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I am completely clueless about cars and their technology, so let me ask a stupid question: From what I understand, VW didn't technically cheat the benchmark in

by xorcist 11y ago

I am completely clueless about cars and their technology, so let me ask a stupid question: From what I understand, VW didn't technically cheat the benchmark in the meaning that all the readings were truthful. What they did was enable a benchmark mode in their engine software, so the engine ran differently under those conditions. Or, framing the problem differently, they didn't let the user run the engine with the same parameters as the benchmarks ran under. So, what's stopping them? Why not give the users what they thought they paid for? I take it the engine would deliver less power with the economy parameters, but isn't those values easier to get away with? You could even have an economy mode button inside the vehicle (or perhaps they already do?) in which case all they wouldn't have been liable for anything as all the benchmarks would have been truthful.

maxerickson 11y ago
The emissions mode delivers lower power and worse mileage than they are currently getting. That's the big issue, they sold them as emissions compliant vehicles that delivered some given performance/efficiency, and the software can't make both claims true at the same time.
zardo 11y ago
It's not really a technology issue, its a regulatory one. They certified to the EPA that they had disclosed all parameters that affect emissions in their system. Which, not being true, was a criminal violation of the clean air act. They can't let users switch between modes, where one more violates pollution standards, the would still be considered a defeat device. They can update the cars to meet emission standards, but it might actually be the case that their cars can only pass the certification cycles in their cheatmode, but won't actually pass an in use monitoring test. Even if they can pass emissions, lowering the power and fuel economy is going to mean class action lawsuits from their customers.

by xorcist 11y ago

maxerickson 11y ago

The emissions mode delivers lower power and worse mileage than they are currently getting. That's the big issue, they sold them as emissions compliant vehicles that delivered some given performance/efficiency, and the software can't make both claims true at the same time.

zardo 11y ago

It's not really a technology issue, its a regulatory one. They certified to the EPA that they had disclosed all parameters that affect emissions in their system. Which, not being true, was a criminal violation of the clean air act. They can't let users switch between modes, where one more violates pollution standards, the would still be considered a defeat device. They can update the cars to meet emission standards, but it might actually be the case that their cars can only pass the certification cycles in their cheatmode, but won't actually pass an in use monitoring test. Even if they can pass emissions, lowering the power and fuel economy is going to mean class action lawsuits from their customers.