Major Warning For Diesel Drivers

Saturday, 17. January 2009

As motorists attempt to save costs in the current recession many are reducing the number of miles they are travelling and keeping speed down. Whilst this is great in terms of costs, safety and the environment it may not be so great if you are a diesel driver. First of all you may find that covering very low mileage makes the new generation petrol engines far more fuel efficient than the equivalent diesel engines, in addition there is the problem attached to particulate filters. All new generation diesel cars must now be fitted with a particulate filter that, as the name suggests, removes harmful particulates from the emissions. However, these particulates clog the filter unless you carry out an exercise at least once a month. This cleaning exercise requires you to drive the car for at least 20 minutes at over 50 miles per hour. This heats up the filter and creates a chemical reaction that eliminates the particulates. If this isn’t done you will eventually have to replace the filter and be warned that this is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. On some cars this can be £500 or more so check to see if your diesel car is fitted with a particulate filter and make sure that you carry out this regular cleaning exercise or you may wish to consider a new generation petrol car next time. By Graham Hill