Looking after your new TDI.

[Transporter]

I thought that it could be useful to share a few hints about how to look after a new TDI. Every TDI you buy today will have; CR (Common Rail) injection system, DPF (Diesel Particle Filter), DMF (Dual Mass Flywheel), VNT (Variable Nozzle Turbine) turbocharger.

A few hints that may help you to extend the life of your DPF, especially if you drive in the city traffic a lot.

1. Use diesel fuel with the highest CN (Cetane Number), the minimum requirements for your TDI is CN51. I use BP premium and keep every fuel receipt. (faults caused by contaminated fuel are not covered by manufacturer warranty).

2. Do not accelerate unnecessarily. Keep the engine in optimum RPM and in the right gear. Don't labor the engine (it's also bad for the DMF).

3. Use right fuel additive on regular basis, preferably every time you refuel.

4. Replace your air filter when it gets dirty. It could be earlier than VW specified replacement interval, if you drive in dusty environment. Your owner's manual also mentions that and refers to it as the driving under severe driving conditions. Change the fuel filter at specified interval or more often.

5. Look after your VNT turbocharger and make sure that at least once a day you reach maximum boost. It's easily achieved by accelerating hard while driving up the steep hill (always observe the speed limit of the road you driving on).

6. Don't extend the oil change intervals and don't be afraid to change the engine oil more often, it is also covered in your owner's manual (driving under severe driving conditions or using poor quality fuel). Dirty oil is no good for your engine and it will shorten the life of the DPF.

[m3103]

Hey mate. I've got a few cans of wurth cr diesel additive and was wondering how much should I add to each tank if I'm planning on putting some in every tank?
Thanks

[Transporter]

I would use it every 5000 km or every 5th tank 1 bottle for 50L and use the Fuel Doctor every fill up in between.

[m3103]

Thanks mate

[Greg Roles]

Install a Provent 200!

[alf13]

Hi Guys,

Is it true that you need to cool off your turbo for at least 2 mins after normal driving?
I'm a bit confused, as one mechanic said that cooling off is a must and another saying that the modern turbo diesel doesn't require it.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[poyta]

I guess it would depends on your definition of normal driving? If you're just driving home and hardly reaching full boost I doubt it would be necessary - I always slow down about 2-3 minutes before I get home and make sure I don't seriously boost the car and this cools the turbo enough so I can switch it off straight away. If I were thrashing the car like on a race track there's no way I'd just shut her down straight away, don't care how "modern" a diesel it is.

[Transporter]

That's what I do as well, but during very hot days over 35 deg. when driven for longer time, after I get home I let the engine idle for 1-2 minutes with the bonnet up and I use garden hose on the radiator and the inter cooler to cool it down, so there is no hot soak after engine shut down.

[alf13]

Thanks for your advice.

[jazd]

That's what I do as well, but during very hot days over 35 deg. when driven for longer time, after I get home I let the engine idle for 1-2 minutes with the bonnet up and I use garden hose on the radiator and the inter cooler to cool it down, so there is no hot soak after engine shut down.

Seriously? Thats dedication.

[Lams]

These things got electric water pumps which would kick in after shut down if needed
but my TDI is only 4 years old so I wouldn't know if I'm shortening its life by not letting it idle

[Greg Roles]

It's all about not cooking the oil in the total loss turbo bearings, which can bake into hard carbon deposits if a too hot turbo is stopped, but unless you've just done a max effort you are quite safe. Normal surburban driving is just fine, just try not to do a full boost effort up your street ( for many reasons! )