Removing and installing radio R, RCD 500 — VW
Removing and installing radio R, RCD 500 on VW: factory workshop procedure. Full factory text, tools and checks.
Workshop procedure for VW — the factory write-up, straight from real workshop data.
📋 Procedure
ℹ️ Torque figures below come verbatim from workshop data — always cross-check against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening.
Removing and installing
radio
R
, RCD 500
Note
The part number for the
radio
R
can be found on a sticker on the
radio
R
housing.
If the
radio
R
has to be renewed, it is essential to deactivate the electronic anti-theft coding system
Chapter
. Notify the customer of the new radio code.
If the anti-theft code is unknown, it can be requested from familiar systems intended for this purpose. The identification number of the
radio
R
is required to make the request. This can be found on a sticker on the housing of the
radio
R
. The identification number is also embossed in the sidewall of the
radio
R
.
The integrated CD changer has a transport protection device which must be deactivated before installing a new
radio
R
. The transport protection device must also be activated before shipping a removed
radio
R
. For this, the
radio
R
must still be connected to the voltage supply. Activating and deactivating transport protection device
Chapter
.
Removing
Switch off ignition and all electrical loads, and pull out ignition key.
Remove any CDs left in the device
Operating manual
.
Activating transport protection device
Chapter
.
Remove centre dash panel vent
General body repairs, interior
Rep. gr.
68
Compartments, covers and trim; Removing and installing centre dash panel vent
.
Remove bolts
arrows
.
Remove centre dash panel trim
General body repairs, interior
Rep. gr.
68
Compartments, covers and trim; Removing and installing centre dash panel trim
.
Unscrew bolts
arrows
holding
radio
R
in place.
Pull
radio
R
out of installation slot until you can access connectors on rear of
radio
R
.
Press together connector locking mechanism in direction of
arrows
.
Swivel locking bar up in direction of
arrow
and pull off connector.
Release securing mechanism on all aerial connections
arrows
and pull out connectors.
Installing
Install in the reverse order of removal. When doing this, note the following:
Note
Never press on the display or the operating buttons when fitting the
radio
R
, as the
radio
R
may be damaged.
Screw in bolts
arrows
on
radio
R
.
Deactivating anti-theft coding
Chapter
Deactivate transport protection function
Chapter
.
Check coding of
radio
R
and recode
Chapter
.
Specified torque: 1.5 Nm
TorqFix answers live for your specific car — tell it the engine code and it serves the matching sequence, torque figures and wiring for that exact variant.
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Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.