Google Street View Cars Spied On Users' Wi-Fi

If you felt violated when the Google Street View car took a photo of your front lawn and posted it on Google Maps, you'd probably rather not know what it saw when it was intercepting data on your Wi-Fi network.

In a post Friday afternoon on its public policy blog, the company admitted that it had "mistakenly" collected not just the location and address data from public Wi-Fi networks, but also unsecured content flowing across those networks--information like what Web sites a user was visiting, what files he or she downloaded, or what videos the user watched.

Google has long collected Wi-Fi network location information to better triangulate the location of mobile users who don't have GPS enabled on their phones, instead using information about Wi-Fi signals the user is receiving. But the search giant admits that since 2007, it has also been collecting content data from unsecured networks, a result, it says, of accidentally implementing experimental code that a developer created in 2006.
Google says it only discovered that its cars were snooping on actual Wi-fi network content when it responded to a German privacy agency's request to audit the Wi-Fi data its cars had collected. It had previously responded to criticism in April with claims that it collected only location and address data, not actual content.

According to Google, those cars were "grounded" as soon as it discovered the problem and isolated their data to prevent its employees or outsiders from accessing it. "We want to delete this data as soon as possible, and are currently reaching out to regulators in the relevant countries about how to quickly dispose of it," Alan Eustace, a senior Google engineer, writes on Google's blog. The company says it's also working with a third party firm to review the software and the company's internal procedures to ensure similar violations don't occur in the future.

The admission, along with Google's earlier denials of the privacy violation, will likely send a shockwave through the movement of consumer advocates who already suspect that Google collects more information than it publicly admits. It may be used as fodder in the discussions around the controversial online advertising bill that was introduced earlier this month for public commentary.

"We are acutely aware that we failed badly here," Eustace adds. "We are profoundly sorry for this error and are determined to learn all the lessons we can from our mistake."

One lesson that we can all take from this still-unfolding scandal: Keep your Wi-Fi network password protected. Especially when a Volkswagen with an enormous camera rolls around the corner.

The new Volkswagen Phaeton has been revealed!!

The new Volkswagen Phaeton has been revealed. It features a new face, comprising a pair of bi-xenon headlight units complete with LED running lights and a new grille featuring two pronounced horizontal bars. The Volkswagen Phaeton has new front wings and a reprofiled bonnet and a new front bumper.

The interior of the Volkswagen Phaeton has also been updated with a new steering wheel and a colour electronic display and for the first time on a Volkswagen Phaeton the option of google maps on the RNS 810 satellite navigation system. The air conditioning system on the Volkswagen Phaeton is one of the most advanced in the world; it features a humidity monitoring function to avoid the vehicle misting up in all conditions.

The Volkswagen Phaeton offers a choice of two wheelbase options (120 mm differentiating the two) and a choice of two engines a 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel developing 240 PS and a 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine producing 450 PS.
VW is seriously considering reintroducing the Phaeton to the US in the 2011.

Volkswagen Workers Building Pre-series Midsized Sedan By Hand atChattanooga Plant

Volkswagen's Chattanooga workforce now numbers 500, with some of employees now actually building cars.
Workers in the body shop are currently building the pre-series version of the new midsized sedan by hand.
It will be a few months before they complete the first vehicle using German prototype parts. VW Chattanooga CEO Frank Fischer says "and now the next step is to take the supplier parts, the first parts coming from the suppliers and build the vehicles here so this is kind of an approval process, training process, debugging process whatever you call it in order to get more experience with the car and more experience with the factory."
Members of Volkswagen's Board of Directors traveled to Chattanooga to review the plant earlier this week. Fischer says they're pleased with the speed the plant is coming together.
Construction remains on track for a summer completion.
The Video

