If you’re looking at a diesel engine, you’re probably impressed with their combination of power and fuel efficiency. Modern diesel engines are environmentally friendly and fairly low maintenance. Europeans have enjoyed diesel powered vehicles for years, which are finally starting to catch on in the United States. Considering all their benefits, it’s quite possible that diesel engines will one day be more popular than gas engines. Since most U.S. drivers have limited experience with diesel engines, here are some tips for new diesel drivers.

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 fuel isn’t as clean and pure as gasoline, so the fuel filter in a diesel engine is very important. Again, your car has sensors that will warn you if the fuel filter becomes clogged, and you should react to these warnings quickly. If you fail to change a clogged diesel fuel filter, it could leave you stranded on the side of the road. Also, keep in mind that diesel fuel filters need to be changed a little more often than gas fuel filters, so don’t be surprised if you have to replace your diesel’s fuel filter ahead of schedule. That’s perfectly normal.

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 “oil burners”, typically burning some of the engine’s lubricating oil during normal operation. This is why it’s so important to check your diesel’s oil levels often, even between oil changes! Before checking the oil, make sure the vehicle is level and allow the engine to cool for at least 30 minutes. Your owner’s manual will explain how to determine if you need to add more oil, based on your 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) While all new engines have a short break-in period, new diesel engines usually have a break-in period that lasts 500 or 1000 miles. (Check your manual to find out.) Usually, the manufacturer recommends that you avoid driving at sustained speeds (i.e. long trips on the highway) during this period. Additionally, most manufacturers suggest that you not tow or haul anything during this period. Once the initial break-in period is over, it’s not uncommon for your diesel to continue to improve in power and efficiency for the first 20k or 30k miles. Unlike gas motors, which often stop improving in power and efficiency after 3k to 5k miles, diesels need lots of time and use to reach their peak efficiency and performance. In fact, most long-time diesel owners will tell you that their engine didn’t really start to truly perform until a year or two after they bought it.

To summarize, it’s very important that new or first-time diesel owners review their engine manual. In addition to normal vehicle maintenance, diesel owners should keep a close eye on their air and fuel filter warnings, they should always check engine oil between oil changes, purge water from the fuel system as required, and remember to plug in the block heater any time outside temperatures drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit. When you do all these extra tasks, your diesel engine will reward you with power, great fuel economy, and 200,000+ miles of good service.