Performing regular maintenance on your Volkswagen Automotive Group (VAG) vehicle is crucial for its longevity and performance. Modern VAG vehicles, including Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, and SEAT models, are equipped with a service interval reminder system. This system alerts you when your car is due for servicing, based on mileage, time, or driving conditions. After completing a service, it’s essential to reset this reminder. This article will guide you on how to perform a “Vag Service” – specifically, resetting your service interval reminder using a VAG-COM or VCDS diagnostic tool.
It’s important to note that Ross-Tech or obd-de.com are not responsible for any damage or problems that may arise from following these instructions. These instructions are for informational purposes and should be used at your own risk. If you are unsure about any step, it is always recommended to consult a professional mechanic.
Understanding VAG Service Interval Reminders
VAG vehicles utilize sophisticated service reminder systems that can be tailored to different driving styles and vehicle usage. These systems generally track:
- Oil Mileage Interval: Distance driven since the last oil change.
- Service Mileage Interval: Overall distance driven since the last general service.
- Service Time Interval: Time elapsed since the last service.
Some advanced systems also consider oil quality and driving style to determine service intervals, especially in vehicles with flexible service intervals.
Resetting Service Reminders with VCDS (Current Version)
If you are using the current version of VCDS (VAG-COM Diagnostic System), the process for resetting the service reminder is streamlined.
Simply click on the SRI Reset button within the VCDS software interface. VCDS will automatically communicate with your vehicle’s instrument cluster to identify and reset the available service parameters. For more detailed information on using the SRI Reset function, you can refer to the VCDS documentation.
Resetting Service Reminders with Older VAG-COM Versions
For users who are still operating with older versions of VAG-COM, a manual adaptation method is required to reset the service reminders. Here are the general instructions and specific steps based on your vehicle type and service interval.
General Service Reminder Reset Instructions
These instructions are applicable to a range of VAG models and serve as a starting point for resetting basic service reminders.
- Connect VAG-COM: Connect your VAG-COM interface cable to your vehicle’s OBD-II port and your computer.
- Select Control Module: Turn on your vehicle’s ignition and launch the VAG-COM software. Navigate to the control module selection screen and click on [Select] [17 – Instruments]. This will access the instrument cluster control module responsible for service reminders.
- Access Adaptation: Once you are in the “17 – Instruments” module, click on [Adaptation – 10]. This function allows you to modify stored values within the instrument cluster, including service interval settings.
- Enter Channel 02: In the “Channel Number” field, enter 02 and click [Read]. Channel 02 is typically associated with a general service indicator reset. The “Stored Value” displayed is the current value for this channel.
- Set New Value to 0: Enter a “New” value of 0 (zero) in the designated field. This value instructs the system to reset the service reminder.
- Test and Save: Click [Test] to verify the new setting. If the test is successful, click [Save] to permanently store the new value in the instrument cluster.
Note: After resetting the service reminder, it is normal for the instrument cluster display to show “–/–” or similar placeholders instead of the actual distance/time to the next service. This is temporary and will be updated once you have driven a short distance and the system recalculates the service intervals.
Resetting Fixed Service Intervals
For VAG vehicles with fixed service intervals, such as older models or those specifically configured for fixed schedules, the reset procedure involves using specific adaptation channels based on the vehicle model.
Vehicles with Fixed Service Intervals (Polo 6N, Golf IV, Passat B5, Lupo -2002, New Beetle, Bora, Transporter T4)
This section applies to a range of popular VAG models produced up to 2002, and identically constructed models.
- [Select] [17 – Instruments] [Adaptation – 10]
- Enter the correct channel from the chart below in “Channel Number”.
- [Read] The “Stored Value” is the current value for that channel.
- Enter the “New” value from the chart below.
- [Test] [Save]
Example: To reset the OIL reminder in a Golf IV, save a “New” adaptation value of 00015 to channel 10.
| Channel | Indicated on Display | Contents | “New” Adaptation value to reset (Polo 6N, Lupo) | “New” Adaptation value to reset (Golf4, Passat B5, New Beetle, Bora, Transporter T4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | OIL | Distance which can be reset | 00150 | 00015 |
| 11 | INSP | Distance which can be reset | 00300 | 00030 |
| 12 | INSP | Time which can be reset | 00360 | 00036 / 00037 (Passat B5, Transporter T4) |
Note: Distance is in 100’s of km for Polo and Lupo, and 1000’s of km for other models. Time is in days for Polo and Lupo, and 10’s of days for other models.
