Four Key Considerations For Owning A Diesel Car
If you’ve decided to buy a diesel car, you’ve made a great choice! Not only are these kinds of vehicles praised for their powerful engines, but they also usually last longer than petrol types and can be more fuel efficient.
That said, there are a number of things to think about that you might not have considered, and so this article is here to teach you about a few of them – here are four key considerations for owning a diesel car.
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Diesel Maintenance Differences
Maintenance can differ significantly between petrol and diesel engines. One of the main differences, for example, is that they need more frequent oil changes and are generally more sensitive to fuel contamination.
You’ll also need to be aware of the differences in how the parts are maintained; for example, if you have a Cummins diesel engine, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the Cummins diesel parts catalogue, as you can’t typically just use stock parts.
Ask your dealer for more information on your specific model.
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Understanding Environmental Regulations
While diesel cars have many benefits for the consumer, they’ve come under fire several times regarding environmental pollution. You’ll find that some areas have outright banned older diesel vehicles due to them being designated as low-emission, so it’s key to check whether or not the places you’re considering driving in have these rules in place.
That said, many modern engines have implemented technology that directly reduces these emissions, so unless you’re running a very old vehicle, you’ll likely be ok.
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Fuel Availability
While diesel engines are relatively popular, they’re still not as popular as petrol-powered cars, meaning that occasionally, you’ll run into gas stations that don’t have any pumps. You’ll also find that sometimes, diesel prices seem to fluctuate even more than petrol.
It’s not a dealbreaker as you can generally always find pumps in your area at a decent price, but it’s still something that’s important to be aware of (this is especially the case if you’re frequenting one of the low-emission zones described earlier).
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The Resale Value of Diesel Cars
No matter what kind of car you’re buying, it’s always important to consider the resale value. Because of the emissions issue discussed above, resale value for diesel cars can sometimes be lower than petrol – it all depends on the region you’re selling them in. The same is true for certain models, with newer types of cars that prioritise more efficient diesel engines generally selling better.
In this sense, it’s about weighing up the benefits against the costs, thinking both what you’ll save with the time you spend with the car versus how much you’ll be able to sell it on for (whether or not the money saved will be negated).
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the ins and outs of owning a diesel car. There’s much more to learn, of course, but this is a great start. Again, be sure to quiz your dealer thoroughly on anything you’re unclear about so that you can get the most out of your vehicle.
