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The dash cluster in the .:R32 has provision to enable some parameters of the display to be altered by reflashing the EEPROM. The excellent VAGCOM program (now known as VCDS) is not able to alter these settings. You will require one of the below programs (or similar) and a suitable matching OBD cable:

VAGdashCOM

VagTacho USB

MFA (half height display) clusters can have the following features enabled:

Dash illumination ON with ignition (in addition to being dimmable with normal light switch rheostat)
"Distance to empty" display
Linear scale temperature gauge (to remove the false reading shown on the factory gauge)

FIS (full height display) clusters can have the following features enabled, in addition to the above:

"Welcome" message on ignition.
"Bulb Monitor" -rear Tail Lights, Low Beam and Brake Light bulbs (this feature requires additional wiring modifications in the car AND the cluster itself - detailed separately here)

VCDS also allows some simple coding changes. Amongst these are:

Enabling/Disabling warnings for Brake Pad Wear Indicator, Seat Belt and Windscreen Washer Fluid Level
Enabling Radio/Navi display (if connected)
Resetting Service Interval
Enabling Variable Service/Fixed Service Oil Change Regime (requires Sump Sensor for Variable Service - see here)
Adjusting Oil Pressure Warning threshold rpm
Changing Cluster Language
Changing Country Code of Cluster alters the various display units (detailed fully below) and some warnings
Activating Speed Warning. This is non adjustable and programmed for 120 kmh (75 mph).

Warning. Altering the EEPROM incorrectly has the potential to render your cluster and/or car inoperative. Proceed at your own risk.

A Hex Editing program will also be required to alter the EEPROM coding. I use this excellent XVI32 Hex Editor. There are many others freely available.

The procedure described here is that used with the VagTacho USB program, however the general procedure is similar when using VAGdashCOM

Firstly, ensure your car battery is fully charged. If the car voltage is low then there may be issues with EEPROM flash (incomplete transfer of data etc)

Secondly, ensure the laptop is sufficiently charged to complete the procedure - it may take up to half an hour to complete.

Plug cable into OBD port in car.

Switch ignition to ON position only. Do NOT start car. Ignition must remain ON during entire coding procedure.

Launch program on your laptop/computer.

If VagTacho searches and it is a "VDO New" tacho, then you are set to go.

In VagTacho - select Read the EEPROM.

The program reads the EEPROM and stores it in the memory buffer.

Go to the top of the screen and select "File" then "Save File".

Save the file to your desktop or somewhere as an ".eep" file.

Do NOT exit the VagTacho program.

Just open XVI32 (or other Hex Editor) program separately.

Set the XVI32 program to have 16 columns when you view it for ease.

Go to: "Tools" - "Options" - "Appearance" - "Number of Columns" and make the value 16 to do this.

Now open up the .eep file you just saved.

Magically the full EEPROM dump will appear. :-)

It should begin at 000000 and end at 0007FF

If the EEPROM dump does not end at 0007FF, then it is incomplete. Do NOT proceed any further until you have a proper EEPROM read.

In XVI32 click on "Address" tab, then "Go To"

Type in the search parameter the byte address you are looking for.

Type search enquiry as a hexidecimal address, for example "000416" or "$416"

It will locate the specific byte and highlight it. It will say, for example "C1"

Amend byte to the new value you require, for example "E1", by simply typing in the highlighted field. It will overwrite the existing data.

Save this amended file as a new ".eep" file. Give it a different name to your original file.

Always keep your unaltered original file as a backup copy!!!

Now go back into Vagtacho program.

Select "File" then "Read File".

Select the NEW altered EEPROM dump you just saved and it will load that file into the memory buffer.

You can have a look at the memory buffer if you wish, to make sure the altered figure is recorded properly and the entire dump is ready to load.

Now select "Write EEPROM"

New dump writes into cluster EEPROM. Do not interrupt this process until it completes the task.

When finished press "Disconnect"

Switch off ignition and unplug cable etc.

