As the title suggests, has anyone got any tips for driving a diesel. I've had 3 petrol cars but thistill diesel feels so much more harder to drive properly.

Use the power and torque low down, don't bother taking it to redline you'll get more out of it with a shorter shift so your next gear engages around peak power and torque.

I'd driven diesels before but not owned one until this one so like yourself I've had to learn the best way.

As you learn the car and how it reacts you'll find the best way, but that above is my top tip. Other than that plan early, use the ground and be economical and see your mpg soar. Bear in mind though that you have to give it some stick every now and again to blow all the crap out. Use decent fuel, drive it regularly and avoid loads of short journeys and enjoy.

Use the power and torque low down, don't bother taking it to redline you'll get more out of it with a shorter shift so your next gear engages around peak power and torque.

I'd driven diesels before but not owned one until this one so like yourself I've had to learn the best way.

As you learn the car and how it reacts you'll find the best way, but that above is my top tip. Other than that plan early, use the ground and be economical and see your mpg soar. Bear in mind though that you have to give it some stick every now and again to blow all the crap out. Use decent fuel, drive it regularly and avoid loads of short journeys and enjoy.

 

............. and put diesel in it.

Why harder?

 

Get used to where the torque is and use that, rather than revs like in the petrol's you've previously had.

 

I found that trying to improve my mpg in a diesel had the opposite effect, and when I just drove it without paying attention to the mpg, it improved greatly.

 

Gaz

............. and put diesel in it.

I feel like I've got ocd, checking 5 times still before I pull the trigger!

Don't drive like 'miss daisy' you'll clog everything up. 

I feel like I've got ocd, checking 5 times still before I pull the trigger!

 

I know what you feel like. When I had my  07 plate PD Vrs the local BP garage had  Black  premium petrol pump nozzels . Always had to double check wether I was putting Derv or Petrol in.  For me Black = diesel / Green = petrol

I know what you feel like. When I had my  07 plate PD Vrs the local BP garage had  Black  premium petrol pump nozzels . Always had to double check wether I was putting Derv or Petrol in.  For me Black = diesel / Green = petrol

The dirty ******** that's just trickery. I think every garage round here has different colours, a proper head****

I know what you feel like.

 

That's worryingly tactile 

 

Gaz

The dirty ******** that's just trickery. I think every garage round here has different colours, a proper head****

 

I told the  man behind the counter that I almost put petrol in my car due to the misleading pump colour

 

The reply was, " Yer,  lots of people do that.............. "    To$$er 

be prepared for a hand that stinks of diesel.. as most diesel pumps leak, drip, and handle is covered, not sure why... but always have a glove/ paper towel to hand :P

be prepared for a hand that stinks of diesel.. as most diesel pumps leak, drip, and handle is covered, not sure why... but always have a glove/ paper towel to hand :P

I hate it when they run out of gloves at the pumps. I run the risk of looking like a layby guy/murderer as I try and keep half a dozen surgical gloves in the car just in case...oh, and a spade in the boot

Edited 2 July, 20169 yr by YellowCar

Why harder?

Get used to where the torque is and use that, rather than revs like in the petrol's you've previously had.

Gaz

Think it's due to me learning in a petrol and having them, but going up and down the gears sometimes brings a shudder as if I'm losing powere although after a few seconds the speed increases

............. and put diesel in it.

Haha, made sure it was the black hose although after a reading the replies I'm not too sure now haha

Don't drive like 'miss daisy' you'll clog everything up.

No problem with that

I hate it when they run out of gloves at the pumps. I run the risk of looking like a layby guy/murderer as I try and keep half a dozen surgical gloves in the car just in case...oh, and a spade in the boot

Haha, can see it now lol

Use the power and torque low down, don't bother taking it to redline you'll get more out of it with a shorter shift so your next gear engages around peak power and torque.

I'd driven diesels before but not owned one until this one so like yourself I've had to learn the best way.

As you learn the car and how it reacts you'll find the best way, but that above is my top tip. Other than that plan early, use the ground and be economical and see your mpg soar. Bear in mind though that you have to give it some stick every now and again to blow all the crap out. Use decent fuel, drive it regularly and avoid loads of short journeys and enjoy.

Found myself doing the short shifts just now, more a me thing than learning about it. What's classed as decent fuel these days?

Edited 2 July, 20169 yr by Steven2016

As the title suggests, has anyone got any tips for driving a diesel. I've had 3 petrol cars but thistill diesel feels so much more harder to drive properly.

