Article Advise

submitted: Jul 16th 2008 | by: JasonLancaster | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 801 | |

Modern diesel engines are a feat of engineering, combining impressive power with fuel efficiency. Their environmental friendliness and fairly low maintenance have been the cause of their long-time popularity in Europe, and they are recently beginning to become more common in the U.S. Given the slew of benefits they carry, diesel engines may quite possibly become more popular than gas engines someday. If you're like most U.S. drivers, you're probably not very familiar with diesel engines. Here are some tips to get you introduced.

1) Most new diesel engines come with a turbo-charger, which sucks outside air into the engine, increasing efficiency and performance. Turbo-chargers are very powerful pieces of machinery, and require clean air that is empty of debris. Thus, it's vital that you clean and change the air filter on your engine frequently. The majority of diesel engine vehicles are equipped with electronic sensors which will tell you when you need to check or replace your filter. Always change your filter as soon as the sensor tells you to! Delaying or ignoring this alert altogether can result in a damaged engine.

2) Diesel fuel isn't as clean and pure as gasoline, so the fuel filter in a diesel engine is very important. Again, your car has sensors that will warn you if the fuel filter becomes clogged, and you should react to these warnings quickly. If you fail to change a clogged diesel fuel filter, it could leave you stranded on the side of the road. Also, keep in mind that diesel fuel filters need to be changed a little more often than gas fuel filters, so don't be surprised if you have to replace your diesel's fuel filter ahead of schedule. That's perfectly normal.

3) You already know that diesel fuel is less pure than gasoline, but you might not have known that it also contains water. Small amounts of water won't damage your engine, however, almost all modern diesels have water/fuel separators anyways. Some models may require manual purging of water from the diesel's fuel system. If you're doing this yourself, your owner's manual will tell you how to do this, and how often you should perform this action. Otherwise, there are many service facilities who will do this for little to no charge, and will dispose of the water/fuel mixture in an environmentally safe way.

4) Diesel engines generally burn some of the engine's lubricating oil during normal function. This is why they've earned the nickname "oil burners", and why it's important to check your engine's oil level between oil changes. Let the engine cool for at least 30 minutes before checking the oil, and make sure the vehicle is level. Refer to your owner's manual to know when you need to add more oil, based on your dipstick reading.

5) Diesel engines don't like cold temperatures. At low temperatures, diesel engines tend to start harshly and warm-up very slowly. At extremely low temperatures (below -10 F) diesel engines may not function at all. Thus, it's very important to remember to use your diesel's block heater if outside temps ever dip below zero. The block heater is nothing more than an electrical plug on your car that uses your home's electricity to keep your engine warm, and it's as simple as plugging your car in at night. If you can afford the electricity, you can plug-in your block heater any time the outside temperature dips below freezing. This will protect your engine and make for quick and smooth start-ups, and it will help your engine warm-up quickly. Check your owner's manual for your block heater's location.

6) All new engines have a break-in period, and new diesel engines are no different. The break-in for a new diesel is usually from 500 to 1000 miles. Check your manual to find out what the average period is for your vehicle. During this break-in period, manufacturers will recommend that you do not drive at sustained speeds, such as on long trips on the highway, and do not haul or tow anything. Your engine will continue to improve in power and efficiency for 20,000 to 30,000 miles after the initial break-in period is over, since diesel engines reach their peak performance levels after lots of time and use. Most long-time diesel engine owners say their diesel began to truly perform only after a year or two of use.

Overall, it's very important for new diesel owners to familiarize themselves with their engine manual. Diesel owners need to pay close attention to air and fuel filter warnings, check engine oil between scheduled changes, purge water from the fuel system as needed, and use the block heater during colder temperatures. This may seem like a lot of work to perform on top of regular vehicle maintenance, but the reward will be power, fuel efficiency, and 200,000+ of great performance.

About the Author

Author Jason Lancaster, a car industry veteran, developed AccurateAutoAdvice.com. You'll find accurate car buying tips and car advice.

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