Permanently Disable "Service Due" Light
#11
Doesn't that cable and software require a PC? I have no interest in buying a PC and a Cable just to reset a service due light. I'm not sure what other DIY work would be precluded without the VCDS, but if I do need a VCDS to perform that other DIY work then I would also have the same objection (the functionality to do ordinary maintenance and repairs should be built-in).
#12
AudiWorld Super User
You can always opt for a different vehicle.
It is what it is. It has been that way on almost all Audis since the mid 90's, with a brief gap on a few circa 2000. If it doesn't work for you I would suggest you move to the next vehicle rather than wave the "design defect" stuff. The beauty of the marketplace.
If you intend to DIY on an Audi, the cable is cost effective for a bunch of other diagnostics, as well as assessing electronic and other problems you will never find otherwise during warranty and that would otherwise go uncaught and unfixed and then bite later. Search if you want to know more, or buy the next brand w/out that diagnostic and get hit by similar gremlins off warranty with no practical ability to find them--a la Toyota, Chrysler, Merc,, Mini/BMW, Ford and a variety of others I have owned. Night and day difference for serious diagnostics and capabilities.
If you intend to DIY on an Audi, the cable is cost effective for a bunch of other diagnostics, as well as assessing electronic and other problems you will never find otherwise during warranty and that would otherwise go uncaught and unfixed and then bite later. Search if you want to know more, or buy the next brand w/out that diagnostic and get hit by similar gremlins off warranty with no practical ability to find them--a la Toyota, Chrysler, Merc,, Mini/BMW, Ford and a variety of others I have owned. Night and day difference for serious diagnostics and capabilities.
#13
AudiWorld Senior Member
Our 2000 & 2008 A4's could be reset on the dash, the 2011 Q5 oil change reset only on dash. The VCDS cable is needed for rear brake pad replacement and clearing non-drivetrain codes that OBD scanners cannot see. We are lucky to have such a great tool available to us. With 2 Audi's it was not a difficult decision.
#14
AudiWorld Super User
To do rear brake pads you need the VCDS
Doesn't that cable and software require a PC? I have no interest in buying a PC and a Cable just to reset a service due light. I'm not sure what other DIY work would be precluded without the VCDS, but if I do need a VCDS to perform that other DIY work then I would also have the same objection (the functionality to do ordinary maintenance and repairs should be built-in).
A VCDS is cheap and needed to troubleshoot/fix many vehicle systems.
Otheriwse stay away from Euro cars.....
#15
AudiWorld Super User
I'm still perplexed how this design issue could be deemed acceptable by anyone. If Audi does not disclose to buyers (before the purchase) that they will be unable to perform routine service without a trip to an Audi dealer (along with written proof of service) to reset the service light, then in those cases Audi should provide owners the necessary equipment or fix the design defect.
Believe it or not there are many people who drive the car for 30 to 40.000 km that does not do the oil change, they just add oil but not changing.
Another reason why exists "Service Due" Light . In Europe, if you do not do service to the factory plan, you lose the factory warranty on your car.
To make guarantee to be valid, it must be regularly maintained car by schedule the factory
Regular oil change is not only that, the car connects to the database to eliminate possible errors and to see if there is a software upgrade
If you do not like it, as you wrote Bob Petruska "Otherwise stay away from Euro cars"
Last edited by spijun; 04-03-2014 at 09:52 PM.
#16
AudiWorld Super User
Ganny,
I don't like round tires but I can't figure out how you could call that a DEFECT.
Don't like the service light? Do what everyone else does, put a piece of black tape over it.
I can just hear the ladies at Audi after getting your call: "Hey, did you hear what this guy said?"
Defect? Sure, right after you explain that the "Passenger Air Bag is OFF!" light is a distraction when there's no one in the passenger seat. I'll back you up on that one.
I don't like round tires but I can't figure out how you could call that a DEFECT.
Don't like the service light? Do what everyone else does, put a piece of black tape over it.
I can just hear the ladies at Audi after getting your call: "Hey, did you hear what this guy said?"
Defect? Sure, right after you explain that the "Passenger Air Bag is OFF!" light is a distraction when there's no one in the passenger seat. I'll back you up on that one.
