Diesel Engine Vs Gasoline Engine

Whether you're thinking about buying a diesel car or truck or becoming a diesel mechanic or simply would like to compare a diesel powered vehicle to a more conventional unleaded gasoline powered vehicle, there are a few things you need to bear in mind and understand. Each type of engine has its own advantages and drawbacks, so knowing what you need and how you need it for your personalized lifestyle is really important.

Today's diesel engines are certainly not what they have been 10 or even five years back. Gone are the days of pungent exhaust and unacceptably obnoxious engine sound. Diesel engines have become much cleaner, have more power and are considerably more dependable. These are some of the reasons that we are seeing more and more ordinary automobiles with diesel engines rather than the traditional gasoline engine.

Let's take a look at various differences between these two engine types.

Are the Engines of Diesel Trucks and Cars Better?

Theoretically, a diesel truck engine is quite similar to the engine of a truck powered by gas. They are both internal combustion engines that are designed to transform one type of energy to another type of energy. This energy then results in linear motion, which then causes forward motion to take place. The major difference is how the combustion takes place. A gas truck engine has fuel combustion come about thanks to sparks from spark plugs. A diesel truck engine has the fuel combustion take place from the heat of the pressurized air within the engine.

Safety of the Engine

As any diesel mechanic will tell you, although you can flame diesel fuel in the open air using merely a wick, it is significantly less explosive than gas and does not develop a flammable vapor. That means a diesel engine won't ever vapor lock. Moreover, a diesel mechanic will tell you that the engines in diesel trucks will be more efficient because of their fuel efficiency, which is practically constant as compared to the sporadic nature of a gasoline engine which often can use more fuel to get less power.

Engine Performance

As any diesel mechanic will explain, what makes a car so appealing is its ability to accelerate swiftly. For that reason, we need to evaluate the performance difference between both engine types. Because engines in diesel trucks and cars are focused on torque as opposed to horsepower, they'll run more efficiently but accelerate fairly slowly in comparison. For many automobile owners, that lack of acceleration is unsatisfactory. For motorists who are looking to use their car or truck for pulling heavy loads such as campers or boats, a diesel engine makes more sense.

Efficiency of the Engine

When you compare a diesel engine to a gasoline engine, we cannot overlook the efficiency between both engines. If you are looking for an engine that's going to be used long-term, then a diesel engine is going to be best for your needs because you will save money over the lifespan of the engine. With 20 - 30% less fuel consumption, the savings really can add up. Diesel engines also have a longer lifespan than their gasoline counterparts. A typical diesel engine lasts around 350,000 miles before needing an overhaul, the gasoline counterpart is good for about 120,000 miles. Should you be looking for short term benefits, however, then a gasoline engine will likely be for you since it will take a few years for a gasoline engine to be less cost effective overall than a diesel engine.

Ultimately the environmental advantage of using a diesel engine is what shifts the debate in favor of using it primarily. The engines of diesel trucks and automobiles produce only a minimal quantity of carbon monoxide, so minimal, actually, that they can be used underground. Less carbon monoxide impact on our atmosphere means a healthier planet, and that's something we should all be striving toward.


In addition, you can find helpful information on MechanicApprentice.com. MechanicApprentice.com is a site dedicated to helping everyone begin their careers as a diesel mechanic and answering your questions about what it takes to become a diesel mechanic.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6788465

Comparing Diesel to Gasoline Engine - Cost, Efficiency, Mileage and Others

Which do you think is better? Having a diesel engine or a gasoline engine?

There are so many kinds of vehicles emerging in our generations nowadays. It is important that we know what engine will give us the most satisfaction of owning that certain vehicle. Let us try to dig deeper on the advantages of diesel and gasoline engine.

Diesel engines are first of all, more efficient in contrast to gasoline engine. Why? Simply because you burn less fuel for the same mileage which means that you get great efficiency gain by approximately 20-25% over a petrol engine. This engine also has more torque and do not need spark plugs hence, its electrics is not as complicated as a gasoline engine. What is so amazing about diesel engines is that it will take you a lifetime before it gets damaged. You can even use bio-diesel or simply used and filtered vegetable oil with met oxide. No doubt diesel engines are absolutely more reliable than other kinds of engine.

