How to adjust power steering levels in VW Jetta, Golf, or Rabbit

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Introduction

The mk5 and newer Jetta, Golf, and Rabbit use electric assist power steering.  This saves fuel because instead of running a hydraulic power steering pump all the time, it uses electricity only when you need the assist.

While the electricity comes from the alternator and the energy to run the alternator comes from burning fuel, it's still less than constantly running the power steering fluid pump.  VW stopped making this adjustable sometime around 2007 (there was no TDI in that model year anyways).  Volkswagen changed the electronic module for 2010 and I'm sure it no longer appears for the 2010 Jetta TDI.  The part number on my 2006 was 1k1 090 144 j (1k1090144j).  The part number on a 2010 Jetta TDI was 1k0 909 144 h (1k0909144h) as noted below.  After 2011 the Jetta TDI switched back to hydraulic steering to reduce costs.

Adjusting the amount of assist will result in heavier steering and increasing the amount of assist will result in lighter steering.  The car also corrects for crosswinds.  If you don't like this effect you should reduce the amount of assist. 

Parts

Ross tech VCDS cable

Procedure

Plug in your VCDS and click on 44- Steering Assist.

Click on "Adaptation - 10".  The screen below was on my 2006 Jetta TDI.

The screen below was on a 2010 Jetta TDI.  This part number has different adaptation channels in which you can't adjust the level of power assist.

Read channel 01.  "Stored value" is the amount of steering assist.  "Normal 3" is the program.  You can adjust it as low as 0 for the least assist to about 5 or 6.  Different cars have different steering assist programs.

Did it work?  Share your experience in the myturbodiesel.com VW Jetta TDI forum.