Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution

[Transporter]

Diesel engines are very linear in their conversion of fuel to bang. More fuel, more bang - so long as you can keep the air up to it. (Unlike petrol, where more fuel reaches a point where the engine starts to ‘flood’ or cool the combustion process too far and reduce power)

‘More fuel, less power’ is not the way a Diesel engine - particularly a forced induction one - works.

It’s not that simple and your explanation is not the right one.
You forgotten the exhaust after treatment, that sucks some fuel.

[ian]

At the moment i can fill my 130kw Tiguan Diesel and drive from Brisbane to Sydney and have about a quarter of a tank left
Would i still be able to perform the same economy after the Diesel Fix ?

[Transporter]

At the moment i can fill my 130kw Tiguan Diesel and drive from Brisbane to Sydney and have about a quarter of a tank left
Would i still be able to perform the same economy after the Diesel Fix ?

I certainly am happy how our TDIs are running now and don’t want to change anything, so I will not allow any diesel fix it n them. AFAIK, they complied with the ADR at the time of sale and that’s all what matters.

If anyone is serious about preserving the planet, start with the measures that reduce the population. Also look at all sorts of activities that aren’t essential to our life that involve unnecessary polluting, like air shows and many forms of motorsports like drifting.

[feenix74]

That is not factually correct. NOx reacts with ammonia, moisture, and other compounds in the atmosphere to form nitric acid which will damage our lungs when we breath it in. However, this same nitric acid is also responsible for acid rain which is damaging to the environment. NOx also reacts with volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight to destroy ozone (although interestingly, this may be a positive thing in the lower atmosphere as this will reduce smog). So reducing NOx pollution is both about preserving the planet and preserving the quality and length of your life.

[feenix74]

Close and we both get cigars because the answer is complicated, like the environmental impact of NOx.

NOx can both create and destroy ozone, depending on the type of NOx and the reaction involved:

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/ChemistrySunlight/chemistry_sunlight3.php

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA Study Shows Nitrous Oxide Now Top Ozone-Depleting Emission

Both cases can have a detrimental impact on the environment, depending on whether it is occurring the lower atmosphere (where ozone is bad for the environment and human health) or in the upper atmosphere (where ozone is good for the environment and human health).

So reducing NOx pollution is both about preserving the planet and preserving the quality and length of your life.

[d3vour3r]

maybe exhaust pipes should shoot upwards to get the N0x up there!

[ian]

I had a phone call yesterday from VW Australia reminding me that i hadn't updated the Diesel gate soft ware .
I informed them that ill be leaving the car to the Specification that i bought it ,Because of the promised fuel economy
I told them that i had heard that consumption had increased since the soft ware update .

[theresanothersteve]

You're a real ray of sunshine, @Frantic...

[dero]

What consequence is this?
How does the ACCC view this? VW sold something not as advertised. Surely it couldn't be a case of a return and full refund for the falsely advertised product.

Had my car serviced yesterday - had to sign another form to opt out of the ECU update again. Going to get an "Emissions Cheat Verified" bumper sticker onto the car.

[buzzvic]

I had the voluntary recall done without my consent when I sent my 2015 B7 Passat Alltrack Diesel for servicing which is annoying. On a previous service, I was asked and when I declined, I had to sign a form confirming that I won not want the recall applied. However, this service, I was not asked and I assumed that they have it in file that I already declined the recall.

What I have noticed since the recall is the engine runs faster at motorway speeds. At 100km/h, the engine now runs at just a tick under 2000 rpm. Previously, I recall it used to be around 1800 rpm. FC seems to have gone up as well. Pre update, my usual commute would be in the high 7s to low 8s where as now, it tends to within the high 8s. M2/SHT runs to the airport at 5 am in the morning used to yield around 5-5.5L/100km. It is now sitting around 6-6.5L/100km/h. I suspect due to the engine running faster at 100km/h along with whatever else is happening.

[theresanothersteve]

...What I have noticed since the recall is the engine runs faster at motorway speeds. At 100km/h, the engine now runs at just a tick under 2000 rpm. Previously, I recall it used to be around 1800 rpm...

Makes no sense unless they changed the gearbox, diff, or wheel sizes. Or anything else that changes the overall gearing.

Is it changing into top gear post update?

[VW Convert]

What I have noticed since the recall is the engine runs faster at motorway speeds. At 100km/h, the engine now runs at just a tick under 2000 rpm. Previously, I recall it used to be around 1800 rpm.

Whilst I can accept that fuel consumption may have increased, it is a physical impossibility that engine RPM for a corresponding road speed to change unless transmission overdrive ratio or diff ratio or tyre rolling radius is changed. Installing a new engine management program cannot do this.

Cheers

George

[buzzvic]

Perhaps I remember wrongly pre update as I was not expecting the recall and hence was not paying particular attention to these things.

The first thing I noticed was the FC was increased. I did not pay much attention until I was in the M7 one weekend and noticed the engine speed at 2000 rpm at 100km/h.

I did change to a new set of tyres (same specs as the original) a week before the servicing but I doubt the diameter sifference between a worn set and a new set of tyres would be significant.

Perhaps it has always around this engine speed and my brain trying to rationalise a reason for the increased FC.

[Transporter]

Maybe winter fuel has something to do with it as well.

[VW Convert]

The other thing is if the flash has changed the speed or resistance point for top gear in the dsg to engage. Certain 6spd cruisers in the first batch had a similar problem where 6th wouldn’t engage until you where doing over 100kph. Toymota fixed that.
So if vw made it so 7th didn’t engage until either 100kph plus or very light accelerator pedal , you end up in 6th doing higher rpm using more fuel.

AFAIK, this vehicle would have a DQ250 6 speed DSG rather than a 7 speed, these are generally programmed to engage 6th gear under normal conditions i.e. not heavy throttle at around 60-70 Km/h and would be well and truly in 6th well before 100 Km/h when cruising on a freeway. If you're suggesting VW have made a change that increases the speed at which 6th engages by somewhere up to 30 Km/h I think you're way off the mark.

Cheers

George