Honda, Volkswagen Named Best Small Value Cars

Consumer Reports in its list of the best cars of the 2010 names Honda Fit, Volkswagen Golf and Honda Civic EX as the top three best small cars for the value.  The valuation of these small cars is ranked by a special score system. It also takes into consideration the predicted-reliability rating and the five-year owner cost of the below mentioned cars.
The average model value score is taken as 1. If the value score is above 1 that means the car is better than the average one. If the value score is 2.0, which in this case is Honda Fit, this means the car is twice the average value.  Honda Fit with its $16,020 price tag tops the list of the best 2010 small cars for the value. It has a test score 2.0 which means it's twice better in terms of value than an average small car in the 5 year period. Cost per mile is $0.42. Overall test score of Honda Fit is 68.
Volkswagen Golf (2.5) comes second in Consumer Reports' list. It costs $20.314 and has the score is little bit below 2.0. The cost per mile is 0.51.

Top 5 Small Cars for Value
1. Honda Fit
2. Volkswagen Golf (2.5)
3. Honda Civic EX
4. Hyundai Elantra SE
5. Toyota Corolla LE

Top 3 Worst Small Cars For Value
1. Chevrolet Aveo5 1LT
2. Smart For Two Passion
3. Chevrolet Aveo LT

Source: Consumer Reports

Car Care Tips

Get your VW ready for your next road trip with a Multi-Point Inspection.


Wolrd Volkswagen, your one-stop VW shop is all about convenience. We're here to make your life easier. So before you take off on your next road trip, stop by your Authorized Volkswagen dealer for a Multi-Point Inspection. Our factory-trained experts know your Volkswagen inside and out. They are dedicated pros with hands-on experience, the latest diagnostic tools and Genuine Volkswagen Parts built to precise factory specifications. They'll check out your VW from top to bottom and let you know if anything needs attention. It's just another way we're dedicated to making your VW service experience as convenient as we can. Our experts will visually inspect and report on:
• Exhaust system
• Brake pads and rotors
• Engine drive belts
• Shocks and struts
• Headlights
• Tire wear and air pressure
• Cooling system and hoses
• Windshield condition
• And a lot more

Road Trip Tips for VW Drivers.

Everyone wants their road trip to be hassle-free and fun. Before you hit the road, head to World Volkswagen for a free Multi-Point Inspection from our factory-trained techs. You'll be glad you did. That way you can be cool and confident on your next adventure knowing everything about your VW is in perfect driving condition. Here are a few more ideas before you leave home for the open road:
• Be sure you have the proper tools to change a tire and make sure your spare tire is useable.
• Put your driver's license, vehicle registration and auto and medical cards in a safe and secure place.
• Bring an extra set of car keys.
• Plan your route and leave a copy of your itinerary with a relative or neighbor.
• Take any special medications or prescription information as well as your doctor's phone number.
• Bring a cell phone and check it for its range.
• Be sure to pick up a DriverGear Highway Emergency Kit. This 12-piece set includes 300-amp jumper cables, warning triangle, gas siphon, Mylar blanket for staying warm, two bungee cords, two glow sticks, a pair of gloves with rubber grips, flashlight, 50 PSI tire gauge, and a carrying case with pockets for securing the contents. Just click on DriverGear on this web site to order.

Volkswagen Polo Named World Car of the Year

European Subcompact Beats Mercedes E-Class and Toyota Prius at New York Auto Show

 By AARON KATERSKY -ABC News

April 1, 2010 The VolkswagenPolo -- a vehicle unavailable in the United States -- was named World Car of the Year today. The announcement at the 2010 New York International Auto Show comes at a time when car makers are shifting their emphasis to small, fuel-efficient cars.
"The vehicle that we're seeing now is all about efficiency," said Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor of Intellichoice.com.
The Polo is Volkswagen's most popular subcompact. It's a small bubble of a car that follows a formula that has worked for the German manufacturer before.
"Good proportion, not complicated design, and last but not least, elegance," said Volkswagen's Walter de Silva.

