Photo: Fiat
German authorities have accused Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of using a “cheat” to shut off emission treatment systems.
According to a letter sent by German authorities to the European Commission and Italy’s Transport Ministry, an inquiry has revealed the fact that three models from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles presented a system that shut off their exhaust treatment systems.
Those models were fitted with a 2.0-liter diesel engine, which is one of the latest power plants from the Italian-American automaker.
The unit in question is mounted on the Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade and Fiat Doblo’s van version. As Automotive News reports, the German magazine WirtschaftsWoche has learned that tests performed by authorities have uncovered that a nitrogen oxide catalyst is switched off after a few cleaning cycles.
Other accusations include throttling down the emission control device after about 22 minutes from the moment the engine is turned on. The latter situation, of turning off or significantly reducing emissions controls after a period, is a loophole that Germany car watchdog, the KBA, has repeatedly pointed out that automakers exploited it.
In Europe, automakers are allowed to limit the operation of emissions control devices if it is necessary to prevent condensation that could damage the engine, especially when starting in cold conditions.
The same German authority has accused FCA of cheating in emissions tests because some of the models from the automaker throttled back emissions treatment after 22 minutes of operation, which would be just two minutes more than the standard duration of regulatory tests for vehicle emissions.
Representatives of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have stated that their models comply with current emissions rules and do not contain any defeat devices.
Even if the accusations made by the Germans are correct, and FCA’s 2.0-liter diesel reduces its exhaust gas treatment after 22 minutes of operations, the Italian-American corporation is still within regulations, as no trick is employed when the vehicle is being tested for emissions. However, it would be wise for FCA to prove that shutting off the system does protect the engine and has no other purpose.
Those models were fitted with a 2.0-liter diesel engine, which is one of the latest power plants from the Italian-American automaker.
The unit in question is mounted on the Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade and Fiat Doblo’s van version. As Automotive News reports, the German magazine WirtschaftsWoche has learned that tests performed by authorities have uncovered that a nitrogen oxide catalyst is switched off after a few cleaning cycles.
Other accusations include throttling down the emission control device after about 22 minutes from the moment the engine is turned on. The latter situation, of turning off or significantly reducing emissions controls after a period, is a loophole that Germany car watchdog, the KBA, has repeatedly pointed out that automakers exploited it.
In Europe, automakers are allowed to limit the operation of emissions control devices if it is necessary to prevent condensation that could damage the engine, especially when starting in cold conditions.
The same German authority has accused FCA of cheating in emissions tests because some of the models from the automaker throttled back emissions treatment after 22 minutes of operation, which would be just two minutes more than the standard duration of regulatory tests for vehicle emissions.
Representatives of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have stated that their models comply with current emissions rules and do not contain any defeat devices.
Even if the accusations made by the Germans are correct, and FCA’s 2.0-liter diesel reduces its exhaust gas treatment after 22 minutes of operations, the Italian-American corporation is still within regulations, as no trick is employed when the vehicle is being tested for emissions. However, it would be wise for FCA to prove that shutting off the system does protect the engine and has no other purpose.
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