Is it safe to continue driving a car in Limp Mode

L

Lesego007

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My car is a diesel Chevy and it is currently in Limp Mode. The reasons are because the turbo is no longer boosting well and the DPF needs replacement. Because of financial constraints I cannot pay for repairs. The car is already out of warranty. I think I will be able to fix it sometime in June/July. But the car can still drive. The Limp Mode has limited it to 3000rpm in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear and 2500rpm for 4th, 5th and 6th gears. The fuel consumption has increased from 5.2 to 5.8 litres/100km. When it's cold in the morning, the engine light switch on after 45 min of driving. When I stop and switch off-and-on again the engine light goes off and after 30-45 min it goes on again. During the after noon when it's warm the engine light stays off.

Now, I would like to know from anyone out whether it is safe for me to continue driving this car in this condition for the next 2-3 months until I have money to fix it.
 
No, limp mode is the engines way of protecting itself from further harm/damage that might cost you even more to repair, you can reset the computer but it is not advised. The best thing is to park it off until you can fix it.
New cars have this feature for a reason but I think @FiestaST can give you better advice on this
 
I'm by no means an expert but I agree with Sugarman's view. Limp mode is there to prevent futher damage.

2-3 months is an awful long time to be in limp mode. If possible best to park it off yes.

I would personally not risk driving it. Definitely not 2/3 months.
 
Depending what the issue is limp mode is like running your pc in safe mode eg if u having engine knock/detonation the ecu will retard timing
 
Question OP. Do you let your car idle for 10-20 seconds before setting off and when stopping for shopping etc?
You should do this with any turbo, some might say with the new cars one does not need to do this but one needs to.
Question 2, have you ever run your car empty? Never run a diesel empty (some might have the same view as stated above)
 
Not a good idea. In limp mode it overfuels, pulls timing etc etc the overfueling will clog things up over a lot of distance.
Ps if it's out of warranty find a good mechanic and don't take it to the dealership and you will save plenty.

I can recommend a really good guy in Germiston.
 
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Sugarman said:
Question OP. Do you let your car idle for 10-20 seconds before setting off and when stopping for shopping etc?
You should do this with any turbo, some might say with the new cars one does not need to do this but one needs to.
Question 2, have you ever run your car empty? Never run a diesel empty (some might have the same view as stated above)
Click to expand...

Question 1
Yes in the morning I do idle for 1-2 minutes. During the day, I just start and go. When stopping I just switch off.

Question 2
I have not run it until it's empty yet, but I normally fill it up when the empty fuel light goes on because a colleague once said that diesel is heavier than petrol, thus filling up more than half tank is wasting fuel.
 
Beachless said:
Not a good idea. In limp mode it overfuels, pulls timing etc etc the overfueling will clog things up over a lot of distance.
Ps if it's out of warranty find a good mechanic and don't take it to the dealership and you will save plenty.

I can recommend a really good guy in Germiston.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Can you give me his contact details.
 
I would recommend you floor the engine it should go out of limp mode and back to full power :)
 
Lesego007 said:
Question 1
Yes in the morning I do idle for 1-2 minutes. 1.During the day, I just start and go. When stopping I just switch off.

Question 2
I have not run it until it's empty yet, but I normally fill it up when the empty fuel light goes on because 2a colleague once said that diesel is heavier than petrol, thus filling up more than half tank is wasting fuel.
Click to expand...

1. Mistake, any turbo car needs time to spool and spool down, if you do not do so that can reduce the life of your turbo, mostly the seals. (especially with turbo diesel)

2. Not that, the sulfur on the bottom can go into your fueling system and damage it, leading to a complete system bleed, yes the fuel system has a filter but the particles still gets through
 
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Sugarman said:
1. Mistake, any turbo car needs time to spool and spool down, if you do not do so that can reduce the life of your turbo, mostly the seals

2. Not that, the sulfur on the bottom can go into your fueling system and damage it, leading to a complete system bleed, yes the fuel system has a filter but the particles still gets through
Click to expand...

OK, I wasn't aware of that.
 
Sugarman said:
Same thing, both GM and basically the same engine, mind you should have rather PM'd the number than post it
Click to expand...

It's a business number and is available online already so I'm sure it's fine.
Yip I'm aware that they share a platform on a number of models.
 
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