Abstract: Method and apparatus for programming at least one control device in a vehicle having a plurality of control devices to be programmed, and a central control device with a non-volatile vehicle configuration memory. A bus system connects all the control devices in the vehicle to one another and to the central control device. When one of said control devices is retrofitted or replaced, it initiates a comparison of data located in its memory with the vehicle configuration data resident in the configuration memory of the central control device and, in the case of differences between these data, the data in the retrofitted or replaced control device are overwritten with current vehicle configuration data called up from the vehicle configuration memory.

Abstract: A device for the identification of vehicle features essentially comprises an electronic memory circuit which is arranged fixed to the vehicle and which can be read by an external apparatus which is to be connected to the vehicle. The memory is integrated into or onto a segment of the contact element support of a diagnosis socket, which segment is detachable from the latter. A part of a film-chip film circuit can very advantageously be used for this purpose, as is known from the technology and production of electronic credit cards and data cards. The electronic memory is initially written at the factory during the production of the vehicle, and then reflects the original equipment features of the vehicle. In the event of an installation or modification for the special equipment of the vehicle, the contents of the memory can be modified or updated electrically by the apparatus.