On the contrary, there are also advantages in using gas engines. Unlike diesel engine, they do not emit more particulate matter (although CO2 is less) than diesel engines. Gas Engines have quiet type of engine compared to diesel engines which are actually noisier. Lastly, these engines have bigger power band which requires more gear changes.

Having said the good points of both engines, there are still other things to consider in arriving at a decision as to what type of engine is better. Things like the cost of fuel which is tremendously increasing everyday not only in our country but all over the world; the engine noise as other people are getting affected and sometimes irritated with the level of noise our engines have; and the weather. One must be able to look at the engine that can withstand extreme and varying weather we have at the moment.

Comparing diesel versus gasoline engine is not really an easy task. Many things have to be given careful thought and consideration before you can arrive at a sound decision. But the best thing one should do to decide which is which is to determine their needs before they go and buy a vehicle.

The amount of money they wish and can actually spend must also be considered. If you want a fast engine, least torque and has great acceleration, you should go for a gas engine.

Nevertheless, if what you are after is strong torque, fuel economy, and great mileage, a diesel engine is what you should buy. Even though diesel engines are more expensive than gas engines; you won't go wrong with this kind of engine because it gives you the greater benefits of the two. At least now, you are able to know the comparisons of diesel vs. gasoline engines.

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Diesel Gas Mileage Compared to Gasoline Miles Per Gallon - Which is the Winner?

If you're thinking about trading in your car for a new automobile, there are lots of things to think about that we can sometimes forget to take into account one basic choice. Do you plan on gasoline or diesel? If you think a diesel truck is like an old smoky truck you laughed at years ago, then you still haven't recognized that modern diesel vehicles are almost indistinguishable from their gas driven brethren. The diesel gas mileage you get is virtually always improved, you don't see smoke any more, and better engine designs give you more engine power and a smoother ride.

The diesel engine has been given an extreme rethink, and, with proper checks and servicing each year, will provide years of fault-free functionality, while also giving more miles for your dollar. It's interesting to note that European countries are mostly more fuel wise than the USA. Most European cars are diesel driven, not gas driven. In fuel mileage comparisons, diesel almost always beats gas.

Diesel engines have not been as popular in the US because the majority of EU-make cars would not pass US emissions requirements. Of course, by not taking to diesel engines like our European cousins, we are shedding fuel savings we could have enjoyed with diesel. And that's at a time when we're hurting from fuel shortages. Perhaps it is time for a rethink.

Advances in alternative fuels led to the creation of bio diesel fuel, which effectively fixes many of our environmental and fuel supply difficulties. Instead of using crude oil to produce this fuel, the process makes use of organic material, such as sugar cane, sugar beet and corn, to create the bio fuel.

Diesel bio fuel is made by breaking down the above vegetable food crops into short chain methyl or ethyl alcohol, then mixing the liquid with traditional diesel fuel in varying blends or grades. You can even use this alcohol fuel on its own without dramatic changes to your vehicle's motor. Buses and trucks have been successfully running on bio diesel fuel for years with no reported problems.

Diesel engines return 40% more miles per gallon than gas-powered. And though diesel may cost more at the petrol station, those diesel gallons drive you considerably further. So diesel engines can really save you dollars in the long run.

While gasoline-powered cars can rarely manage 40 mpg or more, some diesel cars, such as the diminutive Smart ForFour, manage nearly 70 mpg. The ForFour has a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine and has passed the stringent US smoke emissions laws. It is being marketed in the United States by Daimler Chrysler.

But believe it or not, the ForFour is not the all-time-champion for diesel fuel efficiency. The European-made Lupo - manufactured up until 2005 - could wring out a mind-boggling 78 miles per gallon.

The results are in, and diesel gas mileage gives more mpg than gasoline mileage. That's definite.

