7 October 2022
In simple terms, Coding is a process that our engineers complete following a fitment to ensure that the vehicle’s software acknowledges the Towbar has been installed and therefore interacts accordingly.
When do we need to code a vehicle?
If your vehicle is newer than four years old or benefits from built-in safety features such as Trailer Stability Control, we would strongly recommend selecting the Dedicated Wiring option when booking your Towbar fitment. The Dedicated Wiring is installed in a way that doesn’t affect the original manufactures warranty on the vehicle, but for it to work correctly, it requires Coding.
How does Coding happen?
Once our dedicated engineer has completed the fitment of the Towbar and installed the Dedicated Wiring, he will plug the Coding Machine into the vehicle. The Coding Machine contains codes for hundreds of vehicles and will apply the correct one for your exact vehicle make and model.
The Coding Machine will then update the software within the vehicle to acknowledge that the Towbar and electrics have been fitted. This means that the next time you hitch up, your vehicle will automatically respond by turning on features such as Trailer Stability Control. In some vehicles, it will also automatically turn off your Reverse Parking Sensors.
If your vehicle has a button to deactivate your Parking Sensors, please be aware that the Coding of the vehicle will not override this. You will need to manually deactivate your parking sensors using the button to avoid interference when reversing whilst Towing.
Why do we need to Code a vehicle?
If you do not Code a vehicle, you will not benefit from the built-in safety features that your vehicle may have. This means that when you’re Towing, your trailer or caravan may not feel as secure whilst driving, and your parking sensors may interfere with what you towing when in reverse.
It is always recommended that you complete a software update on any vehicle that requires it to ensure you are Towing with maximum safety.
Does every vehicle require Coding?
Not every vehicle will require a software update once the Towbar has been installed. If you have opted for Universal Wiring, this can not be coded; this is due to the way the wiring has been connected within the vehicle.
When Universal Wiring is installed, it is scotch-locked onto the existing wires in the vehicle, which usually occurs behind the light clusters. A ‘cut and fuse’ technique connects the Towbar Wiring to the existing wires in the vehicle, allowing the Towbar Electrics to be powered by the vehicle’s original wiring.
The Universal Wiring bypasses the vehicle’s ECU, which is essentially the ‘brain ‘of the car. As a result, the vehicle isn’t aware when you have connected the item you are Towing to the Towbar electrics. Consequently, the vehicle does not need to be coded, as the car cannot activate Safety Features when it has no indication of when your trailer is or isn’t connected.
Vehicles such as Landrovers and most Ford vehicles also do not require Coding, as they periodically complete automatic software updates.
What happens if I don’t have my vehicle Coded?
If you do not have your vehicle Coded following the fitment of Dedicated Wiring, your vehicle may show illuminated fault lights on your dashboard. The fault lights will not necessarily relate to the faults they represent but will remain on your dashboard until the vehicle’s software is updated.
Sometimes, if you have other aftermarket work carried out on your vehicle, such as the installation of Parking Sensors, or an Electrical Step, the Coding of the vehicle may be wiped, and faults may appear. You will need to have the vehicle re-coded to ensure the vehicle is interacting with the Towbar correctly. Towbar Express can help with this; however, the work will be chargeable.
Is Coding included in my Towbar Fitment?
At Towbar Express, we aim to make things as simple as possible. When you purchase a Towbar with Dedicated Wiring, the Coding of the vehicle (should this be required) is always included in the price, which means you can rest assured knowing your Towbar will be ready to use as soon as the installation is complete.
What if I experience issues following my fitment?
If you experience any issues following the installation of your Towbar and Electrics, your fitment is protected by a 1-Year Warranty on the Electrics. Should your vehicle develop any issues regarding the Electrics or the Coding, our dedicated engineer will visit you at your home address to rectify the problems.
