What cool things can or have you done with VOLVO VIDA? How open is the software? Like, how custom can your electronics be?
Have collected a lot here… (credits to contribution from users)
1. I did a SUM calibration with mine! Also, you can read all of your error codes and reset them, including the CEL.
2. And data logging. Turn off drls
A lot depends on the year and model. There are so much more electronics on later models. ( i.e. our ’13 XC60 than on our ’00 V73. 0R). The main thing I use it for is maintenance/diagnostics and it’s nice that I don’t have to guess and see if ‘sensor x’ is working as it should or go to the dealer and pay them to tell me that.
Reset my windows so that they don’t whistle.
Reset service timers. And recalibrated when they service timers came up. (dropped it to 5k from 7500) AND found out you can set it for engine hours as well. Tempted to do a set up for that instead, since most of my driving is at 75-80 mph these days. 7500 miles at steady state 75 mph is better than 3000 miles at 25 mph average stop/go traffic… but that’s a whole other discussion…
SUM calibrations.
4. CEL reset.
Calculated horsepower output.
You can do a lot of different stuff. A LOT.
I don’t use the datalogger portion very much, but i know it’s there. My “regular” OBD2 unit has a great data collection system in it for engine management that I understand, and I can capture more channels on engine management with it than with VIDA. That said, I admit that I need to learn some more about VIDA and use on data capture with it, it will do chassis data captures where my OBD2 unit will not (suspension, brakes, awd, etc etc etc) so I need to sit down with it and play with that feature…
You can do a bunch of things with Vida except download software. Always a plus for diagnostics.
You can monitor just about everything from duty cycle to sum voltage.
You can also select a module and if you click the activations tab, you can activate certain components pertaining to that module.
5. I don’t remember off the top of my head how I did this, but I changed the time limit of my interior lights when the door is open and when the key is taken out of the ignition.
Personally I think it’s well worth the money if you’re considering getting Vida.
6. Go diagnostics-vehicle communication-select DDM from the module diagram-advanced-initialise windows or smth
7. Best diagnostics tool. I mean it even tells you how to fix errors with pictures
8. Its not very intuitive, pretty painful at first actually, but you figure it out eventually.
9. You can turn your heated seats to a higher or lower setting too. In my SR, I could barely feel them. I asked JRL to turn the VR’s up before I bought it and they’re much, much better.
10. I just bought a VIDA/DICE unit from a Chinese seller tonight. The ad states the 2013 version, running on Win7. We’ll see how it goes. Hopefully it’ll help me solve a problem my dealer couldn’t fix (today actually) and told me my intercooler water sprayer was actually meth injection. Not a lot of confidence for that tech!
11. You can do a gauge check to make sure everything works and it is pretty cool to watch. Here is a pic of it in progress
I had a little bit of wind coming around the passenger front window. There is a bump stop feature built in to the control on the DDM/PDM so you can change how many mm it goes before stop. And you can adjust it with VIDA/DICE.
Forgot about the seat heater function… changed mine, too. You can adjust both high and low settings, btw.
12.
AND (to whoever asked) NO! It is NOT INTUITIVE AT ALL! It’s frankly kind of a pain to find all the controls, but they are there.
ONE MORE IMPORTANT THING: If you are getting one, remember, you must have Professional version of Windows. Home versions will not load (or at least without editing the load software – easier to have Pro version).
13. I’ve cleared a few codes, SUM calibration, datalogged a few things. Cant wait to have more time to explore further into what VIDA can do.
14. unit is working perfectly. I have done seater heater reset and diagnostics. The only thing it didnt come with is wiring diagrams which a PDF is available on the internet with a simple google search!
If you were to purchase a VIDA subscription now it will be a totally different version then you guys are currently using. I believe anyone can purchase one. Its about 85 bucks for 3 days. They have a few different plans. You just go to volvo bookstore sight create an account. Then purchase and download its pretty simple. You can then do your own software upgrades and reloads add keys remotes all that stuff. Considering the cost of VIDA it still may be cheaper then going to a dealer for this stuff. VIDA is a15. technicians best friend. You can figure out the toughest possible problems with the info. in VIDA. I been there from day one when what was then called VADIS that was 1999 then later it changed to VIDA. It’s come a long way to say the least.
A subscription allows you to download vehicle software updates from the Volvo mothership at additional cost per update. At least in theory, as I haven’t heard of many actually trying it.
As an aside, the really cool thing would be if someone would save off the updates and post them up for all. Its possible, Volvo wouldn’t like it much, and it would be a blow for DIY freedom, so never likely to happen; but it would be great to get hold of the updates without having to screw around.
Hmm, well turning off my DRLs probably isn’t that interesting, lol!
16. You can also program things like how the alarm sounds off and for how long. Also how long the approach lighting stays on before dimming out.
Buy the CFE so you can configure a lot more
17. Auto fold mirrors or close windows/sunroof when closing or car or ignition off, adjust mirrors on engaging reverse, open windows/sunroof with different presses on keyfob, auto-enable seatheater(s) when temp is under X, custom messaging on DIM, gauge-sweep, close doors at X mph, extended settings for DRL and approach lighting, configure different settings for winter/summer, and so on, and so on.
18. From VIDA, you can do a DIM function test however which will illuminate all of the check lights and sweep the gauges to make sure everything is working correctly. If VIDA could do what the CFE does, I’d be a totally happy camper, lol!!
more interesting things able to do with vida will be updated…