diff --git a/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/carcontroller.py b/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/carcontroller.py
index d6aa4a4d2ad1f1..0d4a90e6a65a3c 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/carcontroller.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/carcontroller.py
@@ -23,6 +23,13 @@ def __init__(self, dbc_name, CP, VM):
     self.frame = 0
     self.hcaSameTorqueCount = 0
     self.hcaEnabledFrameCount = 0
+    self.hca_mode = 5                                       # init in (active)status 5
+    self.hca_centerDeadbandHigh = 13                        # init center dead band high
+    self.hca_centerDeadbandLow = 4                          # init center dead band low
+    self.hca_deadbandNM_switch = 150                        # init dead band NM switch
+    self.steeringAngle = 0                                  # init our own steeringAngle
+    self.steerDeltaUpHCA5 = self.CCP.STEER_DELTA_UP         # init HCA 5 delta up ramp rate
+    self.steerDeltaUpHCA7 = self.CCP.STEER_DELTA_UP / 2     # init HCA 7 delta up ramp rate, adjust "/" value to change ramp rate difference
 
   def update(self, CC, CS, ext_bus, now_nanos):
     actuators = CC.actuators
@@ -62,12 +69,24 @@ def update(self, CC, CS, ext_bus, now_nanos):
                 self.hcaSameTorqueCount = 0
             else:
               self.hcaSameTorqueCount = 0
+
+        if self.CCS == pqcan: # Custom HCA mode switching (PQ only)
+          self.steeringAngle = CS.out.steeringAngleDeg if CS.out.steeringAngleDeg >= 0 else CS.out.steeringAngleDeg * -1
+          if (((self.steeringAngle >= self.hca_centerDeadbandHigh and abs(apply_steer) <= self.hca_deadbandNM_switch) or \
+               (self.steeringAngle >= self.hca_centerDeadbandLow and abs(apply_steer) >= self.hca_deadbandNM_switch)) or \
+               (self.hca_mode == 7 and ((abs(apply_steer) >= 25 and self.steeringAngle <= self.hca_centerDeadbandLow) or \
+                                         self.steeringAngle >= self.hca_centerDeadbandLow))):
+            self.hca_mode = 7
+            self.CCP.STEER_DELTA_UP = self.steerDeltaUpHCA7
+          else:
+            self.hca_mode = 5
+            self.CCP.STEER_DELTA_UP = self.steerDeltaUpHCA5
       else:
         hcaEnabled = False
         apply_steer = 0
 
       self.apply_steer_last = apply_steer
-      can_sends.append(self.CCS.create_steering_control(self.packer_pt, CANBUS.pt, apply_steer, hcaEnabled))
+      can_sends.append(self.CCS.create_steering_control(self.packer_pt, CANBUS.pt, apply_steer, hcaEnabled, self.hca_mode))
 
     # **** Acceleration Controls ******************************************** #
 
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/pqcan.py b/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/pqcan.py
index 2e8e14f77164b6..982efd2f24aa03 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/pqcan.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/volkswagen/pqcan.py
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
-def create_steering_control(packer, bus, apply_steer, lkas_enabled):
+def create_steering_control(packer, bus, apply_steer, lkas_enabled, hca_mode):
+
   values = {
     "LM_Offset": abs(apply_steer),
     "LM_OffSign": 1 if apply_steer < 0 else 0,
-    "HCA_Status": 7 if (lkas_enabled and apply_steer != 0) else 3,
+    "HCA_Status": hca_mode if (lkas_enabled and apply_steer != 0) else 3,
     "Vib_Freq": 16,
   }