GasBuddy Blog

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: GasBuddy Official Blog > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Diesel vs. gasoline pollution- diesel making improvements	Post a Reply Back to Topics

PD Moderator	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:08:12 AM Ignore PD Report Abuse Engine technology has come a long way in just the past few decades. Perceptions have changed- well some of them- as people begin to branch out and try newer cars powered by new engines and the technology in them. I remember just a few years ago trying to persuade a family friend that a 4-cylinder engine has changed- its no longer the boring, underpowered engine that it used to be. It can climb hills with ease- it is responsive, it's clean, it's small yet functional. Other perceptions have taken longer to correct. The one I'm thinking of is the perception that diesel engines are slow, dirty, and only for trucks- which is wrong, wrong, and wrong. For more on the diesel vs. gasoline debate, here's an article from... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

Moderator

Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:08:12 AM

Ignore PD Report Abuse

Engine technology has come a long way in just the past few decades. Perceptions have changed- well some of them- as people begin to branch out and try newer cars powered by new engines and the technology in them.

I remember just a few years ago trying to persuade a family friend that a 4-cylinder engine has changed- its no longer the boring, underpowered engine that it used to be. It can climb hills with ease- it is responsive, it's clean, it's small yet functional.

Other perceptions have taken longer to correct. The one I'm thinking of is the perception that diesel engines are slow, dirty, and only for trucks- which is wrong, wrong, and wrong.

For more on the diesel vs. gasoline debate, here's an article from...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

hwkky All-Star Author Kentucky Posts:657 Points:111,010 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2011 3:58:14 PM Ignore hwkky Report Abuse In spite of higher diesel fuel prices. The diesel still shows itself to be more economical. My 3/4 Truck when pulling my 30ft trailer gets 10mpg vs. my old gas truck which was lucky to get 6mpg. I have friends who report the same results between their diesel and gas cars.
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:9,521 Points:1,831,615 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2011 11:07:36 AM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse Diesel technology has came up in the last few years.
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:754,355 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 24, 2011 12:27:28 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse Good to hear maybe I will consider a diesel next time
liang Rookie Author Edmonton Posts:68 Points:273,285 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Mar 23, 2011 1:52:26 PM Ignore liang Report Abuse i love diesel engines however there are not so many choices here
power_ten Rookie Author Virginia Posts:3 Points:35,865 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2011 8:54:46 PM Ignore power_ten Report Abuse I'm loving my 2010 VW Jetta TDI (turbo diesel injection). No smell, no smoke, no clatter. I figure the greater MPG offsets the fact that fuel price is slightly below premium. I get over 40MPG on highway trips, low 30s in solely stop and go. Great torque in mid range acceleration.
FordF2502001 Champion Author Mississippi Posts:7,993 Points:1,599,740 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2011 8:09:49 PM Ignore FordF2502001 Report Abuse I wish Ford would roll out diesels in small cars and the ranger.
sabob Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:12,501 Points:1,128,270 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 17, 2011 8:25:37 PM Ignore sabob Report Abuse Gasoline burners would have been a thing of the past if GM hadn't screwed up so bad 30 some years ago. I've been a diesel mechanic all my life & there's nothing better yet, BUT, hydrogen is the fuel of the future, so lets get at it before it's too late. Too bad the gov't. didn't let them go bankrupt, they about bankrupted lots of other people!!!! [Edited by: sabob at 3/17/2011 9:28:16 PM EST]
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,972 Points:1,276,975 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Aug 17, 2010 11:44:10 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse What helps to kill the thought of owning a diesel is the higher fuel cost per gallon at the pumps.
sluggopyle Champion Author North Carolina Posts:23,608 Points:1,075,890 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2010 11:35:18 PM Ignore sluggopyle Report Abuse => I have a 4 cylinder engine in a Saturn L-200 and it DOES NOT climb hills with EASE. We will never buy another 4 cylinder powered vehicle again. <= That's strange, because I have a Saturn S-series (older, smaller engine) and it climbs hills just fine. Even with a full station-wagon load.
kelsielee Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,389 Points:672,025 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2010 9:06:12 PM Ignore kelsielee Report Abuse More and cleaner burning diesel engines will be part of our energy future, but since diesel still requires oil (and more than gasoline requires), we still need to have more and more hybrid and EVs, etc. in the future to reduce our dependence on oil.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,028 Points:2,346,485 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 9:38:17 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse The newer diesel engines are much better than the older engines. The newer engines are better made and with better fuel efficiency. The newer diesel fuel is much better than the older diesel fuel. The sulfur was removed from diesel a few years back, that’s why it costs more than the old diesel – the extra refining involved. Diesel has more ‘energy’ (BTU) in the fuel and gets better MPG than comparable gasoline fuel. And the diesel engine lasts much longer, its burning oil and lubricates the engine as it runs. Diesel can also use refined WVO as a fuel.
ENORMS Champion Author Colorado Posts:3,020 Points:1,590,630 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 6:45:03 AM Ignore ENORMS Report Abuse I hate being behind a diesel vehicle on the road.
torn8owx Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,313 Points:577,515 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 5:29:14 AM Ignore torn8owx Report Abuse Diesel "yield" from a barrel of oil does have to to deal with the complexity of the oil & the refinery doing the job. Reality is since we don't have any new refineries going up, the relationship isn't really likely to budge
PatrickBC Veteran Author Vancouver Posts:269 Points:79,910 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 1:13:31 AM Ignore PatrickBC Report Abuse The diesel is very good.
runout9 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,240 Points:978,145 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:46:25 AM Ignore runout9 Report Abuse I drove a diesel for twenty-five years. I made sure it was always running as smooth & clean as possible. I'd love to see the technology & efficiency really achieve the title: "clean diesel." I do know that it's coming.
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:6,864 Points:1,357,725 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:46:09 AM Ignore comprof Report Abuse Did we not read an article two days ago about getting less diesel than gas from a barrel of oil? Everyone going in different directions and each contradicting the other.
eddyp94 Champion Author Ontario Posts:8,163 Points:1,660,835 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:42:38 AM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse diesel has come a long way....
Grelch Rookie Author San Jose Posts:23 Points:483,090 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:39:55 AM Ignore Grelch Report Abuse Besides better mileage, there is the longevity and less maintenance of the diesel engines.
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,185 Points:1,117,865 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:38:17 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse This 'blog posting' and other similar posts that I have read on GasBuddies have caused me to change my thinking about diesel.
grouch311 Champion Author Peoria Posts:6,378 Points:1,573,630 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:36:02 AM Ignore grouch311 Report Abuse thinking of diesel for next vehicle
Doumars Veteran Author Ontario Posts:307 Points:243,440 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:22:55 AM Ignore Doumars Report Abuse Diesel in Canada is about par with gasoline prices now due to the Almighty HST
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:7,292 Points:1,640,885 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:20:05 AM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse I have a 4 cylinder engine in a Saturn L-200 and it DOES NOT climb hills with EASE. We will never buy another 4 cylinder powered vehicle again.
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:9,414 Points:2,122,735 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:19:39 AM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse "...that a 4-cylinder engine has changed- its no longer the boring, underpowered engine that it used to be. It can climb hills with ease- it is responsive, it's clean, it's small yet functional." Depends on which model. On my new car, mine is boring and underpowered and gets mediocre mileage in the city - a big disappointment. I should've gone with the V-6.
DJRIO Champion Author Miami Posts:8,046 Points:1,425,585 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:18:47 AM Ignore DJRIO Report Abuse yes technology has come long way.
