But in order to understand the problem, consumers must first be aware of the differences between gas and diesel vehicles. A major difference between the two types of fuel is the chemical process used to convert it into energy, and how that translates into power, efficiency and environmental impact.

Gas-Powered Cars

Gasoline, the most common fuel source, produces a simple and easily cleaned exhaust.
Image: Wonderopolis

Most cars are equipped with gasoline engines. The majority of American cars utilize gas as fuel, which is turned into a chemical compound that is mixed with air and ignited by a spark. The vapor mixture combusts, expands and puts pressure on a piston that puts the vehicle in motion.

When fuel combusts, it releases toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide. However, automakers have discovered a simple, easy ways to remove the poisonous chemicals from gas exhaust. Materials such as platinum bind to the carbon monoxide and convert it to carbon dioxide, which is more harmful to the environment than it is for humans.

Diesel Fuel Vehicles

The combustion process for diesel fuel releases more harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.
Image: Big Road

Diesel vehicles are able to turn fuel into power without a spark. The diesel engines combust a similar compound of fuel and air with high heat and pressure, but the process can produce more power and propel larger vehicles forward. You may want to check out this pre-owned vehicle from Autozin if you’re looking for a car with a great performance. It’s also time to consider buying 1966 Ford Mustang Shelby at Revology.

This means that diesel fuel produces more energy and combusts more efficiently, which translates into a better fuel economy. These vehicles will consume less fuel while traveling farther distances.

While diesel cars may bring in more bang for your buck, they have a destructive effect on the environment. Volkswagen diesel vehicles, touted as a green alternative, emit up to 40 times the allowable levels of air pollution because the fuel is less refined.

Diesel exhaust not only contributes more heavily to climate change, it also impacts human health by releasing a chemical combination of noxious oxide (NOx). NOx irritates the eyes and throat, worsens asthma and causes cardiovascular issues.

In order to reduce the amount of NOx being released during emissions tests, Volkswagen installed a filter to clean the exhaust. The problem is that the filter only runs once every ten minutes at the risk of reducing power and fuel efficiency.

The EPA is demanding Volkswagen repair the NOx filters, which would slow down vehicles and make them less efficient. Once the fix is complete, it’s likely that consumers won’t be as happy with their falsely-advertised vehicles.

If you or a loved one purchased a Volkswagen or Audi vehicle installed with fraudulent emissions software, you may be entitled to compensation.

Complete a free case evaluation to learn more about compensation eligibility.

The post Know The Difference Between Diesel And Gas Powered Cars appeared first on Citizens Report.

Volkswagen has been the topic of a recent scandal for knowingly cheating vehicle emissions tests.

Volkswagen admitted to falsifying vehicle emission tests for diesel-powered engines, leaving an estimated 11 million cars under scrutiny.

Affected Volkswagen owners who have been mislead may be entitled to compensation. Click here to find out.

The instance of cheating has undoubtedly damaged the Volkswagen reputation. In the wake of the scandal, Germany launched a criminal investigation into former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn as he steps down for new leadership.

How Many Cars Are Affected?

The scandal is most prominently related to Volkswagen’s Audi brand.
Image: Blogspot

The reputation of Audi, VW’s luxury brand, was greatly impacted by the scandal. The manufacturer admits that about 2.1 million Audi vehicles are equipped with the cheating device that allowed the German car maker to falsify emission tests.

In the U.S., 13,000 vehicles contain fraudulent emissions readers, along with  577,000 in Germany. The number is even greater in Western Europe, with about 1.42 million cars possessing the cheating software.

About 11,600 of the affected models are 2010 to 2013 A3 TDIs, which were marketed as possessing the company’s first “clean diesel” engine. Ironically enough, the Audi A3 TDI was awarded the Green Car of the Year in 2010.

About 2,400 A3 TDIs manufactured in 2015 use a different method to reduce emissions but are still equipped with the cheating device.

The 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine used on the A6, Q5, and Q7 models in the U.S. is not included in the scandal.

“An internal evaluation on Friday established that a service procedure is required for some five million vehicles from the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand out of a total eleven million Group vehicles worldwide,” the company said in a statement.

“These vehicles from certain models and model years (such as the sixth generation Volkswagen Golf, the seventh generation Volkswagen Passat or the first generation Volkswagen Tiguan) are fitted with Type EA 189 diesel engines. All vehicles are technically safe and roadworthy.”

A Recovery Plan In The Works

Former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn has stepped down to allow Porsche boss Matthias Mueller to take over.
Image: Inhabitat

On Sept. 28, German officials announced an official investigation into former CEO Martin Winterkorn.

But Winkerton’s mistakes have consequences that extend far beyond himself. Germany’s Deputy Finance Minister Jens Saphn said the scandal could be a serious detriment to the country’s economy, according to Reuters.

Volkswagen is not only Germany’s biggest car manufacturer. The company employs a large portion of the workforce, numbering at about 270,000 employees.

“Volkswagen is a core pillar of German engineering and for something like this to happen is a strong blow,” he said. “Getting this reputation thing resolved is going to be a herculean task.”

Wiknerton stepped down to allow Porsche boss Matthias Mueller to take the reins and attempt to propel the company to recovery mode.

Audi is currently working to release a recall plan to address the situation. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority has set Oct. 7 as the official deadline for a recall plan to be submitted.

The company plans “to get in front of the EPA and California Air Resources Board as soon as possible,” according to an Audi spokesman.

Impact on Volkswagen

The scandal has instilled fear in the hearts of Volkswagen investors, who question if recovery is possible.
Image: Amazon

Volkswagen is a 78-year-old conglomerate that continued to grow after purchasing Toyota at the beginning of 2015. The company has boasted the largest market share for automotive sales, but many are wondering how the scandal will play out.

“It is clearly a massive blow to the reputation of the company,” Christian Ludwig, automotive analyst at Bankhaus Lampe told CNBC.

Two weeks ago, market shares fell by 30 percent. On Sept. 28, they dropped again by 7 percent. The recent scandal is the largest in the company’s history, leaving many investors to wonder if recovery is even possible.

“My biggest fear is that the amount of money we are talking about, the 6.5 billion euros ($7.3 billion) that has provisioned for, is a smaller amount than Volkswagen will probably have to pay,” Juergen Pieper, head of automotive research at Bankhaus Metzler, told CNBC.

“My second concern is the duration of this scandal – it will probably take years before it sorts out all this and there’s the reputational damage too,” he added.

The company plans to use $7.3 billion to clean up the scandal, in addition to fines that are up to an estimated $18 billion.

According to the German media, a Volkswagen engineer warned the company about cheating emission testing in 2011. There’s no doubt that company would be in a much better position if they had taken the advice.

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