Six Things to Know If You’re New to Diesel Engines

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) Nearly all new diesel engines come equipped with a turbo-charger. Think of a turbo-charger as a jet engine – it forces outside air into the engine and increases efficiency and performance. Turbo-chargers are very powerful, so great care must be taken to make sure the air entering the turbo-charger is clean and clear of debris. Therefore, it’s important that the air filter on your diesel is clean and changed often. Most manufacturers equip their vehicles with electronic sensors that will tell you to check or replace your air filter, and when this sensor tells you to change the air filter, do so immediately. If you ignore this warning, you could damage your 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) Here’s some shocking news for new diesel owners — in addition to being less pure than gasoline, diesel fuel also contains water. Even though small amounts of water will not hurt your diesel engine, nearly all modern diesels are equipped with water/fuel separators. Depending upon your vehicle, you may need to purge the water from your diesel’s fuel system manually. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on how to do this and to find out how often it should be done. The good news is that many service facilities will perform this task for you at little or no charge, and will also dispose of the water/fuel mixture in an environmentally friendly way.

4) Diesel engines are often referred to as “oil burners” because unlike gasoline engines, diesel engines typically burn some of the engine’s lubricating oil during normal operation. That’s why it’s especially important to check your diesel’s oil level between oil changes. To check the oil, make sure the engine has cooled for at least 30 minutes, and that the vehicle is level. Your owner’s manual will explain when you should add oil based on the engine’s dipstick reading.

5) Diesel engines and coldness don’t get along. Low temperatures will cause your diesel engine to start harshly and warm up slowly. Extremely low temperatures of -10F or lower may cause your diesel engine to not function at all. Always remember to use your diesel’s block heater whenever the temperature hits below zero. The block heater is a simple electrical plug on your car which keeps your engine warm, using your home’s electrical source. All you have to do is plug your car in at night. You can also plug it in whenever the temperatures drop below freezing, if you can afford the electricity. Using your block heater will protect your engine, and will ensure smooth start-ups and quick warm-ups. Your owner’s manual will help you locate the block heater on your vehicle.

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.

It is imperative that new or first-time diesel owners read their engine manual thoroughly. Diesel owners need to perform normal vehicle maintenance, as well as monitor air and fuel filter sensors, check engine oil between changes, remove water from fuel system when needed, and plug in the block heater when the temperatures drop below zero. This extra care will result in an engine with power, fuel economy, and 200,000+ miles of service.

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