Here's How VW Tricked the EPA's Emissions Test
Details have surfaced on exactly what Volkswagen did to trick the EPA’s emissions test.
The Volkswagen and Audi diesel vehicles in question feature a “Dyno” and “On Road” mode, the previous of which is used for testing purposes when a vehicle is on a dynamometer. Since testing for vehicles is often done on dynos, a test mode is necessary so that other safety features such as traction control and stability control do not kick in. While having a testing mode or dyno mode isn’t illegal or even misleading, Volkswagen’s version had its diesel engines perform differently than they would in the real world.
SEE ALSO: Everything You Need to Know About VW’s Diesel Scandal
Essentially, when the vehicles were put into the dyno mode for testing, the engines were detuned to meet emissions targets. Once the vehicle was restarted and taken out of test mode, they emitted 40 times the federal standard of nitrogen oxide.
Currently, the affected models from VW’s diesel scandal include: 2009-2015 Audi A3, 2009-2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta SportWagen, 2009-2015 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2009-2015 Volkswagen Golf, 2014-2015 Volkswagen Passat and 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen.
[Source: Consumer Reports]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Wouldn't THAT be funny if VW Group had to merge under FCA over this! Hahaaa!! But we can't blame Windercorn. This all took place under Piech's watch.
So, with DEQ testing, do they dyno test the diesel or just plug in the OBD2 connector and query the computer? Then it wouldn't be in dyno mode..., then somehow it's been passing, because we haven't heard of it until now, so it forges the sensor log data too..