New To Diesel Cars? Here Is What You Need To Know!

Diesel vehicles are a familiar sight in most parts of the world. They offer superior fuel economy and so are brilliant for long-distance driving. There was once a time where people thought of diesel cars as being slow, smelly engines.

Today's diesels are efficient and seldom output any smoke. Plus, many high-performance cars come with diesel engines. Audi even made a concept R8 supercar with a twin-turbo V12 diesel power plant! If you're thinking of buying a diesel, there are some things you need to know. They are as follows:

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You can't run them on petrol

It might sound like an obvious fact, but you shouldn't put petrol in a diesel engine. And, in case you wondered, the same thing applies in reverse too!

Petrol will damage the rubber seals in the diesel fuel injection system. It can cause quite a lot of expensive damage! If you accidentally put petrol in your diesel car's tank, don't start the engine. Instead, have a breakdown recovery firm come and pump the fuel out of the tank.

You should drive them on long journeys at least once a month

Today's modern diesels come with something called a particulate filter. It helps stop soot exiting the exhaust system and entering the atmosphere. Your car's engine needs to "regenerate" the filter every so often.

In a nutshell, this is a process that involves burning the soot at a high temperature. Once it gets completed, only a small amount of ash gets left. If you only make short journeys in your car, the particulate filter can't regenerate. When the filter becomes full, you'll have to get it replaced. For you, that will mean a rather expensive repair bill!

To avoid that problem, make a long motorway journey at least once a month. You can usually regenerate the filter by driving at 40 mph or more for at least ten minutes.

Modern diesels are more efficient than older ones

There will be one thing you'll notice at your local Vauxhall dealer or other dealerships. Today's diesel cars are more efficient than ones built ten or twenty years ago.

For a start, they have turbochargers that boost performance and increase fuel economy. Plus, they are cheaper to maintain. The only downside is they are more expensive to fix if you break them due to poor maintenance!

Still, all responsible car owners would ensure their vehicles get serviced when required.

Only use premium diesel fuel

There is an ongoing debate over whether diesel fuel sold by supermarkets is any good or not. While it meets the minimum requirements needed by law, they aren't a premium fuel.

When you buy diesel from a branded filling station, you will improve engine reliability. Why? The answer is simple. Premium diesel fuels contain additives that help clean internal engine components clean. As a result, performance and fuel economy is high.

Supermarket diesel fuel doesn't contain those extra cleaning agents. Over time, your diesel engine will get coated in thick carbon deposits.

I hope you’ve found the diesel car buying tips on this page useful today.