This settlement with Performance Diesel Inc. (PDI) resolves alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) associated with the manufacture, sale and installation of aftermarket products that defeat the emissions control systems of heavy-duty diesel engines.
PDI manufactured, sold, or installed at least 5,549 aftermarket defeat devices. These products were for heavy-duty diesel engines (?HDDEs?) which power some of the largest trucks on public roads. The aftermarket products sold by PDI include hardware components and electronic tuning software, known as ?tunes,? that hack into and reprogram a motor vehicle?s electronic control module to alter engine performance and enable the removal of critical emissions controls that reduce air pollution. The Consent Decree specifies steps PDI must take to prevent future violations. PDI may sell its products if it complies with the requirements contained in the Consent Decree. As part of the consent decree PDI agreed to not manufacture, sell, offer to sell, or install on any motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine any defeat devices and to destroy or delete all defeat devices under its control and to refuse to provide technical support pertaining to defeat devices previously manufactured or sold.
Today?s vehicles emit far less pollution than vehicles of the past. This is made possible by careful engine calibrations, and the use of filters and catalysts in the exhaust system. Aftermarket defeat devices undo this progress and pollute the air