mikee30

Hi,
I have read about various tools available for the Q5 and was hoping for a recommendation for a tool that can reset the service indicator message and release the EPB for rear brake replacement on a 2014 Audi Q5. I don't need anything fancy - really just to perform these 2 procedures. I'm OK with an ebay quality tool...if that would work too. I have an ELM327 OBD tool I use for general code reading on other cars...can I somehow use this for reseting the service indicator and releasing the EPB?
Maybe I am not understanding VAGCOM, but I have seen quotes for hundreds of dollars or just a wire for 10$ on aliexpress?
Alternatively, I have seen ANCEL VD500 or similar tools seem to be good enough to do the trick?
Looking for suggestions...ideally a tool that can also be used on BMWs would be a plus. If I can leverage my ELM327, that would be great too.
Thanks !

silver_tt

VCDS (aka "VAGCOM") is only $200 and will do everything for 3 VINs. If you only use 1 VIN like I have done so far with mine, you can re-sell it later for approx 2/3rds of the price (I have done this in the past). I find this to be the cheapest tool for this car pound-for-pound by a LONGSHOT. The $10 version is a fake cable that won't give reliable results (which is the whole reason to use this tool in the first place). Doing something like a battery swap can pay for this entire tool in a single use.

If you literally only want service reset indicator and emergency parking brake release you can probably use a tool like OBD Eleven which is a little bit cheaper.

Also just FYI unfortunately you really need a proprietary tool for each brand. Durametric for Porsche, VCDS for Audi, etc. Using a "general" code scanner tool that does "everything" does not work well with these German cars. It may do some functions just fine but you can run into issues with it pulling some error codes, etc.

Matt S

Carista is cheap and works for more than just a service reset works on as many vehicles you want. obdeleven is a good one as well. I personally have never needed VCDS, but if I do plenty of people have them.

arter

Also have carista, which works for service resets and for the rear brakes.

OzzySQ5

+1 for the OBDeleven