Common changes for US imports
- Daytime running lights activated
- Speedometer and trip computer in km/h as the main unit
- Temperature in °C, fuel consumption in L/100 km
- French language menus where the unit includes them
What decides what's possible
The lighting control module and instrument cluster. Most current Volkswagen Group, Mercedes-Benz and BMW models support DRL activation by coding. For speed display, digital clusters switch fully; analogue clusters keep the printed mph dial with a secondary km/h scale.
Import paperwork is separate
Whether a car can be imported, and which inspection it needs, is handled by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) and your province. I only do the coding part. Check RIV's admissibility list before you buy.
Cold weather tip
Keep a battery charger connected for the whole session. A cold battery is the most common reason programming fails. More on that in why battery voltage matters during programming.
More for Canadian drivers: car coding in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be at a garage?
No. A laptop, a supported interface and internet at the car are enough.
Which interface do I need?
For Volkswagen Group cars a VAS 6154 or J2534 interface, for BMW an ENET cable. I'll confirm for your car.