09-21-2015, 02:36 AM
There's different requirements in different parts of the planet. VAG cars are usually programmed to accept a regional code so the car will shift into whatever mode it needs to for the region, without different hardware or programming. You can also usually do this for feature-by-feature. For example, on my car I can change the brake lights to go into euro mode where, when pressed very hard, they flash rapidly instead of just staying on. That way the vehicle behind me knows I'm stopping fast rather than just gently pressing on my brakes.
I forget the exact numbers, but their auto transmissions also have a lot of programming options. I think they have a dozen or more where they can automatically detect the driving environment and adjust. Towing? The computer figures that out, makes adjustments. Going uphill? The computer adjusts. Have extra people, cargo, high elevation...
I wouldn't be surprised if this "defeat" thing wasn't intentional, it was simply variably tuning the car based on the conditions it was driving in.
I forget the exact numbers, but their auto transmissions also have a lot of programming options. I think they have a dozen or more where they can automatically detect the driving environment and adjust. Towing? The computer figures that out, makes adjustments. Going uphill? The computer adjusts. Have extra people, cargo, high elevation...
I wouldn't be surprised if this "defeat" thing wasn't intentional, it was simply variably tuning the car based on the conditions it was driving in.