Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution

[Sunny43.5]

Dear Volkswagen customer,

We wish to confirm that your vehicle with the Vehicle Identification Number you submitted as at 08/10/2015 08:21:39 AM, is not affected by software that causes discrepancies in the values for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) during dynometer runs.

2010 VW Transporter 2.0 7spd DSG

Just as well as I only ever drive my van on a dyno


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I got the same reply when I checked ours , I am still not convinced that this debacle will not have an adverse effect on resale as VW,s name is pretty much mud already after the DSG debacle a couple of yeas back

[bluey]

Haven't read anything from a journalist on this issue that has illuminated much factual detail so far. The reality according to ICCT papers linked earlier in this thread is that nearly all diesels emit more NOX in real world tests.
NOx control technologies for Euro 6 diesel passenger cars | International Council on Clean Transportation[Press release] New ICCT study shows real-world exhaust emissions from modern diesel cars seven times higher than EU, US regulatory limits | International Council on Clean Transportation
The latest ICCT paper on euro6 models shows Hyundai, Renault and Volvo at 6-14x and the VW was exemplary.

Nobody has reported on the effect of low cetane US fuel on worse NOX emissions performance. Nobody has reported on the problems with WVU research rig (resistance equivalent to about 3m of extra exhaust pipe) that measured the headline 35x figure. Would be nice to see some research comparing the output of a bad test rig to a good test rig on a real vehicle.

Of course there is no question that specific code which detects the emissions test cycle and uses a different engine map for that is unconscionable. (There is still no factual account of the code in question.) The fact that most car diesels have issues with worse NOX performance in a real world test suggests they are all playing on the edge of legal. Corporations do many things bordering on unethical which are nevertheless legal (just) - profit-shifting to avoid tax is something that many people using family trusts as well as multinational corporations using different countries do. Not apologising for anyone but that is the world we live in.

[ducksonetime]

Haven't read anything from a journalist on this issue that has illuminated much factual detail so far. The reality according to ICCT papers linked earlier in this thread is that nearly all diesels emit more NOX in real world tests.
NOx control technologies for Euro 6 diesel passenger cars | International Council on Clean Transportation[Press release] New ICCT study shows real-world exhaust emissions from modern diesel cars seven times higher than EU, US regulatory limits | International Council on Clean Transportation
The latest ICCT paper on euro6 models shows Hyundai, Renault and Volvo at 6-14x and the VW was exemplary.

Nobody has reported on the effect of low cetane US fuel on worse NOX emissions performance. Nobody has reported on the problems with WVU research rig (resistance equivalent to about 3m of extra exhaust pipe) that measured the headline 35x figure. Would be nice to see some research comparing the output of a bad test rig to a good test rig on a real vehicle.

Of course there is no question that specific code which detects the emissions test cycle and uses a different engine map for that is unconscionable. (There is still no factual account of the code in question.) The fact that most car diesels have issues with worse NOX performance in a real world test suggests they are all playing on the edge of legal. Corporations do many things bordering on unethical which are nevertheless legal (just) - profit-shifting to avoid tax is something that many people using family trusts as well as multinational corporations using different countries do. Not apologising for anyone but that is the world we live in.

There's is a difference between being an apologist and realistic. I agree with you 100%.

[Arnold]

Hopefully this is sorted out soon and isolated to the United States and not a global issue for Volkswagen:
US accuses Volkswagen of illegal pollution
Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution | Business | The Guardian
EPA: Volkswagen used ‘defeat device’ to illegally skirt air-pollution controls - The Washington Post
Feds allege widespread Volkswagen cheating on clean-air rules
Volkswagen, Audi admit to cheating pollution tests in the US

I am sure you're right. US only; sorted out in two shakes; and not a big issue for VAG or its shareholders. D'oh!

It turns out that this is likely to be a much bigger and further-reaching scandal than was the disconnecting of odometers on Chryslers during employee test drives.

[dero]

13%... so far.....
Volkswagen resale prices drop 13 percent

[Rawcpoppa]

13%... so far.....
Volkswagen resale prices drop 13 percent

Transporter will be pleased.

[bluey]

Reading this report and the comments,it appears that testing a modern vehicle with advanced traction control is a non-trivial exercise, since the car will not behave itself on the dyno like it might on the road.

Here's How Much Horsepower Volkswagens Lose From Their Diesel Defeat Device

So it may in fact be required to have a "test mode" to enable the vehicle to be tested, without generating odd behaviour.

Perhaps it was the need for a "test mode" that led engineers down a path of different modes for test and road and different emissions in each scenario. Knowing that other manufacturers probably all did similar (based on evidence of ICCT reports) may have given engineers reasons to think they should continue down this path.

[bluey]

13%... so far.....
Volkswagen resale prices drop 13 percent

May be short lived when people figure there is money to be made from VW by owning one.

[Rawcpoppa]

VW's diesel fix will not affect fuel economy, may take two years to complete | Fox News


Testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday, Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn said that several remedies are in the works to bring nearly a half-million of the company’s diesel cars on the road in the United States in compliance with emissions standards without dramatically affecting their performance.

The cars were found to have emissions testing defeat devices installed that allowed them to pass EPA lab tests, while emitting up to 40 times the allowable level of nitrogen oxide emissions in real world driving.

Horn says the remedies are still in development, but that he has been informed that 2015 model year cars should require only new software, while 2009-2014 model year vehicles will need to undergo mechanical upgrades. 2016 models, which are on dealer lots but do not yet have the EPA certification that would allow them to be sold, will also get a software update.

Volkswagen has no intention to buy back the cars outright, Horn said.

The older cars will have a urea exhaust injection system and likely a redesigned catalytic converter installed to bring their nitrogen oxide emissions in compliance. Horn said that this could require five to 10 hours of labor for each vehicle.

However, while many of the affected consumers have voiced concerned that changes made to the cars would affect their fuel efficiency or power, Horn assured the committee that the updated cars will deliver the same miles per gallon that they were originally advertised with, and that any power reduction would only result in a loss of 1 or 2 miles of top speed. The company will consider compensating owners monetarily for any changes to their car's performance.

Horn said that work on the newest cars should begin within a few months, but that the fix for the the 2009-2014 models won't be ready until the middle of 2016. He estimates that it will take one to two years to update all of the cars on the road today.

[hoi polloi]

May be short lived when people figure there is money to be made from VW by owning one.

I don't think you'll have a case if you bought one after this broke.

- Anthony