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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) Most new diesel engines come with a turbo-charger, which sucks outside air into the engine, increasing efficiency and performance. Turbo-chargers are very powerful pieces of machinery, and require clean air that is empty of debris. Thus, it's vital that you clean and change the air filter on your engine frequently. The majority of diesel engine vehicles are equipped with electronic sensors which will tell you when you need to check or replace your filter. Always change your filter as soon as the sensor tells you to! Delaying or ignoring this alert altogether can result in a damaged 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 "oil burners", typically burning some of the engine's lubricating oil during normal operation. This is why it's so important to check your diesel's oil levels often, even between oil changes! Before checking the oil, make sure the vehicle is level and allow the engine to cool for at least 30 minutes. Your owner's manual will explain how to determine if you need to add more oil, based on your engine's 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, an auto business veteran, created AccurateAutoAdvice.com. You'll find accurate car advice and tips for buying a car.

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