Diesel engine · Repairs · Oil change · All makes
Diesel car servicing by Shiftech
A poorly maintained diesel engine means a turbo that fails, clogged injectors and a repair bill that often exceeds €2,000. At Shiftech, we take careof the full maintenance of your diesel vehicle, whatever the make: oil changes using oil that meets your engine’s exact specifications, full servicing, brake checks and the fitting of performance parts.
Since 2008, our technicians have been working on TDI, HDi, dCi, CDI and BlueHDi engines with the same rigour we apply to our dynamometer tuning.
Diesel engine maintenance
Why you can’t just wing it when it comes to maintaining a modern diesel engine
There is a persistent misconception: a diesel engine is robust and can withstand a lot. This was true of older indirect-injection engines. With today’s engines, however, the opposite is true.
Modern diesel engines (TDI EA288, BMW B47, Mercedes OM654, PSA BlueHDi) operate at injection pressures of up to 2,500 bar in third-generation common-rail systems, turbochargers with an average speed of between 100,000 and 200,000 rpm, and wear tolerances measured in microns. An unsuitable oil, an overdue oil change or a neglected fuel filter are enough to cause irreversible damage to components that cost several thousand euros to replace.
Today’s diesel engines also require specific oil specifications that are not interchangeable: VW 507.00 for direct-injection TDIs, BMW Longlife-04 for the B47 and N47 engines, and ACEA C3 for the majority of modern European diesel engines. Using a non-compliant oil, even if it is of good quality, invalidates this protection.
To find out more about diesel emission control systems and their maintenance: EGR valve, particulate filter and AdBlue.
Our services
Diesel maintenance services at Shiftech
Engine oil change
Every oil change is carried out using Motul oils – our partner and world leader in this sector – selected in accordance with the exact specifications of the engine: grade, ACEA standard and manufacturer’s approval. The oil filter is replaced as a matter of course. For vehicles subject to heavy use or those that have been remapped, we shorten the service interval to maintain optimum protection at high temperatures.
Full service
The service covers all routine tasks: replacement of the air filter, fuel filter, cabin air filter and glow plugs (depending on mileage and condition); inspection of the timing belt; and checking of all fluid levels. A general inspection is carried out at every service: tyres, shock absorbers, brakes and lights. A service report is provided to each customer.
Braking
Brake pads and discs are checked at every service. If specific work is required, replacement is carried out on one axle or both axles, depending on the condition found. For vehicles whose torque has been increased through remapping, we recommend brake pads suited to the higher loads.
Our commitments regarding diesel maintenance
1A high-quality oil, with no compromises
2Service intervals tailored to actual usage
3Tighter monitoring of modified vehicles
1. The right oil, no compromises
We use only oils that meet the exact specifications of your engine. No ‘universal’ oils that are suitable for everything but optimise nothing.
2. Service intervals tailored to actual usage
A diesel car used mainly in town for short journeys wears out faster than one used on the motorway, regardless of the odometer reading. We adjust the service intervals based on your actual usage, not on a theoretical figure.
3. Enhanced monitoring for tuned vehicles
A Stage 1 or Stage 2 remapped diesel engine develops up to 30 per cent more torque. The strain on the oil, turbocharger and injectors increases proportionally. We factor this usage into the maintenance schedule.
Servicing of re-registered vehicles
Diesel and remapping: the maintenance that follows the tuning process
It is in this respect that Shiftech offers something that a generalist centre cannot.
A Stage 1 remapped diesel engine experiences increased boost pressure, more intense injection cycles and a faster rise in temperature. Applying the service intervals for a standard vehicle in this configuration underestimates the actual workload on the engine.
At Shiftech, remapping and maintenance are treated as two parts of the same ongoing care programme. We understand the vehicle’s mapping, we know how it is used, and we adapt the maintenance schedule accordingly. Carrying out maintenance before a power bench remap also ensures that the engine is in the best possible condition at the time of tuning.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Find a centre to service your diesel vehicle
Find your Shiftech centre
Diesel servicing is available at all Shiftech centres in France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. European regulations (EC Regulation No.1400/2002) allows your vehicle to be serviced at an independent workshop without losing the manufacturer’s warranty, provided that the work is carried out using parts and fluids that meet the specifications. This is exactly what we do at Shiftech.
On a remapped Volkswagen or Audi TDI, a fully synthetic oil compliant with the VW 507.00 standard in 5W-30 grade is used. This specification withstands the operating conditions of an engine with increased torque well. We check for exact compatibility with the specific engine model before each oil change.
In intensive urban driving with short journeys, the engine rarely reaches its optimum temperature and the oil degrades more quickly. It is recommended not to exceed 10,000 km between oil changes. For a remapped diesel vehicle used in urban conditions, this is reduced to 7,500 km.
Yes, and it’s even recommended. Servicing first ensures that the engine is in the best possible condition before tuning on the dynamometer. This also minimises the vehicle’s downtime.
Our additional services
Servicing your diesel vehicle often presents an opportunity to optimise your engine’s performance even further. Discover the other services we offer at all our centres:
→ Stage 1 engine remapping: Increased power and torque, optimised fuel economy, E85 Flex-Fuel conversion on a Rotronics dynamometer. Map files developed in-house for over 15 years, covering all TDI, HDi, dCi, CDI and BlueHDi diesel engines. → Engine remapping
→ Automatic gearbox fluid change: Beyond the engine, your transmission deserves the same level of care. Shiftech carries out a complete fluid change for DSG, PDK, EDC, EAT, Tiptronic and Xtronic automatic gearboxes using the MotulEvo system. → Automatic gearbox fluid change
→ Petrol car servicing: Do you also have a petrol car in your garage? Our centres service your petrol car with the same thoroughness: oil meeting the manufacturer’s specifications, a full service and checks tailored to the specific requirements of this engine type. → Petrol car servicing