#17
AudiWorld Super User
At first I thought that there might be an arcane NHTSA regulation requiring the passenger airbag light be illuminated at all times if deactivated, even if the seat was unoccupied but after some digging, I found that the rule clearly states otherwise. Why Audi chose to disregard this exception is puzzling (and aggravating). There's already a seat sensor for the passenger seat belt warning which could have been used for the airbag light.
From NHTSA Airbag Regulatory text (highlighted text mine):
S19.2.3 The vehicle shall be equipped with a telltale light on the instrument panel which is illuminated whenever the passenger air bag is deactivated and not illuminated whenever the passenger air bag is activated, except that the telltale need not illuminate when the passenger seat is unoccupied. The telltale:<dd>(a) Shall be clearly visible from all front seating positions;
</dd><dd>(b) Shall be yellow;
</dd><dd>(c) Shall have the identifying words "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" on the telltale or within 25 mm (1.0 inch)of the telltale.....</dd><dt>
</dt><dt>http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/ruli...rgtxt1020.html</dt>
From NHTSA Airbag Regulatory text (highlighted text mine):
S19.2.3 The vehicle shall be equipped with a telltale light on the instrument panel which is illuminated whenever the passenger air bag is deactivated and not illuminated whenever the passenger air bag is activated, except that the telltale need not illuminate when the passenger seat is unoccupied. The telltale:<dd>(a) Shall be clearly visible from all front seating positions;
</dd><dd>(b) Shall be yellow;
</dd><dd>(c) Shall have the identifying words "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" on the telltale or within 25 mm (1.0 inch)of the telltale.....</dd><dt>
</dt><dt>http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/ruli...rgtxt1020.html</dt>
#18
AudiWorld Expert
Exactly right. Cars are more complicated now and if you want to do your own work then one should have a Ross VAG-COM.
It is what it is. It has been that way on almost all Audis since the mid 90's, with a brief gap on a few circa 2000. If it doesn't work for you I would suggest you move to the next vehicle rather than wave the "design defect" stuff. The beauty of the marketplace.
If you intend to DIY on an Audi, the cable is cost effective for a bunch of other diagnostics, as well as assessing electronic and other problems you will never find otherwise during warranty and that would otherwise go uncaught and unfixed and then bite later. Search if you want to know more, or buy the next brand w/out that diagnostic and get hit by similar gremlins off warranty with no practical ability to find them--a la Toyota, Chrysler, Merc,, Mini/BMW, Ford and a variety of others I have owned. Night and day difference for serious diagnostics and capabilities.
If you intend to DIY on an Audi, the cable is cost effective for a bunch of other diagnostics, as well as assessing electronic and other problems you will never find otherwise during warranty and that would otherwise go uncaught and unfixed and then bite later. Search if you want to know more, or buy the next brand w/out that diagnostic and get hit by similar gremlins off warranty with no practical ability to find them--a la Toyota, Chrysler, Merc,, Mini/BMW, Ford and a variety of others I have owned. Night and day difference for serious diagnostics and capabilities.
#19
AudiWorld Super User
snagit-
"except that the telltale need not "
Simpler and cheaper not to implement that option. And I'll bet someone's legal department said "Well, it isn't REQUIRED to be on all the time but we feel..."
If I don't find some "wood" that matches the interior, I'll put a piece of electrical tape over it. Got any suggestions for "wood" trim?
"except that the telltale need not "
Simpler and cheaper not to implement that option. And I'll bet someone's legal department said "Well, it isn't REQUIRED to be on all the time but we feel..."
If I don't find some "wood" that matches the interior, I'll put a piece of electrical tape over it. Got any suggestions for "wood" trim?
#20
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SF, CA
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I'm still perplexed how this design issue could be deemed acceptable by anyone. If Audi does not disclose to buyers (before the purchase) that they will be unable to perform routine service without a trip to an Audi dealer (along with written proof of service) to reset the service light, then in those cases Audi should provide owners the necessary equipment or fix the design defect.
The VCDS PC software runs fine on my MacBook Pro under VMware and WinXP (which I still have around due to having to on occasion having to run PIC programmers and such). Just assign the USB device to the VM permanently. I'd guess it also would work with VMware Workstation and WinXP on Linux. Probably virtualbox, xen, and others as well. There's a mobile version for Android and iOS (though it's $399) even. It's such a trivial obstacle it's really not worth getting worked up over.