A vital part of your vehicle’s longevity is regular maintenance. To prevent costly repairs, you have to keep an eye on the condition of the engine and prevent problems from happening instead of taking care of them as they come up. Neglectful maintenance leads to a reduced motor lifespan, insufficient power production, and abnormal wear & tear of all the mechanisms inside the engine bay. Diesel-powered cars have sturdy engines, but it doesn’t mean you can’t stay up on maintenance to help the engine last longer. Here, we’ve got some tips on how to take care of a diesel engine.
Never forget about coolant
Monitoring coolant is essential for maintaining a diesel car. Since diesel engines generate more power due to increased compression, they produce more heat. The coolant mixes with water in the radiator, where the mixture circulates to prevent overheating. When the coolant hasn’t been replaced for a while, it starts either to erode the radiator or freeze. Neither of these is good, as both can cause a breakdown of the engine or white smoke from the exhaust. White smoke indicates that coolant is leaking into the combustion chamber or that a cylinder head is cracked.
Start the ignition wisely
Don’t accelerate right after you’ve turned over a diesel engine, let it pre-heat for at least 30 seconds. Diesel is a high-heat running engine, so a cold start is the worst thing you can do. Make sure that you aren’t using electrical components before turning the engine over like A/C, power windows, and the radio, as this may affect the starter. If your car has a manual transmission, you can apply the clutch to make things easier.
Replace oil and filters
Another integral aspect of maintaining a diesel car is replacing oil and filters. There are two types of filters in diesel vehicles, a DPF (diesel particulate filter) and a FAP (filtre a particules on some French cars.) Both of them are designed for removing soot from the exhaust fumes. Ash builds up on the filters while driving, especially in areas with congested traffic. If the filters are clogged, your car will start choking and losing power.
You’ll also have to change oil at the same time with the filters. Most automakers advise pouring synthetic oil in diesel cars, but you’ll have to check the owner’s manual and find information there regarding manufacturer recommended oil.
Choose premium fuel
Look for premium-quality fuel when owning a diesel car or a truck. Good fuel contributes not only to a smoother ride but also to even combustion. The poorer the quality of the fuel, the worse the impact is on fuel injectors. Seeing dark exhaust fumes may be the first sign of damaged injectors, which can lead to long-term and expensive repairs. You can use diesel additives like AdBlue if premium fuel isn’t an option. They help increase the overall efficiency of your car without sacrificing engine components.
Let your car cool down after a journey
Letting a vehicle cool down is recommended for turbocharged diesel cars. Cooling your car down is simple: you’ll have to put the gearbox in neutral and let the engine run for a minute. This prevents an abrupt influx of air that can be devastating for the turbocharger.
Bottom Line
You can’t neglect maintenance if you want to own a smooth-running and reliable car. Following these five simple tips will help your vehicle’s engine last longer and function properly. If you’re still looking for a vehicle, get started with Salvagebid. We have a lot of clean and salvage title cars on a budget. If you’ve already found your dream car, register with us to place your bid on it. You can register by providing some basic information or with your Facebook or Google account, uploading a copy of your government-issued ID or passport, and placing a fully-refundable security deposit. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions at + 1 (360) 347-1300 (6:00 AM – 3:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday). You can also fill in our online form and we’ll take it from there.
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