Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution

[Amalgam]

The latest edition of Go Auto News has this little gem:

Owners can refuse recall
VW confirms that ownersaffected by TDI recall canopt out of software tweak.

AFTER months of waiting for a remedy to the global Volkswagen Group emissions test-cheating engine management software, the first Australian customers are starting to receive recall notices for affected vehicles – but are not obliged to have the work completed.

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This will be me

I will wait for others to test the waters first. You can have the "upgrade" done at any time.

My concern is when you have your routine service done at the dealers and the pimply apprentice accidentally "upgrades" you. I wonder if the flash is reversible. Luckily I still have 10,000km before the next service is due. An independent service tech is always an option.

[Ryeman]

This will be me

I will wait for others to test the waters first. You can have the "upgrade" done at any time.

My concern is when you have your routine service done at the dealers and the pimply apprentice accidentally "upgrades" you. I wonder if the flash is reversible. Luckily I still have 10,000km before the next service is due. An independent service tech is always an option.

I would worry too.
If the 'fix' ups the workload on the EGR valve (my bet) I'd be staying right away.

[Tuan]

You guys are just being paranoid. Says here fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, engine performance, torque and vehicle acoustics etc. won't be affected.

But then again VW did cheat the system after all

[Ryeman]

Why install a cheat that did nothing to start with?.

[hoi polloi]

Why install a cheat that did nothing to start with?.

Just means in Australia our emissions laws are that lax the 'cheat' wasn't required in the first place. As I understand it, all they'll do to Australian vehicles is remove the lines of code that enable the cheat.

It explains why there'll be no penalty in power or performance and also why it's 'opt-out'.

Note that in countries with stricter laws this fix won't be used...

- Anthony

[Ryeman]

VW must be so embarrassed they can't even admit that it didn't do anything.....it was completely irrelevant to our market.
So
They should have simply said so and advised that it would be removed during a scheduled service.

[theresanothersteve]

What we need is a cashed up forum member to dyno their car before it goes in, and dyno it when it comes back...

[feenix74]

While I am not cashed up, however that is certainly part of my plan if the recall becomes mandatory. I have 5 years worth of fuel economy data for the Caddy, I will get it dynoed before it goes in for the recall and get it dynoed after to determine if there has been a impact on performance.

[Amalgam]

It is the other possible changes that maybe harder to measure like ERG that I would be concerned about.

[feenix74]

Agreed, hence if remains a voluntary recall, my Caddy will be skipping the recall.