Radio "scan" feature

New 2018 GTI SE owner here. While combing through the many menus and settings in the infotainment system, I found that under Radio settings there is a "Scan" feature which, you guessed it, scans through the radio channels until you stop it. However I cannot find that feature anywhere outside of the Radio settings menu. Since the car disables settings menus while driving, there appears to be no way to actually do a radio scan while driving. Does anyone know if you can actually activate a "scan" outside of the settings menu?

idk on 2018 but 2017 push tuning knob

Strange Mud said:

idk on 2018 but 2017 push tuning knob

Click to expand...

Oh man I hope it's that easy. I will give that a try - thanks!

You might be able to restore making changes while moving with VCDS. My 2016 has no such restrictions.

From the owner's manual:

Settings can be adjusted and functions can be started and stopped by turning or pressing the adjustment knob ⇒ Fig. 1④ .

Here are some examples:

Turning the Adjustment Knob: Effect
- Change certain settings (such as the map scale).
- Scroll through lists.
- Mark menu items in lists.
- Open the track list in media mode.
- Open the station list in all radio modes.
Pressing the Adjustment Knob: Effect
- Open the marked entry.
- Repeat a navigation instruction while route guidance is in progress.
- Start and stop a function, such as SCAN.
- Change settings.

Click to expand...

Pretty good if someone can remember all that considering you don't use it all of the time.

Here's what I changed on my 2017 Sport to enable settings while driving:

Change settings while at speed:
1. From VCDS/OBD11, select Controller Module 5F-Information Electr.,

2. Enter Security Login code = 20103

3. Under Adaptions, Query for the channels listed below and set the value = NON_BLOCKED (Blocked means, settings not available in motion), for each of them.

IDE11502-ENG127601-Locked menu contents-FB_CAR_0
IDE11502-ENG127612-Locked menu contents-FB_CAR_11
IDE11502-ENG127613-Locked menu contents-FB_CAR_12
IDE11502-ENG127603-Locked menu contents-FB_CAR_2
IDE11502-ENG127604-Locked menu contents-FB_CAR_3
IDE11502-ENG127608-Locked menu contents-FB_CAR_7
IDE11502-ENG127522-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_1
IDE11502-ENG127531-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_10
IDE11502-ENG127532-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_11
IDE11502-ENG127533-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_12
IDE11502-ENG127534-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_13
IDE11502-ENG127536-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_15
IDE11502-ENG127524-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_3
IDE11502-ENG127525-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_4
IDE11502-ENG127526-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_5
IDE11502-ENG127529-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_8
IDE11502-ENG127530-Locked menu contents-FB_MEDIA_9
IDE11502-ENG127545-Locked menu contents-FB_PHONE_0
IDE11502-ENG127549-Locked menu contents-FB_PHONE_4
IDE11502-ENG127550-Locked menu contents-FB_PHONE_5
IDE11502-ENG127551-Locked menu contents-FB_PHONE_6
IDE11502-ENG127552-Locked menu contents-FB_PHONE_7
IDE11502-ENG127508-Locked menu contents-FB_TUNER_3
IDE11502-ENG127509-Locked menu contents-FB_TUNER_4
IDE11502-ENG127510-Locked menu contents-FB_TUNER_5
IDE11502-ENG127511-Locked menu contents-FB_TUNER_6
IDE11502-ENG127512-Locked menu contents-FB_TUNER_7

Hotfart said:

Here's what I changed on my 2017 Sport to enable settings while driving:

Click to expand...

I've been trying to find this for awhile. Thank you very much.

Strange Mud said:

idk on 2018 but 2017 push tuning knob

Click to expand...

Took me a looong time to figure that one out. At first I thought it didnt have a scan mode. Frustrating there is no label for it on the knob. Not intuitive at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Also not intuitable but very handy: using that same knob to select items being displayed via Android Auto.

I hate touch screens, and that knob is wonderful.

and remember it will either scan all stations or presets depending on how you program that feature in the radio settings.


I've had to look up how to scan 2x....not intuitive. We should be thankful it still has knobs & dial. those are going away.

Strange Mud said:

We should be thankful it still has knobs & dial. those are going away.

Click to expand...

I have my eyes and mind on an R as my next car. I also think, why make a move unless it's to a Mk8.

But then this subject comes up--and if Mk8 is a glass cockpit, I will have a short window between the reveal of that and the end of Mk7 to buy a Mk7 R.

Which means it's likely I won't be able to take advantage of the custom color program.

Or maybe by that time Acura will have the ILX version of the Civic Type R.

Let's see how long VW keeps their 6-year warranty. That could cost them big time in a few years when the electronics start to age. That's why I bough the extended warranty.

Many people hate the autonomous features but traffic isn't going to get any less in the next 10 years. If they keep you from getting into just one accident I think they're well worth it. DRL's saved me many times from a Q-tip pulling out of side street. All they think about is rushing to get to the next Bingo game.

The Fed said:

Many people hate the autonomous features but traffic isn't going to get any less in the next 10 years. If they keep you from getting into just one accident I think they're well worth it.

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I agree - but the big problem is that these features are creating lazier drivers who rely on some of this stuff more than intended, and the end result will likely be MORE accidents, not less, as a result of some of them. Look no further than the VERY stupidly-named "Autopilot" feature in the Tesla S. Idiots all over the place are attempting to let the car drive itself, which it is NOT remotely capable of doing, with deadly results.

It was bad enough before, but now that idiot in the next lane who was already talking on the phone, jerking off, and eating a cheeseburger all at once is paying even LESS attention because he thinks his adaptive cruise control and lane departure nanny are fully in control of his vehicle. Baaaad assumption.