VAG-COM: CAN-Bus Information - Ross-Tech

What is CAN and why is it important?

CAN stands for Controller Area Network. CAN is a new means of communicating with the car for diagnostics used by the latest generations of VW, Audi, SEAT, and Skoda vehicles. Unlike the older ISO9141 system which used a single K-line for diagnostic communications, the new CAN-Bus system uses a twisted pair of wires with differential signaling. CAN is considerably faster than ISO-9141 (500 kbps vs. 10.4 kbps). Both new hardware and new software are required in order to communicate with cars using CAN for diagnostics.

What Cars Use CAN for Diagnostics? (Click on the links of info on each vehicle)

• With very few exceptions*, all 2008 and newer VW/Audi Group cars require CAN

• All Golf platform cars (Mk5/Mk6/Mk7) including:

  • 2003+ VW Touran (1T chassis)

  • 2004+ VW Golf/Rabbit/GTI (1K chassis) (2010+ models may have AJ in the VIN)

  • 2004+ VW Caddy (2K chassis)

  • 2004+ Audi A3/S3 (8P chassis) (2010+ models may have FM in the VIN)

  • 2004+ Seat Altea (5P chassis)

  • 2004+ Skoda Octavia (1Z chassis)

  • 2005+ Seat Toledo (5P chassis)

  • 2005+ Golf Plus (5M chassis)

  • 2005+ Seat Leon (1P chassis)

  • 2005.5+ Jetta/GLI (1K chassis) (2010+ models may have AJ in the VIN)

  • 2006+ Eos (1F chassis) (2010+ models may have AH in the VIN)

  • 2007+ Audi TT (8J chassis) (2010+ models may have FK in the VIN)

  • 2007+ VW Golf Variant/Wagon (1K chassis)

  • 2008+ VW Tiguan (5N chassis) (2010+ models may have AX in the VIN)

  • 2008+ Audi A3 Cabriolet (8P chassis)

  • 2011+ VW Jetta (16/AJ chassis)

  • 2012+ VW Beetle (5C/AT chassis)

  • 2013+ VW Golf Mk7 (5G/AU chassis)

  • 2013+ Audi A3/S3 (8V/FF chassis)

  • 2013+ Seat Leon (Rest-of-World) (5F chassis)

  • 2013+ Skoda Octavia (Rest-of-World) (5E/NE chassis)

  • 2015+ Audi TT (Rest-of-World) (8S/FV chassis)

• 2003+ Audi A8 and A8L (D3 platform, 4E chassis) (2010+ models may also have FA in the VIN)

• 2005+ Audi A6/S6/RS6 (C6 platform, 4F chassis) (2010+ models may also have FB in the VIN)

• 2005+ Audi A4/S4/RS4 ("B7" platform) (some control modules)

• 2005.5+ VW Passat (B6 Platform, 3C chassis) (2010+ models may also have AN in the VIN)

• 2006+ VW Crafter/LT3

• 2006+ Audi Q7 (4L chassis) (2010+ models may also have FE in the VIN)

• 2006+ Multicar Tremo (only engine is diagnostics-capable)

• 2007+ VW Touareg (7L6 chassis) ("facelift", built after Nov. 30 2006) (2010+ may have A9 in VIN)

• 2007+ VW Phaeton (3D chassis) ("facelift", MY 2008+)

• 2007+ Audi R8 (42 chassis) (2010+ models may have FG in the VIN)

• 2008+ Bentley Continental GT/Flying Spur (3W chassis) ("facelift", MY 2008+)

• 2008+ Audi A5/S5 (B8 platform, 8T chassis) (2010+ models may also have FR in the VIN)

• 2008+ Audi A4/S4/RS4 (B8 platform, 8K chassis) (2010+ models may also have FL in the VIN)

• 2008+ VW Passat CC (35 chassis) (2010+ models may also have AN in the VIN)

• 2008+ Seat Ibiza (6J chassis)

• 2008+ Skoda Superb (3T chassis)

• 2008+ KTM X-Bow (requires special KTM adapter and only Engine "talks")

• 2009+ VW Scirocco (13 chassis)

• 2009+ VW Golf Mk.6 (5K chassis)

• 2009+ Audi Q5 (8R chassis) (2010+ models may have FP in the VIN)

• 2009+ Seat Exeo (3R chassis)

• 2010+ Skoda Yeti (5L chassis)

• 2010+ Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet (8F/FR chassis), (North America models may have FH in the VIN)

• 2010+ VW Amarok

• 2010+ VW Polo (6R chassis)

• 2010+ VW Transporter T5 facelift (7E/7F chassis)

• 2011+ Audi A1 (8X chassis)

• 2011+ Audi Q3 (8U/FS chassis)

• 2011+ Audi A7 (4L/FC chassis)

• 2011+ Audi A8 (4H/FD chassis)

• 2011+ Seat Alhambra (71 chassis)

• 2011+ VW Sharan (7N)

• 2011+ Bentley Mulsannee (3Y chassis)

• 2012+ Audi A6 (4G chassis)

• 2012+ VW Passat (NMS) (A3 chassis)

• 2012+ VW up! (12 chassis)

• 2015+ Skoda Superb III (3V chassis)

• 2015+ VW Passat B8 (Rest-of-World) (3G chassis)

* The New Beetle continued to use the older k-line diagnostics only incorporating CAN for Generic OBD-2 in 2008 as mandated by the EPA. Other holdover models such as the 7V Seat Alhambra, 6L Seat Ibiza/Cordoba, 6Y/5J Skoda Fabia, 1U Skoda Octavia, 5J Skoda Roomster, 3U Skoda Superb and others may have continued to use the older k-line diagnostics into and past 2008. In doubt, contact Ross-Tech via email.

Does VCDS work with cars that require direct CAN access for diagnostics?

Yes! We have integrated CAN compatibility since the Release 404.0 version of our software, but obviously, an interface capable of communicating via CAN is required. The HEX+CAN, the Micro-CAN, and all of our current interfaces have are capable of communicating via CAN.

Do the CAN-Bus Interfaces also work with older vehicles that use the k-line?

Yes! The HEX+CAN and all of our current interfaces are fully backwards compatible with older vehicles that use either single or dual K-lines as well, so they work with all VW/Audi/SEAT/Skoda from 1996-current.

However, our low-cost Micro-CAN interfaces are not backwards compatible with older cars.

I am an existing Ross-Tech customer. Can I upgrade my Interface to work with the vehicles using CAN-Bus diagnostics?

Yes! Please click here for the Interface Upgrade Section of our Store.

I am not a Ross-Tech customer. How do I buy an Interface and software to work with the vehicles using CAN-Bus diagnostics?

• See our Interfaces Page to learn more about our different hardware.

• Click here to purchase a VCDS system in our Store.

A 1K Chassis Golf-5 connected using a prototype HEX-USB+CAN Interface -- February 2004