Volkswagen Touran Owners Manual: Information stored in the control units

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings 

Your vehicle is factory fitted with electronic control units which are responsible for engine and gearbox management. The control units also monitor the function of the exhaust system and the airbags.

These electronic control units continuously evaluate data relevant to the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven. Only these data will be stored if there are any faults recorded or any deviations from the specified values. This is generally displayed by the indicator lamps on the instrument cluster.

Special units are required to read out and evaluate data stored in the control units.

These data are stored so that specialist workshops are able to diagnose and solve problems. The following data may have been stored:

• Engine and gearbox-relevant data

• Speed

• Direction of travel

• Braking power

• Seat belt monitor

The control units do not record conversations taking place in the vehicle.

In vehicles with an emergency call function via a mobile telephone or other units, the current location can be transmitted. In the event of an accident in which the control units register that an airbag has deployed, the system can automatically send out a signal. This depends on your service provider. Transmission is possible only in areas with a sufficiently strong mobile telephone signal.

Event data recorder

The vehicle is not fitted with an event data recorder.

Information concerning the vehicle is stored temporarily in an event data recorder. In this way one has exact information about an accident. In vehicles with an airbag system, accident relevant data such as impact speed, belt buckle status, seat positions and trigger speed can be stored. The scope of the data is manufacturer-specific.

An event data recorder may only be fitted if the owner has approved the procedure. This is covered by legislation in some countries.

Reprogramming control units

All data for the control of components are stored in the control units. Some convenience functions, such as lane-change flash, single door unlocking and displays, can be reprogrammed using special workshop equipment. If this is the case, the descriptions in your vehicle wallet will no longer correspond with the original functions. Volkswagen recommends that you have any reprogramming confirmed in the service schedule under Workshop comments.

Information about possible reprogramming can be obtained from the Volkswagen dealer.

Reading the vehicle's fault memory

There is a diagnosis interface in the vehicle interior to read the fault memories. The fault memory documents the faults and deviations from the specified values in the electronic control units.

The diagnosis interface is located in the footwell on the driver side behind a cover next to the lever for opening the bonnet.

The fault memory should be read and reset by a qualified workshop only.