How to keep my diesel in good condition?

As an over 70 and therefore required to stay indoors indefinitely, how can I maintain my diesel car in good condition when it may not be driven for a very long time?

Brendan McElroy

Apr 2020 Filed under: diesel

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Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

It's a tough situation for you. We hope you have family and friends to keep in touch with and make sure all your needs are met.

Don't worry about your car. If it's not doing any mileage, then there's no worry about the DPF (diesel particulate filter) or other major diesel components clogging up from low-mileage, low-temperature use. Even if you want to start up your car every few days and let it run for 15- to 20 minutes to keep the battery charged up, that won't have a major effect, not so long as, when we are free to drive where we want again, you take it for a good long run at some decent motorway speeds.

Other than that, keep an eye on the tyre pressures and fluid levels, watching out for leaks under the car. Also, don't park under a tree if you can help it, as it could lead to paint corrosion. 

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor
@Shane_O_D