catspaw Champion Author Toronto Posts:29,929 Points:3,149,735 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:17:13 AM Ignore catspaw Report Abuse My current boat has a diesel engine and after suffering through all sorts of problems with gasoline engines, but never having a single problem with the diesel, I'll never have a gas powered boat again.
RENEGADEGAS Champion Author Missouri Posts:14,918 Points:1,592,200 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:17:10 AM Ignore RENEGADEGAS Report Abuse Rageagainsttm....I agree with you.
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:8,308 Points:1,903,955 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:13:15 AM Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse Don't think I want to pay the high price of diesel fuel.
genef01 Champion Author Nashville Posts:2,611 Points:834,680 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:11:07 AM Ignore genef01 Report Abuse Diesels continue to improve; however, a lot of us remember the GM converted 350 block engine that really gave diesel vehicles in general a black eye.
MikLamb Champion Author Texas Posts:7,985 Points:2,175,120 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2010 12:06:07 AM Ignore MikLamb Report Abuse New-diesel is pretty good!
ShadowACE Champion Author Boston Posts:9,023 Points:2,150,550 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:45:42 PM Ignore ShadowACE Report Abuse I've driven over 2400 miles in the past week and a half dragging my 32-foot fifth wheel trailer behind my Chevy Diesel truck. Along the way we drove large portions of Virginia's Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina. Peak elevation was a tad over 6000 feet. The Diesel never hesitated, even on some 7 and 8 degree grades. My previous combination was a Suburban with the 5.7L (350 ci) V-8 and a much lighter travel trailer. I would not have begun to take that pair over this route. And for the record, this Diesel truck is ten years old and has over 88K miles on it. I convinced that there is nothing better available for towing than a Diesel. Anybody who thinks Diesels are noisy, smelly, or slow is 30 years out of date. Even with the difference in price between Diesel and gas it's more economical to run the Diesel. If the tax penalty on Diesel were removed it would be much cheaper to run (as in Europe) but it's still a winner now.
Quick68 Champion Author Columbus Posts:8,228 Points:1,226,775 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:45:30 PM Ignore Quick68 Report Abuse Garyg7 your dad was right. I have a 19 year old Buick Roadmaster 4200 pounds and a V-8. I get 32 MPG highway 22 City. They don't make cars like that any more. Cars today should get at least 60 to 70 MPG after they could make one like I have 19 years ago.
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:6,158 Points:1,276,485 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:43:58 PM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse I agree that diesel engines have changed in the last few years.
4warned Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,814 Points:2,163,835 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:40:08 PM Ignore 4warned Report Abuse Diesel has its place in the truck world.
JohnofGB Champion Author Flint Posts:5,426 Points:1,097,170 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:32:11 PM Ignore JohnofGB Report Abuse Diesels were supposed to start using catalytic converters. What happened?
Ramaniac Champion Author St. Louis Posts:11,385 Points:1,954,580 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:31:24 PM Ignore Ramaniac Report Abuse +1
cow0man Sophomore Author Virginia Posts:109 Points:90,790 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:28:29 PM Ignore cow0man Report Abuse The fuel price use to offset the additional cost. Not so any more, but will not give up my diesels.
GaryG7 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:13,854 Points:2,703,200 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:26:05 PM Ignore GaryG7 Report Abuse My father was one of those who believed that a car had to have a V-8 in order to have any power. I had an Acura Legend with a V-6 that had plenty of power. He said something about the car being nice but having only a V-6, so when the light turned green, I floored the accelerator. He was stunned. He's gone now, but I wonder what he would think about the BMW 335d which does 0-60 in 5.8 seconds. Motortrend article on BMW 335d
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,926 Points:3,104,650 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:23:24 PM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse diesel fuel costs too much here.....
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:8,751 Points:1,977,625 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:23:23 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse Always have said my 1980 VW Rabbit Diesel was the best care I have owned to date!!!! Perhaps VW will do it again SOON PLEASE!
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,270 Points:2,266,615 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:22:34 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Diesel engines are good clean alternatives to gasoline; and diesel can be made from renewable resources like vegetable oil, and algae.
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:9,545 Points:1,861,895 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:20:55 PM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse Diesels are all over Europe.
gasaholicMO Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,621 Points:510,940 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:19:57 PM Ignore gasaholicMO Report Abuse Diesels have come a long way. I remember when they were noisy, unreliable and hard to start. Now you never hear of owners complaining about the noise or starting problems and they do get great gas mileage and they have a lot of torque.
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:23,672 Points:2,082,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:15:54 PM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse I guess I'm just one of the ones that needs persuading. Diesel is still 30¢ more than regular gasoline. Make that up in gas mileage? Me thinks NOT!
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,537 Points:1,858,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:13:56 PM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse Solar Power all the way....
CumminsFanOH Champion Author Columbus Posts:1,670 Points:827,990 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:11:18 PM Ignore CumminsFanOH Report Abuse The VW TDI can get 50 MPG - beat that gasoline!
Bonito Champion Author Dayton Posts:15,754 Points:3,007,895 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:08:22 PM Ignore Bonito Report Abuse What it is : Diesels cost to much up front and it cost more than gas! Plus it made from OIL and ya don't get it, we need off oil NOW! [Edited by: Bonito at 8/6/2010 12:09:17 AM EST]
regasaz Champion Author Phoenix Posts:5,775 Points:1,281,630 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:04:43 PM Ignore regasaz Report Abuse I love my diesel...... wish I could get a good 4 cyl. diesel in a midsized SUV.
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:267,902 Points:1,200,750 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:04:07 PM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse ... I loved my Oldsmobile diesel station wagon. ...
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:02:25 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Friends have diesel cars, and they feel very satisfied with them.
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:7,131 Points:1,356,655 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:01:51 PM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse Test Of Time!