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Volkswagen TDi Technical Info
A few notable differences about running a TDi:
It’s obvious that a diesel engine is different from a gas engine. However, that does mean there are certain things that people do need to be aware of when they own a diesel for the first time. Main thing, (obvious but VERY important) is to ALWAYS make sure you pump diesel in the car. This may take a bit of effort to remember in the beginning, but even as time goes on, always remember this, especially on those crazy days where your mind will go into “auto” mode, and even more so for the households that have a mix of diesel and gas vehicles.
Since a diesel engine has glow plugs instead of spark plugs, there is another difference. Glow plugs need to warm up and the warm up time varies. Typically the TDi models have a spiral or swirl light that will stay on while the plugs are warming up, and automatically turn off when they are warm. The TDi (especially the newer ones) usually warm up fairly quickly, and sometimes you won’t even see the light flash on. In colder weather, it could make the glow plugs take a few seconds or so longer to warm up.
One does not want to start up the vehicle before the glow plugs have warmed up, and on the same token, one does not want to wait too long after the glow plugs have warmed up to turn the ignition all the way and actually start the engine (you run the risk of damaging the engine by doing so). If it’s been more than 30 seconds since the lights went off, turn the ignition back to 0, then start over again, allowing the glow plugs to warm up prior to starting.
Since TDi has a turbocharged engine, they produce a significant amount of heat. They are also designed to have the oil be the cooler, therefore in a TDi one must use fully synthetic motor oil for changes as it is capable of withstanding the temperature produced by a TDI’s turbocharger. Typically fully synthetic oil doesn’t need to be changed as often as a blend (every 5,000 miles vs. every 3,000 miles respectively), however that is up to the owner. Some choose to continue changing the oil every 3,000 miles, while others allow it to go every 5,000.
