Diesel engines are a popular choice for many drivers, and for good reason. They have more power than gasoline engines, which means they can handle heavy loads with ease. However, diesel engines also require special maintenance and care to keep them running smoothly and efficiently for many years. Here are nine tips that can help you maintain your diesel car.
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Diesel engines are different from gasoline engines.
The diesel engine is a different animal than the gasoline one. It's heavier, more complicated and more expensive to maintain and buy. But it also has some positive aspects: Diesel engines are more efficient, which means they get better mileage per gallon of fuel than their gasoline counterparts. This is especially important when you're thinking about towing heavy loads or driving long distances, as the weight of your tow vehicle can be offset by its greater efficiency.
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Don't mix your fluids.
When you're topping off your diesel car, it's important to know that the fuel you use is the same kind of fuel that would be used in a diesel car. If your vehicle is running low on diesel fuel and you want to fill it up at an off-brand gas station, then don't do it. The difference between diesel and gasoline fuels can be subtle, but they are not interchangeable—and mixing them could cause serious damage to your engine.
Diesel fuel has a higher flashpoint than gasoline; this means that while gasoline will ignite at lower temperatures, diesel requires more heat before combustion occurs. Additionally, because of its thicker consistency and higher sulfur content, diesel oil doesn't evaporate as quickly as regular petroleum products when spilled on pavement or streets—it may remain there for days after initial contact with air molecules inside an engine compartment.
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Let your car warm up on cold days.
To ensure your car's performance and longevity, it is important to let the engine warm up before you drive.
If you start the car while it is cold, the oil will not flow correctly, which can cause damage to internal components and reduce fuel economy. Additionally, if you are driving with a cold engine and turn on your heater or defroster immediately after starting up, blow-by gases may be released into the cabin of your vehicle as a result of less efficient combustion. This also affects fuel economy and emissions output! If you do decide to idle for longer than a few minutes at a time, make sure that there is sufficient ventilation so that these harmful fumes don't build up inside of your car's interior space.
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Don't use the wrong kind of oil filter.
Oil filters are not interchangeable between vehicles, brands, engines or years. Using the wrong oil filter for your vehicle can cause serious damage to your engine. The number one mistake made by DIY owners is using a smaller than recommended filter in their engine. A smaller than recommended filter restricts the flow of oil through the engine and causes sludge build up inside the engine which can lead to expensive repairs down the road!
Use only UNI-DIRECTIONAL filters that have been designed for use in diesel engines. This will ensure you are getting all of the necessary filtration needed for proper lubrication of your diesel motor’s components.
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Maintain your fuel injection system.
To maintain your fuel injection system, keep an eye out for leaks and change the fuel filter regularly. Fuel lines and injectors need to be clean as well, so be sure to vacuum them out every 6 months or so. Finally, keeping your engine clean will also help with the overall performance of your car.
Don't let fuel sit in the tank for too long either!
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Don’t forget to change your air filter.
It’s easy to forget about the air filter, but it’s one of the most important parts of your vehicle. It keeps dirt and debris out of your engine, which is especially helpful in diesel engines because they run so hot. The air filter should be changed every 20,000 miles or 20 months (whichever comes first). You can do this with a simple wrench, and it’s an easy job that anyone can do at home with basic tools. The air filter sits right in front of the engine under a black cap that can be unscrewed easily by hand. When you pull it off, you'll see a white foam piece inside; this is your old filter! Just lift it out with your hands and replace it with a new one—they come in boxes of 10 at any auto supply store for around $10 each if you don't have them on hand already.
Changing an air filter will help keep your car running smoothly for longer because dirt buildup from driving over long distances can clog up components other than just exhaust systems (which takes forever). Although these filters aren't expensive compared to other maintenance costs associated with owning cars like oil changes or tire rotations every 5-6k miles, they're still something worth keeping track of every few months when doing regular checks under hood rather than waiting until disaster strikes because something broke down unexpectedly due.
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Know the signs of a faulty fuel pump and injector problems.
As mentioned before, the fuel pump is responsible for sending gasoline through the fuel lines to each injector. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get your car inspected by a mechanic:
- Low pressure at idle speed
- Loss of power when accelerating uphill or going up a steep hill
- Injectors not working properly or at all
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Don’t overfill your engine with oil.
If you overfill your engine with oil, it can lead to leaks. Also, too much oil can cause the engine filter to clog and eventually fail. Overfilling an engine with oil can also cause it to overheat, which could lead to an oil fire if the car is left unattended for a long period of time.
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Diesel engines have different maintenance requirements than gasoline engines, and require you to use different fluids and follow some unique procedures to keep in good shape.
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- Diesel engines are more powerful than gasoline engines, which means they can withstand higher compression ratios and operate at a wider range of temperatures. The high compression ratio also increases the risk of detonation (spontaneous combustion) if the engine is operated at an incorrect speed or load for too long.
- A diesel engine has a fuel injector system that uses pressure within the cylinder itself to create the fuel spray, rather than relying on mechanical pumps as with a gasoline engine. This means that diesel engines do not need an electric pump or oil pump like in a gasoline car; however, they do require oil changes every 5k miles instead of every 3k miles because they don’t have an oil filter like conventional cars do (the lack of gear oil helps keep weight down).
Conclusion
While diesel engines are very powerful and can offer many benefits over their gasoline counterparts, they also require more care to keep running smoothly. If you follow these tips and take good care of your car, it will reward you with years of service—and the fuel savings that come with it!
Read More: What You Should Expect From Diesel Engine Services