For further information on diesel gas mileage take a look at http://www.i-save-u-gas.com/diesel-gas-mileage-a-better-choice/ right now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Lee

Diesel vs Regular Gasoline - Which is Better for the Environment?

With the implementation of alternative fuel sources on the minds of many, diesel is now under the microscope more than ever. Although diesel-powered vehicles have been around for a long time, gasoline is still the primary fuel source for most North American vehicles. Why has diesel not been used as a fuel source in more vehicles? Which is better for the environment? These are questions that are being asked more frequently as the search for alternative fuels is weighing heavily on more people's minds.

Gasoline vs. Diesel

It turns out that gasoline is more volatile than diesel, not because of what its base consists of, but because of the additives it contains. In addition, vehicles that use diesel tend to be more fuel-efficient and produce less greenhouse gases. In that respect, diesel is more environmentally friendly. Diesel actually produces 15% more in greenhouse gases than gasoline when compared by the litre rather than the gallon. Yet it is through the 20-40% improvement in fuel economy over gasoline that offsets the higher emissions per litre. In actuality, the carbon dioxide emissions are considerably less than gasoline, but diesel does contain 2,778 grams of carbon per gallon, whereas gasoline contains 2,421 grams per gallon. But, again, it is the fuel economy of diesel that accounts for the smaller rate of carbon emissions.

Then again, diesel fuel contains larger quantities of sulfur. The United States has what is considered to be the dirtiest diesel, but as of June 1, 2010 this is going to be different. U.S. diesel fuel has a lower measure of ignition quality. This means that when it is cold outside, ignition performance is poor and can result in higher emissions. This is why you see truck drivers idling their trucks all night long in cold weather rather than risk a troublesome start in the mornings.

But, the sulfur in the diesel that is emitted during cold ignitions and long engine idling is still harmful to the environment because the sulfurs prevent the control of diesel particulate emissions through diesel particulate filters. This is changing, though, since new advanced technologies such as nitrogen oxide absorbers are being developed to reduce these emissions.

As for gasoline, it is the non-aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as carcinogenic additives that avoid engine-knocking that threaten the public's health and the environment. This exposure happens in the case of gasoline leaks and then, of course, there are the carbon emissions we hear a lot about. Leaks occur when trucks begin leaking the gasoline they are carrying, storage containers are not stored properly, and from motor vehicle leakage. The harmful additives in gasoline can get into groundwater and contaminate public water supplies.

However, Dieselization is becoming a more common use of diesel as a fuel in motor vehicles, although it is determined that both diesel and gasoline have harmful effects on the environment. When we look at the carbon emissions of both, we find that diesel will emit more per gallon (or litre), but when you look at how much you have to fill the fuel tank with diesel versus how much you have to fill with gasoline, you will find that the percentage of emissions is offset for diesel, which can be friendlier on the pocketbook. On the other hand, sulfur is emitted by diesel and diesel does not perform as well in cold weather as gasoline, so until 2010 when diesel is cleaned up, gasoline may be slightly more environmentally friendly than diesel in respect to the emissions from automobiles. As for ground contamination, diesel has an edge over gasoline in keeping our world clean.

Fleet fuel cards are applicable for both gasoline and diesel engines. It's important take the environment into consideration when choosing a vehicle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_Murphy

Diesel Versus Gasoline: Why a Diesel Powered Car Might be Your Better Choice

The word "Diesel" should no longer make you picture semi-trucks, or loud, clunky broken down cars. Diesel over the past twenty years has changed by leaps and bounds and has become more popular now than ever.

If you rode around in a diesel vehicle in the 80's, you are probably screaming "gasoline is better" at the top of your lungs. This is excusable due to the fact that twenty years ago
diesels were extremely loud and unreliable. Luckily for us, technology has come to the rescue in the form of reliability. Diesel cars are now commonly seen running with over 250,000 miles of use. Though gasoline engines can hang in there for quite a long time themselves, getting to the quarter million point, with proper maintenance, is unlikely.

