As the Diesel Emits: Audi Admits There Is Defeat Device In 3.0L TDI V6, Announces Fix

Audi announced this afternoon that the 3.0L TDI V6 did have a defeat device that allowed the engine to circumvent U.S. clean air laws.

In a statement, the German automaker said that it failed to disclose three emission control software functions, also known as auxiliary emissions control devices (AECD) to the various agencies as required by law. One of devices, a 'temperature conditioning of the exhaust‑gas cleaning system' was deemed to be illegal by the EPA as it could detect when it was being tested for emissions and turn on the pollution-control equipment to cut emission levels down.

Audi also announced the plan to fix the vehicles that will involve a software update to 85,000+ vehicles with the V6 diesel. The company will submit new U.S. government emission certification paperwork for the software. If approved by the EPA and California Air Resources Board, Audi will release software to dealers to perform the fix,

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Audi

Press Release is on Page 2

Statement on Audi’s discussions with the US environmental authorities EPA and CARB

• Auxiliary emission control devices (AECD) for US version of V6 TDI 3 liter engine to be revised, documented and submitted for approval
• Technical solution for North America versions from 2009 model year onwards to be worked out in conjunction with the authorities
  

Audi will revise, document in detail, and resubmit for US approval certain parameters of the engine-management software used in the V6 TDI 3 liter diesel engine. That is the result of the discussions held between a delegation from AUDI AG and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The updated software will be installed as soon as it is approved by the authorities. The three brands Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen are affected. Audi estimates that the related expense will be in the mid-double-digit millions of euros.

The latest discussions focused on a notice of violation of November 2, in which Audi was informed that AECDs (Auxiliary Emission Control Devices) were not sufficiently described and declared in the application for US type approval. That will now be done with the updated software and the documentation.

Audi has confirmed that three AECDs were not declared in the context of the US approval documentation. One of the AECDs relates to the temperature conditioning of the exhaust‑gas cleaning system. The other two AECDs are for the avoidance of deposits on the Ad-Blue metering valve and of HC poisoning of the SCR catalyst with unburnt hydrocarbons. One of them is regarded as a defeat device according to applicable US law. Specifically, this is the software for the temperature conditioning of the exhaust-gas cleaning system.

Audi has agreed with the environmental authorities on further steps of cooperation in which the concrete measures to be taken will be specified. The company has committed to continue cooperating transparently and fully. The focus will be on finding quick, uncomplicated and customer-friendly solutions. The voluntary sales stop for models with the V6 TDI diesel engine, which the three affected Group brands had provisionally decided upon, has been extended until further notice.

This engine was developed by Audi and is used in the Audi US models A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7 from model year 2009 onwards. Volkswagen uses the engine in the Touareg and Porsche has used it in the Cayenne since model year 2013. All affected models continue to be safe and roadworthy.