Discussion
I have been looking for a run around on and off for a while now, since November actually, I estimate it will cover 2 maybe 3000 miles per year. Begging my brother and father to help me out, who are both busy and so my search has been slow. Finally I decided to take things into my own hands, looked for a car that fits my criteria, fun, nippy and a hatchback/small estate, preferably automatic and not in white, Found a car I really liked, in really good condition, not automatic but you can't always have everything, had it inspected and bought it! A lovely 2013 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0, 56,000 on the clock - diesel.
Now I am reading that for short runs a diesel is a poor choice, that it clogs up the DPF which costs hundreds to put right, googling for solutions, there is no advice as to get round this. However i see there are DPF cleaning additives, are they a solution, do you use them after every fill of the tank? There is the super diesel, or would taking it for a run on the motorway for a hour once a month or so work?
Not going to tell my brother or father that it is a diesel!
Now I am reading that for short runs a diesel is a poor choice, that it clogs up the DPF which costs hundreds to put right, googling for solutions, there is no advice as to get round this. However i see there are DPF cleaning additives, are they a solution, do you use them after every fill of the tank? There is the super diesel, or would taking it for a run on the motorway for a hour once a month or so work?
Not going to tell my brother or father that it is a diesel!
Diesel not really the best choice for low miles and short trips, but hey you've got it now and it sounds like a nice car.
You need to give a car with a dpf a good run at 50 mph or so every month so the dpf can regenerate (burn off the soot it has been collecting, basically) If you don't it will clog up with soot and need replacing.
No experience of magic cleaning additives but I doubt they will do much good. Regular longer runs is the answer. Do that and the dpf at least shouldn't give you any problems.
You need to give a car with a dpf a good run at 50 mph or so every month so the dpf can regenerate (burn off the soot it has been collecting, basically) If you don't it will clog up with soot and need replacing.
No experience of magic cleaning additives but I doubt they will do much good. Regular longer runs is the answer. Do that and the dpf at least shouldn't give you any problems.
Short runs not ideal, but as said give it a decent run once a month, say 50 miles minimum fairly constant running without switching off, it'll probably be ok.
Read up ask around other owners with that engine and learn the tell tale signs how to spot when your car starts its own regen, if a regen starts for goodness sake keep driving on open roads until it completes, switching off before regens complete will cause problems.
Also, take no notice of long life or mileage based servicing, your usage would be classed as harsh, so make sure the engine oil and filter get changed every year without fail.
Nice car, enjoy.
Read up ask around other owners with that engine and learn the tell tale signs how to spot when your car starts its own regen, if a regen starts for goodness sake keep driving on open roads until it completes, switching off before regens complete will cause problems.
Also, take no notice of long life or mileage based servicing, your usage would be classed as harsh, so make sure the engine oil and filter get changed every year without fail.
Nice car, enjoy.
Wouldn't dream of running a petrol car, I gave up on Petrol back in 1996 and haven't looked back.
Concur with all the advice regarding DPF and a note also that occasionally giving it some beans thru the gears is a good thing - just make sure the coolant temp gauge is showing its got to normal operating temp first (change at about 3000rpm).
Also, let it run a few seconds before switching off, its to do with lubrication to the Turbo.
While DERV's are suffering a bad press at the moment, at least (til the media change their minds again), a glance at the attached will show that your Diesel Alfa is likely to pumping out a lot less Carbon Monoxide than an equivalent petrol car. If you keep it long enough, it'll also be the car you'll still be able to get fuel for, coz the Govt might be able to phase out Petrol, but Diesel would prove much harder to 'Phase Out'.
Yellow car on the left is a 1.2 Petrol Polo 3pot, Silver is a 1.8 Diesel Focus. Both 17 years old approx. Polo produces SIX TIMES as much CO from an engine only 2/3 the size. NB: the Polo costs more to Tax, too.
Concur with all the advice regarding DPF and a note also that occasionally giving it some beans thru the gears is a good thing - just make sure the coolant temp gauge is showing its got to normal operating temp first (change at about 3000rpm).
Also, let it run a few seconds before switching off, its to do with lubrication to the Turbo.
While DERV's are suffering a bad press at the moment, at least (til the media change their minds again), a glance at the attached will show that your Diesel Alfa is likely to pumping out a lot less Carbon Monoxide than an equivalent petrol car. If you keep it long enough, it'll also be the car you'll still be able to get fuel for, coz the Govt might be able to phase out Petrol, but Diesel would prove much harder to 'Phase Out'.
Yellow car on the left is a 1.2 Petrol Polo 3pot, Silver is a 1.8 Diesel Focus. Both 17 years old approx. Polo produces SIX TIMES as much CO from an engine only 2/3 the size. NB: the Polo costs more to Tax, too.
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