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2010 VW Touareg Hybrid Video

Engine Knock? Low Oil Pressure? How To Diagnose Needed Repairs

Engine Knock? Low Oil Pressure? How To Diagnose Needed Repairs
Schedule a service appoinment

Oil pressure light flickering? Engine knock? Both? Major repair problem or minor annoyance? Either way, you should always quickly investigate the source before it becomes an even bigger problem.
Oil pressure - or more precisely the lack of it - in certain parts of your Volkswagen's engine can become a major repair nightmare. All engines lose a certain amount of oil pressure over time as normal wear increases bearing clearances. But unusually low oil pressure in an engine, regardless of mileage, is often an indication that something is seriously wrong and requires immediate repairs.
That "tappet" noise may be only one sticking lifter but it may also indicate an oil flow problem that will eventually cause damage to at least one valve.
A flickering oil light is more difficult to troubleshoot if your engine is not obviously in need of major repair work.
Modern engines with hydraulic lifters, tight tolerance bearings and miniature oil filters require conscientious monitoring of oil pressure.
The following diagnostic tips (excerpted from "Troubleshooting Low Oil Pressure", Underhood Service, 10/97) will help you determine whether you have a major repair problem or just a minor annoyance.

Volkswagen Oil Pressure Diagnostic Tips

A good place to start your diagnosis of a low pressure condition is at the dipstick. Check the oil to see that it's at the proper level (not low nor overfilled). If low, the engine may be burning or leaking oil. Adding oil may temporarily remedy the low pressure condition, but unless the level is properly maintained, the problem may recur.
If the engine is leaking oil, try new gaskets or seals to fix the leak. If the engine is burning oil, the valve guides and seals are most likely worn, but the rings and cylinders might be bad, too. A wet compression test and/or leakdown test will tell you if it's the valve guides or rings and cylinders that are worn.
The least expensive fix in the case of worn guides is to install new valve guide seals (if possible) without pulling the head.
The best fix is to pull the heads and have the guides lined, knurled, replaced or reamed for oversized valve stems. Worn rings and cylinders would call for a complete overhaul.
Also note the condition of the oil and make sure it's the correct viscosity for your Volkswagen and climate.
Heavier viscosities, such as 20W-50, straight 30W or 40W, may help maintain good pressure in hot weather but are too thick for cold weather driving and may cause start-up lubrication problems - especially in overhead cam engines.
Light viscosities, on the other hand, such as straight 10W or 5W-20, may improve cold weather starting and lubrication but may be too thin in hot weather driving to maintain good pressure.
That's why most car and OE parts manufacturers recommend 5W-30 in modern engines for year-round driving.
If the level is okay, the next thing to check would probably be the pressure sending unit. Disconnect the unit and check the warning lamp or gauge reading.
If the warning light remains on with the sending unit disconnected, there's probably a short to ground in the warning lamp circuit. Likewise, if there's no change in a gauge reading, the problem is in the instrumentation, not the engine.
Bad sending units are quite common, so many mechanics replace the unit without checking anything else to see if that cures the problem. This approach might save time, but it's risky because unless you measure pressure directly with a gauge attached to the engine, you have no way of knowing if pressure is within specifications or not.
Most warning lamps won't come on until pressure is dangerously low (less than four or five pounds). So don't assume the absence of a warning lamp means pressure is okay, especially if the engine is making any valve or bearing noise.
If a check of pressure reveals unusually low readings, check the filter. It's possible the filter might be plugged with gunk. Replace the filter and see if that makes a difference.
The next step is to drop the oil pan and check the oil pump pickup screen. If the screen is clogged with debris, you've found the problem. Also, check to see that the pickup tube is properly mounted and positioned, is firmly attached to the pump (no leaks) and is not obstructed.
If the pump is mounted inside the crankcase, the next step might be to remove and inspect the pump. Open the pump cover and measure clearances. Also, check for scoring or other damage. A broken pump drive would tell you something entered and jammed the pump. If the pump is worn or damaged, replacement is your only option.
If the pump appears to be okay, the next step is to measure the rod and main bearing clearances. Check the clearances on the main bearing closest to the pump (this has the greatest effect on pressure) and clearances on the furthest rod bearing (this will show the greatest wear).
If the bearings are worn, they need to be replaced. But before you do so, carefully inspect and measure the crankshaft journals to check for wear, scoring, out-of-round and taper. If the journals need attention, the crank will also have to be reground or replaced.
Other diagnostic checks might include camshaft end play and/or pulling a valve cover or the intake manifold to check the cam bearings and lifters.
Remember, excessive clearances or leaks anywhere in the engine's oil supply system can contribute to low pressure.
Once you've identified and repaired discovered problems, your final check is to start the engine and make sure pressure is within Volkswagen specifications. Use a mechanical pressure gauge and don't rely on the dash gauge or the warning light to verify that the repairs you've made have eliminated your problem.

