Diesel engines and mileage

[London Loves Luke]

I just bought a 2012 Mercedes C250 with a 2.5 litre diesel engine with 70k miles on the clock. This is my first diesel and I understand that diesels normally have a longer life and can handle more mileage, but is there anything that I should be doing to extend the life and keep clear of serious engine issues? Obviously will keep up yearly services and all that good stuff, but any other tips from the mechanics out there?

[TNPanther]

Whatever you do, do not run the engine on a dangerously low level or empty of diesel. When you do that it damages the fuel pump and you have to complete a thorough clean of the fuel line plus re-prime the engine in order to even get the car started again.

[TheAmericanDream]

On 2008 and up have a DPF that helps with the diesel smoke. Thanks to the EPA. No smoke and better for our air. Downside poor fuel mileage and less durability on your engine. The engine goes into Regen mode every so often. This mean it dumps fuel to burn off the soot that's built up inside of the DPF. Which means your engine gas temperatures go through the roof. Not good for reliability.

[TheAmericanDream]

Also remember it cost alot more for diesel maintenance. When you do a oil change always change your fuel filters. They will tell you to go every 10,000 miles. But IMO I would change it every 5,000 with your oil change.

[thefuzz]

Issue these days isn't the engine most times, it's the stuff attached to them.

 

 

 

[PandaPancake]

Which means your engine gas temperatures go through the roof. Not good for reliability.

You might want to rethink this.

[London Loves Luke]

Unless you're driving 50k miles a year or tow heavy equipment there's no point in buying a Diesel engine. The initial cost is much higher, they are way more expensive to repair, and fuel is more expensive.

Gasoline engines will easily last 200k miles if properly maintained. If you drive 15k a year, which is more than the average driver, that's over 13 years of service. Just how long do you plan on owning the car?

Not sure about fuel costs here in the UK, diesel is so close to petrol prices that the extra mileage you get from the tank saves you a fair amount.

Thanks a lot for the tips everyone, not looking forward to the service costs but hopefully it holds it's value over the next few years a little better than a petrol engine nearing 100k.

[PandaPancake]

Not sure about fuel costs here in the UK, diesel is so close to petrol prices that the extra mileage you get from the tank saves you a fair amount.

Thanks a lot for the tips everyone, not looking forward to the service costs but hopefully it holds it's value over the next few years a little better than a petrol engine nearing 100k.

 

Does that model require DEF?

[Hawk]

around these parts....diesel is more expensive than gasoline...which is really messed up but it's all about supply and demand.  The processing costs for diesel are much lower.

 

as to your car question...I know North America has improved diesel quality a whole boat load over the last few years...but there used to be an issue with dirty exhaust headers and valves etc because of the previous sulphur spec on diesel.  2012 car shouldn't be an issue though

[PandaPancake]

around these parts....diesel is more expensive than gasoline...which is really messed up but it's all about supply and demand. The processing costs for diesel are much lower.

as to your car question...I know North America has improved diesel quality a whole boat load over the last few years...but there used to be an issue with dirty exhaust headers and valves etc because of the previous sulphur spec on diesel. 2012 car shouldn't be an issue though

Yeah but when it's end of days that diesel can run on practically anything

[London Loves Luke]

around these parts....diesel is more expensive than gasoline...which is really messed up but it's all about supply and demand. The processing costs for diesel are much lower.

as to your car question...I know North America has improved diesel quality a whole boat load over the last few years...but there used to be an issue with dirty exhaust headers and valves etc because of the previous sulphur spec on diesel. 2012 car shouldn't be an issue though

I think it's because we get a fair amount of diesel from the North Sea in the UK so it's a little cheaper. (£) 5 per gallon of petrol and 5.26/g of diesel.

I think changing filters and oil once every 9-10 months is probably my best bet. Mercedes engines are normally very well put together so I'm guessing I should be ok as long as I don't regularly do 15k without a service.

[SmokinwithWilly]

Love my diesel. I have an older cummins so I have to put the additive in it since sulphur counts were reduced again. I use mine for work and throwing a 15k lb trailer on the back is pretty normal. My diesel has actually been cheaper to maintain than my v10 dodge and gets way better mileage. Once I get room to set up a biodiesel filter system, I'll be running on fry grease. I'm at 135k miles and it still purrs like a kitten.

[toldozer]

Uk diesel from my understanding is much much much cleaner then us diesel is so I don't think any of us can really give good input

[toldozer]

Also I have a hybrid and im loving my 40ish mpg compared to the barely 20 I was getting previously