 

1. Buy earplugs.  

 

2. Get used to a narrow power band but luxuriate in loads of torque (my old Mitsubishi diesel needed about 2 gearchanges to get 25 miles to work - replaced by petrol turbo SEAT that needs about 50!)

If you do have to change gear modify your technique so the revs and boost don't die away completely before you release the clutch again.This should cut out the shuddering.

 

Old PSA diesels are great, so was the Mitsu in my Proton - but in the case of modern diesels, we have to learn to pay for fixing way too many things that stop it staying in tune - at least you didn't buy the awful Fiat/GM Multijet.

 

Re Fuel - TESCO diesel messed up SWMBO's Common Rail motor for years - use brand name stuff - she switched to BP and it was like a new car!

 

If good fuel doesn't make it smooth try something like an injector cleaner;

 

http://www.stp.eu/en/products/additives-for-diesel

Edited 2 July, 20169 yr by camelspyyder

Just try and avoid supermarket fuel and use branded consistently, if you don't want to spend a fortune it is worth a full tank of BP ultimate or Shell v power diesel once or twice a month. Some say it makes no difference what fuel you put in but I reckon more think it does. See thread in general car for an example of the debate that just keeps on going...have to admit I'm getting a bit bored of that one now, try a few different fuels and see what works for you and your car.

I know for a fact after consistently using decent fuel and occasional premium my car us quieter, smoother and more frugal than when I got it, and Morrisons fuel did not agree with it. Shame really as I was looking forward to filling up wherever and saving hassle (not many choices for fuel round here) but my BLT engine says no.

Like this

 

https://youtu.be/0gzByp62Nb0

1. Buy earplugs.

2. Get used to a narrow power band but luxuriate in loads of torque (my old Mitsubishi diesel needed about 2 gearchanges to get 25 miles to work - replaced by petrol turbo SEAT that needs about 50!)

If you do have to change gear modify your technique so the revs and boost don't die away completely before you release the clutch again.This should cut out the shuddering.

Old PSA diesels are great, so was the Mitsu in my Proton - but in the case of modern diesels, we have to learn to pay for fixing way too many things that stop it staying in tune - at least you didn't buy the awful Fiat/GM Multijet.

Re Fuel - TESCO diesel messed up SWMBO's Common Rail motor for years - use brand name stuff - she switched to BP and it was like a new car!

If good fuel doesn't make it smooth try something like an injector cleaner;

http://www.stp.eu/en/products/additives-for-diesel

Yeah I noticed that when I was plodding along I was in 3rd for longer than I was used to. Good shout with the clutch, these small things are worth their weight in gold.

Just try and avoid supermarket fuel and use branded consistently, if you don't want to spend a fortune it is worth a full tank of BP ultimate or Shell v power diesel once or twice a month. Some say it makes no difference what fuel you put in but I reckon more think it does. See thread in general car for an example of the debate that just keeps on going...have to admit I'm getting a bit bored of that one now, try a few different fuels and see what works for you and your car.

I know for a fact after consistently using decent fuel and occasional premium my car us quieter, smoother and more frugal than when I got it, and Morrisons fuel did not agree with it. Shame really as I was looking forward to filling up wherever and saving hassle (not many choices for fuel round here) but my BLT engine says no.

At the minute I've got a mix of Morrisons and BP in it. Think the price in my area is the same, not too fussed about a penny or so. My last car was drinking the petrol so with this it's a pleasant surprise.

If good fuel doesn't make it smooth try something like an injector cleaner;

http://www.stp.eu/en/products/additives-for-diesel

Does this stuff actually work or is it just a gimmick?

It could make our Mutijet run on all 4 instead of 3 when cold and that with TESCO fuel in, so I'd say it does work.

1.4TDI- not a speed merchant, but get a Southern scenic gourmet on a straight and ( unless it's a fancy car), hit the juice in second at 20, change up fast and let him watch your smoke. personally, despite what others say - I've found no difference in fuel in mine over 80k, EXCEPT that the EGR needs regular blasts to keep it dirt free/oil & cambelt need changing as pre mr Skoda's recommendation. Petrol cars need revs to give the grunt, derv are the opposite. BUT- come winter- FORGET sitting on the drive/road waiting for the engine to warm- it won't till you make it work. SKODA- take note- Diesel cars need a heated windscreen.

 

OH- AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST- IF the tyres on it are still original- get the speed rating checked- mine had lowest speed rating fitted, whilst cat could easlly exceed that.

Edited 3 July, 20169 yr by VWD