One Final Warning

If you insist on driving blind and deaf to the obvious warnings coming from under your Volkswagen's hood, the next sound you hear may be a rapping or knock noise from the rod bearings - which will eventually be followed by dead silence as your engine seizes and your Volkswagen coasts to a dead stop.

Next-generation 2011 VW Beetle to be more dynamic, hybrid variant in the works

The second-generation of the reborn, redesigned Volkswagen Beetle will make its concept debut at the 2010 LA Auto Show later this year. The production model will go on sale next year with more focus on driving dynamics rather than retro styling – meaning Volkswagen will take on the likes of the Mini Cooper.

The next-generation Volkswagen Beetle will get an upgraded chassis with wider tracks and a longer wheelbase. It will get MacPherson struts suspension up front and a torsion beam at the rear.

Click here to get prices on the 2010 Volkswagen Beetle.


The range-topping mode will be powered by a 2.0L 210-hp engine and will have a multi-link rear to improve handling. Other engine choices will include a 105-hp 1.2L, a 160-hp 1.4L and a 210-hp 2.0L. The U.S. will get a 170-hp 2.5L 5-cylinder as well.

A hybrid model of the next-generation Beetle is also planned.

Volkswagen Touareg TDI, an AW Drivers Log

BOB GRITZINGER:  I drove the Mazda CX-9 and the Chevy Traverse prior to this Touareg--and I came away highly impressed by the VW. Yes, this ute only seats five by comparison, but overall, it's night and day when it comes to ride quality, driving prowess and equipment. The Traverse is a front-driver at that price, while neither the Traverse nor the CX-9 came equipped with navigation for those prices. So if you subtract a few thousand for navigation, and add $5,000 to $7,000 for the diesel, the pricing gets a little closer.
As for the value of the diesel, while on paper both the Traverse and the Touareg have the same EPA combined mileage (20 mpg), and the CX-9 is 17 mpg, our real-world results show the Touareg actually exceeded its estimate (20.6 mpg) while the Traverse posted a lowly 14 mpg (the CX-9 put up a range of 15.4 mpg to 18.6 mpg). The car had about 350 miles on the trip odo when I parked it this morning, and just less than half a tank of fuel left. That's some serious range, a highly valued attribute here in the wide-open U.S. of A.
Mileage doesn't tell the whole story, however: This diesel is a pavement-ripping powerhouse, getting this 2.5-ton chunk of weight up to speed surprisingly easily, and without any real notice other than torque galore that said there was a diesel at the other end of the throttle linkage. I bet the list of gasoline engines making 400 lb-ft of torque and 20 mpg while pushing that kind of weight is quite limited.
To me, that's near enough to make the Touareg diesel worth the extra money. But the vehicle's real value became crystal clear to me when I needed to make a quick cross-town trip against a time deadline. Though no laws were broken (at least not until the final dash down a private driveway), the diesel's ability to run from zero to speed limit in a few quick seconds made the difference over the course of a 12-mile drive where every second counted.
All of that doesn't even get into VW's great job of managing this heavy dude's handling, keeping body roll in check without making the ride unbearably pounding. Steering and braking contributed to a sense of control and solidity. I noted that this test car, a 2009 model, had in excess of 20,000 miles on the clock, and there was nary a noise in the cabin.
If you don't have to haul more than five passengers and you like the idea of filling up every 600 miles or so, the Touareg TDI is strong option. Pricey, but it might very well be worth it!

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100305/CARREVIEWS/100309946#ixzz0hQdYuvAz