New and old cars differ greatly in terms of safety, emissions, consumption... And this is noticeable even between gasoline or diesel cars themselves. And yet, in all of them you can save when using them. Therefore, here are some tricks to avoid high consumption in a diesel car.
Preheating
Turn the ignition key only until the lights on the dashboard come on and wait for the warning light that indicates that you should wait on your car model to go off. It is the moment in which the ignition circuit begins a preheating stage and the heaters begin to act.
If you have a 'start' button, the normal thing is that when you press it with the brake (in an automatic car) or the clutch (in a manual car) depressed, the vehicle will carry out steps 1 and 2 on its own.
Start
Turn the ignition key without stepping on the accelerator. If the heaters have begun to fail or, for whatever reason, the engine does not start and starts to rotate, turn everything off again and repeat operations 1 and 2 (sometimes, diesels are a little more lazy when it comes to wake up cold). But don't get stuck with step 2 or you could tamper with and damage the starter motor (pictured).
Related Reading: Quick Fixes for a Car That Won't Start
Accelerations
Neither by turning the ignition key nor by pressing the corresponding 'help' button by pumping the accelerator, as was done in the past with gasoline cars fitted with a carburetor, since it will only serve to force the machine.
Engine Idling
Try to idle the engine for a couple of minutes. This does not necessarily have to take up your time because you can take advantage of it to put your handbag in its place, connect and/or synchronize your phone, program the route in the navigator, and color the mirrors properly. Of course, keep an eye on closed spaces, lest ventilation is not sufficient and exhaust emissions end up in the passenger compartment.
Long Marches
Use long gears as soon as you maneuver and start driving, only until the engine reaches optimal temperature. Also, when driving/flat normally.
On steep downhill slopes, use lower gears as engine braking. Even if the engine revs higher and sounds louder, don't worry: consumption will remain practically zero.
Recovery: when climbing a hill or overtaking, downshift, accelerate, engage in higher gear(s)... although if your car has a turbo, it is especially tempting to stomp on the accelerator and slowly little gain speed. Don't do that or consumption will skyrocket.
In these cases, by the way, the puff of black smoke in a diesel engine is relatively normal, but it is advisable to keep an eye on it in the reviewer mirrors, so that it does not become excessive.
Before turning off
Let the engine cool for a couple of minutes at idle (this is even more important in the case of turbos, to protect the 'blades' of the turbine and the compressor from the accumulated heat) while you take your cell phone, keys, documentation, You turn off the air conditioning or heating so that the contrast with the outside temperature is not too strong... and cut off contact.
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Conclusion
These straightforward yet impactful strategies ensure that your diesel car runs efficiently, economically, and environmentally friendly, making the most out of every drop of diesel.
FAQ
What should you do before starting a diesel car to ensure proper preheating?
Turn the ignition key until the dashboard lights come on and wait for the preheating warning light to go off. This indicates that the ignition circuit is preheating.
Is it advisable to accelerate while starting a diesel car?
No, it is not advisable to accelerate while starting a diesel car. Doing so can force the engine unnecessarily.
What is the recommended practice for engine idling in a diesel car before turning it off?
It is recommended to let the engine idle for a couple of minutes at idle speed before turning it off, especially for cars with turbos, to allow the turbine and compressor to cool down.
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