482,000 VW TDIs Produce 5 to 35Xs the NOx Beyond Federal Emissions Requirements

ok I got a letter Friday that phase II of the emissions modification is now available for 2.0L TDI

 

Wayne,

I will be driving my Passat till at least 2025. Odometer just turned 70,000 miles in hilly southern Indiana and Ohio area I’m averaging 48 1/2 miles to the gallon. I just hope this phase 2 emissions modification doesn’t trash that number!

 

Email received 5/21/2018:


The EPA and CARB have approved Stage 2 of the emissions modification for your vehicle. For more information on the Approved Emissions Modification, including information on what the modification involves, the impact (if any) that the modification will have on the vehicle and the terms of the extended emissions warranty, please click here.

What do I need to do now?

· If you have not yet registered an account and/or submitted supporting information and documentation for your claim to participate in the Settlement Program, you may submit a claim through the Online Claims Portal or the Paper Claims Form.

· If you already submitted a claim and selected Approved Emissions Modification as your remedy but have not yet received an offer letter, you do not need to do anything. Volkswagen will process your claim in the normal claims review process.

· If you have already received and accepted an offer letter for an Approved Emissions Modification and your signed offer letter has been accepted by Volkswagen, you may schedule your appointment for an Approved Emissions Modification via the Online Claims Portal or by calling your preferred dealer. If you have already received Stage 1 of the Approved Emissions Modification, you will need to return to your preferred dealer to receive Stage 2 in order to receive the balance 1/3 of the restitution payment.

· If you do not wish to participate in the Settlement Program but want to get an Approved Emissions Modification on your vehicle, you may schedule an appointment directly with your preferred dealer.

The Approved Emissions Modification has been made available in two stages. Prior to the approval of the second stage of the Approved Emissions Modification, eligible consumers participating in the Settlement Program received 2/3 of the payment amount to which they are entitled upon completion of the first stage of the Approved Emissions Modification. Now that the second stage of the emissions modification is available, eligible consumers will receive both stages of the emissions modification in a single appointment and will receive the complete restitution payment upon completion of both stages of the modification. Eligible consumers that previously received the first stage of the modification and the 2/3 restitution payment will receive the last 1/3 of the payment amount after receiving the second phase of the modification. If a consumer sells or otherwise transfers ownership of their vehicle before the second stage of the Approved Emissions Modification can be completed, they will not be eligible to receive the last 1/3 of the payment, but the new owner will be able to submit a claim and complete the second stage of the approved emissions modification to receive the last 1/3 of the payment if all eligibility criteria are met.

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Has anyone signed up yet for Phase 2?

 

Well, I had the Phase II performed and after two full tanks, I have seen a 1 MPG drop. I have a manual so I would expect that automatics probably saw a high decrease. Sound, power all stayed the same. I'm happy I took the $7600 and will drive the doors off of this car.

 

That's good news , radtech. It means that an emissions legal TDI is STILL very efficient.

 

It might even be a good deal for someone wanting a lightly used ( and legal ) TDI. Maybe a nice Golf Sportwagen 6MT ?

 

That's darned impressive. will be interesting to see how consumption of AdBlue changes.

 

I should visit TDIClub to see feedback on this. As I recall , most of those guys were into modding their cars for performance and considered 50 MPG to be fantastic.

 

Yes, newer cars such as the non hybrid Camry can do as well as diesels since they use an Atkinson cycle engine. Same high compression ratio, and since only 1 stroke out of 4 produces power that's the brilliance. The regular Camry got a not impressive 20 MPG city, but got an awesome 49 highway in Consumer Reports testing. That's short of the 57 I got one time in my 2014 Passat, but it's pretty good nonetheless.

 

I reckon the 2018 Camry will give about the same results as my 2008 Civic 1.8 5AT. About 50 MPG
at 55 MPH. That's not BAD , but.......what would a Cruze with 1.6 TD 6MT get ?

 

Wayne,

I have over 80K on the TDI now. My technique has changed as my highway speeds are normally 68-70 mph. That said, I still think the total impact of the modifications is 1-2 mpg at the most. About the DEF, I have let to get the warning message to refill the DEF in between oil changes. The dealer tops off all fluids including the DEF during the oil changes. I'm pretty surprised that the DEF last between 10K mile oil changes. Also, I live in a very hilly terrain along the Indiana/Ohio border. So I'm surprised that the small impact to the mpg and the DEF. I'm happy with my decision to stick with the TDI and plan to keep it for a long time.

 

Good info. I almost wish I were in the market soon, I think a stick TDi anything is at peak value proposition now. I’d stretch my budget for one. I like how VWs drive, and their premium-feeling interiors. And bonus points for hatches and wagons.

By the time my Civic gives up the ghost, though, they’ll be money pits. Me sad! A good diesel would be a friend on my freeway commute.

 

I know what you mean , jcp123. I have never owned a VW , but the ones I've driven are great , for the exact reasons you stated.
I might be buying my last car in a year or two , and by the time the VW becomes a money pit , I'll be too old to drive !
Actually , my biggest concern now is...………. will my knees handle driving a manual trans ? The 8-speed torque-converter automatic
has stop/start , I think. But I also really miss the control and versatility of the manual.

 

No shame in having an auto if thats where you’re at. You gotta get around somehow...