Despite tightening emission norms and general anti-diesel sentiment around the world, diesel cars remain popular in India, especially when it comes to buying a bigger car instead of a small hatchback or a compact sedan or a compact SUV. Over the past few years, especially since the implementation of BS6 emission norms, several car manufacturers have increasingly eliminated diesel products from their portfolios, citing the significantly higher cost of production.
The removal of diesel cars mainly affected Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai, which are the two most popular brands in India when it comes to selling small cars. However, despite the elimination of a large number of diesel cars across brands over the past few years, automakers still find a large portion of buyers for diesel vehicles, especially in the SUV segment.
Also read: How not to drive an automatic car: key tips
With that in mind, and if you plan to own a diesel vehicle in the coming days, here are five key tips to follow on how not to drive a diesel car.
Don’t drive on low fuel
Driving on low fuel is a strict no-no for either a petrol or diesel car. Diesel acts as a lubricant for several critical engine components. When the fuel level gets low in the tank, the fuel pump can draw air into the combustion chamber instead of diesel, which increases friction and damages internal powertrain components. Also, while driving low on fuel, there is a greater chance of slug from the bottom of the tank being sucked into the combustion chamber, damaging the engine. Running low on fuel also puts pressure on the fuel pump, putting it at risk of damage. Therefore, always drive with an adequate level of fuel in the tank.
Do not crank the engine when cold
This is common practice for all cars, be they petrol or diesel. After starting the engine, allow some time for it to warm up. Allowing a little time for the engine to warm up will help the powertrain stay in shape for a longer period and provide better performance. Cold acceleration means that you start accelerating the engine immediately after starting it. Cold speed can damage the electric mill, because when in static mode, the oil is thicker and the lubrication is low. This could increase the risk of premature wear of critical components such as pistons, rings, valves and cylinders.
Avoid driving at high speed at low revs
Driving at low rpm in a high gear is called traction, and this could cause serious damage to the car’s engine and transmission. Doing so puts enormous stress on the engine and could lead to premature wear of its critical components. It also affects the performance and longevity of the car. Always drive within the OEM recommended rpm range for your car. Shift down and up as needed for smooth and optimal vehicle driving performance.
Keep the DPF clean
The DPF, or diesel particulate filter, is a critical component found in diesel vehicles. This component traps and reduces harmful emission elements from your vehicle into the environment. This should be kept clean with regular service and maintenance. The DPF can become clogged with soot and particles, causing a loss of power, performance and efficiency. This can affect the engine in the long run. Therefore, regular inspection and cleaning of the DPF is necessary to keep the diesel car in good shape.
Don’t ignore the exhaust fumes
Finding a diesel car with black smoke coming out of the exhaust is a common sight. Many drivers ignore this sign, but this could be problematic for your vehicle in the long run. Smoke coming out of the exhaust is a sign that there is something wrong with the powertrain. It is common for vehicles to emit some smoke during cold weather conditions, which is generally vapor and not essentially smoke. However, under normal weather conditions, smoke coming from the exhaust means that there is something wrong with the engine. Dark smoke from the exhaust means excessive fuel consumption or a faulty injector or engine-related problems. White smoke indicates coolant leaks, while blue smoke indicates burning oil.
How not to drive a diesel car
Don’t drive on low fuel
Do not crank the engine when cold
Avoid driving at high speed at low revs
Keep the diesel particulate filter clean
Don’t ignore the exhaust fumes
Date of first publication: May 24, 2023, 11:42 IST
