Cleaner diesel 42 Let’s keep it clean Vehicle additives specialist, JLM Lubricants, explains how, while most of its products are for workshop use only, there are some that can be sold to customers for use between workshop visits – offering added value to the customer and added revenue for the workshop. Modern diesel emissions control systems are remarkable. In some environments, the emissions, especially particulates, are cleaner than the ambient air intake. Warming to this theory, a report by fleetlogistics.com stated that ‘real world tests carried out by Emissions Analytics found that the latest generation of diesels can take polluted air in urban areas and make it cleaner than before, by running it through their diesel particulate filters.’ This is not a statement you would expect to see given the current climate, which is too critical of diesel vehicles in favour of EVs. It’s worth sharing. Granted, this finding applies to newer, cleaner diesels where the various emission control systems and combustion processes are operating at or close to original factory specifications. However, it’s not that these engines are producing significantly lower emissions; it’s simply that the emissions are trapped within the engine and exhaust system. This stops their automatic expulsion into the atmosphere. The DPF periodically enters a regeneration phase, which allows the trapped carbon (soot) particles to be safely burnt off. But this process does not trap all the particulates. As they circulate around the engine, they contaminate other components, including the EGR valve, the turbo, and the air intake. This causes rough idling, increased fuel consumption, loss of power and eventually the ‘Check Engine’ light. Soot contamination is also compounded when oil mist, gradually mixed with soot, creates thick deposits, especially in the air intake. This effectively strangles the engine, reducing performance and efficiency. It may be rosy at the exhaust end, but the engine tells another story. This slow build, performance-sapping contamination eventually causes a costly breakdown for the motorist. This can be avoided with a simple, low-cost, preventative maintenance programme, initiated by you as a time-served technician. Recommending high-quality professional fuel additives for customers to use between workshop visits will remove low-level contamination before it builds to dangerously high levels. One dose every three months or 3,000 miles should do the trick. Motorists can, of course, switch to premium fuel, but with fuel prices rising, it is prohibitively expensive. JLM Lubricants is a trade-trusted brand, used by thousands of top-flight technicians worldwide. Whilst most of the JLM range is for workshop use only (including the professional DPF cleaning toolkit for on-vehicle DPF cleaning), some JLM additives can be sold to customers for use between workshop visits. The range includes additives which remove soot from the DPF, plus contamination from the EGR valve, turbo, injectors, and exhaust valves. Developed in the Netherlands, JLM Lubricants is rated and recommended by technicians because its additives contain a higher concentration of active ingredients. Keenly priced, they offer value by doing the job right, first time. Take the JLM Diesel Extreme Clean; it targets the EGR valve and the entire fuel system – the turbo, injectors, valves – and it boosts DPF regeneration. For air intake contamination, JLM’s cleaning fluids and sprays use a powerful detergent action to safely remove soot and oil contamination and restore performance. Incorporating these trade-trusted additives into routine service and supplying some as top-ups in between workshop visits will keep customers happy and boost your bottom line. Motorists don’t know what’s happening under the bonnet, often until it’s too late and the damage is done. Reassuringly, research has shown that customers trust their technician’s advice and recommendations. They’ll thank you for keeping their motor on the road, running more efficiently with manageable repair bills. www.jlmlubricants.co.uk
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