Changing to a diesel

Gers

I'm about to take delivery of my first diesel car and am slightly worried about differences in driving style from the petrol car. I've searched the internet and got confusing information - some forums say it's no different, some say it's very different and some can't make their minds up.

Seems all to do with when to change gears????

Some up to date advice would be very welcome.

Bongedone

I have a diesel and not noticed a difference.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Gers wrote: »

I'm about to take delivery of my first diesel car and am slightly worried about differences in driving style from the petrol car. I've searched the internet and got confusing information - some forums say it's no different, some say it's very different and some can't make their minds up.

Seems all to do with when to change gears????

Some up to date advice would be very welcome.

There is nothing to worry about. Although diesel engined cars are very different to petrol engined cars, the differences aren't so great that they would cause you any problems.

Just make sure that when refilling you remember not to put petrol in.

MX5huggy

It will come naturally a diesel car operates at lower revs than a petrol so you change gear at lower revs but you change gear at about the same speeds. Your not going to do any damage by going bit high in the revs at the start.

worried_jim

Just drive as you would normally and enjoy the mpg !

cpdc1030

On the Diesel car's i've driven I've noticed that the power seems to be either "on" or "off" - whereas with a petrol the power is variable depending on the revs. I.e. with a diesel there can be a huge surge in power between 1800rpm and 2200rpm, and little after that. I think that is related to the turbocharging. Whereas with a petrol the buildup of power is gradual and continues to increase up to the red line.

Depends on the model of course though.

LandyAndy

You'll probably find yourself changing gear less often as diesels have more torque at the sort of engine speeds most people use in everyday driving

vikingaero

Buy a misfuel gadget like the Caparo Rightfuel. Or if you have a Ford then chances are it has the misfuelling widget built in.

With a diesel you change up at lower revs than a petrol.

As the car will most probably be a turbo diesel don't forget to idle the car for 30 seconds before switching off after a hard run.

Gers

All most helpful - thanks!

Need a widget
Need to idle for 30 secs after a long run
Need to drive as normal
Don't need to move through the gears so much

Cheers!

:beer:

AdrianHi

If you are looking for maximum acceleration while overtaking the adjustment you need to make is changing up a gear at around 4000rpm at the latest and not trying to drive it to the red line which is around 4500-5000rpm. You will get more acceleration this way, most of the power is available 2000-4000rpm on a modern diesel though they are all quite different in response.
You need to exepriment and get to know how yours performs.

The 30 seconds of idling thing is rather outdated and not really neccessary on a modern intercooled turbo diesel using synthetic oils. A short period of gentle driving before shutting the engine off will suffice.

Ebe_Scrooge

As has been mentioned, you can afford to be quite a bit lazier with gear-changes as there's a lot more torque available. Acceleration may be less than you're used to, so be careful with overtaking manouvers until you're used to it. Having said that, a lot of the modern diesel engines can give petrols a run for their money, I was amazed the first time I drove my brother's diesel.

I don't know how fastidious you are about servicing, but if you do nothing else then change the oil regularly. Although not to be recommended, diesels can take a far amount of neglect, more so than a petrol, but the one thing they are fussy about is their oil. And you'll probably find the recommended oil change interval is a lot shorter than you're used to.