VW RCD 510 Radio Code

The VW RCD 510 is the flagship touchscreen head unit of the MK5/MK6 Golf era, and it shows SAFE just like any other VW radio after a power interruption. The key difference from the simpler RCD 310 is its VWZ6Z serial prefix and its touchscreen code-entry method. This guide walks you through both serial retrieval and code entry for the RCD 510.

What Is the VW RCD 510 and Where Is It Fitted?

The RCD 510 (Radio CD 510) is a double-DIN touchscreen unit with an SD card slot, Bluetooth (on later variants), and colour screen. Manufactured by Volkswagen / Bosch, it was positioned as the premium factory option from approximately 2008 to 2015 in:

Golf VI (2008–2012) — GTI, GTD, R variants
Passat B6 and B7 (2005–2015)
Tiguan I (2007–2016)
Touareg II (2010–2018) — some configurations
Sharan II (2010–2015)
EOS (2006–2015)

If your RCD 510 is in SAFE mode, get your VW radio code online by following the steps below.

Finding the VWZ6Z Serial on the RCD 510

The RCD 510's serial begins with VWZ6Z (a 14-character string). Unlike basic button-based units, the touchscreen RCD 510 has two retrieval methods:

On-screen via SAFE screen: With the unit in SAFE mode, press and hold presets 1 and 6 simultaneously for two seconds. The VWZ6Z serial will appear on the touchscreen display.
Unit label: Remove the unit using VW double-DIN extraction tools (two pairs of flat blades or proprietary tabs) and read the serial from the sticker on the top or side of the unit body.

Note the full 14-character VWZ6Z string carefully before proceeding.

Entering the Code on the RCD 510 Touchscreen

Turn ignition to position II. The touchscreen shows SAFE or a code entry screen.
On the touchscreen, a numeric input panel may appear automatically. If not, the code can also be entered using presets 1–4 to cycle digits, then the seek button to confirm — same as the RCD 310.
On some RCD 510 firmware versions, the code entry is entirely touchscreen-based with a keypad displayed on screen. Tap each digit and confirm with the on-screen OK button.
Correct entry unlocks the unit immediately.

RCD 510 Compared to Other VW Touchscreen Units

Unit	Display	Serial Prefix	Navigation?	Typical Vehicle
RCD 310	Single-line LCD	VWZ	No	Golf V/VI, Polo V
RCD 510	Colour touchscreen	VWZ6Z	No (SD media only)	Golf VI, Passat B7
RNS 510	Colour touchscreen	VWZ6Z	Yes (DVD/SD nav)	Golf VI, Tiguan I
Discover Media (MIB2)	Colour touchscreen	VWZ	Yes (online nav)	Golf VII, Polo VI

Troubleshooting the RCD 510 SAFE Mode

SAFE appears after every start: This suggests a weak or intermittent battery connection. The radio does not retain its authorisation through micro-power-loss events. Check battery terminals for corrosion.
1000 displayed: One attempt remaining. Fetch the correct code via the VWZ6Z serial before proceeding.
Touchscreen unresponsive in SAFE mode: Try the button-based entry method (presets 1–4 + seek) as an alternative to touchscreen entry on early firmware versions.
Permanent lock: Requires a VW dealer ODIS reset with proof of ownership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the VWZ6Z serial always 14 characters?

Yes. All VW Group head unit serials — including the VWZ6Z prefix used by the RCD 510 and RNS 510 — are 14 characters long. If the serial you have is shorter or longer, double-check by re-reading the unit label or the on-screen display.

My RCD 510 has Bluetooth — does that change the code process?

No. Bluetooth is a feature of some later RCD 510 variants, but the SAFE mode lock and VWZ6Z serial system is identical across all versions of the unit.

Can I swap an RCD 510 between VW models?

Physically yes, but you will need the code for the specific unit you are installing. The code is tied to the unit's VWZ6Z serial, not the vehicle's VIN.

What if the SAFE display freezes and won't let me enter a code?

Leave the ignition in position II for several minutes — some units require a warm-up period before the code entry prompt becomes active. If the screen remains frozen, a brief full power cycle (ignition off, then on again) often resolves this.

Unlock your RCD 510 now — enter your VWZ6Z serial online and receive your four-digit code within minutes.