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Audi Will Reportedly Buy Back 25,000 Vehicles

Reports have surfaced that Audi will buy back 25,000 vehicles that have the 3.0-liter TDI V-6 in the U.S. This buyback would only apply to older models that can’t be brought into exhaust emissions compliance, the German newspaper Der Spiegel reports.

While the initial Volkswagen Group Dieselgate focused on the 2.0-liter TDI four-cylinder, it was discovered that the 3.0-liter TDI V-6 used by the Volkswagen Group also employed this emissions test-cheating software. Audi is currently in talks with U.S. regulators regarding close to 85,000 vehicles equipped with the 3.0-liter TDI V-6, according to a Reuters article. Approximately 25,000 of those vehicles cannot be brought into emissions compliance.

Audi has been facing less-serious-than-Volkswagen litigation in a U.S. District Court regarding the emissions scandal, nicknamed “Dieselgate,” regarding its 2.0-liter TDI four-cylinder and 3.0-liter TDI V-6 engines. In a statement to Automotive News, Audi said:

“We are working hard with U.S. regulators to reach an agreement an approved resolution for affected 3.0-liter V-6 TDI vehicles and thank our customers for their continued patience. The Court has scheduled a status conference for November 3, 2016 to discuss the matter further.”

Way back in April, the Volkswagen Group agreed to buy back some 482,000 vehicles of the approximately 600,000 vehicles with the 2.0-liter TDI four-cylinder engine affected by the emissions scandal. This decision did not include the 90,000 vehicles equipped with VW’s 3.0-liter TDI V-6 engine.

Why the 85,000 and 90,000? Because approximately 85,000 Audis are affected by the recall, and an additional 5,000 VW Touaregs are lumped in there as well.

Here’s my scoop on what it’s going to be like going forward for the VW Group regarding diesels:

I wonder how true the horsepower/torque ratings, fuel economy ratings, etc., are heavily re-evaulated by U.S. regulators and EU regulators – Volkswagen is required to send vehicles to both. In 3-5 years, which is likely when the VW Group will send cars to the EPA and EU, the regulations are going to be much stricter and more heavily enforced than today’s CARB (California Air Resources Board; VW Group has to get all of their vehicles to pass U.S. testing, plus CARB) regulations. VW and Audi will almost certainly try to re-certify their vehicles in the next few years to try and recover their losses.

While the 2.0-liter TDI engine might have gone 40 times over the regulatory maximum, the regulatory maximum in the U.S. is one of the lowest in the world. It’s still low levels of emissions. Yes, it’s disgusting that the VW Group had to do this, but we still don’t know the real reason why. It could have been reliability issues with the engine or cost-cutting measures. Let’s say that the regulatory maximum is 0.0001 parts per million, why don’t we? 40 times over that is still not very much.

West Virginia Tech’s test results found that the Volkswagen vehicles they tested (a Jetta and a Passat) were within carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and total hydrocarbon (THC) emissions compliance. In diesel vehicles, carbon monoxide and THC is never really an issue because of it’s nature of combustion. THC is usually found only in cold starts. NOx always has been the primary concern. Any modern diesel vehicle that hasn’t been tuned to “roll coal” have diesel particulate filters, so rolling coal (particulate matter) isn’t much of a concern. This regulation, however, is not separated for diesel-powered and gasoline-powered vehicles, which means that gasoline-powered vehicles will have higher carbon monoxide emissions than diesel-powered vehicles.

European regulators are saying that numerous other diesel vehicles would fail the same tests that the VWs tested went through. The team at West Virginia Tech is currently testing other diesel vehicles, and are combing through massive amounts of data to quantify what the differences are between real-world driving and certification testing. Just because the certification levels may be low does not necessarily mean that the real-world driving will churn out the same results time-after-time. That difference is always going to be there – whether it be with diesel-powered vehicles, electric vehicles, or gasoline-powered vehicles.

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FBI Alerts America to the Dangers of Car Hacking

Earlier this week, the FBI issued a public service announcement warning drivers of the dangers of car hacking. The announcement tells drivers how to prevent cybersecurity attacks, and what to do if the vehicle is hacked.

According to the statement, vehicles have become “increasingly vulnerable to remote exploits” thanks to connectivity features. What connectivity features? Keyless entry and ignition, tire pressure monitoring, infotainment, navigation and diagnostic systems. All of these allow the bad guys to easily access cars. The FBI cautions drivers about the dangers of connecting a third-party device to ports in their vehicles.

