Tips On Storing A Diesel Vehicle
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Over the past 4 or 5 years, we have noticed a surge in customers bringing diesel cars for storage. This is no surprise as German, Japanese, Korean, and American auto manufacturers are importing global diesel models as an alternative solution to hybrids to manage the rising cost of fuel. Diesel cars, as you may or may not know, can get excellent fuel mileage when compared to their gas counterparts. This BMW 535d will get, if you drive it carefully, 38 mpg! Keep in mind that a new gas powered Honda Civic will just barely return these figures.Personally, if you can’t tell already, I’m a big fan of diesel cars. This is true not only because of their fuel efficiency but also due to their large torque figures compared to horsepower. This makes them fun to drive in daily stop and go settings.
Anyway, back to the original topic…I wanted to lay out a few tips when storing your diesel vehicle:
• Diesel Fuel Stabilizer-
Before storing make sure you add some fuel stabilizer specifically designed for diesel engines. This solution is also known as algaecide; ensure that you do not build up sludge and organic slime while the car sits. Run the stabilizer in 2 or 3 tanks before the car is stored for optimal effect.
• Urea Canister Service-
Newer diesels (especially the larger engined ones) are coming equipped with ‘urea’ systems. These systems spray a uric solution into the exhaust to minimize the hydrocarbons that are expelled into the air. When storing a newer diesel vehicle with a urea system, take it to the dealer and have the system flushed and refilled with fresh fluid before storage. If you plan to store for a year or more without starting, we recommend towing the vehicle to the dealer post storage for a complete flush and refill before driving as urea has a tendency to crystalize over time.
And that’s really it!
Most of the components on a diesel are similar or equal to the ones found on a gas car…taking these extra steps will simply ensure that you get the most out of your prized possession when it comes out of storage!
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