Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution

[theresanothersteve]

And now Opel! (not to mention Daimler and Fiat Chrysler)

GM’s Opel to Meet German Commission Amid Dispute Over Emissions - Bloomberg

General Motors Co.’s Opel unit plans to meet with a German government commission looking into possible emissions manipulation as the carmaker pushes back against allegations by local media and an environmental advocacy group that its engine software may breach regulations.

Representatives of GM’s European division will appear before the commission on Wednesday, the Transport Ministry said Tuesday in an e-mailed statement. The move follows Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s request late last week that the country’s automotive regulator, or KBA, recheck Opel models following “reports” that pollution controls may have been manipulated.

Opel is disputing the results of a joint investigation by Spiegel magazine, ARD television’s Monitor program and the Deutsche Umwelthilfe environmentalist group that found software on Zafira compact vans and Insignia sedans cut off emission controls under certain conditions, such as speeds exceeding 145 kilometers (90 miles) per hour. The conclusions are “wrong,” Karl-Thomas Neumann, head of the GM division, said Tuesday in a statement. “We at Opel don’t have any illegal software.”

[team_v]

Suzuki now caught up in fuel economy scandal:

Suzuki says it used wrong fuel economy tests in Japan | Reuters

[Amalgam]

This Is The Loophole GM Exploited To Legally Cheat European Emissions


Published a year after cycle beating first made the news in Europe, this is the rule that explicitly prohibits defeat systems, however it also includes this little proviso in Article 5:

The use of defeat devices that reduce the effectiveness of emission control systems shall be prohibited.

The prohibition shall not apply where [...] the need for the device is justified in terms of protecting the engine against damage or accident and for safe operation of the vehicle.

This loophole, as Forbes noted two days ago, is what carmakers in Europe have commonly used to get around the defeat system ban in the EU. Carmakers can specify certain parameters where they can claim they need to run extra dirty for safety. That’s exactly what Opel admitted to today.

[Amalgam]

Fiat, Chrysler and Jeep could be banned in Germany – Car Reviews, News & Advice - CarPoint Australia..

Fiat, Chrysler and Jeep could be banned in Germany


The fury arose following emissions tests carried out on a Fiat 500X SUV that discovered emissions equipment that shut off after running for just 22 minutes – two minutes after the official test cycle finishes.

Once switched off, emissions of the diesel vehicle test rapidly exceeded legal limits.

[OilBurna]

Can't see them banning VW in Germany bit hypocritical no doubt payback for the US


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[Dutch77]

I lol'ed a bit. Actually a lot.

Go the Germans.

[stefcio007]

https://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/royalauto/home/motoring/information-advice/general-information/sulfur-in-australia-petrol-june-2016

Petrol with high sulfur content in Australia is causing EURO6 vehicles to burn more fuel and not run as efficiently, apparently also means they don't match their emissions targets. This is in addition to potentially damaging the CAT.

Their figures for sulfur were;
Diesel 10ppm (considered best practice globally, so diesel is fine in this case)
Petrol (Regular) 150ppm
Petrol (Premium 95&9 50ppm

The article didn't state what EURO6 ppm is but I found this paper from 2013 https://www.environment.gov.au/syste...its-petrol.pdf

which states it should be towards 10ppm. I think the RACV article was written based on that paper actually, 3 years later...

[Ryeman]

It seems China is moving on fuel standards
China brings its fuel quality standards up to global levels, quickly

[Ryeman]

Maybe VW could blame the MAF sensor
Failure in Spec: What Happens When a Mass Airflow Sensor Lies - Automotive Service Professional

[Amalgam]

Mercedes-Benz to add particulate filter to petrols – Car Reviews, News & Advice - CarPoint Australia

As well as the improvements to petrols, the German car-maker says it will continue to improve emissions of its diesel line-up.

Mercedes says optimisation of turbos, new fuel injection and better intercooling, plus the use of new materials to improve engine durability will help it increase the range of temperatures its exhaust-gas recirculation operates.

Mercedes-Benz, like many other car-makers, have come under intense criticism for using emission technology that's inactive for a large portion of driving in real-world conditions.

The car-maker says a new exhaust and catalysts made of new materials will also soon be introduced.

Existing owners of the current A-Class, B-Class and CLA and GLA models, plus the V-Class mini-van will all soon be offered with voluntary software updates that's also thought to improve emissions.

The V-Class is the first vehicle to be offered with the new software from this June, the car-maker has announced.

[Ryeman]

Pity no manufacturer can make a diesel with an easily accessible and serviceable EGR valve.
The endless complexities are surely a dead end when combined with a design life of 'just' 10 years ie if you're into keeping a diesel for its long term economy.

[Idle]

They could if they wanted to — there's also the bottom line...

[ian]

I received this update. Video.

https://vwconnect-marketing.extendcloud.com.au/MHWU/lt/PCM_PROD/6506526/6923/mh.html?re=www.volkswagendieselinfo.com.au&CheckSum=4C5E065E03

[Ozsko]

Did I hear right that he said emissions would not be affected??

In the Q&A it is touted as a voluntary recall in Oz?????????????????????????????????????????????

[arcadelt]

Did I hear right that he said emissions would not be affected??

He probably meant negatively...but perhaps not. Maybe the software never caused a breach of Australian standards and so only removal of the offending software is required in this jurisdiction.