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

[Vercingetorix]

I think this is going to be more and more common. Lots of these tuning businesses will have to question whether it’s worth it.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a...2-point-9-million-dollar-fine-defeat-devices/

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I think this is going to be more and more common. Lots of these tuning businesses will have to question whether it’s worth it.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a...2-point-9-million-dollar-fine-defeat-devices/

I can only laugh at these guys.

 

[wwillson]

I think this is going to be more and more common.

It already is common for the EPA to shut emissions defeat companies down. It's been going on for years.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

It already is common for the EPA to shut emissions defeat companies down. It's been going on for years.

IIRC SEMA caught the ear of some politicians who got the the EPA to back down beginning around 2023.

 

[Vercingetorix]

It already is common for the EPA to shut emissions defeat companies down. It's been going on for years.

I knew of diesels, not gas cars.

 

[andrew_j]

Yes tuners took shortcuts with no regard of compliance

 

[oil pan 4]

Yes tuners took shortcuts with no regard of compliance

Vehicle emissions are irrelevant in about 99% of the US by land area.
For example new Mexico (120,000 square miles), only Bernalillo county (1,160 square miles) requires emissions testing. About a quarter of the states population lives there. Most of that is crammed into less than 200 square miles.

 

[wpod]

The EPA needs to ban drive throughs if emissions are an issue.

 

[xspeedy]

They only need to offer refunds to employees that purchased the devices? Not customers?

 

[D60]

Also
"The EPA alleges that Cobb Tuning produced and sold more than 81,000 tuners capable of disabling factory emissions controls or altering engine performance since 205."

This is 2005? Does anyone proof anything anymore?

 

[Fa24wrx]

The EPA needs to ban drive throughs if emissions are an issue.

No, no. Americans need their fast food /s

 

[wavinwayne]

Also
"The EPA alleges that Cobb Tuning produced and sold more than 81,000 tuners capable of disabling factory emissions controls or altering engine performance since 205."

This is 2005? Does anyone proof anything anymore?

They've been at this since donkey powered carts. This goes deeper than we thought.

 

[D60]

No, no. Americans need their fast food /s

Actually I think they'll just lock down more on disabling auto start/stop which is of course a crude stop gap until 100% electric. IOW, no idling for your fast food!

 

[Torrid]

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.

Vehicle emissions are irrelevant in about 99% of the US by land area.
For example new Mexico (120,000 square miles), only Bernalillo county (1,160 square miles) requires emissions testing. About a quarter of the states population lives there. Most of that is crammed into less than 200 square miles.

Just because some areas don't require emissions testing, it doesn't make it legal 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.

 

[oil pan 4]

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 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.

Arbitrary and capricious.
If it's not needed it's not needed.
I can't wait for Chevron deference to be ripped away from the epa like a bandaid dried to a scab.

 

[raaizin]

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 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.

I agree people forget how bad cities were before modern emission standards never mind diesel buses and trucks belching out black smoke. That "for off-road use" label only goes so far

 

[wemay]

Life is funny. I was on one side of this argument when younger. Now mostly on the other.

 

[raaizin]

Life is funny. I was on one side of this argument when younger. Now mostly on the other.

it comes with age. Male brain doesn't reach maturity until 25years on most and some n***r.........

 

[Vercingetorix]

They only need to offer refunds to employees that purchased the devices? Not customers?

The customers are just as responsible as the tuner. Personally I think this is great for car manufacturers. Now they can sell a EPA compliant tune and charge people for it, Just like Cobb, but it would be legal.

 

[Pew]

And we wonder why younger generations are not interested in cars anymore.