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Diesel engines are appearing in more and more vehicles around Gardner, KS, and in nearly every category from compact cars and pickup-up trucks to high-performance luxury vehicles. In much of the world, 40% or more of passenger vehicles are equipped with diesel. North American is beginning to appreciate the power and fuel economy benefits of diesel engines.
Many maintenance items for diesel engines are similar to gasoline engines. One notable difference is the requirement of Diesel Exhaust Fluid or DEF. Modern clean-diesel engines burn very cleanly to reduce soot and other pollutants. A side effect is the production of nitrogen oxides which are harmful to the environment. DEF is added to the exhaust and reacts with nitrogen oxide to produce harmless water and nitrogen.
Diesel vehicles have a tank to hold the DEF. A small amount of DEF is metered into the exhaust as the engine runs. When the DEF starts to run low, the DEF tank must be refilled.
Because DEF is so important to environmental health, your vehicle will notify you when it is running low. As the DEF level gets lower, you will receive additional warnings. At some point, the engine may go into “limp home” mode or the number of times which the engine can be started may be limited. So don’t ignore the low DEF warning and be sure to refill the DEF tank.
At Bret's Autoworks, we are trained and equipped to help you care for your diesel vehicle. With proper maintenance, you will enjoy long engine life and excellent fuel economy.