Gas Diesel Hybrid War

These days, gasoline prices may be crimping your
your household budget. You may like to reduce
the U.S. dollars that flow to the Middle East for
oil, or perhaps you are motivated by your concern
for the environment, or even the nagging reality
that oil is a depleting resource that shouldn't
be wasted.

Fuel economy

To put it into prospective, the fuel economy are
the numbers posted on the window sticker of a new
vehicle. Studies have shown that the average
driver only receives 75 percent or so of the
mileage figures that are on the sticker.

You can use these numbers to determine the best
type of vehicle for your purchase. The numbers
will let you know how many MPG your vehicle will
get, so you can compare vehicles and then go
from there.

Hybrid pricing

The gas electric hybrid vehicles are normally
priced higher than non hybrid counterparts,
anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to
several thousand dollars.

Hybrids can get a lot of miles per gallon,
some averaging around 45 - 55. This is great
for those who want to save money on gas, as
hybrids can go many miles on a full tank of
fuel and they come with extended warranties
as well.

Diesel efficiency

Diesel powered vehicles are yet another fuel
efficient option. Diesels are known for getting
extra mileage from every gallon of fuel. They
offer much better torque than many gasoline
engines. The price differential they have
over gasoline engines are usually much smaller
than that of the hybrid.

With plenty of options available, you're sure
to find what you need to help conserve fuel.
Before you make a purchase, always remember
to shop around and find what's best for you

Diesel Versus Spark Engine Ignition

As you may already be aware of, diesel engines are
more efficient than gasoline engines of the same
power, resulting in much lower fuel usage. For an
efficient turbo diesel, the average is 40% more miles
per gallon. The higher compression ratio with
diesel engines help to raise efficiency, but diesel
fuel also contains around 15% more energy per unit
volume than gas.

Diesel engines that are naturally aspirated are far
more massive than gasoline engines of the same power
for two reasons. First, it takes a larger capacity
diesel engine than a gas engine to produce the same
amount of power. Essentially, this is because the
diesel can't operate as quickly. The rev limit is
slower, because getting the correct fuel to air ratio
into a diesel engine fast enough is more difficult
than a gas engine. The second reason is due to the
fact that a diesel engine needs to be stronger to
withstand the higher combustion pressure needed for
ignition.

Diesel engines also produce very little carbon
monoxide as they burn the fuel in excess air except
at full loading capacity, where a full quantity of
fuel is injected per cycle. They can however,
produce a black soot from the exhaust, which consists
of unburned carbon compounds.

Often times, this is caused by worn injectors, which
don't atomize the fuel sufficiently enough, or a
faulty management system that allows more fuel to be
injected that can then be burned with the available
air.

For commercial use that requires towing, diesel
engines tend to have more desirable torque. Diesel
engines tend to have their torque peak quite low
in their speed range which provides smoother control
over heavy loads when starting from rest, crucially
allowing the engine to be given higher loads at low
speeds than a gas engine.

The lack of an electrical ignition system in diesel
engines improves the reliability. The high durability
of diesel engines is also due to the overbuilt
nature as well as the combustion cycle, which will
create a less violent change in pressure when
compared to a gasoline type spark ignition engine.
Diesel fuel is also a better lubricant than gasoline,
so it is less harmful to the oil film on piston
rings and cylinder bores - making it routine for
diesel engines to go 250,000 miles or more without
having to be rebuilt.

For several reasons, diesel proves to be better than
spark engine ignition. Diesel engines last a lot
longer, they offer more torque, and they are also
more reliable. They are also more expensive as well,
although you get what you pay for. If you have
never owned a diesel vehicle, you owe it to yourself
to see everything they offer you - and you'll find
yourself a very satisfied customer.

Diesel Versus Gasoline

A diesel engine will go much farther on a gallon
of fuel that the standard gasoline engine
because of their designs, and due to the higher
energy density of a gallon of diesel fuel. But,
it also takes a bit more oil to manufacture a
gallon of diesel than a gallon of gas, with
the production and refining processes for
diesel producing more gases that trap heat.

