Diesel engine fans will rapture on about the impressive combination of power and fuel efficiency that modern diesel engines carry. Environmentally friendly and fairly low maintenance, diesel engines have been popular for years in Europe, and that popularity is finally beginning to grow in the United States as well. With all their benefits, diesel engines may very well become more popular than gas engines! Here are some tips to consider if you, like most U.S. drivers, are fairly inexperienced with diesel engines.

1) Virtually all new diesel engines are equipped with a turbo-charger, which works like a jet engine, forcing outside air into the engine. This increases efficiency and performance. Turbo-chargers are very powerful, so it’s important that the air entering is clean and free of detritus. You can make sure of this by keeping the air filter on your engine clean and changing it often. Most vehicles are equipped with electric sensors which alert you when your air filter needs changing. Pay attention to this! Ignoring this alert could damage your engine.

2) Diesel engines need to use fuel filters, since diesel fuel isn’t as pure as gasoline. Your car will have sensors much like those in the air filter, and these will tell you if your fuel filter becomes clogged and needs to be changed. It’s strongly advised that you heed these warnings quickly, as failure to change a clogged fuel filter could leave you stuck on the side of the road. Expect to change your diesel fuel filter more often than you’re used to, since diesel filters have a shorter life span than gas fuel filters.

3) You already know that diesel fuel is less pure than gasoline, but you might not have known that it also contains water. Small amounts of water won’t damage your engine, however, almost all modern diesels have water/fuel separators anyways. Some models may require manual purging of water from the diesel’s fuel system. If you’re doing this yourself, your owner’s manual will tell you how to do this, and how often you should perform this action. Otherwise, there are many service facilities who will do this for little to no charge, and will dispose of the water/fuel mixture in an environmentally safe way.

4) Diesel engines are often referred to as “oil burners” because unlike gasoline engines, diesel engines typically burn some of the engine’s lubricating oil during normal operation. That’s why it’s especially important to check your diesel’s oil level between oil changes. To check the oil, make sure the engine has cooled for at least 30 minutes, and that the vehicle is level. Your owner’s manual will explain when you should add oil based on the engine’s dipstick reading.

5) Diesel engines don’t like cold temperatures. At low temperatures, diesel engines tend to start harshly and warm-up very slowly. At extremely low temperatures (below -10 F) diesel engines may not function at all. Thus, it’s very important to remember to use your diesel’s block heater if outside temps ever dip below zero. The block heater is nothing more than an electrical plug on your car that uses your home’s electricity to keep your engine warm, and it’s as simple as plugging your car in at night. If you can afford the electricity, you can plug-in your block heater any time the outside temperature dips below freezing. This will protect your engine and make for quick and smooth start-ups, and it will help your engine warm-up quickly. Check your owner’s manual for your block heater’s location.

6) New diesel engines have a break-in period, just like any other car. The break-in period on a new diesel is usually around 500 to 1000 miles. Your owner’s manual can give you a figure specific to your vehicle model. During the break-in period, driving at sustained speeds, such as on the highway for long periods of time, are not recommended. Neither is towing or hauling anything during this time. After the break-in period, your diesel engine will probably continue to improve in power and efficiency for 20,000 to 30,000 miles, since diesel engines require plenty of time and usage to reach their best levels of efficiency and performance. Most experienced diesel users agree that their engines didn’t start to reach their best until a year or two after purchase.

It is imperative that new or first-time diesel owners read their engine manual thoroughly. Diesel owners need to perform normal vehicle maintenance, as well as monitor air and fuel filter sensors, check engine oil between changes, remove water from fuel system when needed, and plug in the block heater when the temperatures drop below zero. This extra care will result in an engine with power, fuel economy, and 200,000+ miles of service.