Software ‘fix’ set to fix VW’s TDI mire

Guess what? Volkswagen AG is relying on a software ‘fix’ and a ‘flow conditioner’ to provide the “technical solution” for the 2.6 million vehicles with EA 189 1.6-litre TDI engines.

Because the ‘fix’ has been approved by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), VW claims ”implementation can therefore soon begin on the first of the vehicles of the third and final engine size”.

Vehicle owners will be notified “in succession” over coming weeks, as a result of which “all affected customers can then book their vehicle in for the modification at an authorised workshop at a time of their choosing.”

VW admits the modification in the case of the EA 189 1.6-litre TDI engines is two-fold – a software update and a so-called “flow conditioner” which will be installed directly upstream of the air mass meter.

VW claims implementation will take workshops less than an hour of working time.

The KBA has said without qualification that the implementation of the technical solutions for these models causes no detrimental changes to fuel consumption levels, performance data or noise emissions. The KBA had previously already affirmed this for all other models approved for the recall. After the modification, the vehicles also fulfil all statutory requirements and the duly applicable emissions standards.

Modifications to vehicles with the affected 2-litre TDI engines began at the start of the year, while implementation of the “technical solutions” for affected models with the EA 189 1.2-litre TDI engines is also under way.

With KBA approval now having been given for the final engine size group as well, work will shortly begin on the modification for vehicles with the affected EA 189 engine.

With a huge sigh of relief VW senior executives can now pat themselves on the back along with an expression that “it is now possible to bring affected models with 1.2-litre, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre TDI engines up to due standard”.

In Germany, customers are being informed in a two-stage process. In stage one, all of the owners concerned were already notified this spring that their vehicle is affected by the modification programme through a letter agreed with the authorities.

As soon as the technical solutions for a model have been approved and are available, the customers are being asked in a second written communication to book their vehicle in with a partner business of their choice. This communication has now been sent to the owners of vehicles with the 1.6-litre TDI engine as well.

Volkswagen says it is continuing to put “every effort” into implementing the technical solutions and “will correct all vehicles affected by the NOx issue”. This is being done in close consultation with the relevant authorities.

The company claims that customers will incur any costs as a result of the technical measures being carried out. As part of the recall process all customers are also being offered an appropriate replacement means of transport free of charge.

VW also notes that vehicles affected are “technically safe and roadworthy”. Between now and their modification, they can continue to be used on the road without any restrictions. The required technical solutions are being implemented across Europe based on a schedule and action plan agreed with the KBA.
COMMENT. Will it ever be revealed who was responsible for the 'problem' and the reason for its implementation?