BuckeyeMan71
Veteran Member
What’s the difference between the 2? Is one better than the other?
VCDS VAG-COM vs OBDii
- Thread starter BuckeyeMan71
- Start date
JSWTDI09
Top Post Dawg
Simple answer is yes.
Volkswagens basically are bi-lingual, they speak 2 different languages.
One language is ODBII, which is required by law in all new cars. ODBII only cares about the engine and emissions system. It does not (and can not) communicate with all of the other controllers (computers) in your car.
The other language is a VW specific communications protocol. This second language is "spoken" by the diagnostic computers at the VW dealership. It is also spoken by VCDS and a few other diagnostic systems. This allows you to see ALL of the controllers in your car and, read and clear their fault codes, and make various changes and do various maintenance procedures.
ODBII is just emissions basics (which includes the engine), so it is very limited in what it can do. VCDS can do everything that a VW dealer's service department can do except for actually writing new software into those controllers.
Have Fun!
Don
Lightflyer1
Top Post Dawg
First understand that OBDII is a communication standard put in place mostly by CARB back in the mid 90's mostly for emissions testing.
https://www.geotab.com/blog/obd-ii/
Each vehicle manufacturer also has their own proprietary communication protocol as well. These allow them to monitor much more than just emissions related stuff.
VCDS is a tool that can read and access both OBDII and VW communication standards. Generic OBDII readers/scanners can only read the OBDII standard.
Your question should then be which is better, VCDS or a generic OBDII scanner/reader?
Of course VCDS is better than a generic scanner as it can read both standards and provide more information than the generic OBDII scanner can. VCDS can also let you enable some functions on the car that are not accessible with a generic OBDII scanner.
There are other scanners out there that read other manufacturers special codes as well. Cost is high for some of these too!
https://www.geotab.com/blog/obd-ii/
Each vehicle manufacturer also has their own proprietary communication protocol as well. These allow them to monitor much more than just emissions related stuff.
VCDS is a tool that can read and access both OBDII and VW communication standards. Generic OBDII readers/scanners can only read the OBDII standard.
Your question should then be which is better, VCDS or a generic OBDII scanner/reader?
Of course VCDS is better than a generic scanner as it can read both standards and provide more information than the generic OBDII scanner can. VCDS can also let you enable some functions on the car that are not accessible with a generic OBDII scanner.
There are other scanners out there that read other manufacturers special codes as well. Cost is high for some of these too!
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Yes you basically got the answer from the guys above. However, it depends on your specific needs. Try to check this article out and it might help you with the process.
www.autopi.io
Complete OBD2 Tutorial: Mastering Car Diagnostic Tools & Systems
From novice to expert, our OBD2 guide dives deep into car diagnostic systems. Empower yourself with the know-how to troubleshoot vehicle issues.
www.autopi.io