BMW 320D – Quality Fuel?
Over the last 18 – 24 months we have seen an increase of associated diesel problems in our workshop. Rough lumpy running cars, emission problems, black death, sensor problems, DPF’s (Diesel Particulate Filters), EGR’s (Exhaust Gas Re-circulation units) Shut off Valves to name a few. All these parts/symptoms have a common denominator Diesel Fuel! Fuels have a percentage of bio fuel contained within the product.
For the more interested please read the following:
Manufacturers of fuels have to work to EU specifications using additives like anti rust inhibitors, cleaners and solutions in the fuel to achieve certain specifications. The information we were supplied with is the fuel manufacturer’s at the forefront of this expensive technology is SHELL closely followed by BP.
All of us can remember the first smokey diesel vehicles, black smoke puffing from the exhaust the smell of sulphur used to make you cough PHEW! Today’s diesel vehicles are a lot healthier for the environment with the introduction of cleaner fuels, fewer emissions from vehicles are omitted from the exhaust. Majority of vehicles from 2007/2008 were produced with DPF’s fitted and tighter legislation from the EU Directive on cleaner fuels is ongoing. The exhaust emissions standards for new cars have effectively required fitment of a DPF in the exhaust of diesel cars since 2009 when the ‘Euro 5’ standard came into force. But we, the end user are still having err, adaption problems as we call it.
Diesels can take 3+ times longer to get up to their optimum running temperature than a petrol driven car. This means that the kids school run, a short journey to the office, short trip to the gym, shopping trip even fetching the Sunday paper all add to the problem. The vehicle does not get hot enough to work correctly and can cause expensive problems.
The fuel first generation bio fuels are already in the market place. Advanced biofuels are still under development.
Our training providers who share information with us have sampled and tested diesel fuels, the better diesel and not so, erm, good diesel advising us that we should be recommending and using the best quality fuels to offset some of the, what can turn into, costly workshop repairs.
Cleaner fuels like Shell V Power Nitro or BP Ultimate at the top of the quality list. The oil in your car also plays an important part to your vehicles emissions. It is paramount that today’s engine’s have the correct specification oil used, have it changed frequently, it’s advisable to have a treatment used prior to draining the oil to ensure you remove all the sludge, toxins & varnish containments that your engine produces. Filling up with the correct quality oil is important. We only ever use quality lubricants I.E. Fuchs Titan, Shell, Mobil 1, Quantum Longlife.
So if you are a driver doing the short journey’s as mentioned above, it’s advisable to have your oil changed at least yearly. Use a pre oil drain treatment and fill up using the best grade motor oil. Use Shell V Power Nitro or BP Ultimate fuel, it’s worth the extra cost (pennies). You will feel a difference, not only in the performance, but the overall running of your vehicle. One good run a month to the coast, motorway, airport will help in cleansing the system if not too “saturated” with carbon (soot) deposits.
Not like the customer who owned this BMW 320D!
