Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution

**wai** · 03-10-2015, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Cossor

[COLOR="#B22222"]We chose a two litre Volkswagen, because it is the company at the centre of the scandal, and a 1.5 litre Ford Focus, which according to DVLA figures is the second most popular diesel car on Britain's roads today (after the VW Golf).

We are not suggesting that either of these cars is cheating in any way.

The test recreates the way people actually drive around town - often at low speeds and in traffic, but with the odd fast stretch.
Engines have to meet European emissions regulations based on when they were built. The VW Passat that was tested was a slightly older model, so it had to meet the less stringent Euro 5 requirements. The newer Ford Focus had to meet the tougher Euro 6 standards.
In the tests conducted for the BBC, the VW emitted 0.664g of NOx per km, which is a touch under four times the regulated limit of 0.18g under the Euro 5 rules.

It managed 41.7 miles per gallon in urban testing, which is close to its published urban fuel efficiency of 44.8 mpg.

The Ford emitted 0.422g of NOx per km, which is more than five times the regulated limit of 0.08g under the Euro 6 rules.

It managed 47 miles per gallon in urban testing - well below its published urban fuel efficiency of 65.7 mpg.

Now let me start by saying that this is NOT directed at you, but at the media commentators who are stirring this along and really do not know what they are talking about.

There was NEVER EVER ANY ASSUMPTION OR EXPECTATION THAT VEHICLE EMISSIONS IN-SERVICE WOULD MATCH THOSE ATTAINED IN OFFICIAL EMISSIONS TESTING. Sorry for shouting, but it has to be said and made clear.

Also EVERY manufacturer has what could be classed as a "defeat code" in their ECU software. The settings in the ECU that are used during emissions testing are NEVER the same as those used in-service. As I have said before, we are no longer in the era of carburettors, simple fuel injection systems, distributors with mechanical and vacuum advance and a single ignition coil. We now have computer control of the fuel and air supply to the engine that changes microsecond by microsecond based on the signals received from dozens of sensors.

So, it doesn't surprise me that other vehicles emit levels above that set in the official emission test. They ALL exceed the limits set in the official tests when tested using in-service tests, and are expected to. It is the uninformed commentators who act surprised when they discover that this is the case.

When the standards used were developed, this was known and acknowledged, however the argument was that a vehicle that met the limits in official test was going to better in-service than one that did not meet the limits in the official test, and that still holds true.

**Umai Naa!!** · 03-10-2015, 08:22 PM

Just to re-itterate what has already been clarifed; there is no 'cheat device' on them.

It's all in the ECU mapping. The cars tested, where put into what's been referred to as 'dyno mode', by way of some pedal dancing and button mashing, which prompts the ECU to divert to a different set of maps (much in the same vein as Limp Mode when there's a sensor fault), which allowed the cars to meet emissions guidelines.

**PerthMTB** · 03-10-2015, 08:24 PM

There was NEVER EVER ANY ASSUMPTION OR EXPECTATION THAT VEHICLE EMISSIONS IN-SERVICE WOULD MATCH THOSE ATTAINED IN OFFICIAL EMISSIONS TESTING.

Well said Wai, but I think it's a message that's going to get drowned out in the rush to demonize VAG diesels as polluting!

**fransnz** · 03-10-2015, 08:35 PM

So its happened - VW Australia have put a stop on all diesel model sales.
Wonder whats going to happen?

**bluey** · 03-10-2015, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by Amalgam

A video from BBC testing a Euro 5 Passat and Euro 6 Focus on the road. Both show a 4-5x increase in NOx levels as compared to 'Test Standards'.[...]

Two cars road tested - how clean are they? - BBC News

Exactly what the ICCT white paper said, but ICCT had a load of models.

The 35x is likely an anomaly caused by low cetane US fuel and incompetently designed WVU test rig.

**bluey** · 03-10-2015, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by fransnz

So its happened - VW Australia have put a stop on all diesel model sales.
Wonder whats going to happen?

I suspect they just had to do "something" to make it look like they are doing "something". Likely to see some tests in local conditions while HQ ponders what they will do.

Looks to me like the nearest WVU/EPA/CARB could get was noticing the VW worked hard to manage idle emissions. Still waiting to hear what the actual ECU code does in reality. Very unlikely to be "turning off emission control when not in test".

**tigger73** · 03-10-2015, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by fransnz

So its happened - VW Australia have put a stop on all diesel model sales.
Wonder whats going to happen?

Anyone that was meant to take delivery of their vehicle on Monday may find they get a call from their dealer.....

**Buzy_Robot** · 03-10-2015, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by fransnz

So its happened - VW Australia have put a stop on all diesel model sales.
Wonder whats going to happen?

Sorry guys, but VGA are not putting a stop on all diesel model sales in Australia - only those with the 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre EA189 diesel engines until they are rectified to meet the requisite emissions standards. Vehicles with the new EA288 diesel engines which meet Euro6 will continue to be sold in Australia.