DPFs, cars & buses
Discussion
We have a diesel car with DPF. Until recently, I had no worries regarding the regen of this abomination as I used my daily commute Oxford-LHR to keep it nice and clear (ie, 75-90 mph both ways) Now, however, I have finally retired, the car only gets used for shortish trips with the exception of a fortnightly dash to & from Bovingdon via M40, M25 and a bit of A41. This hopefully will result in the DPF staying clear, though I do detect in between these runs from my mpg display that the system is giving the DPF its little necessary drinkypoos of derv to keep it in good order.
I have a couple of views/questions. First - our local buses proudly dispay on their ample rears the info that they are trapping particuates. So given that these bus journeys are relatively short, thus preventing them from a nice blast on a motorway at over 2000 rpm, how do their DPFs stay clear (assuming they are fitted with them)?
Second, we tow a caravan 3-4 times per year down to the coast for mini hols. I do know from my own experiences that the diesel makes a great tugger, which is why I spend a lot of time at the rear of queues rather than at the front, attracting frowns from my OH when she occasionally glances over at the speedometer. But - years ago when we towed with first a Renault 20TS, then later with a Cavalier SRI, both petrol, I do not recall bad MPG and they towed very well. This, together with the apparent good MPG figures from many of today's petrol cars, and even reasonable torque figures, leads me to think that for the few times we go away with the 'van we would be just as well replacing our current oil-burner with a nicely-specced petrol vehicle; also I have noticed that the petrol equivalents seem to be anything up to a couple of grand cheaper, and this is whatever make we are looking at.
Might now visit my couple of caravanning forums to see what they think for those like us who don't go away every weekend and not either for terrific mileages on those trips out.
Pete
I have a couple of views/questions. First - our local buses proudly dispay on their ample rears the info that they are trapping particuates. So given that these bus journeys are relatively short, thus preventing them from a nice blast on a motorway at over 2000 rpm, how do their DPFs stay clear (assuming they are fitted with them)?
Second, we tow a caravan 3-4 times per year down to the coast for mini hols. I do know from my own experiences that the diesel makes a great tugger, which is why I spend a lot of time at the rear of queues rather than at the front, attracting frowns from my OH when she occasionally glances over at the speedometer. But - years ago when we towed with first a Renault 20TS, then later with a Cavalier SRI, both petrol, I do not recall bad MPG and they towed very well. This, together with the apparent good MPG figures from many of today's petrol cars, and even reasonable torque figures, leads me to think that for the few times we go away with the 'van we would be just as well replacing our current oil-burner with a nicely-specced petrol vehicle; also I have noticed that the petrol equivalents seem to be anything up to a couple of grand cheaper, and this is whatever make we are looking at.
Might now visit my couple of caravanning forums to see what they think for those like us who don't go away every weekend and not either for terrific mileages on those trips out.
Pete
The only flaw in the plan is that not many people have been buying large petrol engined cars so the number available second hand is much smaller (eg. on Autotrader there are 178 3-litre petrol 5-series versus 2,486 diesel engined).
Of course, this is not a problem if you are planning on buying new or aren't especially picky when buying a used car.
Of course, this is not a problem if you are planning on buying new or aren't especially picky when buying a used car.
Truckosaurus said:
The only flaw in the plan is that not many people have been buying large petrol engined cars so the number available second hand is much smaller (eg. on Autotrader there are 178 3-litre petrol 5-series versus 2,486 diesel engined).
Of course, this is not a problem if you are planning on buying new or aren't especially picky when buying a used car.
Cheers for that - there is no hurry at this time, 'er indoors indicates that I (ie WE) not ready to change yet lol. But I am looking hard at the Mondies, Tit X preferred as most have Xenons. Ideally the 2.5 lump. We'll see.Of course, this is not a problem if you are planning on buying new or aren't especially picky when buying a used car.
Ta again
Pete
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff