Cobb Tuning Hit With $2.9 Million Fine Over Emissions Defeat Devices

[SubieRubyRoo]

I don't think so either, but Cobb definitely won't be the last tuner to be hit. They weren't the first to be hit for this either.

It bugs me when the EPA looks at the speck in the small private business’s eye, but does not perceive the plank in their own eye.

They’re chasing the smallest possible businesses to prosecute while ignoring industrial polluters & official actions. For example, look at Flint, MI and Jackson, MS. No corporations have been fined; not one official is rotting in jail. There are plenty of filthy actors in those and many more instances…

 

[Jdeere562]

Cobb doesn’t do any diesel tunes as far as I know, especially not the big truck diesels…

Thank you. I stand corrected.

 

[Torrid]

It bugs me when the EPA looks at the speck in the small private business’s eye, but does not perceive the plank in their own eye.

They’re chasing the smallest possible businesses to prosecute while ignoring industrial polluters & official actions. For example, look at Flint, MI and Jackson, MS. No corporations have been fined; not one official is rotting in jail. There are plenty of filthy actors in those and many more instances…

I definitely get it, but all of these tuners had to know that defeating emissions systems was going to get some scrutiny, yet they intentionally offered equipment that does. It’s crazy to me how many in the VW world remove their cats on daily driven vehicles to hit that extra 10-15hp on the tune, even though they make cat equipped downpipes with a small power hit.

 

[KrisZ]

EPA has outlived its usefulness. They are obviously after small businesses and not about reducing pollution. Of course, there will be many pointing out the 70's, 80's and 90's pollution levels and how EPA has helped. It's called hijacking, and that's what happened to the EPA.

 

[Torrid]

EPA has outlived its usefulness. They are obviously after small businesses and not about reducing pollution. Of course, there will be many pointing out the 70's, 80's and 90's pollution levels and how EPA has helped. It's called hijacking, and that's what happened to the EPA.

And you think going backwards on the emissions systems that cleaned up our air and abolishing the EPA is the answer?

 

[KrisZ]

And you think going backwards on the emissions systems that cleaned up our air and abolishing the EPA is the answer?

Who has suggested that? Certainly not me. Or do you think disbanding EPA automatically means going back to the per-emmission era?
We have federal laws established already, they will obviously stay even if there is no EPA.

 

[Torrid]

Who has suggested that? Certainly not me. Or do you think disbanding EPA automatically means going back to the per-emmission era?
We have federal laws established already, they will obviously stay even if there is no EPA.

I'm not sure who else you think is enforcing it then. I think going after tuning companies who are defeating emissions systems is precisely in the wheelhouse of the EPA. No one else is going to enforce it. I only see that as turning a blind eye to these issues.

 

[KrisZ]

I'm not sure who else you think is enforcing it then. I think going after tuning companies who are defeating emissions systems is precisely in the wheelhouse of the EPA. No one else is going to enforce it. I only see that as turning a blind eye to these issues.

It's 81,000 units since 2005 for crying out loud. Do you even understand how insignificant of a number that is, even if all of them are on the roads today and have actually been used to remove emissions? That's the thing with rogue gov organizations like EPA, they can go after anyone they wish without any data to back up their "damage" claims.

 

[Torrid]

It's 81,000 units since 2005 for crying out loud. Do you even understand how insignificant of a number that is, even if all of them are on the roads today and have actually been used to remove emissions? That's the thing with rogue gov organizations like EPA, they can go after anyone they wish without any data to back up their "damage" claims.

It's one company. The second tuner that I've seen that does VW products hit for this now. This is far from the end of it.

I don't know why so many seem ready to give this a free pass.

Oh fine, it's only 81,000 units, lets forget the whole thing!

 

[oil pan 4]

That is a cherry pick stat. Where emissions matters has a very high concentration of population of the entire USA.

Mmmmmm k so then you can show me where in the US that has high population density and is effectively more than 1% of of the land area. Right?
There's 3,048 counties, county equivalents, parishes, ect and only about 30 them have air quality problems.
About 7 or 8 of the top 10 worst air quality cities in the united states are all in California, probably start there.

