[FlyingPilot2012]

Curious if anyone with a 2018 has been able to set the Auto/Start stop memory function (so it always remembers your last setting). I know 2019+ had that ability by default but Volvo wouldn't retroactively add it to 2018 and earlier models for regulatory reasons.

 

[Zen_Speedmaster]

My 2019 did not have it. There was an option for it under Settings -> My Car -> Drive Preferences but it didn't work. Every time I started the car the S/S was on again.

Since I used Orbit to change the S/S setting to 'Button with memory, standard symbol' the S/S stays off.

 

[romanster]

That's good. My start/stop has been conveniently disabled due to a slightly deteriorated support battery, so it shows "On" in Sensus, but inactive (greyed out) in the RPM gauge. If I can just set it as memory off, I can finally replace the support battery.

Changing the tire circumference, is that a single setting that applies to all 4?

 

[Power6]

This is great, thanks @Zen_Speedmaster! I was going to go through and answer questions but I lost track at 20 posts and some questions are being answered. I am aware we need a more formal database or collecton of experiences in a community, I'm a working on it!. As I have said probably to many people now, I make the software that changes the things, I've picked up many tidbits along the way, but I can't be the expert and some things only through people trying stuff will we figure out! Central to the idea of OrBit, was to let me, and others like me, simply have all the config items available to play with and discover. So it's pretty damn cool I think I have enabled such behavior ;-)

A few notes on things on the top of my brain:

• Config changes will not damage your car - You get 3 results from a config change: 1.) It works, 2.) it don't work, 3.) It don't work and you get codes/warnings on the dash. If you try something, and it doesn't work, you can set it back, or 'Restore OEM' to start over from original.
• It can be helpful to use the "Item number" when discussing config items, it makes it super easy for anyone else to find the same item in OrBit.
• Pilot Assist/ACC - as the discussion shows there is more to be discovered...what levels mean what, which cars support which levels, and what is required for other settings like Lane Change Assist and Curve Speed Assist. (Neither of those last two work on my 2019 S60 T6 US model BTW) As I have enough info, one thing I may do is a "config wizard" for something like the PA where it sets the config items for you based on the level/version you desire.
• Config changes affecting the brake system need ABS Clear - As discussed some changes, it seems anything that might be a config related at all to the brake system, need "ABS Clear Config" run when the setting is changed. You know this is needed when you get the "holy crap everything is disabled" messages on the dash ;-) Next update of OrBit will handle this automagically, based on the settings we know need this, so you won't have to remember to do it.

That's good for now, and below I will put my personal settings in my car if it's helpful. 2019 S60 T6 R-Design US model:

023 Cruise control (03 for PA)
043 Speed limiter remove
045 Remote Start preconditioning by app, change to option w/running light
089 Slam locking enabled (can lock door before close)
090 Auto locking, enable menu item control
109 Adaptive beam enable AHB2
113 Unrestricted foglight
145 Traffic Jam assist (04 for PA)
168 Polestar Screen Skins
207 Video allowed all speeds
238 Top damping brakes (for PA)
245 Easy ingress/egress enable in menu
358 disable fake engine noise (EOE)

Hardware changes required for these:
028 B&W audio (swapped amp)
183 Interior high illumnation (added harnesses and lamps)
114 Emergency brake light, extended area (not turn signal for swapped euro tail w/amber signals)

 

[marinalin85]

This is great, thanks @Zen_Speedmaster! I was going to go through and answer questions but I lost track at 20 posts and some questions are being answered. I am aware we need a more formal database or collecton of experiences in a community, I'm a working on it!. As I have said probably to many people now, I make the software that changes the things, I've picked up many tidbits along the way, but I can't be the expert and some things only through people trying stuff will we figure out! Central to the idea of OrBit, was to let me, and others like me, simply have all the config items available to play with and discover. So it's pretty damn cool I think I have enabled such behavior ;-)

A few notes on things on the top of my brain:

• Config changes will not damage your car - You get 3 results from a config change: 1.) It works, 2.) it don't work, 3.) It don't work and you get codes/warnings on the dash. If you try something, and it doesn't work, you can set it back, or 'Restore OEM' to start over from original.
• It can be helpful to use the "Item number" when discussing config items, it makes it super easy for anyone else to find the same item in OrBit.
• Pilot Assist/ACC - as the discussion shows there is more to be discovered...what levels mean what, which cars support which levels, and what is required for other settings like Lane Change Assist and Curve Speed Assist. (Neither of those last two work on my 2019 S60 T6 US model BTW) As I have enough info, one thing I may do is a "config wizard" for something like the PA where it sets the config items for you based on the level/version you desire.
• Config changes affecting the brake system need ABS Clear - As discussed some changes, it seems anything that might be a config related at all to the brake system, need "ABS Clear Config" run when the setting is changed. You know this is needed when you get the "holy crap everything is disabled" messages on the dash ;-) Next update of OrBit will handle this automagically, based on the settings we know need this, so you won't have to remember to do it.

