gdr2004

I read an article recently which detailed the growth of dieasel powered cars to save gas. How do dieasel cars compare to regular gas powered cars? What is the difference? Is it worth the difference? Will there be a significant set back?

DEI37

Diesel powered vehicles typically get substantially greater fuel economy than gas powered counterparts. Generally, diesels are more reliable as well. There is no ignition system, per se, as ignition is done via compression.

Winter and/or cold weather CAN pose problems to a diesel vehicle that isn't prepped for it, with a block heater and a tank heater. Some people are allergic to the smell of diesel, and it can pose some problems. Other people just don't like the smell of it.

Personally, I'd love to get a diesel powered car. Can't afford to do so right now, though.

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Peryn

Deisels also typically rev much lower and have far greater torque than a regular gas counterpart engine.

They tend to be noisier (though not so much anymore these days), and aren't as environmentally freindly. They expel far more NOx than your normal gas engine, a large part of photochemical smog.

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Ambition

Mercedes has a new diesel E class which is supposedly really good in terms of gas milage, low noise, and speed. In reference to older diesels.

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dirtyrascal7

i'm 22 and have only owned diesel vehicles for my entire driving career... a '91 chevy truck, '94 chevy suburban, and then a 2000 volkswagen jetta tdi, which i still drive currently. i love the gas mileage i get with my jetta (about 43/48 mpg city/hwy) and its quiet enough that many people don't even know it's a diesel.

there aren't many choices for diesel vehicles currently, especially if you want a car and not an suv or truck, but i think more and more manufacturers will convert their european diesel models and bring them to the US within the next 10 years because the demand for them is going up as gasoline prices increase.

the initial investment is a little more, but the reliability and money you'll save with the gas mileage is far worth it, especially if you drive it for an extended period of time.

here are two good articles about diesel engines and the future of diesel cars/fuels in the US:

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/specia...8/article.html
http://www.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesa...sel_engine.pdf

and here's a website with loads of information regarding VW's TDI vehicles:

http://www.tdiclub.com

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gdr2004

That's really intriguing! :-D Do most gas stations carry dieasel? Have you come across any unique problems because of your car?

hilbert25

I just bought a jetta tdi 6 months ago. Never had a problem finding diesel, since along any highway, they'll carry it for trucks. Of course, I've never really had to look since there's a diesel station 1/4 mile from my house and the car has a 600+ mile range.

Only problem is that dealers don't know what they're doing with it. I bought mine used, and I'm pretty sure the dealer put the wrong oil into it (takes synthetic 5w40). Another time I brought the car to a dealer for service, and the service guy couldn't start it.

dirtyrascal7

it depends on where you are. it's harder to find diesel fuel in big cities like chicago or nyc, but there are 5 gas stations within 6 miles of where i live and 4 of them have diesel. also, unleaded gas is about $1.90/gal right now, while diesel is only $1.67/gal.

if you read through the forums and FAQs on tdiclub.com, you'll pick up what common problems the tdi's run into pretty quickly. the major limitation of having a diesel car is that most mechanics can't work on it so you're pretty much stuck going to the dealer for repair work unless you do it yourself... which is an option if you have a good mechanical mindset, tdiclub.com has tutorials for about any common procedure you can think of, as well as a network of people across the country who are willing to help out a fellow tdi owner.

hilbert25 -- where do you live? if you live in a colder region, it's likely that they put 10w40 into it, which isn't a big deal (i've actually used 5w30 once and 15w40 another time, on shorter intervals however, and i didnt have any problems). the important thing is to put in a full synthetic, CH-4 rated oil such as Mobil Delvac 1 or Shell Rotella T. using a good oil like this you can actually get 5k-8k miles between oil changes.

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absorbentishe

The Jeep Liberty is coming out with a diesel model in the fall. It's supposed to get the gas mileage of a 4 cylinder, with the power of a large 6.

Vaultboy

I dont know about diesel prices overseas or the pricing of diesel cars, but here in SA, the following hold true:

A diesel car will carry a higher price tag. Normally about $2000 more than its petrol equivalent.

most petrol cars haev to be serviced every 15 000km. Diesels typically have to be serviced every 10 000km. Diesel services are typically more expensive (high-grade synthetic oil, more expensive parts, etc), especially Turbodiesels.

High grade Diesel fuel (with low sulphur content) is marginally cheaper than petrol.

Inthe end, you have to drive about 120 000 kms with your diesel car before the purchase price vs fuel economy/cheaper fuel price translates into savings for you. Then you have to factor in repairs, frequent services and the noise disadvantages.

Basically, I'd give TDi's to sales reps (people who clock up a lot of mileage), and people who prefer to drive bigger engined cars (i.e. love torque), but want to save money.

I'd rather drive a 1.8l petrol than a 2.0l Diesel. Its cheaper in all respects.

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merkerguitars

Well around my area about every 1 out of 5 gas stations don't carry diesel. So driving a diesel wouldn't be too bad. When gas prices rose to over $2 a gallon in Wisconsin, diesel was still $1.69 at alot of truck stops. Currently i'm looking towards purchasing a VW TDI car due that I can run it off biodiesel . From everyone I've talked to the VW TDI's are really reliable and get great gas mileage....plus they have alot of power.

Alot of people don't like diesels cause they think they are loud, make alot of smoke and some think they are unreliable (due to the fact of those bad oldsmobile diesels made in the 80's) but actually I assume alot more diesels will sell in the future.

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hilbert25

dirtyrascal7-- I live in Southern California, and don't need to worry about cold starting. I'm pretty sure whatever it was, it wasn't synthetic.

Vaultboy-- At least in America, that's the opposite of the case. Tdi's properly maintained are suggested with a 10000 mile (16,000km) interval for service, vs. 3-5000 mile (5-8000km) with petrol. And compared to the honda's I've ridden in, my TDI is downright quiet. It still takes about 80,000 miles to make up the price difference, unless your insurance company goes by horsepower (like mine) then I get a couple hundred dollar discount per year since it's listed as 90bhp.