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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

#71

Post by devicenull »

joshrotenberg wrote: post #56
devicenull wrote: post #51

I'm wondering how this is going to be implemented.. it doesn't seem like a thing that's really fixable here.

Total speculation based solely on experience as a consumer (and I own a 2013 VW Golf TDI, so it affects me), but my guess is that the fix would be updated software to apply the stricter emissions controls all the time, presumably at the expense of engine performance. EDIT: And reducing fuel economy, which is a huge selling point of the TDI in the first place. No idea "by how much" though, and typically TDI numbers ar…

Yea, I have a 2015 Jetta which is why I was curious. I wonder if this explains why my car sounds really weird for the first few minutes of running.

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

#72

Post by thrownaway2424 »

JorgeGT wrote: post #23
gnoway wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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, apparen…

Yes, a common strategy is to inject more EGR (exhaust gas) into the fresh intake air. As EGR is already burned, it is inert, so it negatively affects the combustion, lowering the temperature. With lower combustion temperature you get less NOx... but less power for each amount of fuel, so your efficiency/performance is lower, and also non burned products (CO, C) increase. You then trap those with the Diesel Particulat…

Since this EPA action is about NOx, it seems VW will need to lower combustion temperature, leading to higher soot and therefore more particulate filter cycles. That will also increase fuel consumption.

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

#73

Post by cozzyd »

jandrese wrote: post #35
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?

A large corporation...acting unethically? Say it ain't so! This is why regulations exist in the first place, because you can't trust companies to act ethnically on their own. Their job is to maximize profit, and the invisible hand only works on money.

> because you can't trust companies to act ethnically on their own

Indeed, this doesn't sound very German

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

#74

Post by BashiBazouk »

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.

Help sell cars. I have a TDI sportswagon and this will be the second performance hit. A couple years after purchase there was a recall to reduce the power a bit via software "upgrade". Seems fuel filters were occasionally failing at high acceleration or with people that used high acceleration a lot. The power drop was minor but noticeable. I suspected then and even more after this indecent that VW knew about the problem but wanted max power to help sell cars during the test drives.

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

#77

Post by geggam »

beachstartup wrote: post #34
jcreedon wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure about CA specifically, but some states only do full inspections on newer vehicles every other year. e.g. In a particular year the odd year models get the full inspection and the even year models just get a quick inspection and then vice versa in the next year.

ca doesn't even do smog checks on newer vehicles (i believe 5 years, not sure though). i haven't done one in over a decade because i lease my cars as a business expense. also, ca has 'test-only' smog centers which do not perform repairs - if you fail there, you have to get your car tested and repaired somewhere else. needless to say ca highly incentivizes you to buy new clean cars. it quickly becomes very expensive t…

incentivizes you to buy and old clunker ( pre emissions ) and keep it running forever... or a truck...

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

#78

Post by swang »

sbov wrote: post #53
nitrogen wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just like sports, even stiffer fine and ruined reputation on being caught cheating. Just like sports, companies will still cheat. When punishment doesn't work, the answer is rarely more punishment.

Caveat: if the punishment does not exceed the profit from cheating, it's not a punishment it's a cost of doing business.

See: Johnson & Johnson w/ their drug risperdal: $2 billion in penalties... $30 billion in sales.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/17/opinion/nicholas-kristof-w...

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

#79

Post by joshrotenberg »

devicenull wrote: post #71
joshrotenberg wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Total speculation based solely on experience as a consumer (and I own a 2013 VW Golf TDI, so it affects me), but my guess is that the fix would be updated software to apply the stricter emissions controls all the time, presumably at the expense of engine performance. EDIT: And reducing fuel economy, which is a huge selling point of the TDI in the first place. No idea "by how much" though, and typically TDI numbers ar…

Yea, I have a 2015 Jetta which is why I was curious. I wonder if this explains why my car sounds really weird for the first few minutes of running.

I think that's just a diesel thing.

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

#80

Post by cmurf »

organsnyder wrote: post #2

This is actively malicious. There had better be criminal charges filed.

Harm to the consumer via fraud, and to the environment, yes. But corporations almost never see criminal charges. Fuck the environment for 6 years? Pay this fine. Sell some pot? Fuck you asshole go to jail for 3 years.
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