A
- App-Connect
- Volkswagen Group's name for smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink) on its infotainment units. On many MIB2 and MIB3 units it can be activated by coding. Read more
- Adaptation
- Matching a control unit to a specific car or component, for example teaching a new key, throttle body or module to the vehicle. Different from coding, which sets which features are active.
C
- CIC / NBT / NBT EVO / MGU
- Generations of BMW iDrive head units. CIC and early NBT can't run CarPlay by coding; NBT EVO (iDrive 6) and MGU (iDrive 7) can. Read more
- Coding
- Changing settings in a control unit's existing software, for example enabling a feature, setting the country variant or matching equipment after a retrofit. Lower risk than programming.
- Component Protection (CP)
- A Volkswagen Group anti-theft system that locks protected modules (clusters, infotainment, gateways and others) to the car they were first installed in. A used module shows "Component Protection active" until it is adapted to the new car through the manufacturer's online process. Read more
D
- DoIP
- Diagnostics over Internet Protocol: diagnostic communication over Ethernet instead of the CAN bus. Used by newer cars for faster programming.
E
- ENET cable
- An Ethernet-to-OBD cable used to connect BMW and MINI F-series and G-series cars to ISTA and coding software. Read more
F
- FEC / SWaP
- Feature Enabling Codes (Volkswagen Group, also called SWaP): software licence codes that unlock paid functions such as App-Connect or navigation in a head unit.
- Flashing
- Another word for programming: replacing the software stored in a control unit with a new version. Needs a stable battery voltage and connection. Read more
G
- Gateway
- The control unit that connects a car's data buses and routes messages between modules. On many modern cars it also controls security access for diagnostics.
I
- ICOM
- BMW's dealer diagnostic interface, used with ISTA for diagnosis and programming.
- ISTA
- BMW's dealer workshop software for diagnosis and programming of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Read more
J
- J2534 (pass-thru)
- A standard for vehicle interfaces that lets one interface work with several manufacturers' dealer software, for reprogramming and diagnostics.
M
- MBUX
- Mercedes-Benz User Experience, the infotainment system introduced in 2018 (NTG 6 and later). Supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Read more
- MIB2 / MIB2.5 / MIB3
- Generations of Volkswagen Group infotainment hardware (Modularer Infotainment Baukasten). They decide whether CarPlay can be activated and whether it can be wireless. Read more
N
- NTG
- Mercedes-Benz head unit generations (Neue Telematik Generation). NTG 5.5 and newer generally support Smartphone Integration. Read more
O
- ODIS
- Offboard Diagnostic Information System: the Volkswagen Group's dealer diagnostic software for VW, Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Cupra. With online access it performs SVM coding, Component Protection and official updates. Read more
- Online programming
- Coding or programming that needs a live connection to the manufacturer's servers, for example SVM coding, Component Protection adaptation or official software updates. Read more
P
- PIWIS
- Porsche Integrated Workshop Information System, Porsche's dealer diagnostic and programming system. Read more
- Programming
- Replacing a control unit's software (flashing). Higher risk than coding and needs a battery charger and stable connection.
R
- Remote coding
- Coding or programming a car over the internet: the car and interface stay at the owner's garage while the engineer runs the dealer software remotely. Read more
- Retrofit
- Fitting equipment the car didn't leave the factory with, such as LED headlights, a camera or a different head unit. Usually needs coding to work like factory fit. Read more
S
- SCN coding
- Software Calibration Number coding (Mercedes-Benz): online coding that writes the factory-approved configuration for a control unit from Mercedes-Benz servers. Read more
- SVM
- Software Version Management (Volkswagen Group): the online process that checks and corrects the software and coding of every module against the factory configuration for the car, typically after a module swap or retrofit. Read more
V
- VAS 6154
- The Volkswagen Group's dealer diagnostic interface family used with ODIS (VAS 6154, 6154A, 6154B). Read more
- VCDS
- Ross-Tech's independent diagnostic and coding software for Volkswagen Group cars. Strong for diagnostics and coding, but it can't perform SVM online coding or Component Protection. Read more
- VIN
- Vehicle Identification Number: the 17-character code that identifies a car. Used to check the exact equipment, head unit and software before a job.
X
- XENTRY
- Mercedes-Benz dealer diagnostic software, used with a XENTRY Diagnosis VCI. With online access it performs SCN coding and software updates. Read more