Doing a Volkswagen

[dursley92]

Seems to me the VW engineers designed their cars to pass the emissions test and they did it very well. Right or wrong they did a good job. The real problem as I see it is that the test bears no relation to real world driving and it needs to be made much more realistic. Similarly we all know that manufacturers quoted mpg figures are usually totally misleading and always have been for years, no one actually believed them did they?

There are a whole lot of lawyers rubbing their hands in anticipation of making themselves a fortune, and I hear owners saying they only bought the cars because of their "green" credentials. Really? I think many of them are just hoping for another PPI type payout.

Governments are not innocent in all this. They actively encouraged us to buy diesel cars but have now realised that particulate levels are becoming an issue in cities and could be a potential health problem. If all the cars were petrol instead it would be different pollution but again health issues. Luckily we don't choose to live in a big city so don't experience it.

My own Sprint engine runs on the rich side and will sometimes produce a nice big cloud of blue smoke after hot idling for a while (valve stem seals?) but I can tinker with it to pass the test - then put it back as it was for the rest of the year.

Don't you just love old cars!

[James467]

I couldn't agree with you more Russ.

Edit: Although I own a VW derived car, I'm not after a PPI type payout!!

[naskeet]

I never had any problem with the exhaust emissions from my 1974 Triumph Toledo 1300 "HL" and never adjusted the mixture settings! Just for interest, I always had the MOT inspectors check the exhaust emissions for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, which remained within the manufacturer's specifications, up to its final mileage of 101,000, when I laid it up in mid-1999.

[tony g]

mpg figures are exaggerated by the speedo reading a bit fast and hence miles clock up faster. Sat nav taught me that

Tony

[Jon Tilson]

I think Nigel pre 75 you just have to pass on visible smoke. That being said a single carb 1300 should be adjustable for MOT purposes.
Twin carbs at 800 rpm (especially MGB's) will have a bit more trouble but should be ok at over 1000 rpm.


Funny how reports are now rife that VW's new software fix impairs performance and economy. Totally predictable.

Jonners

[SprintMWU773V]

I'm sure all the owners of PHEV's will start complaining soon that they can't get 150mpg out of their cars, designed very cleverly of course to run on electric for most of the tests! The wife will probably get one next though as it's a good way to massively cut her tax bill as a SE person. Currently eyeing up a Hyundai or a Kia but we're realistic as to the expected fuel consumption.

I reckon most manufacturers have been cheating but VW just got caught.