Service Interval Combinations:
| Service Description | Reset Channels |
|---|---|
| Oil change service every 15000 km | Channel 10 |
| Inspection every 12 months | Channels 10 & 11 |
| Inspection service every 30000 km | Channels 10, 11, & 12 |
Vehicles with Fixed Service Intervals (Sharan)
For the Sharan model with fixed service intervals, use the following channel values:
- [Select] [17 – Instruments] [Adaptation – 10]
- Enter the correct channel from the chart below in “Channel Number”.
- [Read] The “Stored Value” is the current value for that channel.
- Enter the “New” value from the chart below.
- [Test] [Save]
Example: To reset the OIL reminder in a Sharan, save a “New” adaptation value of 00150 to channel 10.
| Channel | Indicated on Display | Contents | “New” Adaptation value to reset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05 | OIL | Distance which can be reset | 00150 |
| 06 | INSP | Time which can be reset | 00360 |
| 07 | IN 01 | – | 00000 |
| 08 | IN 02 | – | 00000 |
Note: Distance is in 100’s of km. Time is in days.
Service Interval Combinations (Sharan):
| Service Description | Reset Channels |
|---|---|
| Oil change service every 15000 km | Channels 05 & 06 |
| Inspection every 12 months | Channels 05, 06, & 07 |
| Inspection service every 30000 km | Channels 05, 06, 07, & 08 |
Resetting Flexible Service Intervals (from MY 1999/2000)
For VAG vehicles manufactured from model year 1999/2000 onwards, many models adopted flexible service intervals. These systems dynamically adjust service intervals based on driving conditions, oil quality, and other factors.
Vehicles with Flexible Service Intervals (Golf IV, Passat B5, New Beetle, Bora, Sharan, Transporter T4 and similar)
This applies to the same models listed above, but specifically for versions equipped with flexible service intervals.
- [Select] [17 – Instruments] [Adaptation – 10]
- Enter the correct channel from the chart below in “Channel Number”.
- [Read] The “Stored Value” is the current value for that channel.
- Enter the “New” value from the chart below.
- [Test] [Save]
| Flexible Service Interval Considerations | Fixed Service Interval Considerations |
|---|---|
| Condition of the Oil | |
| Time | Time |
| Distance | Distance |
| Driving Style |
| Channel | Indicated as “Stored Value” | “New” Adaptation value to reset |
|---|---|---|
| 02 | 00001 = Service Due | 00000 |
| 00000 = Service Done |
Auxiliary Work with Long Life Service:
Resetting channel 2 will automatically reset fixed service intervals (15000/30000/12 months). However, if your vehicle uses Long Life oil and operates on a flexible service schedule, further adaptation is necessary to correctly configure the system based on the oil quality used.
| Channel | Meaning | Contents | “New” Adaptation value to reset (Golf, Passat B5, New Beetle, Bora, Sharan, Transporter T4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Used oil quality | Long Life service Diesel engines Oil per VOLKSWAGEN specification 506.00(TDI) or 506.01(PD) | 00004 |
| Long Life service Gasoline engines Oil per VOLKSWAGEN specification 503.00 | 00002 | ||
| Not Long Life | 00001 | ||
| 43 | Max Distance to Oil Service | Long Life service Diesel engines | 00050 |
| Long Life service Gasoline engines | 00030 | ||
| Not Long Life | 00015 | ||
| 44 | Time | Not Long Life 12 months | 00360 / 00365 (Passat B5, Sharan) / 00360 (New Beetle, Bora, Transporter T4) |
| Long Life 24 Months | 00720 / 00730 (Passat B5, Sharan) / 00720 (New Beetle, Bora, Transporter T4) |
Note: Oil Quality is in arbitrary units. Distance is in 1000’s of km. Time is in days.
Conclusion
Resetting your VAG service reminder is a straightforward process when using VAG-COM or VCDS. By following these instructions and carefully selecting the correct adaptation channels for your vehicle model and service interval type, you can ensure your service indicator accurately reflects your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Remember to always exercise caution and consult professional resources if you are unsure about any step in the VAG service procedure. Properly resetting your service reminder after maintenance is a key part of keeping your VAG vehicle running smoothly and efficiently.