 

[oil pan 4]

It's 81,000 units since 2005 for crying out loud. Do you even understand how insignificant of a number that is, even if all of them are on the roads today and have actually been used to remove emissions? That's the thing with rogue gov organizations like EPA, they can go after anyone they wish without any data to back up their "damage" claims.

Yep that's why Chevron deference needs to be ripped out from under them.

 

[Cheetah-kins]

I have the Integrated Engineering tuner for my GTI and there is a tune level that allows disabling the O2 sensors for catless downpipes. This is what Cobb is getting in trouble for. Integrated Engineering will likely get hit for this too. I have no intention to run catless, but I may upgrade the downpipe with a catted version soon.

I don't think any of these companies should make it easier to disable emissions systems on vehicles. It's insane to me that I can pay an additional $100 to shut off the O2 sensor output by buying the next tune above the one I'm running now.


Just because some areas don't require emissions testing, it doesn't make it legal or ethical to defeat emissions devices. That's a complete misunderstanding of what is going on with this tuner issue. They're making it easier to disable these systems and they deserve the repercussions coming their way.

Added some text to your very fine reply.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

It's 81,000 units since 2005 for crying out loud. Do you even understand how insignificant of a number that is, even if all of them are on the roads today and have actually been used to remove emissions? That's the thing with rogue gov organizations like EPA, they can go after anyone they wish without any data to back up their "damage" claims.

Think about these 81k units emitting 5-10x more emissions.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Mmmmmm k so then you can show me where in the US that has high population density and is effectively more than 1% of of the land area. Right?
There's 3,048 counties, county equivalents, parishes, ect and only about 30 them have air quality problems.
About 7 or 8 of the top 10 worst air quality cities in the united states are all in California, probably start there.

You do understand that it has taken decades for these gains in air quality?

 

[fdcg27]

To sell devices or software or hardware to defeat legally mandated emissions control standards for road licensed vehicles is illegal.
Maybe instead of the EPA going after these entities with mere fines it should be DOJ with federal prison time on offer?
After all, everyone here likes to portray themselves as a law and order bunch, or is that only when the law suits us?

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

It's one company. The second tuner that I've seen that does VW products hit for this now. This is far from the end of it.

I don't know why so many seem ready to give this a free pass.

Oh fine, it's only 81,000 units, lets forget the whole thing!

Don’t worry, they’ll be coming for the taxes you didn’t pay from your yard sale next.

 

[KrisZ]

Think about these 81k units emitting 5-10x more emissions.

It's quite scary, I know...

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

To sell devices or software or hardware to defeat legally mandated emissions control standards for road licensed vehicles is illegal.
Maybe instead of the EPA going after these entities with mere fines it should be DOJ with federal prison time on offer?
After all, everyone here likes to portray themselves as a law and order bunch, or is that only when the law suits us?

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any tuner advertise or even imply that their devices will alter or defeat federal emissions systems requirements. As a matter of fact, most of them have a page that states their policy, usually in bold letters and large print, that none of their programming will defeat, alter, or remove any part of the emissions systems.

To your last point, why are we allowing policy enforcement divisions to have armed agents and SWAT teams? We have local law enforcement and state/federal court systems to deal with those who break the law. Serve them with a warrant, summons, or indictment, and use the justice system as originally intended.

 

[Torrid]

Don’t worry, they’ll be coming for the taxes you didn’t pay from your yard sale next.

I'm the mom and pop shop then, not the supplier. I should be safe!

 

[Torrid]

Mmmmmm k so then you can show me where in the US that has high population density and is effectively more than 1% of of the land area. Right?
There's 3,048 counties, county equivalents, parishes, ect and only about 30 them have air quality problems.
About 7 or 8 of the top 10 worst air quality cities in the united states are all in California, probably start there.

It's cumulative. I don't know how anyone can argue that the EPA didn't help clean up our air. How is this even an argument?

We should just go back to no cats and leaded fuel. Worked well for so many, didn't it?