Thoughts concerning the Volkswagen Diesel TDI debacle

[XDCX]

I've been on the road for the past couple of days and have only been following the whole VW Diesel TBI scandal on my smartphone.

As I understand it, VW wrote code into their software that would only enable the emissions system if the vehicle thought it might be in a situation where it was being emission tested. If the vehicle's computer detected it was in a situation where an emissions test was unlikely the emissions controls were bypassed so the vehicle owner could achieve more power and better fuel economy.

Apparently VW used inputs like steering, vehicle speed and idle speed to determine whether the emissions system would be utilized or bypassed.

What I don't know at this point is how big of an impact VW's manipulation would have on actual tailpipe emissions. I'm sure the information has been reported, I just haven't read it yet.

It will be interesting to watch how this whole mess unfolds....