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Volkswagen Is Ordered to Recall Nearly 500k Vehicles Over Emissions Software

nytimes.com

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Re: Volkswagen Is Ordered to Recall Nearly 500k Vehicles Over Emissions Software

#11

Post by izacus »

krapp wrote: post #4

How would this benefit Volkswagen? The article says the device activates emissions control systems when it detects the car is being tested... so it's not as if they're saving money by emulating a system they're not manufacturing.

It's possible that the engine power / automatic transmission shift profile / maximum RPM / etc. is being manipulated to output less emissions at the cost of acceleration, top speed, ride comfort, etc.

The most fuel-efficient / eco ride is rather "boring" by the standards of car enthusiasts and reviewers and I guess the cars wouldn't be configured for that mode by default.

(Just a guess though.)

Re: Volkswagen Is Ordered to Recall Nearly 500k Vehicles Over Emissions Software

#13

Post by aw3c2 »

doughj3 wrote: post #12

> The software was designed to conceal the cars’ emissions of the pollutant nitrogen oxide, which contributes to the creation of ozone and smog. Is this an error in the article or is creating ozone a bad thing?

It is! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone#Health_effects

Re: Volkswagen Is Ordered to Recall Nearly 500k Vehicles Over Emissions Software

#14

Post by barkingcat »

gregwtmtno wrote: post #3

I can't believe such a large company would cheat like that. I think there must be more to this. Maybe a rogue employee?

More like a Rogue CEO and Board. Decisions of this magnitude going over so many years likely were made by the people at the top.

Recall that VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech resigned earlier this year http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/04/25/uk-volkswagen-ceo-c...

The board was quoted: "The members of the steering committee came to a consensus that, in the light of the past weeks, the mutual trust necessary for successful cooperation was no longer there"

What likely happened was that the EPA filed suit against VW in April, and in uncovering the evidence needed to support the suit, VW chair Ferdinand knew that he needed to go in order to let VW continue to be a company. Or, Ferdinand could have been the ethical one and blew the whistle.

Either way, let out the stink. Corporations aren't nearly the kind of flawless entities you think they are.

Re: Volkswagen Is Ordered to Recall Nearly 500k Vehicles Over Emissions Software

#15

Post by capnrefsmmat »

doughj3 wrote: post #12

> The software was designed to conceal the cars’ emissions of the pollutant nitrogen oxide, which contributes to the creation of ozone and smog. Is this an error in the article or is creating ozone a bad thing?

Ozone is a respiratory irritant when it's at low altitude, so pumping out ozone isn't a great way to help the ozone hole:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone#Ozone_air_pollution

Re: Volkswagen Is Ordered to Recall Nearly 500k Vehicles Over Emissions Software

#16

Post by gnoway »

krapp wrote: post #4

How would this benefit Volkswagen? The article says the device activates emissions control systems when it detects the car is being tested... so it's not as if they're saving money by emulating a system they're not manufacturing.

Don't the emissions systems affect performance? I have a 2012 Golf TDI and really like it, one of the advantages over one of the hybrids is that I get pretty great fuel economy for the kind of driving I do, but it doesn't feel like I'm driving a weed eater.

This really pisses me off. It doesn't surprise me I guess but it never occurred to me that a car manufacturer could get away with something like this for, apparently, 6 model years.

Re: Volkswagen Is Ordered to Recall Nearly 500k Vehicles Over Emissions Software

#19

Post by munificent »

krapp wrote: post #4

How would this benefit Volkswagen? The article says the device activates emissions control systems when it detects the car is being tested... so it's not as if they're saving money by emulating a system they're not manufacturing.

Reducing emissions usually comes at the expense of worse power or fuel economy.

By only reducing emissions during testing, they can demonstrate better engine power and fuel efficiency while also claiming to meet the emissions requirements.

Re: Volkswagen Is Ordered to Recall Nearly 500k Vehicles Over Emissions Software

#20

Post by CodeWriter23 »

I don't understand how California detected this. The one time I had to take my 2010 Jetta turbo diesel for a smog check, the inspection was ENTIRELY visual. The inspector did not insert a probe into the tailpipe. He did plug the test rig into the OBD-II port under the steering column and turn the key to the accessory position (presumably to electronically capture the VIN), but that's it. I even asked him at the end if it was an entirely visual inspection and he said, puzzled, yes but that's what the computer told him to do.
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