changing from a petrol car to diesel car...advice please

sh0egal

Hi

I'm currently driving a 1.3 petrol Fiat Punto and I'm looking at changing to a 1.8 diesel Ford Focus. How will this differ with regards to power etc...

Any advice would really appreciated....thanks

bazzachazza

Different power delivery. You will notice more of a kick in the power. Haven't driven a Ford 1.8 diesel but normally when the turbo kicks in you will notice it. The power doesn't last long before its gone so be prepared to change gear earlier. Also there is turbo lag. It can take a few seconds for it to kick in.

Plus DON'T fill it with Petrol, it won't like that.:cool:

Henry Ford III

bazzachazza wrote: »

Different power delivery. You will notice more of a kick in the power. Haven't driven a Ford 1.8 diesel but normally when the turbo kicks in you will notice it. The power doesn't last long before its gone so be prepared to change gear earlier. Also there is turbo lag. It can take a few seconds for it to kick in.

Plus DON'T fill it with Petrol, it won't like that.:cool:

That'd be the increased torque I suggest. Diesels pull harder lower down the rev range.

slimjimmc

As the guys said already, diesel engines provide greater torque at low rpm but drops off at higher rpm. However don't let that bother you because there's plenty of oomph in those low revs. Its a different style of driving, one which I think you'll get used to fairly quickly. First of all you'll find you don't need to rev the car to pull off, she'll pull away nicely even from idle, then you'll notice yourself doing fewer gear changes because of the better low-end torque and you'll also find there's stronger engine braking when easing off the throttle. All these features make driving a bit more relaxing especially around town.

Diesel engines need more frequent oil + oil filter changes than petrol because burning diesel produces more contamination for the oil to absorb (that's its job). As with any turbo engine, avoid revving hard in the first few seconds immediately after starting or just before switching off, doesn't do the turbo any favours.

sh0egal

Hey...thanks so much for all the advice..... ooh i can't wait to try it out now! Going for a test drive during the week.

Bazzachazza, that's the only thing thats worrying me reallly, is when its time to fill up, i'll have to remember to pick up the black pump instead of the green pump!!!!

Thanks again...x

Marlow

Oh. And prepare for less use of fuel and cheaper prices for fuel. Once you drive a diesel it'll be hard to go back to petrol, unless you go for high-spec engine.

/M