3 ms·

Wow, only a 10% loss? That hardly seems worth cheating... then again, I don't run a car company, so I guess it's the kind of thing they think they need to do. b

Wow, only a 10% loss? That hardly seems worth cheating... then again, I don't run a car company, so I guess it's the kind of thing they think they need to do. bummer.

Tloewald 11y ago
The real question is how it converts to mpg. A whole bunch of manufacturers have gotten in trouble for exaggerating fuel economy, and I for one certainly consider it when comparing cars (to an irrational degree, in fact). If it's the difference between 38mpg and 34mpg then that might be worth lying about.
- toomuchtodo 11y ago
  Especially if you're trying to meet US CAFE standards. Curious if VW is going to need to buy a bunch of ZEV credits now in CA (with Tesla being the primary beneficiary).
  - monopolemagnet 11y ago
    Both CAFE and Smog Check-style programs are gamed terribly, across multiple manufacturers... but VW gets the blame, which it rightly deserves. Testing of emissions needs to happen at the tailpipe while driving with mobile equipment in the real-world with certain types of traffic / road conditions. Mileage needs to be calculated by metered fuel measurement on a test track with both highway- and (stop-and-go traffic) city-driving. In addition to either two, Tesla vehicles and other full electric vehicles cannot come quickly enough to supplant gasoline/diesel/CNG/LNG/flex fuel/etc. PS: I just California Smog Check'ed my '85 Vanagon, which has direct-port fuel injection, mass-airflow sensor and rudimentary "computer" (Digijet) after replacing the catalytic converter, O2 sensor and having a VW specialist shop tune it up. NOx (nitrous oxides) went from barely failing 15 and 25 mph limits to near zero. HC (hydrocarbons) and CO were also barely detectible. Emissions on it (a 90 hp motor) are currently at the levels of a PZEV or a new vehicle, and it gets 24 (real-world) MPG (9.8 L/100km). Already, CA Smog Check station owners are foreseeing additional mandated equipment investments to perform tests on modern vehicles not just via the OBDII port under the steering wheel. This is a good thing but it's hard to sell small-business owners on capital and labor expenses up against the status quo/sunk costs fallacy.

Wow, only a 10% loss? That hardly seems worth cheating... then again, I don't run a car company, so I guess it's the kind of thing they think they need to do. bummer.

Tloewald 11y ago

The real question is how it converts to mpg. A whole bunch of manufacturers have gotten in trouble for exaggerating fuel economy, and I for one certainly consider it when comparing cars (to an irrational degree, in fact). If it's the difference between 38mpg and 34mpg then that might be worth lying about.

toomuchtodo 11y ago
Especially if you're trying to meet US CAFE standards. Curious if VW is going to need to buy a bunch of ZEV credits now in CA (with Tesla being the primary beneficiary).
- monopolemagnet 11y ago
  Both CAFE and Smog Check-style programs are gamed terribly, across multiple manufacturers... but VW gets the blame, which it rightly deserves. Testing of emissions needs to happen at the tailpipe while driving with mobile equipment in the real-world with certain types of traffic / road conditions. Mileage needs to be calculated by metered fuel measurement on a test track with both highway- and (stop-and-go traffic) city-driving. In addition to either two, Tesla vehicles and other full electric vehicles cannot come quickly enough to supplant gasoline/diesel/CNG/LNG/flex fuel/etc. PS: I just California Smog Check'ed my '85 Vanagon, which has direct-port fuel injection, mass-airflow sensor and rudimentary "computer" (Digijet) after replacing the catalytic converter, O2 sensor and having a VW specialist shop tune it up. NOx (nitrous oxides) went from barely failing 15 and 25 mph limits to near zero. HC (hydrocarbons) and CO were also barely detectible. Emissions on it (a 90 hp motor) are currently at the levels of a PZEV or a new vehicle, and it gets 24 (real-world) MPG (9.8 L/100km). Already, CA Smog Check station owners are foreseeing additional mandated equipment investments to perform tests on modern vehicles not just via the OBDII port under the steering wheel. This is a good thing but it's hard to sell small-business owners on capital and labor expenses up against the status quo/sunk costs fallacy.