That's good for now, and below I will put my personal settings in my car if it's helpful. 2019 S60 T6 R-Design US model:

045 Remote Start preconditioning by app, change to option w/running light

089 Slam locking enabled (can lock door before close)

168 Polestar Screen Skins

245 Easy ingress/egress enable in menu

Little by little we will take over VCDS 😅
045 - Did you had remote start before? I tried on mine, I had exactly that config activated but there is not Remote Start in VOC
089 - I didn't know it did this!!!! I was so annoyed coming from Audi that it didn't lock before closing! Thank you
168 - I did on mine but nothings changed. Do you have any pictures?
245 - also saw this. What is this?

 

[kraeburn]

Following this closely as I have coding experience on previous cars (Porsche/Audi/VW/BMW). Obviously Volvo is a whole different animal from those cars so I am just trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible before I take the plunge.

That being said, I am still unclear on how this is avoiding the "Blocked by Sweden" situation. Not trying to unearth whatever special sauce you have going to make this work but how is this safer? Also, with regards to the aforementioned "blocked by sweden" situation, is that just going to affect future updates? Did the dealer say whether this would have an impact on warranty? I trust the electronics in this car less than anything else.

I got this particular brand/car because of the extended CPO warranty and I don't want to endanger it. Yes, I get that I shouldn't mess around with anything if I'm worried about warranty but given that I've coded a bunch of cars in the past with no issue, this feels pretty benign in terms of mods. I am primarily interested in enabling pilot assist and the active headlights.

 

[partridge]

Following this closely as I have coding experience on previous cars (Porsche/Audi/VW/BMW). Obviously Volvo is a whole different animal from those cars so I am just trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible before I take the plunge.

That being said, I am still unclear on how this is avoiding the "Blocked by Sweden" situation. Not trying to unearth whatever special sauce you have going to make this work but how is this safer? Also, with regards to the aforementioned "blocked by sweden" situation, is that just going to affect future updates? Did the dealer say whether this would have an impact on warranty? I trust the electronics in this car less than anything else.

I got this particular brand/car because of the extended CPO warranty and I don't want to endanger it. Yes, I get that I shouldn't mess around with anything if I'm worried about warranty but given that I've coded a bunch of cars in the past with no issue, this feels pretty benign in terms of mods. I am primarily interested in enabling pilot assist and the active headlights.

So from my understanding, this is the difference. When you make configuration changes in VIDA or in VDASH, the change is made “officially”, which means that the car’s configuration is updated, and then when it is hooked up to VIDA the changes are logged and the configuration of the car on Volvo’s servers is updated. That’s why, for instance, if you buy a polestar tune and it’s installed on your car, it doesn’t matter what dealer you go to, if they update and reflash your car you’re going to have the polestar tune. Or towing software, or whatever. For aftermarket this was cool because you had a backdoor into making changes you make to the car “official” in that once it was done as far as Volvo and the VIDA software were concerned that was the proper configuration of the car. Volvo has take offense to this, and now if your car configuration does not match what their servers think it should be, they flag it.

Orbit is not doing the same thing as VIDA or VDash in that it is just twiddling configuration bits locally. There’s no connection to the Volvo servers (theoretically, unless there is some wireless talk during sensus app updates which as been mentioned as a possibility). As long as the car is returned to an OEM configuration before it is connected to a Volvo system, it’s like it never happened. The software is just changing a configuration file, it isn’t uploading or flashing actual software packages to the car. So you’re kind of limited to changing things for which the support already exists in the car’s software, it just has to be told to turn it on or off.

At least that’s what I gather. I’m in the same boat as you. I bought this for the CPO warranty, which is why I’m loathe to jeopardize it, but this should be safer than using VDASH.

 

[Power6]

Following this closely as I have coding experience on previous cars (Porsche/Audi/VW/BMW). Obviously Volvo is a whole different animal from those cars so I am just trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible before I take the plunge.

I'll do my best, I think you will get if you have done coding with other cars before. I only know a little bit about VW and BMW when comparing what can be done there. This maybe be helpful for others so I will probably write a full explanation, I can re-use this content in the future, since your question is valid and common.

That being said, I am still unclear on how this is avoiding the "Blocked by Sweden" situation. Not trying to unearth whatever special sauce you have going to make this work but how is this safer? Also, with regards to the aforementioned "blocked by sweden" situation, is that just going to affect future updates? Did the dealer say whether this would have an impact on warranty? I trust the electronics in this car less than anything else.

Some background first. Volvo config has existed for many years. Similar to some other european cars, they have a central config system that reads what the car has (aka the as-built, or build codes, variant codes), then configure some software items for the car. Makes building them easier. For years now, the way to change Volvo config, is change the build codes of the car, then the car will configure for that. You probably get that if you done coding on other brands.

