Diesels in town

Ebe_Scrooge

Quick question. The generally accepted wisdom on here is that if you do mainly town driving, a diesel is a bad idea, due to problems with the DPF.

So how come buses and taxis ( especially black cabs ) are usually diesel, when they spend their whole life in towns ? Do they not have a DPF ? If not, why not ?

w211

It's mainly short distances, where the engine hasn't had a chance to warm up properly which is the problem.

Buses and taxis are usually run for most of the day, which gives it time to warm up.

wongataa

DPFs only became required pretty recently so older vehicles most likely wont have one. Regulations for buses will be different that that for cars. Taxi regulations may be different too.

worried_jim

It's why Taxis sit there with their engines running to keep them at temp.

iolanthe07

A lot of taxi owners where I live are changing to petrol when they renew their cars. DPF problems are relatively recent, older tasxis won't have them fitted. One guy I know has had his DPF removed, but I'm not sure that is legal.

Iceweasel

iolanthe07 wrote: »

A lot of taxi owners where I live are changing to petrol when they renew their cars. DPF problems are relatively recent, older tasxis won't have them fitted. One guy I know has had his DPF removed, but I'm not sure that is legal.

No it's not legal. A check for the DPF being present (if the car had one from new) is now part of the MOT.

However it's only a visual test, at the moment, so any smart dude who takes the stuffing out of the DPF, re-welds it back up and so has an empty box - will pass.

But the DVSA are not stupid and I expect the rules to be amended in the next round of changes.

neilmcl

wongataa wrote: »

DPFs only became required pretty recently so older vehicles most likely wont have one. Regulations for buses will be different that that for cars. Taxi regulations may be different too.

There wont be that many buses in current service that are old enough not to have a DPF fitted.

forgotmyname

DPF another half baked idea to reduce the soot from a diesel.

Helped along by adding an oil to help burn it or extra fuel. Very eco friendly..

arcon5

Economy.

Most minicabs have a short life span anyway. Black cabs and prestigue not so much.

Ebe_Scrooge

Thanks for all the replies - my curiosity is now satisfied and I can stop laying awake at night pondering it

Mankysteve

Soen buses do have dpf but they have one they can change and clean quickly, some use chemicals.