Therefore, when you consider the relative merits
of diesel and gas cars, try knocking the MPG
estimates for the diesel car down by 20 percent.
A diesel vehicle will cost you a bit more,
so you'll get more bang for your buck from a
gasoline vehicle.

The nasty rumors you hear about diesel are
true as well - diesel is less refined than gas,
or in other terms it's dirtier. Diesel
vehicles also emit more particulate matter and
NOx, both of which are serious health hazards
and air pollutants. Current diesel engines are
more polluting per each mile they are driven
than gas engines.

Using biodiesel on the other hand, will improve
this situation. If biodiesel is available in
your area, you'll still need to examine
whether a diesel is the right vehicle for you.

When you consider the facts, you have to ask
yourself which models you can afford, what is
the MPG, will engine be succifient for you,
and the number of passengers the vehicle will
accommodate. Then, given your budget, you can
go from there.

There are numerous gas and diesel vehicles
available, all you have to do is decide which
one is right for you. If you research carefully,
you'll have the perfect vehicle for your entire
family.

Diesel Vehicles

As you probably already know, diesel engines get
better fuel economy than gas, simply because they
don't need to burn as much fuel as gasoline engines
to get the same amount of power. Diesel engines
are built heavier than gas engines, to help sustain
the added stress of the much higher compression
ratios.

Diesel engines don't have an ignition system either,
so you'll never have to tune them up. The exhaust
systems will last longer as well, as the exhaust
on a diesel isn't as corrosive as an exhaust on a
gasoline engine.

With diesel engines, it isn't unusual to see them
with 400,000 or even 500,000 miles. There are some
out there that have even went beyond 600,000 miles!

When it comes to maintenance, 3,000 mile oil changes
are a must. Diesel fuel isn't as refined as gas,
so the oil will get dirtier faster. You should
also replace the air and fuel filters at least
once a year.

If you live in a colder climate, you'll need to
switch to a winter blend of fuel to prevent fuel
gelling. There are several additives that you can
put in the fuel as well, to help prevent your fuel
from getting gel.

It's also recommended that you replace the glow
plugs every two years. If the temperature drops
below 10 degrees, a block heater is something you
should have. This will ensure starting in cold
weather, especially with the heavy grade of oil
that a diesel engine requires.

If you take care of your diesel vehicle, you can
count on it to be around for years to come. Unlike
gas vehicles, diesel engines are built for the
long haul, and will last you for miles and miles
if you take care of them.

Diesel Passenger Vehicles

Both diesel cars and light trucks are receiving a
lot of attention in the United States as a near
term strategy to achieve fuel economy and climate
change goals.

The renewed interest in diesel as of late stems
from its potential to improve passenger vehicle
fuel economy. The best diesel passenger vehicles
of today are more efficient on fuel than their
gas counterparts, helping to reduce carbon
emissions by 30 percent or more.

There are some auto makers that are talking about
re-introducing diesel into light duty markets as
a solution for reducing global warming pollution
from both cars and trucks. Another important
reason is that the higher efficiency of diesels
will provide a quick fix for manufacturers who
are struggling to meet federal fuel economy
standards for light trucks.

Even if the efficiency benefits of diesel do
yield real world improvements on the economy, the
potential climate change benefits are modest.

Even though diesel achieves more miles per gallon
than gasoline, many are concerned about the
impact that diesel passenger vehicles have on
the economy. From time to time, the combustion
in the engine can cause black emissions to spit
from the exhaust, which is actually very bad
for the economy.

While gas is actually the worst, diesel is taking
strides to improve engines and the impact on
the economy. Diesel is getting more and more
popular these days, as gas prices continue to
rise and rise.

Although diesel engines can have an impact on
the economy, they are the way to go for those
looking to conserve mileage. Diesel vehicles
cost more than gas vehicles, although they will
offer you more than you can expect. If you are
looking for a quality ride, diesel is the way
to go.

Diesel Or Not

Diesel is often looked at as being smelly, noisy, and
many think the only place for it is in a tractor. The
truth to diesel vehicles is that they are slow, noisy,
smelly, although they are cheaper to run than gas.

