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Pyke: Volkswagen cheating bomb hits VW owners hard

There's nothing like German engineering, except of course when that ingenuity extends to rigging Volkswagens to pass U.S. emissions tests.

That harsh reality is dumbfounding suburban VW owners who learned last month their beloved diesel-powered Beetles, Jettas and Golfs are Trojan horses defying the Clean Air Act by burping pollutants into the air.

"It very much felt like a punch in the gut," said Tom Janiszewski, who owns six Volkswagens and commutes from Woodstock to Round Lake in a 2013 Beetle Convertible TDI.

"I'm going through the five stages of grief. First denial, then 'OK, it is happening,' anger, and now I'm embarrassed because I've been a champion of the brand for years."

Sadly, there is no quick fix in sight for VW Nation as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department investigate and Germany-based Volkswagen triages.

"For at least six years, VW has been installing illegal software in some of its diesel passenger cars," EPA spokeswoman Christie St. Clair said.

An announcement about recalls is expected in the future, but for now owners of affected diesel-powered VWs made between 2009 and 2015 should hang tight, the EPA says. About 11 million vehicles globally are affected. VW has suspended sales of all 2-liter, 4-cylinder, TDI-equipped vehicles.

Dealers nationwide were blindsided by the news, which did not involve all models. So far, my calls to dealerships in Bensenville and Libertyville haven't been returned.

Volkswagen has promised a remedy but admits it will take time because it's coordinating with the government.

The waiting is tough for 2012 Volkswagen Golf TDI owner David Corona of Gurnee.

"I really do love the car," he said. "I purchased it because it's one of the few manufacturers that sells diesel-powered cars in the U.S. You definitely feel the torque."

Diesel is a different animal than conventional gasoline, explained Argonne National Laboratory's Don Hillebrand, Center for Transportation Research director.

"Gas is a highly refined fuel. Diesel is a thicker substance," Hillebrand said. "The contents are long carbon chains that contain more unrefined products. Combustion comes at higher temperatures and pressures. That gives you efficiency, but it's also what causes poisonous substances to form."

When diesel burns it emits nitrogen oxides, which contribute to smog and can cause coughing or eye and throat irritation when people are exposed at low levels, experts say.

The illegal software tricked emissions tests into thinking diesel cars met the standards that protect clean air, St. Clair said. A so-called defeat device activated emissions controls that trap nitrogen oxide and turned them off under normal driving conditions.

The deception gives diesel Volkswagens the illusion of great mileage and power in a tree-hugging package.

Janiszewski bought his Bug, which gets 45 to 50 mpg, "because of the fuel economy" and because "it's a very fun machine to drive."

"I hope the fix is not going to compromise the performance or fuel economy," he said.

Corona has similar qualms. "I can't help but feel there will be some sort of performance degradation," he said.

Something's got to give, warns Wheaton's John Walton, vice chairman of Chicago Area Clean Cities, a clean fuel/vehicle educational group.

"If you repair the problem so it meets the emissions standards, I'm guessing you'll get a lower mpg," he said.

That's unfortunate for Hope Haberer of Glen Ellyn, who's enjoyed her peppy 2013 Jetta SportWagen - until now.

"We bought it for the high mileage and because it was a VW. I don't know what we'll do now," she said. "I worry about the trade-in value."

Also lost is her pride in driving a green car.

"It means I don't have as good a feeling about VW," said Haberer, a Volkswagen loyalist who's ready to switch.

Corona's family is very environmentally conscious. That's why the Golf attracted him and why he hasn't told his idealistic 7-year-old daughter the bad news. "She probably won't like it," he said.

But Volkswagen will bounce back, Janiszewski predicts, partly because "they've taken action right away. They didn't deny it. The TDI community is a hardy bunch."

What would Herbie do?

Here's more information on the

Volkswagen emissions test scandal:

• So far diesel cars made between 2009 and 2015 are affected.

• Specific vehicles affected include: 2009 to 2015 Jettas TDIs; 2009 to 2014 Jetta SportWagen TDIs; 2010 to 2015 Golf TDIs; 2015 Golf SportWagen TDIs; 2012 to 2015 Beetle TDIs and Beetle Convertible TDIs; and 2012 to 2015 Passat TDIs.

• The deception was uncovered by a team of West Virginia University researchers.

• The EPA estimates nitrogen oxides being emitted from diesel VWs as a result of the fraud are 10 to 40 times higher than permitted by law.

• TDI stands for turbocharged direct injection.

For more information, check out the EPA and Volkswagen websites at www3.epa.gov/otaq/cert/violations.htm and vwdieselinfo.com/.

Own a Volkswagen? Drop me an email at mpyke@dailyherald.com.

<h3 class="leadin">One more thing

Metra has increased options for riders who use pretax transit benefit debit cards. Now customers can split 10-ride and monthly pass payments between debit cards and credit cards. To learn more, go to metrarail.com/metra/en/home.html.

<h3 class="leadin">Upcoming

Low numbers of Wildcats fans taking Pace express buses to Northwestern football games have caused the agency to consider eliminating the service. A public hearing will be held on the issue at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pace headquarters, 550 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights. An alternative is available - taking Route 208 from the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg to the CTA's Davis Street station in Evanston.

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