VW RNS-510 New US Firmware Feature Walkthrough
Saturday, January 30, 2010 14:04Posted in category I - FLYTDIGUY's Chronicles, III - Videos
Update:
An even newer version of US Firmware has come out in January 2010, version HW:1000.
All new units available come with this firmware and HW:04 and support the updates listed below.
In late October, 2009, VW released a new production version of the US spec RNS-510 (3C0-035-684C) that offers some improvements over previous versions. The hardware has been updated to HW:04 and the firmware has been updated to SW:0980. There are vast improvements in this version versus the previous versions, mainly with the following (some are unconfirmed, so please bear with us if they’re not 100% accurate):
- Improved overall performance, reduced “bugginess” and generally quicker to perform functions such as switching from one media source to another, locking in on HD and other radio stations is quicker.
- Support for high capacity SD cards up to 32GB.
- Voice recognition capability (http://www.my-gti.com/1234).
- Video in motion activation
- Support for HD Radio sub-channels
- Display Off on extras tab
- Climatronic control (if appropriately fitted)
- Clock display if RNS 510 switched off
- Excluded roads (under route options)
- GPS coordinates entry
- Additional adjustments for video
- Display (OPS) and rear vehicle camera (RVC) at the same time
- Larger RVC screen with transparent menus at the side
- Speed limit display (shows the speed limit in the top right corner in map view)
Special thanks to Jaron for the video and the narration and Maverick for the updates!
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.



Ken Collier says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I have a 2009 Touareg TDI with the RNS-510 system. My local VW dealer (service dept) is quoting about $400 to do this firmware update in my vehicle. That seems really pricey to me. Is there a less expensive, but low risk alternative to doing this update? I’m a software engineer with good tech skills. Is this something I can do myself? Thanks, Ken
Reply
FLYTDIGUY Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 11:44 am
@Ken Collier,
You can order the firmware disc directly from VW Publications here. Then type in the SKU “RNS510FLSH0380″ in the key word search. It is $20 without shipping and as of today it is available in stock. Installation takes about an hour and instructions can be found here.
Reply
Ken Collier Reply:
April 12th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
@FLYTDIGUY, The firmware disc arrived tonight, and I installed it successfully per the instructions you posted the link to. Everything went very smoothly and I’m looking forward to seeing these new features in action. Thanks so much for your help.
Reply
Luis says:
April 1st, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Where do I get the new firmware or updates to the maps? How do I update the firmware or upload the maps?
Reply
FLYTDIGUY Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 11:18 am
@Luis,
You can order the firmware disc directly from VW Publications here. Then type in the SKU “RNS510FLSH0380″ in the key word search. It is $20 without shipping and as of today it is available in stock. Installation takes about an hour and instructions can be found here.
Reply
Ken Collier Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 11:22 am
@Luis, I wonder if you are confusing the map update with the RNS-510 firmware update. My VW dealer did the same thing recently and installed a north america maps update from DVD. I’m happy to get the maps updated, but this is different than the HW:1000 firmware update that is outlined above. I hope this helps.
BTW, you can register for map updates at http://www.navteq.com//vwregister
Reply
Ken Collier says:
April 8th, 2010 at 12:16 am
This is incredibly helpful information. Thank you for posting the links. I ordered the flash CD today, and it looks like the directions are very straight forward. I’ll post any new findings when I get the CD.
Reply
Anonymous Reply:
April 18th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
@Ken Collier,
Thanks Ken! Anything else we can do to help, please let us know.
Thanks,
Flytdiguy
Reply
Greg Haas says:
April 24th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Hello,
I just got an RNS-510 in my Mkvi gti. Swapped it to RNS510 from RCD510. The version of RNS510 is B. How do I know there’s the latest firmware available?
Reply
FLYTDIGUY Reply:
April 25th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
@Greg Haas,
Glad to hear that you solved your antenna issue. If we can help, please let us know.
Thanks,
Flytdiguy
Reply
joe says:
May 10th, 2010 at 12:29 am
hi, whit this new firmware SW1000 can i activate video in motion in menu????? if i can is great
Reply
FLYTDIGUY Reply:
May 21st, 2010 at 5:45 pm
@joe,
No, unfortunately not. There are two ways to enable video in motion. One is through an adapter like this one or two, having it hard coded to the unit.
If we can help, please let us know.
Thanks,
Flytdiguy
Reply
Ben says:
May 10th, 2010 at 11:32 am
I just tried updating my firmware with the disk listed above, i received a software load error # 010303. What does this mean? I also am now locked from making updates and need to force a restart with a 3 button combo, setup-mic-eject. Where is the mic button?
Please help.
Reply
FLYTDIGUY Reply:
May 21st, 2010 at 5:37 pm
@Ben,
You may want to try to load it again with the key out of the vehicle. Check http://www.my-gti.com for a great blog on how load the firmware and errors others have experienced.
If we can help, please let us know.
Thanks,
Flytdiguy
Reply
Bryan G says:
May 19th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I see the directions to order RNS510FLSH0380 from the VW publications website, but when I go to check out the description says ‘VW RNS 510 NAVIGATION FLASH CD SW380′ . Wouldn’t I want the SW1000 version to get the correct update? Also, does this firmware apply to all US RNS units?
Reply
FLYTDIGUY Reply:
May 21st, 2010 at 5:35 pm
@Bryan G,
First, the SW1000 version is not available yet. Second, unless you have a new version with HW of 04 or 06, you cannot upgrade your unit to firmware version 1000.
The question is when will VW make the 1000 version available and when will the next iteration of earlier version firmware updates come?
Reply
Bryan G Reply:
May 25th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@FLYTDIGUY, Oh, I was under the impression it was out based on the article and Ken Collier (at the top) ordering the disc and installing it. I wasn’t thinking outside of NA.
Here’s to hoping they release the firmware to upgrade older NA head units. I am getting firmware envy.
Reply
Kenny1 says:
May 30th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Hi, I just recently purchased a 2010Touareg V6TDI (production week 49/2009) with the RNS 510. Just got the car out of the garage for the 5000mile service. I had asked to update the system, as I had a few issues (no street number nor street name can be put in, with euro maps (currently stationed overseas), nor does the 32GB SD work. They told me no update available. As far as I know, I should have one with a C index, when in reality, I have a B index RNS. Any idea how to find out when VW was actually supposed to put in a C index?
Thanks!
Kenny
Reply
Kenny1 says:
May 31st, 2010 at 1:21 am
Hello to all,
can anyone tell me when VW started producing the RNS-510 with a “C” index? From what VW Germany is telling me, they started in the 45th Calendar week of 2009. I have a 2010 Touareg, produced in the 49th week, but yet I have a “B” index installed.
Thanks!
Reply
Rob says:
August 14th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Can anyone tell me if the RNS-510 is compatiblw with my 2006 Jetta GLI, from what I’ve heard it is but I would like confirmation.
Thanks!
Reply