Servicing my diesel vehicle.

At Future Auto Service Centres, we recommend a minimum service period of every 10,000 km or 6 months, whichever occurs first.

A critical part of any car servicing is the changing of filters and engine oil, which keeps the engine free of contaminants, thereby maximising your engine's lifespan and providing value for money on your investment.

So what is the best service interval for your Diesel?

This depends on many factors, one of which is the type of driving it usually does.

Whilst manufacturers set a recommended service interval, it is often based on the vehicle performing the optimum type of driving, allowing the correct set of conditions to occur regarding the condition of the engine oil and also the ability for Diesel Particulate Filter burn-offs or regeneration to happen naturally.

In reality, many vehicles do not regularly meet these conditions and arrive at our workshops due to issues caused by how the car is used.

For example

Driving short distances on a regular basis has been known to cause the oil in diesel cars to accumulate gunk or other contaminants. Hence, more frequent oil changes are required compared to a vehicle predominantly used for highway driving.

Also vehicles fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter require what is known as a "Burn Off or Regeneration" to clear the filter periodically, this is usually achieved under regular Highway driving conditions, when this fails to occur the filter becomes blocked and can eventually lead to complete engine failure because of the blockage. To get the best value from your diesel vehicle, having it regularly serviced by trained technicians is extremely important.

Discuss with our counter staff the recommended service intervals for your vehicle, taking into account its usage and history.

So why choose Future Auto to look after your Diesel?

Many of our business owners and their staff own excellent diesel vehicles, they drive them, repair them and most importantly, know how to get the best performance and economy from them.

This gives them a great perspective on what works best for particular makes and models.

With this experience, they are well-positioned to provide you with advice on what is available for your vehicle and how to optimise its performance.

If you are considering buying a diesel, have a talk with our staff before purchasing to ensure you have a clear picture of what a diesel requires and if a diesel is the best choice for you.

If you already own a diesel, this article is excellent reading based on our experience.