Life expectancy is definitely a plus when comparing diesel and gas cars. What about maintenance? Well, diesel engines don't use an ignition so you have no tune-up costs or worries. They use glow plugs rather than spark plugs which generally need to be changed every two years or so plus or minus a few months depending on the vehicle. As far as oil changes, they work the same as gas engines---change the oil every 3,000 miles and you'll be fine. Fuel and air filters should be changed regularly as needed, of course.

Now, the all important numbers. If we start with upfront costs, the diesel seems more expensive, and a comparison of the same make and model car yields a cost difference of about three
thousand dollars between the diesel and gasoline versions. But is diesel really more expensive? Let's examine the question.

Diesel fuel is almost always cheaper than unleaded gas, and how much cheaper varies of course with rising and falling gas prices. But The cost savings do not stop at the pump; they continue as you drive down the road and by this we are talking fuel economy. The diesel is the king of this domain. With some
diesels getting over 70 mpg, this is by far the best bang for the buck.

So the diesel wins in fuel economy and maintenance. But are there disadvantages to diesel? Well, diesel engines aren't perfect. They can be a little noisier than gas engines, though this small amount of noise usually fades at cruising speed. They also lack a bit in acceleration compared to gas engines.

However, despite these small shortcomings, diesels are certainly becoming more user friendly and more economical and each day more and more people are choosing to go this route. It's even quite possible that one day the majority of our motor vehicles will be diesel powered. However, until then you have the information needed to consider whether or not the diesel will be a contender for your next vehicle purchase.

The author of this article is Tim Moore, who publishes a website on Fibromyalgia which features a section on Fibromyalgia and Social Security Disability

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_Moore

Diesel vs. Unleaded: The Truth About Fuel Economy

Ahh, you remember it, don't you? Sitting in the back of your family's station wagon as a kid, your father pulls up to the gas pump and a station attendant-an occupation about as extinct as the dinosaurs-came running out with a rag in his hand, leaned into the driver's window and said... "Diesel or unleaded?"

Those days are long gone. And I'm not just referring to the attendant. Nowadays, at least in the U.S., you can expect to find three things at a gas pump: self-serve, pay first, and unleaded gasoline only.

Misconceptions about diesel fuel being "dirtier" than unleaded gas several years ago ultimately led to diesel's obsolescence in the more environmentally progressive United States. Car companies began to manufacture cars that, for the most part, ran on traditional gasoline.

In response, however, steps were taken to improve the cleanliness of diesel and now major car companies have begun to sell diesel-powered vehicles to consumers once again.

In the past, especially in the United States, diesel fuel was considerably dirtier than unleaded gasoline. Vehicles in the United States also tended to be built for traditional gasoline, with the exception of large trucks, buses, and semis. In recent years, however, steps have been taken to improve the cleanliness of diesel fuel through regulation, and many companies have begun selling popular consumer cars that run on diesel fuel.

One such company is Isuzu Motors, known for its popular 5-passenger Ascender SUV, and two models of high-performing pick up trucks (the i-290 and i-370). Isuzu's diesel engines have won a laundry list of awards in past years including "Truck of the Year" by Motor Trend Magazine, "Executive Diesel Car of the Year 2002" by Diesel Car Magazine (a publication in the U.K.), "Germany's best small and compact car of the Year 2001" by Mot Magazine (published in Germany), as well as having been named multiple times by Ward's Communications of the U.S. as one of the "10 Best Engines." In addition, Isuzu vehicles were voted the top medium-duty truck brand six times in seven years by truck dealers. Impressive, but not fully convinced that diesel's better? Keep reading...

Diesel fuel actually burns more efficiently than gasoline, thus having a better fuel economy-about 30% more efficient on average. Why?

Diesel is denser than its unleaded competitor. Proponents of gasoline are quick to point out that diesel engines produce more greenhouse emissions, which is true, emissions with diesel are about 15% higher than those of traditional unleaded gas due to higher volumetric energy density. However, the increased fuel efficiency more than offsets the higher percentage, so in the long run, diesels produce less emissions- 15% more per gallon used, but a trip in the good ole family car will use 30% less fuel to get to wherever you're going.

