One for the diesel owners....

When starting, do you turn the key to the on position and wait for the glowplug light to go out before turning over, or do you just go straight to turning over?

Reason for asking is I've noticed if I do the former, sometimes (a lot less often now with a new battery) I'll get a Special Programs Off ding when the engine fires, especially if the radio, lights and heater are all on at the time. If I just go straight to cranking the engine over, it doesn't happen. Seems like the few seconds waiting for the glowplug lights to go out causes enough of a drain to cause issues every once in a while.

And that's with a brand new battery, literally only a few weeks old. Was happening every time before the new battery, now it's a lot less but still happens occasionally, especially if the car has sat for a few days. I've taken to not waiting for the glowplug light now - am I damaging my plugs doing that? 09 RR Westminster 3.6TDV8 - Stornoway Grey / Black interior - now gone (sad face)
Nissan X Trail 1.6TDCi Tekna
Fiat 500 1.2

I get the same if I also don’t use it for a few days. It’s the battery and if I use the car daily I don’t get the message. Nothing really to worry about but awareness these things like to be used and are heavily dependent on battery charge. I wait for the light to go out then turn the key. I also switch everything off until engine start.

Steve.

The only time I wait for the light to go out is on very cold days in winter otherwise I just start it as you would a petrol engine. Never had any problem, this applies to our other diesel cars as well.

I always turn the key / press the button to position 1 before starting and always have petrol or diesel. I like the idea the car gets a second to sort it’s electrics out before starting.

Having said that my glow plug light goes out so quick I hardly ever see it on lol. Regards

Daz

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2011 (61plate) 4.4 tdv8
sumatra black

previous cars

e46 m3
e53 x5

I just get in, put foot on clutch and press the button. I never switch it on then press for start.

So in that case the glow plugs heat up almost instantly. Under normal conditions the plugs aren't needed, its only when its very very cold that they are used.

Ive used the same process of jumping in and going on the coldest days we've had here no problems.  There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Always wait a few seconds once the ignition is on. Gives time for glow plug to heat up and more importantly allows electric fuel pumps to build fuel pressure 56 TDV8 Vogue SE
9 Freelanders, 2x 2002 TD4ES, 2001 TD4, 2002 1.8GS, 2000 XEDI, 2x 2000 1.8ES, 2004 1.8 & 2000 1.8 GS (rolled)
91 Lotus Carlton (sold)
90 Lotus Elan (BRG)

Always give the system a few seconds to wake up and always let the glow plug light go out before starting . On mine if I don't let the car wake up it throws "u" faults up and needs to be cleared with the iid tool