What will the VW diesel scandal mean for Skodas in AUS

[Groggyfrog]

As an owner of a 2014 TDI Octavia I'm curious to know what member of this forum think about the impact of the current VW diesel emissions scandal will be?

[Buzy_Robot]

If VAG have breached Australian emissions standards, then all VAG vehicles with the identified engines will be subject to a recall - doesn't matter if it's Audi, Skoda or Volkswagen. Dealers will do a service fix which ensures Australian emissions standards are being met, but there will most likely be some drop in performance and increased fuel consumption. Presumably some engine parts will also wear out quicker (eg. DPF) if they have to work harder and longer to burn off harmful emissions. Resale values will drop (if they haven't already) and to compensate Australian Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen customers affected by a recall the company will probably offer some free servicing and/or extended warranties.

[Guest001]

Hopefully I wouldnt hold my breath after last lot of recalls

[donweather]

Why would you take your vehicle in for the recall if it only means worse things for your vehicle. Just don't do the recall (individuals I mean, not VAG).

[JustCruisn]

Tuning companies will have a new revenue stream. Expect slogans like get back your performance and regain the fuel efficiency.

[Occy RS]

Why would you take your vehicle in for the recall if it only means worse things for your vehicle. Just don't do the recall (individuals I mean, not VAG).

You might not get a choice in the matter! Depending on the magnitude of the breach, if in fact one has occurred by Australian Standards, the EPA in conjunction with the respective State Transportation Bodies may have the power to mandate a compulsory recall.

If they really wanted, they could make the recall a condition of your next registration renewal - ala CTP Insurance. You don't get a recall certificate, you can't renew your rego.

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[Antiplastix]

Their not touching mine without a fight. I bought a 110 kw car not a lesser figure.

[2009fsi]

This won't stop at diesels. You can better the same con has been applied to petrol models. My V6 fsi Superb drink juice like a V16 if you drive it at all hard. Its fuel consumption is worse than my previous XR8 Ford.

In Australia, our emissions standards are poor, only equivalent of stage 4 in Europe & California. VW has pulled this stunt to get its diesel vehicle over the Stage 6 hurdles overseas. I've never believed VW/Skoda's claims about low CO2 emission from this R36 engine. It is logical they will have applied a similar con to petrol engines to main performance & avoid development costs.

It is all good as far as I'm concerned. VW, including VGA is going to have to offer big discounts now, to keep sales. They've got a long history of poor customer service to which they can add lying & deception.

[wfdTamar]

From my reading so far its only engines EA 189 so far from 2009 on. However I did just see mention of it happening back in 2007.

[wai]

The thing about this whole debacle is that the maximum emission levels are determined with the vehicle on a dynamometer. In-service emission levels are in no way related to the levels tested for in the official emission test.

The VW vehicles in question passed the standard test. The software is not fixed across the vehicle's operating range. It can change based on circumstances. What was shown was that tests on roads resulted in significantly higher emission levels. But then EVERY vehicle will produce higher emission levels when operated in real world conditions.

For diesel vehicles, there is a visible smoke emission check that can be carried out. I am not aware of any other in-service test that can be carried out.

For petrol vehicles there is a probe test to determine the CO level at a specific engine RPM.

I would like to know if anyone knows if there are any additional in-service tests that are required.

So, what is likely to happen?

Well, as long as emission control systems are not completely disabled (which they definitely are not), there will be no change. If there is a logical set of controls based on measured parameters, then that is all that can be done or require to be done.

As I have said before, the drive cycle was based on vehicles that used carburettors and very simple fuel injection systems. There were no ECUs or other control systems. We now have complex computer control systems on cars.

To try and retrospectively apply in-service testing is the same as allowing a new driver to obtain their driver licence in an automatic transmission vehicle, but then a year down the track requiring them to then sit for the test again, only this time driving a manual transmission vehicle.

[wfdTamar]

Surely they won't try to reduce the affected cars emissions to the (BS) stated emissions (by reducing their power), but merely change the stated emissions output?

[wfdTamar]

Good article describing the development of the offending engine (the common rail 2 litre diesel). The various ways of reducing NOx.

Volkswagen's Little Engine That Couldn't — NOVA Next | PBS

[wfdTamar]

Contrary to what I thought, in some markets VAG may have to (according to this site):

The Volkswagen emissions scandal: All you need to know

'either:

Change the engine software, which will significantly limit engine power output and fuel economy, or

Install urea treatment systems, which will not only require significant vehicle modification — cutting into trunk or hatch cargo space — but also cost VW thousands of dollars per car.'


Very expensive for VAG. Their share price is already plummeting. I can see some German government bailout in the near future. How the mighty fall. Whoever green lit this stupid idea in VAG should be facing jail I reckon.

[bluey]

I think it's a hurricane in a teacup blown up more up by the misinformed media.

Still waiting to see data on emissions of EA189 using specified cetane 51 diesel.

ACCC is circling with all sorts of other possible claims in their head to do with consumer law. Certainly there will be more problems if a possible remap affects performance.

What sort of NOX tests are done on engine remaps???

Hoping they will give us the remap with higher boost from the 2.0L 125kW TDI as emulated by aftermarket ECU tunes.

[wai]

What sort of NOX tests are done on engine remaps???

Well, the ONLY NOx tests are required to be done by the manufacturer using the official drive cycle.

The tests that have been carried out have been done using a non-standard and non-approved methodology (because it is not a controlled drive cycle).

There are also NO in-service test requirements or obligations by law. A company providing alternate mapping for the ECU should do its own testing when developing its software to ensure that on the official drive cycle, it still meets the emission limits set out in the appropriate emission standard the vehicle is designed to remain under.

If you want to show the extent to which your fuel consumption has been compromised, you should start recording ALL your fuel purchases using the online tool at fuelly.com or similar.