The OTOFIX is built by Autel under this brand name and is aimed to the DIY market. It is cheaper than equivalent Autel, but same capabilities as it runs the full Autel software.
You can do as much coding with Autel/OTOFIX as you can do with Launch X431. It is similar to PIWIS for Porsche.
NOTE: Only the D1 Max and EvoScan Ultra can do Porsche online coding. Check OTOFIX comparison table.
With Otofix you also get 2 years of free downloads, while you get only 1 year with Autel.
OTOFIX D1 MAX is very fast, great at diagnosing faults. It’s been great with adaptation, calibration and coding.
1. In main screen, Select Control Unit
2. Then select the control unit you want to code (for example selecting Instrument Cluster):
3. Select Coding
4. Select Coding without Rules
5. Is going to ask you to connect to the Internet (this is the difference between Launch X431 and Autel). Autel will need to backup all the data in the cloud (kind of a ValLog) which you can retrieve later if you have issues. This is a one time kind of deal and is going to take some time to do this, but then after the second time you can skip the backup and go rather quickly to coding. With Launch X431 you don’t need to upload your codes in order to get into coding.
6. Select the option you want to code (for example select Onboard computer menu configuration 2:
7. Code. This is the feature I like the most from Autel in comparison to Launch X431, and is that it displays a full list with drop down menus with the options and you can change more than one at a time.
Also, one thing I found is that Autel is more true to PIWIS naming conventions than X431 is.
Coding seems easier with the Autel/Otofix. For example, I adjusted the height of my air suspension Macan. Started with a recalibration using PIWIS to return my Macan to stock height, and then went to coding and lowered the Macan through correction values in PASM/Level coding. Then, I went out with my X431 to do some additional corrections, and I wanted to test it too, and found that I needed to go to 4 different field options, and write each wheel one by one.
While with the Autel/Otofix, it was very similar to PIWIS in which you input all 4 wheel height correction values in a single screen and them write all of them at the same time.
In sum:
You can use PIWIS for complex maintenance and calibration procedures, like refilling suspension system, height calibration, installing and programming headlights, etc…
Launch X431 is great tool for diagnosing faults and coding ECU. It is a hit and miss with adaptation and calibration. You can do Porsche offline coding even with the CRP919 and CRP919 BT scanners under $500.
Autel and OTOFIX do good coding on Porsche, but cheaper Autel scanners won’t do Porsche online coding, i.e MX900, OTOFIX D1/D1 Lite etc.
Related reading:
