How Do Modern Diesel Engines Work? VW Explains It On Video

Volkswagen has a lot of explaining to do.

Since it was revealed in September that the company installed "defeat device" software on diesel cars that allowed them to cheat on emissions tests, VW has been slow to discuss what it plans to do with the affected cars.

The carmaker still hasn't confirmed when it will begin a recall of the 482,000 TDI models equipped with EA189 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines in the U.S.

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But Volkswagen is prepared to begin a recall in Europe, where emissions standards are somewhat less strict.

It even released a video in which it tries to explain the current situation, and how it plans to remedy it.

In it, a starkly robotic narrator explains how diesel engines work, the various methods used to limit the pollution they produce, and the nature of the "defeat device" software.

That includes a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust aftertreatment system, which most of the EA189-equipped cars do not have.

SCR systems use urea fluid injected into the exhaust stream to eliminate pollutants.

While vehicles already equipped with this hardware may only require software updates to obtain compliance, other cars may not be able to meet emissions standards without them.

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