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by: JasonLancaster
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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) The fuel filter in a diesel engine is very important, since diesel fuel isn't as clean and pure as gasoline. Your car has sensors which will tell you if your fuel filter is clogged, and you should take action quickly after this sensor goes off. Neglecting a clogged fuel filter can result in you being stranded on the road. Fuel filters need to be changed more often than gas fuel filters, so you should expect to replace your fuel filter earlier than 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 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) Cold temperatures are bad for diesel engines. Your diesel engine will start up harshly and take a long time to warm up if the temperature outside is low. If it's extremely low outside, with a temperature of -10F or lower, diesel engines might not work at all. It's very important that you remember to use your diesel's block heater. The block heater is an electrical plug on your car that keeps your engine warm, using electricity from your home. Use the block heater at least whenever the temperature drops below zero outside, and at best, whenever the temperature is below freezing. This protects your engine, so it can continue to start smoothly and warm up quickly. Refer to your owner's manual to locate the block heater on your vehicle.

6) New diesel engines have a break-in period, just like any other car. The break-in period on a new diesel is usually around 500 to 1000 miles. Your owner's manual can give you a figure specific to your vehicle model. During the break-in period, driving at sustained speeds, such as on the highway for long periods of time, are not recommended. Neither is towing or hauling anything during this time. After the break-in period, your diesel engine will probably continue to improve in power and efficiency for 20,000 to 30,000 miles, since diesel engines require plenty of time and usage to reach their best levels of efficiency and performance. Most experienced diesel users agree that their engines didn't start to reach their best until a year or two after purchase.

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.

About the Author

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

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