Firstly don't take my own experience "blocked by Sweden" I am special ;-) I was messing with this stuff and learning before Volvo took their current stance. At the time they did so, they blocked my car and it is a special case, I am working on it ;-) What we know going forward from that point (June of 2022) is when the dealer software is connected (VIDA) it normally takes a readout of the car. That readout includes a list of the "build codes" or in Volvo-land they are "Variant codes". This is the "as built" info from the car. Volvo decided that they will compare the "readout" to their own internal database of the car. If it doesn't match, they "block" the car for software. We will come back to that. But you can see...if you have "coded" or "changed config" on a Volvo the way that has worked for over a decade, you will have changed the build codes of the car, that now don't match Volvo database, VIDA sees this and then blocked

What is blocked? Blocked means no software can be installed through VIDA. Diagnostics, service, repair etc. are not affected. Software updates or reload a module for repair, or replacement, is not possible when blocked.

How to get unblocked? It's an evolving situation. From what I have seen and heard (from people who know, seen Volvo memos etc) a Dealer Tech calls into their support connection they have with Volvo, they will need to go through a process to get the car unblocked, usually have the customer return to original, the tech does a readout in VIDA, Volvo peeps confirm it's good and unblock. It's a human process, once it's blocked there is no automatic unblock (this is where Volvo seems to differ from other brands)

Now back to OrBit. Now I am just an idiot with a laptop. I didn't know what a seed or a key or a DoIP was a year ago. I blame x119 for getting me into this. Turns out I am alright at figuring out some stuff. I don't think I was the first BTW, but I discovered that newer Volvos, the SPA/CMA cars, they don't work like the "old" Volvos. They still have the "build codes" and you can still change most of them like old Volvos, but the actual "config" of the car, it does not come directly from the build codes. So I set out to decode and reverse the new "Config logic" layer. And that is what I did. I put all that work into building a tool, OrBit is it. And it does config by modifying the Config Logic, not the build codes of the car. There are 3 specific benefits of this approach and why i did it:

• Modifying the config directly, lets you change all possible items. (example is "Start Stop memory" cannot be done with build codes)
• To put the car back to original, we don't need a backup. which is the "Restore OEM" button in OrBit. The logic is not specific per car, it's same on all, not like build codes of course specific to each car. (though there are different CEM hardware models and various update versions, but OrBit manages that). If you do the "old way" changing the build codes, no big deal if you change one or two, you can change them back if needed. Change a few more, you can start to lose track...which backup is the right one?
• Currently Volvo do not block cars modified with OrBit*. Since they compare the "build codes" info in VIDA, the car with modified config will not be blocked. *BUT DON'T DO THAT!! Volvo could be reading this thread right now...and I have given them all they need to know, to start blocking cars with modified config in OrBit. It's a good bet they will get to that eventually. Use the "Restore OEM" button in OrBit, which wipes out config and reloads the OEM logic and the car is back to original.

I got this particular brand/car because of the extended CPO warranty and I don't want to endanger it. Yes, I get that I shouldn't mess around with anything if I'm worried about warranty but given that I've coded a bunch of cars in the past with no issue, this feels pretty benign in terms of mods. I am primarily interested in enabling pilot assist and the active headlights.

I make the software to do it, I make it as easy and seamless as I can and try my best to keep you out of trouble. The decision on whether to do it, if it's worth it, that will be different for everyone, and that's quite alright!

 

[Power6]

045 - Did you had remote start before? I tried on mine, I had exactly that config activated but there is not Remote Start in VOC

I have VOC subscription and remote start (still on 4 years free with car in US). I changed the setting so the running lights turn on wth remote start (default no lights on during remote start) I think this config is enabling the ability to start within the car. But you also need to have the car with VOC service capable of remote start. There is a little more to it, this setting being enabled, would enable you to use a 3rd party product that simulates the car being started via the app, spoofing the messages inside the car (aka MidCity engineering Volvo device to start from the fob)

168 - I did on mine but nothings changed. Do you have any pictures?

I did post a thread looooong ago. You gotta look quick! It's only the "boot up" screen in the DIM dash display, it starts when you open the door. Keep the setting, you will eventually see it ;-)

245 - also saw this. What is this?

This moves the seat back when you turn off the car, easier to get out, common on some other cars. I don't actually use it ha, but enabling it just puts an item in the Sensus car settings menu somewhere, a check box to turn it on, I just like to have all the checkboxes ;-) On my car only the "back forth" ingress/egress option works.

