Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution

[feenix74]

There have been reports here and in the media where the software update has no discernible difference to the way the vehicle performs. There have also been reports where the performance of the vehicle has been impacted by the software update. There have also been reports that the DPF regen cycle occurs more often (which should impact on fuel economy and many impact on the service life of the emissions control equipment).

My Caddy is a dieselgate, and I am planning to avoid the voluntary recall (software update and fitting of a new plastic airflow smoother in front of the MAF) unless it is declared a mandatory recall. The engineer in me says that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

If the recall goes mandatory, then I will spend the money to get it dynoed before and after the recall. I also have 6 years worth of fuel economy data and therefore I will be able to identify any changes in performance and/or fuel economy. If there are, then I will have a chat with VWA. If that is unsatifactory then I will be talking to the Dept of Fair Trade.

[Ryeman]

Context? Any desire to expand on this line of thought which ads to the discussion or answers toward the questions I've asked?

There is no upside that I'm aware of, but significant downside risks to power/torque characteristics, DPF regen/life and thus long term ownership costs.....incl economy.

[dero]

If the recall goes mandatory, then I will spend the money to get it dynoed before and after the recall. I also have 6 years worth of fuel economy data and therefore I will be able to identify any changes in performance and/or fuel economy. If there are, then I will have a chat with VWA. If that is unsatifactory then I will be talking to the Dept of Fair Trade.

That's actually a very good thing to keep in mind.

I too have 6 years of fuel economy data which I could rely on if the recall becomes mandatory and I can perform a direct like for like comparison because my driving pattern and driving style won't immediately change overnight.

[feenix74]

From some of the reports going around, the peak power and torque figures may not change but the shape of the power and torque curves change (ie less torque at low revs) which will make a noticeable impact on normal driving performance of the vehicle. Hence, if the recall goes mandatory, spend the money and get the car dyno tested before and after which will give you hard data with which to approach VWA and/or Dept of Fair Trade with if there is a performance issue. Look at the money spent as your insurance policy.

[Transporter]

From some of the reports going around, the peak power and torque figures may not change but the shape of the power and torque curves change (ie less torque at low revs) which will make a noticeable impact on normal driving performance of the vehicle. Hence, if the recall goes mandatory, spend the money and get the car dyno tested before and after which will give you hard data with which to approach VWA and/or Dept of Fair Trade with if there is a performance issue. Look at the money spent as your insurance policy.

...and you'll be wasting your money.

[feenix74]

Please enlighten me why?

[feenix74]

Go to jail, do not pass Go.

Volkswagen executive gets seven years jail over emissions fraud - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[mythik]

There is a Netflix documentary series out called "Dirty Money" , the first episode was about guess what?!
It is an eye opener to say the least, and coming from the land of the free to sue lawyers, what they say is extremely revealing.
Lines like "hundreds of senior managers and engineers would have known" and " the fix will shorten engine life" led to the total recall of all diesels from 2009-2015. (only in the USA) Also interesting the reason they can get away with it in the EU!
And the tests showing 40-80 times claimed emissions on the road, and the actual reasons they did them. Not to stuff with VW but original aim was to promote the "clean tech"!!!!!
But don't mention the monkeys....

https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80118100

The forum's retarded viglink monetisation ruins the outbound link to netflix.

 https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80118100

[Dutch77]

There were two key take outs from the documentary:

1. The producer had a clear agenda as someone impacted by the issue in the USA, albeit it was presented in a reasonable format (actually the series isn't too bad overall for something a bit different).

2. The last 5-10 minutes discussing the fact that pretty much every other diesel manufacturer out there is fudging the figures as well but there was a clear goal to make VW pay.

[Dutch77]

I never argued it was right - just that the other Euro diesels were ultimately spewing out way over the limits (and way more than the 6x they would expect in real world conditions).

If someone wants to drive diesel they either except the compromises, or they do what every second dual-cab numpty does and thrash around spewing fumes everywhere and getting in the way of the rest of us.

It's done and dusted. Resale is what it is, everyone bar a small few have moved on.

As for weak Australian government, we get nothing better because as soon as someone tries to do anything to put Australia forward we get the Loony Left and the average dimwitted Australian voting it down.

[Dutch77]

It was quite clear that the other guys were also going way over the 2-6 time figure you love to quote and the Loony Left has never extracted anything of use from anyone, beyond bludging off the rest of the population and sitting around singing kumbaya.

Anyway - yes, very happy with my current and previous VWs. Thanks for asking.

[Transporter]

Just chill out. How about other products and activities that damage your health?

Like tobacco, drugs (oh some retards even found more appealing term for it
“The recreation drugs”). Unhealthy lifestyle many have. All of that is sucking many from the health system.

So, if any of you the VW bashers fit in the above, you’re just hypocrites.

...and yes, I’m very happy too with all our VW rides, will buy again no matter how much dirt the fake medias try to throw on the brand.

[Dutch77]

Precisely.

I am unable to follow the ramblings of a Loony Leftie so I'm back to enjoying my VW in the other threads - perhaps you should be off driving your clean engined Lada or Trabant.. now there's a beacon of what the Left can do.

[feenix74]

But I am a social lefty/economic righty (yes I am "stuck in the middle with you") who likes his Diesel-gate Caddy just the way it is without the "update"

I am still a proud VW owner, I have been for 21 years and my next car will be a VW (maybe a Skoda). However, just because I love my VWs that does not, excuse the behaviour of VW corporate or VW Australia in creating Diesel-gate, trying to cover it up and then trying to avoid fixing the issue properly. It has certainly burned up a lot of goodwill in my VW household. Their corporate behaviour hurts us all as VW fanatics in that it reduces the resale value of VW branded vehicles. I tend drive my car until it goes to the wrecker but I remember when my Mk3 held its value very well for the first 5-10 years compared to how quickly the value of a Mk6 has dropped. Yes the used car market is now different new but Toyota still do a decent job of engineering their vehicles to be reliable so that they hold their resale value even with Takata airbags fitted . . .

[Transporter]

When the one can buy a new car every 3years, he/she lost every right to talk about the impact on the environment, because THEY created throwaway society of snobs, playing onto the cards of rich CEOs - “Me and my image first”, environment is just an afterthought to them.

I see many such individuals in this thread. Punt intended.