In short
A hidden feature activation is a change to the coding of a module in your Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Cupra or Skoda to switch on a feature the car is capable of but which comes disabled: for example, closing the windows with the remote fob, folding the mirrors on locking or showing more data in the instrument cluster. It is only possible if the car has the hardware needed (the mirror motor, the screen, the sensor), so we read its equipment first. We do not activate anything that affects safety or type approval. We save the original coding so it can be reversed. Price on request, in Alcalá de Henares or wherever your car is, within the Community of Madrid.
Coding is not fitting
In a modern car, every feature depends on two things at once: a physical component (a motor, a screen, a sensor, an aerial) and a configuration in the module that controls it, which tells it whether that feature exists and how it should behave.
The Volkswagen group uses the same modules across many models and trim levels. Rather than making a separate version of each one, it fits the same hardware and changes the configuration according to what you bought. That is why your car sometimes has everything a feature needs and is simply waiting for someone to switch it on. That is a hidden feature activation.
And for the same reason, not every feature can be activated on every car. If the mirror has no folding motor, no coding will fold it.
What can usually be activated
These are common features across the group, grouped by type. This is not a list of what your car has: each one depends on the model, the year and whether the hardware is fitted.
| Category | Feature | What it depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Opening and closing all the windows by holding down the remote fob button | Compatible comfort module and windows with anti-trap protection |
| Comfort | Folding the mirrors when you lock the car | Mirrors with a folding motor |
| Comfort | Making the boot or doors behave differently when unlocking | Compatible locking and tailgate modules |
| Lighting | Welcome and follow-me-home lights when you arrive or leave | Headlights and interior lights that support it |
| Lighting | Comfort indicator settings | Lighting module |
| Information | More data in the cluster or on the screen: oil temperature, battery voltage, other views | Type of cluster and screen version |
| Information | Hidden menus on the infotainment screen | Infotainment unit version |
| Assistance | Adjusting how Start&Stop works or the memory of some driver aids | Modules and software version |
On the VAG group page you will find what else we do on these makes besides activations.
What we don't activate or deactivate
Some things can technically be changed and we still don't do them, because they affect safety or the way the car was type-approved:
- Seat belt warnings: these are a safety system required for the vehicle's type approval. They are not disabled.
- Video or manual navigation input while driving: screens lock while the car is moving so as not to distract the driver. We don't change that.
- Mandatory safety systems: Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 (Art. 6) requires new cars to have systems such as intelligent speed assistance: the driver can switch it off, but it must return to normal operation every time the ignition is switched on. We do not leave them permanently off.
- Lighting outside type approval: changing the intensity or functions of the headlights or daytime running lights can take the car outside its type approval. We only touch settings that do not alter the approved operation.
- Mileage: never changed, in any module.
If you are unsure about a particular feature, ask us first and we will tell you whether it falls into this category.
How we check your car
Module read-out
we connect the diagnostic equipment and see which modules your car has and with which hardware and software versions.
Factory equipment
we cross-check this against the car's equipment codes, which appear on the vehicle data sticker (usually in the boot and in the service book).
List of what's possible
we tell you which of the features you want can be activated on your car, and which can't and why.
Copy of the original coding
before changing anything, we save the configuration of every module we are going to touch.
Activation and test
we activate, test each feature with you and check that no fault has been logged.
If stored faults turn up in any module during the read-out, we will mention them. Sometimes a feature that "can't be activated" doesn't work because a component is faulty: that is then a job for electronic diagnostics.
When it isn't worth it
- The car doesn't have the hardware: we will tell you after reading it, without activating anything.
- The feature already exists in a menu: it is often on the infotainment screen, under vehicle settings, and you only need to find it.
- The module has a version that doesn't support it and would need updating: we weigh this up with you, because an update can change other things.
How much it costs
Activations are price on request. It depends on how many features you want, how many modules need work and whether we come to you. If you bring several at once, they are done in the same session. You can ask for a price using the quote form.
Tell us your model, the year and which features you are interested in. We will tell you which ones are possible on your version before you come in.
Official sources
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