Please note, it has been observed on some occasions that the alterations may not be immediately visible. The cluster will be operating normally at this point in any case, however, it may take a few minutes, or a couple of start cycles for your alterations to appear. Some people have had to remove the cluster fuse or disconnect the car battery before the alterations take effect.

The following addresses are only valid for original .:R32 dash clusters with part numbers: 1J0920826J; 1J0920846F; 1J0920946F and 1J0920927A. Other clusters may or may not have different addresses for these modifications. Use them at your own risk.

Dash Illumination:

This modification will illuminate the chosen combination of displays whenever the ignition is switched ON. When the headlight switch is OFF, the chosen displays will illuminate at full intensity and are not adjustable with the rheostat. As soon as you turn the headlight switch to either PARK or ON position, the instrument cluster illumination will revert to fully lit and will be controllable with the rheostat as normal. This modification does not affect any other lighting in the car such as any switch illumination etc, only the cluster display lighting.

UK and Euro metric .:R32 cluster only address: 0001ED (also written as $1ED).

Original byte should be 30 (all UK & metric .:R32 clusters have 30 on both half and full pixel clusters at this address). Amend the second digit only as follows to obtain the different effects:

3 - displays only e.g. "30" becomes "33"
5 - gauges only
7 - displays and gauges only
9 - needles only
B - displays and needles only e.g. "30" becomes "3B"
D - Needles and Gauges only
F - all lit up

US .:R32 cluster address: 00021F (also written as $21F). Normal value is 70 (so "needles only" would amend to 79)

Distance to Empty display:

This modification will add the additional "Distance to Empty" display when scrolling through the MFA / FIS menus.

UK and Euro metric .:R32 cluster only address: 000416 (also written as $416). Amend value C1 to E1

US .:R32 cluster have this feature already enabled from the factory. For information purposes only, this byte is located at address 00044E (also written as $44E).
The value is already set to E1.

Welcome Message:

This modification enables a "WELCOME" message to appear in the cluster display when you start the vehicle. (see photo). The message can only be enabled on a cluster with a full pixel (FIS) display. It does not work with a half height (MFA) display. The Welcome message only displays if there are no other current active warnings, such as "Fasten Seatbelts", "Low Washer Fluid Level", etc

Address: 000417 (also written as $417). Amend 02 to 6B

VCDS is used to alter the Country Code of the Cluster. The Country Code is the third digit of the Cluster Softcode i.e. xx0xx.

By choosing various countries you can alter the display (metric/Imperial odometer and temperature); clock display (12hr/24hr), the consumption display (US/Imperial mpg; l/100km or km/l) and enable/disable the "Key in Ignition/Door Open Warning"

There is also a non-adjustable 120kmh (75mph) Speed Warning when using Saudi Arabia country coding. See a video of the annoying sound produced here.
It may be annoying, but very handy in my $peed camera infested country.

1 = ECE              km; Celsius; 24hr clock; l/100km; NO key in ignition/door open warning; default language German

2 = USA              miles; Fahrenheit; 12hr clock; US mpg; key in ignition/door open warning; default language English

3 = Canada         km;   Celsius; 12hr clock; l/100km; key in ignition/door open warning; default language English

4 = GB                 miles; Celsius; 24hr clock; Imperial mpg; NO key in ignition/door open warning; default language English

5 = Japan            km; Celsius; 24hr clock; km/l; NO key in ignition/door open warning

6 = Saudi Arabia km; Celsius; 24hr clock; l/100km; key in ignition/door open warning; speed warning buzzer at, or above 125 km/h (indicated)

7 = Australia        km; Celsius; 24hr clock; l/100km; NO key in ignition/door open warning

Distance to Empty display. This is the highest figure I have ever seen in my car....2,400 rpm...truly ;-)

Dash Illumination. Lit needles only.

You can program the needles, the needle scales and the odometer/clock displays individually to display in various combinations when the ignition is on according to your own wishes. Photo also shows Radio Display in top of FIS and Satellite Navigation directions.

Welcome Message.