[Kristoff]

Germany’s transport ministry announced it has found a defeat device in a Fiat vehicle during a test. This manipulation has started a public dispute between the ministry and the Italian manufacturer.

No exact details are available at this early stage, but the German government has said it will send the results to the European Commission. Meanwhile, Fiat has denied accusations, saying it has never used defeat devices.

Apparently, the problematic model is the 500X, as German weekly magazine Der Spiegel reported it has an exhaust treatment system that switches off after 90 minutes. The publication is citing results from a test conducted by Germany's KBA vehicle authority.

Automotive News recalls that similar device was found in previous tests of Fiat, but it was switching off after only 22 minutes of operation. The European emissions test cycle lasts 20 minutes.

Read more: https://www.motor1.com/news/141094/fiat-500x-emissions-defeat-device/

 

[Chestnut]

This could be bad for us couldn't it. I assume we've going to be in for recalls, drop in performance no doubt and poor resale values.

 

[hewesy]

A few of us appeared to have a recall on this already, certainly I had a very shady "we're doing an upgrade to the ECU" when it was in for some warranty work.

Was this petrol or diesel, presumably the latter noting VWgate was TDI engines.

Hewesy

 

[Kristoff]

Did anyone see VW diesel gate on BBC Watchdog this week?

 

[Chestnut]

A few of us appeared to have a recall on this already, certainly I had a very shady "we're doing an upgrade to the ECU" when it was in for some warranty work.

Was this petrol or diesel, presumably the latter noting VWgate was TDI engines.

Hewesy

So have you had this done? Any noticeable drop or otherwise in performance or how it runs?

 

[hewesy]

Yes it was done at the service last year, I didn't have a choice IIRC as I was advised it needed a "system update" to be done at that service. I then was told when I picked it up included "some throttle settings and other engine tweaks" and took about 3hrs to run...

To be honest I haven't noticed any difference, the car was only a year old with about 8k on the clock when it was done, it's now just over 2yrs with 18k and is loosening up nicely IMO. Currently returning 42mpg on the latest tank and about 48mpg average overall (using Trip A and B respectively).

Mine's the 1.4 petrol though, how the diesel cars have been changed (which is what the main VAG scam was about) I couldn't say.

Hewesy

 

[lovelyred500x?]

Not my experience, I dropped about 5 mpg on my usual routes after the 'system update' at the first service. I struggle to get 40 mpg now, usually around 37-38.

That said on a long run up the M4.5 and 6 a few months ago I averaged 48 mpg but that was on Motorways , sometimes at 50 mph due to speed restrictions.......

 

[hewesy]

That's a shame, I've checked mine on two tanks the last week and it's averaging 45mpg on a mix of urban and 70mph dual/mways.

Ahh 50mph limits, M1 around Derby or Northants by any chance?!

Hewesy

 

[hewesy]

Oh one other point, I have discovered the cruise control is very inefficient, so much so I now only use it in a 50mph zone (e.g. the M1 as above) to avoid risking a fine.

Might be something to try if you use cruise a lot?

Hewesy

 

[lovelyred500x?]

Oh one other point, I have discovered the cruise control is very inefficient, so much so I now only use it in a 50mph zone (e.g. the M1 as above) to avoid risking a fine.

Might be something to try if you use cruise a lot?

Hewesy

It was a rare Motorway trip from South Somerset to North Yorkshire and back, most of my usual journeys are driving like Miss Daisy...

 

[Moonie]

Look forward to taking mine in next then!

 

[Pendelton]

The recall will be for performance degradation and low resale values.