mparker326 said:
I wonder why VW chooses to use the word "conform" instead of "approved"?
I think all this is paranoia anyway. The few PD engine failures we have seen have long been past warranty time anyway.
I have no doubt that the reputation of Audi AG and VW AG for engineering excellence matters to them long after the warranty period.
The reason VW AG prefers the word “conform” over the word “approved” lies in the meaning of each, it would appear.
For example:
“My wife
approved of the pants I bought, because they
conform to the shape of my derriere.”
From Merriam-Webster’s On-line Dictionary:
conform
Main Entry: con·form
Pronunciation: k&n-'form
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French conformer, from Latin conformare, from com- + formare to form, from forma form
transitive verb : to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord <conform furrows to the slope of the land>
intransitive verb
1 : to be similar or identical; also : to be in agreement or harmony -- used with to or with <changes that conform with our plans>
2 a : to be obedient or compliant -- usually used with to <conform to another's wishes> b : to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs <the pressure to conform>
synonym see
ADAPT
- con·form·er noun
- con·form·ism /-'for-"mi-z&m/ noun
- con·form·ist /-mist/ noun or adjective
approve
Main Entry: ap·prove
Pronunciation: &-'prüv
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): ap·proved; ap·prov·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French apruer, approver, from Latin approbare, from ad- + probare to prove -- more at
PROVE
transitive verb
1 obsolete :
PROVE,
ATTEST
2 : to have or express a favorable opinion of <couldn't approve such conduct>
3 a : to accept as satisfactory <hopes she will approve the date of the meeting> b : to give formal or official sanction to :
RATIFY <Congress approved the proposed budget>
intransitive verb : to take a favorable view <doesn't approve of fighting>
- ap·prov·ing·ly /-'prü-vi[ng]-lE/ adverb
synonyms
APPROVE,
ENDORSE,
SANCTION,
ACCREDIT,
CERTIFY mean to have or express a favorable opinion of.
APPROVE often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration <the parents approve of the marriage>.
ENDORSE suggests an explicit statement of support <publicly endorsed her for Senator>.
SANCTION implies both approval and authorization <the President sanctioned covert operations>.
ACCREDIT and
CERTIFY usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards <the board voted to accredit the college> <must be certified to teach>.
mparker326 said:
Do we actually think a service writer will know the difference between a 505.01 oil that is on the list vs. one that isn't on the list? Many of them don't even know the difference between Syntec & TXT.
My Instructors in College and at BMW NA devoted their life’s work to transform Automotive Service students, apprentices, and current Profession Mechanics and Service Writers into competent and knowledgeable Automotive Service professionals while at the same time trying to undue countless myths and half-truths deeply ingrained in the Automotive Service and Repair “culture”. A culture that, to this day, down plays the value and importance of a formal Automotive Service Education and was something they all knew too well from their respective days in the [retail] automotive trade.