The FBI also tells you to be on the lookout when installing updates recommended by the manufacturer. Criminals may send illegitimate emails to owners and trick them into downloading malicious software. This happens with computers and phones, so it should come as no surprise that automotive computers are just as vulnerable. How does one prevent this? Be very careful downloading software from third-party websites or file-sharing programs. Always check the manufacturer’s website to ensure that a software update is truly needed. It’s always a good idea to use a trusted USB or SD card when downloading and/or installing software on a vehicle. Basically, the same precautions you would take with your computer.

What happens if you believe your vehicle has been hacked? First of all, don’t take it lightly. If you think your car has been hacked, check for outstanding vehicle recalls. You should also contact the vehicle’s manufacturer or an authorized dealer. You should also contact NHTSA and the local FBI field office.

Several security scares have come to light in the past few months. A pair of hackers has already demonstrated how they were able to remotely control a Jeep Cherokee via it’s Uconnect infotainment system. Different hackers also were able to hack into a Tesla Model S. Both Jeep and Tesla have taken steps to fix these vulnerabilities. Another security scare was with the Nissan Leaf. The mobile app for the Leaf was shut down by Nissan after a massive security breach.

I guess the solution is to build an old-school hot rod without any electronics on it!

zoomvroom Recall Alert!

Recall Alert!

This is a very important recall.  I also know that I missed publishing a post Friday.  Sorry about that.  But, this will grab your attention.  It’s very important.  I hope that you are not affected by the recall, and my wishes go out to those who are affected by the recall.  Michelin, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of tires for cars, trucks, SUVs, and just about anything with wheels.

Today, Michelin announced that they are recalling over 100,000 Latitude Tour, X Radial, and LTX M/S2 tire families in a massive effort to track down just 2500 tires that are at risk of suffering a blowout that could possibly lead to a crash, severe injuries, and possibly death.

Here’s the reason behind the recall:  Three different families of Michelin tires could possibly have a small perforation in the sidewall.  This small perforation could lead to the loss of pressure while driving.  In some cases, it could lead to rapid tire failure, which could result in a crash, injury, damage to the vehicle, or death.

Michelin will contact owners of the tires and certified Michelin dealers by the end of the month.  The tires will be affected and replaced, free of charge.  Owners of the affected tires can contact Michelin at 855-851-4951.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 100,000 tires are affected by the recall, but Michelin says that only 2500 of these tires may actually suffer from the sidewall perforation issue.  The affected tires (which were manufactured in late 2012-early 2013) are:

Michelin LTX MS/2 in 275/55R/20

Michelin LTX MS/2 in 265/65R/18

Michelin LTX MS/2 in 265/60R/18

Michelin X Radial LT2 in 265/65R/18

Michelin X Radial LT2 in 275/55R/20

Michelin Latitude Tour in 255/60R/19

Michelin Latitude Tour in 255/70R/18

Please cooperate with Michelin, as they are only trying to help you.  Remember, if you are concerned, you can always contact Michelin about your concern about the tires.

zoomvroom Recall Alert!

Yet Another Recall Alert!

Sorry I missed a blog post folks.  Most unfortunately, I had the flu.  Yuck.

I know that I’ve been yakking about the various recalls going on in the automotive industry.  When I check all the Motor Trend, Road & Track, Car & Driver blogs, there’s usually yet another recall alert as a headline.  I know that to those of you who don’t own the cars affected can get bored, please bear with me – I’m only trying to help get the word out!  If you have any interesting topics that you hear of in the automotive industry, please leave a comment.  Also, if you know somebody who has one of the affected vehicles, please let them know so they don’t go driving along blissfully unaware!

There are many vehicles affected in this recall alert:  154,604 2011-13 Ford Fiesta sedans and hatchbacks (all models) are being recalled by Ford and NHTSA for faulty airbags.  If the shotgun seat isn’t occupied, the airbag will not go off in the event of a crash, possibly causing serious injuries to the rear-seat passengers.  Ford states that they have no record of this (yeah, right!), but they will cooperate with NHTSA in the recall.  The fix is simple: Ford dealers will reprogram the airbag controller to set off that airbag in the case of a crash, whether the seat is occupied.  Worried owners can contact NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

169 2010-12 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Coupes and Convertibles are being recalled for a faulty bit of software for the tire-pressure monitoring system.  The software does not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Standard #138, which states that the TPMS warning light must pop up when the tire pressure falls below 25 percent of their cold tire pressure.  Aston Martin will cooperate with NHTSA in this recall by reprogramming the software for free.  Worried owners can contact NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

