Hey guys, might be my last video for a while as the transmission in my GS finally started producing MILs. Havent really decided what to do yet, just getting quotes for repair and what not. I may take this opportunity to sell it and get something else.

Anywho, I recently obtained a mini-VCI cable and techstream software to perform some dealer 'customizations' that I've been wanting on my own car. Normally, you get one session with the dealer for free when you buy the car new. I bought my car used and wasnt keen on paying a dealer to do this so I bought the tool myself.

Not only can it do customizations, but it can do some in depth diagnostics and scans. I only cover customizations in this video. Hope this helps someone!

 

Wish you were local to me

I would like to do some customization to my 2012

 

Very cool. If you don't mind me asking, how many miles on the car and have you ever had the transission serviced before?

 

​​​​​​I have approx 123k miles. Not much more than the video haha. I read the codes with the techstream actually. The mil would light up later that night...

I did have the fluid drained and filled by a Lexus dealer at 90k as preventative maintenance and I did a few more at 95k and 100k. Nothing crazy with 14 qt each time but just 2.5 or whatever would come out while I changed the engine oil. I change my oil with the engine cold, so it's not a level issue. I also did the level check procedure.

unfortunately that was not enough. My symptoms over the course of 30k miles we're some flaring when shifting. Rough shifting, kick in the butt sensation when downshifting. Twice it refused to shift higher than 3rd I think. For the record I have p2714 as the major fault.

 

cable was only 60 from ebay!
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i just need a cable ?

 

Yeah, cable comes with software. All you need is a Windows laptop or a Mac running boot camp Windows or a virtual machine (the latter shown in my video).

 

Is a CD drive required for software installation?

 

Nope, my merchant sent me a link to download when I told him I had no drive.

 

Are there differences in the versions that are available? Example, TIS Techstream V10.30.29

 

I'm assuming the later versions support the newest cars. If you're working on not just the 3G GS, this might be nice to have. If you're working on older cars, then the older version may work. The older versions are definitely cheaper than $60 and hover around $20 instead.

 

the 64bit version came in at $38 and works on all cars up to 2017. Can't wait to get this and play around with the settings. I asked the dealer to program my windows rolling down when holding the unlock button on my remote and that well would have covered the cost of this tool. Going to do that on my parents Lexus as well.

 

Did this include the cable, and, where did you buy it? I have looked on ebay, but I don't see the software with the cable.

 

Bought on the auction site. Comes with cable and software. already contacted seller to provide link for software download since I do not have CD drive in laptop, hopefully I receive a response soon.

 

Ouch. I order mine from obdii365.com for about $20 bucks. It'll do all the personalized settings and diagnostics but it won't reprogram the ecu, create a new key or register new tpms sensors. I also obtained the latest techstream for my 64bit system.