Granted, this wasn't the case with Dad's old wagon. Back then, before the anti-diesel crusade, diesel engines were creating more emissions because they simply weren't efficient. Now, with the modern diesel engine achieving a 20- 40% better fuel economy, it's time to give diesel a second look.

But that's not the only exciting news about diesel. Originally, the diesel engine was created as a way to run vehicles using vegetable oils. While farmers originally couldn't compete with big oil companies, with gas prices soaring, there's been a renewed interest in alternative fuel sources-and food-based diesel fuels can be produced quickly, cheaply, and with the abundance of products grown in our very own country. These "hybrid diesels" also known as "biodiesel" are compatible with existing diesel engines and can also be made from waste oils gathered from restaurants or homes-an alternative that serves several ecological benefits at the same time.

Diesel vs. Regular Gasoline: Which Is Better For The Environment?

With the implementation of alternative fuel sources on the minds of many, diesel is now under the microscope more than ever. Although diesel-powered vehicles have been around for a long time, gasoline is still the primary fuel source for most North American vehicles. Why has diesel not been used as a fuel source in more vehicles? Which is better for the environment? These are questions that are being asked more frequently as the search for alternative fuels is weighing heavily on more people's minds.

Gasoline vs. Diesel

It turns out that gasoline is more volatile than diesel, not because of what its base consists of, but because of the additives it contains. In addition, vehicles that use diesel tend to be more fuel-efficient and produce less greenhouse gasses. In that respect, diesel is more environmentally friendly. Diesel actually produces 15% more in greenhouse gasses than gasoline when compared by the litre rather than the gallon. Yet it is through the 20-40% improvement in fuel economy over gasoline that offsets the higher emissions per litre. In actuality, the carbon dioxide emissions are considerably less than gasoline, but diesel does contain 2,778 grams of carbon per gallon, whereas gasoline contains 2,421 grams per gallon. But, again, it is the fuel economy of diesel that accounts for the smaller rate of carbon emissions.

Then again, diesel fuel contains larger quantities of sulfur. The United States has what is considered to be the dirtiest diesel, but as of June 1, 2010 this is going to be different. U.S. diesel fuel has a lower measure of ignition quality. This means that when it is cold outside, ignition performance is poor and can result in higher emissions. This is why you see truck drivers idling their trucks all night long in cold weather rather than risk a troublesome start in the mornings.

But, the sulfur in the diesel that is emitted during cold ignitions and long engine idling is still harmful to the environment because the sulfurs prevent the control of diesel particulate emissions through diesel particulate filters. This is changing, though, since new advanced technologies such as nitrogen oxide absorbers are being developed to reduce these emissions.

As for gasoline, it is the non-aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as carcinogenic additives that avoid engine-knocking that threaten the public's health and the environment. This exposure happens in the case of gasoline leaks and then, of course, there are the carbon emissions we hear a lot about. Leaks occur when trucks begin leaking the gasoline they are carrying, storage containers are not stored properly, and from motor vehicle leakage. The harmful additives in gasoline can get into groundwater and contaminate public water supplies.

However, Dieselization is becoming a more common use of diesel as a fuel in motor vehicles, although it is determined that both diesel and gasoline have harmful effects on the environment. When we look at the carbon emissions of both, we find that diesel will emit more per gallon (or litre), but when you look at how much you have to fill the fuel tank with diesel versus how much you have to fill with gasoline, you will find that the percentage of emissions is offset for diesel, which can be friendlier on the pocketbook. On the other hand, sulfur is emitted by diesel and diesel does not perform as well in cold weather as gasoline, so until 2010 when diesel is cleaned up, gasoline may be slightly more environmentally friendly than diesel in respect to the emissions from automobiles. As for ground contamination, diesel has an edge over gasoline in keeping our world clean.