Diesel engines aren't as powerful as gas engines, as
gas engines produce more horsepower than that of a
diesel engine. Diesel vehicles however, offer more
torque than gas. Therefore, it is a very thin line as
to which one is better.

When it comes to power, diesel is the more expensive
of the two. Diesel powered vehicles are normally more
expensive to buy than gas, and the parts are a lot
more expensive than gas vehicles. The diesel however,
is more reliable due to it being less complicated
internally and heavier to build, therefore it normally
lasts longer than gas engines.

Economy is always a factor as well, as will fuel
prices being what they are. Now days, it costs a
small fortune to fill up a gasoline vehicle, especially
the bigger engines. When it comes to fuel, diesel
is generally less expensive. You can fill up a diesel
vehicle for less of a price, and the fuel will
normally go longer than gas will.

Appearance is also important. Diesel is generally
loud, with the exhaust emitting black smoke when the
vehicle is throttled. You can normally tell when a
diesel pulls off by the black smoke it leaves behind.
Keep in mind, this isn't a problem with the engine,
just means that the fuel is dirtier.

Tuning is also important. Gas engines are more
tunable than diesel, as you can get better power
increases from gas than you can with diesel. The
major thing diesel owners tend to go for is turbo,
as it is one sure way to match gasoline in terms
of power.

A turbo charged diesel can and will match a standard
gasoline engine for power, if not slightly better it
a bit. This is why most diesel cars come turbo
charged, as its a way to keep up with the modern
diesel engines of today.

When it comes to making the choice, you really have
to choose what is best for you and your needs. If
you want power with plenty of tuning options, then
gasoline engines are what you want. On the other
hand, if you want power and torque, then a diesel
vehicle is what you want.

The choices are entirely up to you, as there are
certainly plenty to choose from. Always check out
the vehicle you are interested in, and find out
if it will match your needs. Before you know it,
you'll have a diesel or gas vehicle that will perform
well beyond your expectations.

Diesel Fuel Quality

The designs of diesel engines striving to increase
performance have made a lot of advancements in engine
fuel delivery to the combustion chamber. The diesel
engines of today are much quieter, smoother, and
also more powerful. The quality of diesel fuel on
the other hand has not advanced at the same rate as
the improvements of engines.

As soon as it is produced, diesel fuel begins to
deteriorate. Less than 30 days of refining, all
diesel fuel, regardless of the brand, goes through a
natural process called oxidation. This process forms
varnishes and gums in the fuel by causing the
molecules of the fuel to lengthen and start bonding
together.

Now, these components will drop to the bottom of the
fuel tank and form diesel sludge. The fuel will
begin to turn very dark in color, smell bad, and
cause the engine to smoke. The engine starts to
smoke as some of these clusters are small enough to
pass through the engine filtration and on to the
combustion chamber.

As the clusters begin to increase in size, only a
small amount of the molecules will get burned, as
the rest will go out the exhaust as unburned fuel
and smoke.

Its estimated that eight out of every ten diesel
engine failures are directly related to poor quality
and contaminated fuel. The build up of contamination
in the fuel systems and storage tanks can clog
filters, thereby causing the engine to shut down,
and damage to the engine to occur.

The number one reason for bad fuel is due to the
increasing popularity of diesel power and the
accompanying increased demand for more diesel fuel.
Long ago, diesel fuel remained in the refinery
storage tanks long enough to naturally seperate and
begin to settle, allowing the clean fuel to be
drawn apart. Now, with the demand getting higher
than ever, the fuel is never stationary long enough
to settle, and the suspended water and solids are
passed on to the person buying the fuel - you.

The changes in refinery techniques is also a
problem. In order to get more products, diesel
fuel is being refined for more marginal portions of
the crude barrel. This results in a lower grade
product that is thicker and also contains a lot
more contamination.

As time continues to pass and technology gets better
and better, one can only hope that the quality of
diesel fuel improves. As it stands now, the quality
isn't good at all. If you run diesel fuel, all
you can basically hope for is that the fuel you
are getting isn't contaminated.