutting the vehicle off and before exiting. The coding configuration should be set to Manual. The description should be found in your owner's manual.
      

Leaving Home

• Leaving-Home (LH) active
  • Leaving home will require the "Auto" switch and a (RLS) light sensor. The description should be found in your owners manual.
    

Coming Home/Leaving Home via Fog-Lights and Parking lights

• Found in Coding, the Adaptation values for the duration of time are not affected.

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[17] - Instrument Cluster

Staging
The gauge needles should sweep from default to max upon starting the car. This is Not supported on all instrument clusters.

• Found in [Adaptation -10]. From the drop down list, choose Staging. Change to On and Save.
  

Seat Belt Light May remove the chime as well

• Found in [Coding - 07] > Long Coding Helper
  

Service Interval Reset

• Found in Adaptation, Choose "ESI: Resetting ESI" from the drop-down menu.
  

• Most North American vehicles with the UDS/ODX protocol instrument clusters have a "Reset" that can be accessed via the MFA, without a scan tool. Pictures here:
  

1. Service Menu
2. Service Reset
3. Service Info
   

Modify Service Intervals Mileage and Time

• Found in Adaptation, Choose "SID: maximum value of distance to service" or "SID: maximum value of time to service"
  

Fuel Gauge and Fuel Consumption Adaption

• Found in Adaptation
  • See the notes in this forum which apply to most newer (UDS) clusters: Fuel Gauge Adaption
    

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Windows

Found in [Coding - 07] > Long Coding Helper

Windows up via remote Comfort Operation (via Remote Control)

• Uncheck the box for "Comfort function power windows/sunroof via remote control inactive"
  
• Check the box for "Comfort opening power windows via remote control active"
  
• Check the box for "Comfort closing power windows via remote control active"
  
• Check the box for "Closing sunroof via remote control active"
  

Note, For some reason, VW does not allow the sunroof to be opened using the remote, only closed, despite the presence of a checkbox indication for that feature.

Alarm and Locking

Options are primarily found in [Coding - 07] > Long Coding Helper. Additional Adaptation -10 Channels may be available after enabling coding options.

Alarm Confirmation via lights and horn

• "Locking Confirmation (Horn) via Remote Control"
• "Locking Confirmation (Blink) via Remote Control"
• "Unlocking Confirmation (Horn) via Remote Control"
• "Unlocking Confirmation (Blink) via Remote Control"
  

Auto-Lock

• "Auto-Lock (automatic locking from 15 km/h)"
  

Auto-UnLock

• "Auto-Unlock (unlocking after removing key from ignition)"
  

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Retrofits

Some of the common retrofits are found in the Ross-Tech Wiki in this location: Retrofitting.