And no links, as usual.Maax, take a look at Skypup's post - it's a great example of the only thing the nay-sayers can post. There's no reports or evidence, just "covertheirass" type policy statements from VWoA they can repeat vertbatim.-
I wish people would quit saying that it voids your warranty! I've been bringing my '03 Jetta Sedan (purchased 12/02) into Carter VW since I bought it (from them), with B100 in the tank and a BD sticker on the window. In fact, when I bought the car, I had never heard of BD. The salesman I bought the car from told me about it. Since then, B100 is about all I've used (15K of 20K on the clock).The bottom line is that car manufacturers don't warrant for "misfueling" so if you do end up having a problem while running biodiesel (that's directly attributable to biodiesel) then don't expect VW to help you out.
It is important to understand that there is a risk involved when using biodiesel.
It is customary to provide a link to the source, so as to make it easier for those interested to verify the source, and and the quote. In this case it's something we've all seen many times over again, though, and *VW's claim* is not disputed.VW does not support the use of biodiesel in TDI in North America. It is that simple.
If you feel that the information posted by Skypup is incorrect you can contact corporate office of VW and obtain the information yourself.
There is nothing negative in posting this information.
The fact is that repairs unrelated to the biodiesel use must also be covered under the Magnusson Moss Act. What does VW mean when they say "Biodiesel use voids your warranty"? They can't mean that my failed window regulator clips won't be covered, because that would be an illegal warranty exclusion under the law. They could refuse warranty coverage if high water content in biodiesel damaged the fuel injector pump. They could do the same for damage caused by high water content in petrodiesel, too. Oddly enough, I can't buy petroleum diesel fuel with the minimum recommended cetane levels anywhere near me. Biodiesel is the only fuel that meets that requirement. If low cetane fuel causes a problem with my engine, VW could deny warranty coverage for that failure, too.The fact that independent VW dealers complete warranty work on vehicles using biodiesel does not change VW's position on North American biodiesel.
There is a risk using any fuel. The following is my personal assessment. I am not a lawyer. Don't believe anything here, unless you're willing to do the research to back it up and take ultimate responsibility for any consequences thereof: If your car is damaged due to out-of-specification petrodiesel, you might be able to get the fuel station, or the fuel supplier to pay for the repairs. If biodiesel use causes damage, since VW does not specifically state that biodiesel use is ok, they fuel provider is may not be obligated to pay for the damages. If they claim to sell ASTM grade biodiesel, and testing proves otherwise, you will be able to get something back from them, up to, presumably the cost of replacement of damaged parts.It is important to understand that there is a risk involved when using biodiesel.
If you don't like VW's position then argue with VW.
Be reasonable. Very few people would choose not to use biodiesel based on VW's position, however, everyone deserves to know what the VW position is.It is important to understand that there is a risk involved when using biodiesel.I think I will stay in bed today..there is a risk involved in going to work. I could be run over by a B-100 crazed TDI driver!
Magnusson Moss is no safe harbor. You will end up in arbitration with VW and it's engineers and lawyer's before Mag Moss is relevant. Will likely cost you more than the car if you end up in court.The fact is that repairs unrelated to the biodiesel use must also be covered under the Magnusson Moss Act.
The simple fact is you cannot supply a statement from Volkswagen in their support of any concentration of Biodiesel use in their equipment...It is customary to provide a link to the source, so as to make it easier for those interested to verify the source, and and the quote. In this case it's something we've all seen many times over again, though, and *VW's claim* is not disputed.VW does not support the use of biodiesel in TDI in North America. It is that simple.
If you feel that the information posted by Skypup is incorrect you can contact corporate office of VW and obtain the information yourself.
There is nothing negative in posting this information.
The fact is that repairs unrelated to the biodiesel use must also be covered under the Magnusson Moss Act. What does VW mean when they say "Biodiesel use voids your warranty"? They can't mean that my failed window regulator clips won't be covered, because that would be an illegal warranty exclusion under the law. They could refuse warranty coverage if high water content in biodiesel damaged the fuel injector pump. They could do the same for damage caused by high water content in petrodiesel, too. Oddly enough, I can't buy petroleum diesel fuel with the minimum recommended cetane levels anywhere near me. Biodiesel is the only fuel that meets that requirement. If low cetane fuel causes a problem with my engine, VW could deny warranty coverage for that failure, too.The fact that independent VW dealers complete warranty work on vehicles using biodiesel does not change VW's position on North American biodiesel.
There is a risk using any fuel. The following is my personal assessment. I am not a lawyer. Don't believe anything here, unless you're willing to do the research to back it up and take ultimate responsibility for any consequences thereof: If your car is damaged due to out-of-specification petrodiesel, you might be able to get the fuel station, or the fuel supplier to pay for the repairs. If biodiesel use causes damage, since VW does not specifically state that biodiesel use is ok, they fuel provider is may not be obligated to pay for the damages. If they claim to sell ASTM grade biodiesel, and testing proves otherwise, you will be able to get something back from them, up to, presumably the cost of replacement of damaged parts.It is important to understand that there is a risk involved when using biodiesel.
If you don't like VW's position then argue with VW.
If that's a risk you're not comfortable taking, biodiesel isn't for you. Yet.
That said, about 1/3 of my fuel for the last year (since I bought the car) has been biodiesel. The car runs quieter, smoother, and there are numerous environmental and geopolitical benefits to its use, where possible. I know of dozens of people here, and in other forums, who combined have millions of trouble-free miles on their cars.
If you're interested in running your car on biodiesel, you might want to see what European car manufacturers have done to provide biodiesel compatibility:
http://www.channel4.com/4car/buying-guide/faq/biofuels/biofuels.html
Basically, they replace natural rubber gaskets and seals with synthetic rubbers. The same replacements required for diesel engines to be compatible with ULSD (ultra-low sulfur diesel) fuel, to be federally mandated nationwide in 2006.
Good luck.
Ok, so VW has no obligation to repair anything that breaks on my car if I have put so much as a drop of biodiesel in my tank? Is that what you're saying? That's what "voiding the warranty" would mean, right?Remember the title of this thread?
BIODIESEL AND VW WARRANTY
There is NONE.
It was a joke…I love the discussions here so post away and continue the debate. I guess at times different positions strike me as somewhat ridged (that’s the beauty of these forums, you can do that) so I made a wisecrack and meant it only in the most lighthearted tone.Be reasonable. Very few people would choose not to use biodiesel based on VW's position, however, everyone deserves to know what the VW position is.It is important to understand that there is a risk involved when using biodiesel.I think I will stay in bed today..there is a risk involved in going to work. I could be run over by a B-100 crazed TDI driver!