80 Lotus Evora S coupes (with the supercharged engine) have a faulty oil-feed line to the cylinder head, which could possibly leak oil all over the cylinder and other hot parts of the engine, causing a fire.  Lotus will cooperate with NHTSA by installing a new, stronger oil-feed line for free.  Worried owners can contact NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

36 Land Rover Range Rovers are being recalled because of a faulty manufacturing process.  This could mean that the windshield might be installed badly, causing it to detach in the event of a crash, causing serious injuries to the driver.  Starting November 5, Land Rover will notify affected owners of this problem and fix the windshield for free.  Worried owners can contact NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

Have a nice few days until Friday (when I will make you salivate with pictures of beautiful cars!).  Remember, notify me of any news you might hear of in the automotive market.

zoomvroom Recall Alert!

Recall Alert!

There have been a number of recalls in the news lately.  Not a terribly exciting post, I know.  Hopefully, it is helpful.  Just helping spread the word people.

2013 BMW M5 and M6:  The 1,117 BMW M5 and M6’s affected by the recall have a quite serious engine problem.  The engine oil pump will fail at random moments (typically at higher RPM’s), and blow the engine.  BMW is working with NHTSA to get the message out.  If you are an owner of a 2013 M5 or M6, get your car fixed – NOW!  P.S. The 550i and 650i are NOT affected by this recall!!!!  Owners may contact NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236, or BMW at 1-800-831-1117

2007-2009 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Cobalt, 2007 Saturn ION, Pontiac G5, and Pontiac Torrent:  GM is recalling 40,859 2007 Equinoxes and Torrents bought or currently registered in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas due to a faulty fuel pump return port that may crack, causing extensive engine damage.  This can leak oil (a highly flammable substance) all over the engine.  The 2007-2009 Cobalts, IONs, and G5s are being recalled for the same problem.  The Cobalts, IONs, and G5s that are affected are vehicles bought or currently registered in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Florida or Texas.  Owners can contact GM at 1-800-521-7300 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.

2012 Nissan Frontier, Pathfinder, XTerra 2wd (applies to all three vehicles):  Nissan is recalling 2147 Pathfinders, Xterras, and Frontiers due to faulty wheel hubs that were not manufactured to hardness specification.  This could result in a crash.  The vehicles affected were made between June 19 and July 12, 2012.  The hubs are located on the front wheels, and they may crack prematurely, resulting in a crash.  Nissan dealers wil l fix the hub free of charge beginning on or around October 8.  Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.  4wd vehicles are NOT affected by this recall.

Owners of Ferraris,  Rimacs, Maseratis are all in luck.  No recalls.  BTW, I am currently accepting birthday presents.  Cough cough.

zoomvroom Recall Alert!, World News

Slow CODA Sales AND a recall?

Slow sales is never a good thing.  Unless the product is a niche product.  With CODA, the tiny start-up electric car company based out of Los Angeles, CA, sales have been slow.  Horribly slow.

CODA’s been mum about sales figures since March (when the cars started showing up in the showrooms).  But, NHTSA recently recalled ALL CODA vehicles.  CODA won’t tell how many that is, but it seems that CODA has only sold about 78 (if that much) units since March.  The recall will fix a side-airbag problem:  The airbags may or may not deploy in the event of a crash.  Why?  Because they were not installed properly in Benicia, CA.  Oops.  This could mean life or death for CODA.  Here’s to hoping there’s no more problems with the car.

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Be Careful Driving These Cars!

For those of you who own a 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup and/or a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, listen and listen good!

The 2009-10 Dodge Ram 1500 has a problem where the variable-speed gears in the rear end will stop turning (mostly at highway speeds), causing the rear wheels to lock up.  Several people have complained to NHTSA about the rear wheels locking up while on the highway and their truck spinning out.  Of course, NHTSA started investigating, and found out that there is a small software glitch that tells the gears to stop spinning.  This means that up to 230,000 Ram 1500 pickups will be recalled.  The closest dealer will fix the truck for free!

With the amazing new Jeep Grand Cherokee, everything seemed fine until somebody called Jeep to tell them that a fire had just occurred.  Jeep, not expecting something like that, called NHTSA almost immediately.  NHTSA found out that the power-steering fluid hoses can leak onto the hot engine, which could start a fire!  If you take your 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (with any engine) to your local dealer, it will be fixed with heavy-duty hoses.

Not only is this bad for Mopar’s reputation, but it could also cause (hopefully) false concern about the rest of the product line that SRT, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram sell.  Let’s hope that the problems are limited to these two vehicles.  If you want any more information, you can go to:  http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm for the Grand Cherokee, or http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm for the Ram 1500