When I grew up the most common diesels we encountered were trucks and buses with a few 4WD vehicles sporting diesel engines.

They were used in these vehicles because of cheaper running costs and the amazing amount of power they will produce at low revs.

Over recent years they have also been included in passenger vehicle options with many people changing from tradional petrol powered vehicles to diesel powered versions.

At Future Auto Service Centres our technicians are fully trained in diesel servicing, upgrading and repairs to ensure we can provide our clients with the best service and advice for their diesel vehicle, based upon how it is used and what the owner requires of it.

 Servicing my diesel vehicle.

At Future Auto Service Centres we recommend a minimum service period of every 10,000 km or 6 months, whichever occurs first.

One important part of any car servicing is the changing of filters and the engine oil, this keeps the engine free of contaminants, maximising your engines lifespan, hence providing you with value for money for your investment.

So what is the best service interval for your diesel?

This depends on many factors, one in particular is the type of driving it usually does.

Whilst manufacturers set a recommended service interval, they are often based upon the vehicle doing the optimum type of driving, allowing the correct set of conditions to occur in regards to the condition of the engine oil and also the ability for Diesel Particulate Filter burn offs or regeneration to naturally occur.

In reality many vehicles do not regularly achieve these conditions and arrive at our workshops because of issues caused by the way the vehicle is used.

For example

Driving short distances on a regular basis has been known to cause the oil in diesel cars to accumulate gunk or other contaminants.  Hence more frequent oil changes are required in comparison to a vehicle that is predominantly used for highway driving.

Also vehicles fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter require what is known as a “Burn Off or Regeneration” to periodically clear the filter, this is usually achieved under regular Highway driving conditions, when this fails to occur the filter becomes blocked and can eventually lead to complete engine failure because of the blockage. So to get the best value from your diesel, having your vehicle regularly serviced by trained technicians is extremely important.

Talk to our counter staff about what service intervals we would recommend for your vehicle based upon its use and history.

So why choose Future Auto to look after your Diesel?

Many of our business owners and their staff own excellent diesel vehicles, they drive them, repair them and most importantly know how to get the best performance and economy from them.

This gives them a great perspective on what works best for particular makes and models.

With this experience they are in a great position to provide you with advice on what is available for your vehicle and how to have it running at its best.

If you are considering buying a diesel have a talk with our staff before purchasing to ensure you have a clear picture of what diesels require and if in fact a diesel is the best choice for you.

If you already own a diesel, this article is excellent reading based on our experience.

Signs you may be experiencing known diesel issues

Are you having difficulty starting your engine?

If your engine is difficult or slow to start it can be an indicator of a fuel delivery issue or low compression.

If it takes longer than this to start it is a sign that there is possibly an issue with the vehicle and you should book it into your service centre to have it investigated.

Is your vehicle running rough?

Whilst it is true some diesels (particularly older ones) do run rough, it can indicate a defective glow plug or contaminated fuel, faulty glow plugs will usually cause difficult starting and a rough idle until the engine reaches operating temperature.

Is it blowing excessive Smoke from the exhaust?

Diesels are known for blowing 3 colours of smoke from the exhaust

Black, Blue and White, usually associated with an unpleasant smell

These signs indicate possible issues with the injector pump, the injectors, the air filter or other problems with the engine itself and its systems.

If the smoke continues to billow for any extended period again contact your Future Auto Service Centre for advice on what is required.

Ignoring these signs can cause extensive damage to your vehicle.

Is your engine making a knocking sound?

Engine knocking can be a normal indicator of a diesel engines age, however it can also indicate serious problems ranging from fuel contamination, faulty injectors effecting compression, reducing the engines performance to major mechanical failures.

Inconsistent noises or a knocking sound coming from the engine need to be checked out by qualified technicians and they will advise you on how to proceed.

Is the vehicle difficult to start or feeling sluggish on acceleration?

This is often caused by low fuel pressure, blocked or dirty fuel filters and more serious issues relating to the engine and its operating systems.

If your diesel is lacking power you need to book into your Future Auto Service Centre and find out what is going on before it becomes a major issue.

A properly operating diesel engine should deliver lots of power, particularly at low revs.

 In summary

• If you are considering purchasing a diesel, talk to your local Future Auto Service Centre to ascertain if it is the best choice of vehicle for you.
• Never ignore dash warning lights, the fault won’t just go away
• When you are having diesel issues, have them assessed by trained technicians
• If you own a diesel, be diligent with the vehicles servicing.

Those who keep their diesel vehicles in excellent condition enjoy the many benefits of owning a diesel, those who choose to ignore the maintenance the diesel vehicles require, need to have very deep pockets.