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As Volkswagen introduces a new CEO in the wake of a global emissions scandal now dubbed “diesel gate”. Customers driving one of the 11-million vehicles involved are left waiting for a solution.
Adam Atkinson reports on how the situation affects Ontario drivers.
The dirty diesels are creating 10-40 times more pollutants than allowed. Volkswagen hasn’t announced a solution yet, but according to two local garages, people driving those cars may not like the answer.
“They’ve cheated the system by having the car go into a limp mode when it’s on a test like a treadmill” says Clint Giles from Beech Motorworks.
The Drive Clean program in Ontario doesn’t involve actually testing vehicle emissions, the mechanic just plugs a computer into the car. “It wouldn’t affect our Drive Clean program at all because we go through the data port, to check to make sure the check engine light isn’t on and there are no background codes at present either.”
“Diesel gate” affects 11 million vehicles, 5 million under the Volkswagen brand.
Jeff Taylor of Eccles Auto Service in Dundas, is on the Drive Clean focus group. He estimates that about 40,000 affected vehicles are on Canadian roads. And the province has to wait for Volkswagen’s solution, before making any changes to the program. “There’s nothing they can do. As far as Drive Clean is concerned, that car passes. That’s what we’re faced with.”
Volkswagen hasn’t announced a solution yet, but Clint Giles of Beech Motoroworks thinks it’ll likely be a software update that customers won’t be lining up for. “Would you want to lose fuel economy and performance in your vehicle?”
“This recall or action is going to affect the fuel economy, and the power…specifically why people bought those cars” says Jeff Taylor.
When a solution is announced, it will be up to VW owners whether or not to fix their cars. Because it’s not a safety concern, they can’t be forced to take it in. .
So, how will this affect the used car market? That is where the Drive Clean program comes in. When a used car is sold, it has to go through Drive Clean to be licensed. But as of right now, those cars will pass.