 

[partridge]

023 Cruise control (03 for PA)
043 Speed limiter remove
045 Remote Start preconditioning by app, change to option w/running light
089 Slam locking enabled (can lock door before close)
090 Auto locking, enable menu item control
109 Adaptive beam enable AHB2
113 Unrestricted foglight
145 Traffic Jam assist (04 for PA)
168 Polestar Screen Skins
207 Video allowed all speeds
238 Top damping brakes (for PA)
245 Easy ingress/egress enable in menu
358 disable fake engine noise (EOE)

What is 238 Top damping brakes?

Does 245 Easy ingress Egress do anything? I’m guessing it moves the seat back when you park the car?

I’m a bit confused by the video settings as I’ve never had video playing on the car. USB stick or media drive of some sort? I didn’t know the car had the capability.

I’m curious about the EOR and EOE settings, coming from a T8 which had EOR (engine noise reduction). What does the car sound like without the “enhanced“ sounds? I wonder if EOR would work on a T6 at all as it seems to be a T8 specific setting.

I have the curve speed assist toggle now in my menus, but honestly I have not seen it do a thing, the car seems happy to barrel headlong into the curves despite it. Oh well…

 

[silo24]

I have the curve speed assist toggle now in my menus, but honestly I have not seen it do a thing, the car seems happy to barrel headlong into the curves despite it. Oh well…

I think Curve Speed Assist only works when Adaptive Cruise or Pilot Assist is active.

My car has it as standard and only works when I use Pilot Assist....will slow me down when I approach tight curves.

 

[Power6]

238 Top damping brakes

Honestly I got no clue what is! Just that when the car is equipped with PA, this is enabled. And some of the Volvo elders originally showed me this way. So I do the same as Volvo does on that. I beleive it only applies to the non-hybrid cars (not "brake by wire") One caveat to remember, with the non-hybrid Volvos, to install "official Intelliisist" accessory they offered, with Pilot Assist, a new ABS hydraulic unit was required. We know we can enable the PA anyways and it works, but it's at our own risk! I have not had a problem and many long before I was even into this had done it. So experience says it does work fine, but always good to remember it's not the Volvo official way.

 

[Power6]

EOR and EOE

T6 has EOE. Well on my 2019 S60 T6 it does. I played with EOR, made wierd sounds, my only guess is there is not a "pre-recorded track" in the IHU or AUD wherever that lives, for the T6, so it just sounded strange. EOE seems to be sort of modifying the sound of the 4 banger to sound more like a 6 or something like that. With it disabled the engine noise is quieter, and sound more like the traditional 4 cylinder sound to me.

More discovery needed, what I had seen was diesel models in europe the only ones with EOR. Whatever unit does this, I suspect the AUD (or could run through the IHU which then sends sound output to AUD), it is reading a message from the ECM which is probably providing RPM info and maybe more data to drive the sound output.

 

[partridge]

I think Curve Speed Assist only works when Adaptive Cruise or Pilot Assist is active.

My car has it as standard and only works when I use Pilot Assist....will slow me down when I approach tight curves.

Yeah, I tried it out this morning on my commute. Pretty empty roads, so it was happy to head into the curves at speed with Pilot Assist active. It‘s harder for me to test it because the 2019 PA seems more adept at curve handling than my 2017 was.

 

[kraeburn]

Thanks for the lengthy response, very helpful!

I will take the plunge soon--maybe this week. Coding is so tempting to me--just free stuff hidden under the surface, fun to unlock things the car is already capable of.


Not to threadjack but I am still so intrigued by the differences in the ABS pump. There is zero conclusive info as to why the change in pump is necessary to enable Pilot Assist/ACC. I didn't love Pilot assist when I test drove a car with it (was more taxing than just driving) but I do miss ACC quite a bit.

 

[mbelanger9999]

Is there a way to get the car to remember the last drive mode ?

 

[Zen_Speedmaster]

Is there a way to get the car to remember the last drive mode ?

No

 

[marinalin85]

I have VOC subscription and remote start (still on 4 years free with car in US). I changed the setting so the running lights turn on wth remote start (default no lights on during remote start) I think this config is enabling the ability to start within the car. But you also need to have the car with VOC service capable of remote start. There is a little more to it, this setting being enabled, would enable you to use a 3rd party product that simulates the car being started via the app, spoofing the messages inside the car (aka MidCity engineering Volvo device to start from the fob)

I tought this will be only for VOC. My subscription is enabled but in Europe you can't see this Remote Start anywhere. I also tried VPN from US but still, my subscription is Germany based
Thanks for the info

 

[silo24]

I tought this will be only for VOC. My subscription is enabled but in Europe you can't see this Remote Start anywhere. I also tried VPN from US but still, my subscription is Germany based
Thanks for the info

Remote start only exists in the VOC app as part of the Ventilation setting.

If you press the Fan Symbol and set the timer to 15 minutes or less, the app asks you if you want to start the engine to pre-heat/cool the cabin.

 

[silo24]

Deleted