Driving A Diesel...

September 26, 2007

I own a 2006 Diesel Avensis and think it's a good solid car. It's done 20k miles and just had its 20k mile service without incident.

I asked Mr T to check if the engine was ok because the car smokes quite a bit. He said it was fine and even done an emission test on it.

My first question concerns diesel smoke. She smokes when cold and under medium/heavy load. When pulling away when the engine is cold is quite embarrasing...

- At what point should I worry that my diesel is smoking too much?

- What causes a diesel to smoke?

Ok, onto the next question. This is my first diesel car. Before I had a Mondeo ST24 V6 and it rocked. It would seem that when the engine is cold, the noises from the engine resemble a tank.

- Should a modern day diesel sound like a tank?

And now onto the next a question;

- Can I drive the diesel like a petrol engine; engine breaking, acceleration, heavy load etc...?

Last but not least;

- At what point does the turbo kick in when you accelerate ?

Many thanks

Marcus.

September 26, 2007

My first question concerns diesel smoke. She smokes when cold and under medium/heavy load. When pulling away when the engine is cold is quite embarrasing...
- At what point should I worry that my diesel is smoking too much?

You shouldn't, it's a diesel

- What causes a diesel to smoke?

The fact that it's a diesel

Ok, onto the next question. This is my first diesel car. Before I had a Mondeo ST24 V6 and it rocked. It would seem that when the engine is cold, the noises from the engine resemble a tank.
- Should a modern day diesel sound like a tank?

Yeah, my 2002 150 PD Golf does anyway

And now onto the next a question;
- Can I drive the diesel like a petrol engine; engine breaking, acceleration, heavy load etc...?

As far as I know you should be able to, I haven't changed anything about my driving style since I swapped my petrol Yaris for a diesel Golf (apart from making use of the extra power I now have). If anything it should be better equipped at handling heavy loads than a petrol (based purely on the idea that all big earth movers are diesel powered)

Last but not least;
- At what point does the turbo kick in when you accelerate ?
Many thanks
Marcus.

It depends on the car, mine kicks in at 1,900 rpm which is quite low apparently. Another owner would be able to answer that better.

Hope that helps :thumbsup:

September 26, 2007

- Can I drive the diesel like a petrol engine; engine breaking, acceleration, heavy load etc...?

Soz. Shot off another blank just before. Have to see a Doctor or summat about that... Moderator please, thanks.

I drive petrol Avensisses (?) but I reckon one difference will be a more relaxed attitude towards gear changes in town in heavy traffic. Your diesel powerplant will pull strongly at low revs without the turbo really contributing while all around you drivers with petrol power will be doing a dance on their clutch pedals. Mind you, the difference is not as marked as it used to be. I think most ECUs and injection systems are sophisticated enough to keep a petrol motor going under heavy demand for torque but the diesel is a natural choice for heavy loads.

Remember as a general rule:

Diesel - Excellent for delivering deep satisfying torque

Petrol - Excellent for delivering large quantities of horsepower rapidly.

You will be far more relaxed with your car in a lot of situations. It's something I've found with most diesels. Even today with modern turbos you don't get that raw urgency that petrol engines can give but you don't really miss it because you've got torque (I like to think of it as stamina). What you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts.